WOODSTOCK 9

The reason we ended up wading through thick mud, ruining our shoes and spending a lot of time trying to find shelter from the rain, was a great one: WOODSTOCK 9. On arrival in Harrismith we were welcomed by the “half way to Durban” stop Wimpy, some Llamas as well as a torrential rainstorm.
Wisely, we had booked into a B&B in the middle of town, which had a Victorian bath, a comfy bed and an Ouma that found it priority to lock us out (twice) and wake us up early (twice). But it was dry, warm and not a tent, which we decided was a prerequisite for this weekend.

Our first words on arriving at the venue are best not repeated, but we were there for all the great bands, and we’d been through worse…I think.

By this time, the rain had slightly mellowed into a drizzle and most people started leaving their tents. The main stage was the only one that wasn’t covered, but this didn’t stop a small crowd that stood around to watch JOSIE FIELD’s set. I have always liked her music and she really played a great gig. A bigger stage suits her. She doesn’t look nearly as depressed as she does sitting on a chair at Tanz, and this made it all really enjoyable.

HARRIS TWEED played on one of the covered stages, which was a good thing because it was around then when the rain started belting down again. Only Cheri and Darryl played which I found odd, as the rest of the band would have brought up the tempo a bit to fit in with this type of event. There is never any doubt about Harris Tweed not being able to play a great set and that Cheri’s voice would be a highlight – this gig was no exception. They (apparently) had a few sound difficulties, and we weren’t sure why they would have expected such fancy equipment to work in a tent, on a field, in the rain, in the Free State, but this didn’t stop them from giving it their all and the crowd was loving it.

The only reason we endured the rain for one of TASHA BAXTER’s songs, was because a friend of mine was part of the band and we wanted to show him our support. What we heard consisted of the same old, average, radio friendly pop songs, which she sang to a handful of people holding umbrellas.

Around this part of the day, the only person who wasn’t distracted by the weather was a man dressed as Borat in ‘the’ green costume running around with “Re-Play” written across his butt. Great advertising strategy guys!

FEVERTREE got us out from under the Samsung promotions marquee, which we were hiding in because it was dry and there were chairs. After handing out a few broachers we made a quick run for it to the stage. Fevertree haven’t been much of a favourite of late, but with a few gigs under the new band member’s belts, they were really impressive. By their last song, “Friday I’m in Love”, they had attracted quite a huge crowd, which is great for a band that I see going places. Again.

Finally the rain had stopped, the sun was close to setting, there was a huge rainbow throughout the sky, and FARRYL PURKISS was on stage. Things couldn’t get much better. He hails from Durban and tours the world, so it was great to see him playing again. Not just a pretty face (sorry, but it is), he is also very talented. He’s South Africa’s answer to Jack Johnson and performs like any man with an acoustic guitar singing solo on stage should.

I don’t remember much about THE HELLPHONES set, but I do have photos to prove I was there. I don’t remember them being bad, and I think this was the band that had good stage presence. I also think this was the first time during the weekend that we bumped into fellow band supporter Juan, from the now no more Stay Astray. (I told you I’d get your name into the review). He’s a party animal…always great to be around.

Friday’s highlight was definitely EVOLVER. More and more people just kept coming to the main stage throughout the set and by the last song, they had attracted a huge crowd. These guys know how to party, how to drink Tequila and how to perform their hearts out – making them one of the most talked about acts of the festival. They will be playing throughout South Africa over the next few weeks, so make sure you get to see them while you have the chance. These guys are headed right down the road to Rock n Roll stardom.

We could hear PRIME CIRCLE playing in the background while we were trying out our cool new Wellingtons in the mud and puddles. A Prime Circle gig is a Prime Circle gig, and I doubt they brought anything new or interesting along to this set. As predicted, their remake of “As long as I’m here” got the crowd singing along – and a big crowd it was.

SATURDAY was great. The sun was shining and there was so much more on the go. There were people with a death wish doing some crazy things on motorbikes and generally everyone was a lot happier that they didn’t wake up in a leaking tent.

On a mission to find Fire Through The Window, we ended up watching the band GENTLY SCAR’D. We caught their last few songs and they weren’t bad. They weren’t particularly good either although they did attract a small crowd.

CHIX WITH STIX was another band that we listened to from the flea market area. We’ve seen them before, and these girls are amazing. The concept is as great as their talent and they are always cool to see. I wouldn’t watch them too often though as the novelty could wear off – but I would recommend them to anyone. It was all going well until someone (we didn’t bother to find out who) decided to sing. It was bad. It was like they were being punk’d or something. It ruined the atmosphere a bit, but at least it was just limited to one song giving the girls enough time to redeem themselves.

We finally found FIRE THROUGH THE WINDOW! There had been some Durban reviews about them on YBSA, so keen to see what they could do. I really loved them from the beginning of their set. They have two lead vocalists and both he and she have fantastic voices. All their songs were great and they really kept my attention throughout the whole set. This is what I love about what we do. There are so many great bands that are seldom given a chance and we do what we can to get their name out there. So, if you are in the Durban area, Fire Through the Window are a YBSA recommendation.

