FORTA ROCK 2009

The Devils Blood - Moonspell - Meshuggah - Satyricon - Death Angel - Candlemass - Kataklysm - Keep Of Kalessin - The Dillinger Escape Plan - Delain - All Shall Perish - Heidevolk - Warbringer

Ok, after two festival weekends that have been more stressful than anything else, mainly due to deficient organization, I can now produce proof of the contrary that a festival can be organized completely different, even if it is the very first time: FORTA ROCK 2009!

Well, for that you have to leave German lands (and its all drowning red tape), but - as for me - Nijmegen is just around the corner ;) Together with lovely Wiebke from Hotel666 we got of the grid Saturday early morning, of course not without getting flashy-thinged again (we were in a hurry, ya know, two girls blabbering all the time… *laughs*), crossed the boarder briskly and checked in our hotel 2 hrs later. Luckily most of the rain got released during our trip on the highway and left us dry on the festival ground. At the hotel we could loan us bikes and relaxedly rode to Park Brakkenstein. With some twists and turns but at the end we found our way ;) Entry was easy, no matter if on the ticket window or the guestlist window, no queues at all, although they donnishly checked all bags. We were just slipping through and let this beautiful and old park just play itself out. Great :)

:: Bands :: Pics ::

As usual at Dutch shows & festivals we first bought us pay-chips - Munten (for drinks & food) and checked out the festival area. A huge plot for water toilets, many beer stalls, a chill-out-area with lotsa exotic food stalls, tables and sitting benches, merchandise and CD’s tents and trash cans at every corner. Purple spotlights were bathing these ancient trees on the ground. Ok, at noon not really effective but at nocturnal hours it will pay off ;)

Two stages were built up, in a right angle, one open air stage and another one in an old but very charming big top. Bands were alternately playing with enough time in between to change and move. It was an easy task all time. Only… both stages were really high, 2m, and the photopit in the tent as broad as my… bottom. That might be an… interesting place to work *lol*

Backstage there was a huge tent for everybody. Coffee and tea for free plus breakfast and lunch with voucher. We didn’t have any but could easily exchange our Munten. Mmmmm… yummy! Dressing tents for three bands each with own catering and a motley mix of musicians in front of them, settling in like being on holidays. Perfect ambiance I’d say ;)

The FORTA ROCK Open Air Festival takes place for the very first time. Normally organizers book shows for the Doornroosje club (incl. The Forta Rock indoor festivals) and other events in town. This inaugural open air is a huge and risky step for the team, and a very successful one I say :) The line-up was just great, promising an awesome festival day. As for me… I’ll be back next year!

Around 4000 fans appeared. Atmosphere was utmost relaxed. No crowdsurfing and therefore no need for securities. Two guys at every stage, looking around the corner every now and then and checking if everything is ok. Only thing I found strange was the “game” to throw half-full beer cups around. I got completely showered with beer in every photo pit. Hm. Beer is good for hair? ;)
Volume was restricted to 98dB (residents around the park), which was ok. It wasn’t too quiet and earplugs still a must-be.

Funny side note: the served beer was Bavaria, a Dutch beer, its owners had to battle for at the EU court since Bavarian representatives were suing them for using this name. The Bavarians lost by the way… Regarding Bavaria… there is much better beer around ;)

Ok, and now let’s finally talk about the bands and check the pics ;)