Next was the gig we had been most eager to see. Firstly, because we had just got a copy of their EP and could now sing along; secondly, that they are just brilliant; and thirdly, because we’d never seen them playing on a big stage and were putting them to the test…YBSA style. VOODOO CHILD really changed the whole vibe of the day. Their performance, image and skill are up there with any top band, and they seemed to attract the whole venue’s attention. Mel (the singer, not the spice girl), who features on their EP, joined Lebo on stage for the album’s first track “Megalomaniac”. Each band member has his own character, which mixed together, works wonders. This is one live act you cannot miss, and if you never thought keyboards were cool, you have to watch Alan – he will give you a new outlook because, damn, he makes them funky.

I love watching LONEHILL ESTATE. Not only do they play great music, but they are always very entertaining. Nathan Ro seems to take on a whole new character with every song and is a pro at getting the crowd involved. Their set makes you laugh, dance, jump around and wait to see what is next up their sleeve. Yip, another one we would highly recommend.

The only reason we made any effort to watch SWIVELFOOT was because Fuzigish named them the best up and coming punk band in SA. That, and Juan (the very same one I mentioned before) was handing out flyers, and he generally has good taste. (Again dude…you owe me). We also never pass up the opportunity to see people skank – gets me every time! As for the band: Wow…what a great performance. Kick yourself now if you missed it and keep an eye out for their gigs because they are going large. Quick.

What’s the drug that makes you feel invincible? There was some ‘brave’ guy on that drug who decided that climbing the lighting rig was a grand idea. With no paramedics in sight, some skankers decided to pull him down which he, in turn, read as encouragement to make it to the top. The band suggested shaking the tent but that didn’t take. Someone eventually convinced him otherwise, and he only ended up falling about seven feet before hitting the ground. He got up and carried on dancing like it hadn’t happened. Weird.

Back at the main stage, NEW ACADEMICS were just starting their set. Being a virtually unknown band, they were the real dark horse of the festival. By now, most people were relaxing/eating lunch/sitting under the trees and despite all the chatting, eating and drinking, most people’s attention was drawn back towards the stage. They were really very good, and from where we were sitting, seemed full of energy and had loads of character. They are the only new band who’s album I bought (for 60 bucks – sweet deal), so look out for a review on that. Until then I’m going to try see them as much as possible because I’m smelling a new Kickass Band around this corner.

Leading up to Woodstock there have been a few ‘Battle for Woodstock’ gigs/competitions on the run. I was really keen to see this year’s BATTLE WINNER, surely it was going to be someone good…but I was wrong. They were really one of the saddest winning anything, so sad in fact that I didn’t bother to find out their name. Saw some great bands at one of the ‘Battle’ gigs, so fear not, the future is still safe, bright and sunny.

MYEPIC had offered us a copy of their new EP, which is what brought Steve Stevens to Woodstock in the first place. We had seen them a few times before, but this gig was unbelievable. The power and the energy behind it were addictive and it all just seemed to end too soon. They have a fantastic new bassist who moves around more than any of the other band members. He’s the kind of guy that can go to a party on his own, not speak to anyone, and still have a really good time. Jeff and Grant give the band so much character, and for such a new band they really have a very distinct sound. See you at their next gig in the front row.

We have been intending to see NIEMAND for a while and they were pretty good. Very relaxed around all the madness going on everywhere else, but they still attracted a big crowd. The vocals were a bit soft initially, but the sound-man (who looked a bit like George Bush) was on the ball.

We stumbled across HIKATORI by mistake. And what a great mistake that was. I’d heard the name but had no idea that the band was going to be that good. They have a different set up to most bands from what I could see standing near the back, which was quite refreshing, and they have a very powerful stage act. See them.

We tore ourselves away as we were actually on our way to see KIDOFDOOM. For an instrumental band, they are surprisingly fantastic. I do enjoy singing along though, so a bit tough because humming doesn’t quite cut it and whistling is just creepy. Really amazed at what can be done without vocals, I see a great future for this band. Soothing yet styling. Ha ha. So cheesy!

JO DAY could be heard throughout the Free State. It was like a political rally with a few songs in between. Power to you girl! We’ll support your cause. We were also getting cold and kinda tired.

We hung around for WICKHEAD to see what they had brought back from the U.S. They decked out the stage and rocked more than anyone expected. It was awesome to see them again and they loved being back. We didn’t stay too long as nine hours of walking around (through thick mud in cool shoes) had caught up with us.

So many bands, so little time. I wish we could have seen them all, but Steve can only be in one…uhh…two places at a time.

Early Sunday morning, we joined pretty much the rest of the weary looking Woodstock crowd at the Shell garage for a quick breakfast, then made our way back to Joburg. This weekend was really a Steve Stevens highlight and we will definitely be back…just at a different B&B.