Review of Rock Werchter and a guide to public transport strategy

9 July 2010

The long anticipated Rock Werchter
Rock Werchter was pretty mind blowing. That is, for 4 days I left my mind flapping noisily in the wind while I directed my energies towards other things. Such as survival. More specifically surviving 4 days in 34° degree heat at a festival where you kinda can't sit around in the shade all day if you actually wanna see anything. Somehow I pulled it off. Although my mental faculties are only really starting to return now. They're crawling slowly in my direction with a smarmy look in their slimy eyes.

As I'm sure you can imagine, they weren't the 4 most hygienic days of my life. I mean when we (me and Monica) weren't at concerts we were at the camping ground in a well boiled tent. Sleeping in that bugger is pretty disgusting in that heat. I mean, it really is gross. And that wasnt even using my sleeping bag.

Oh and much thanks to Monica for keeping my wallet and stuff in her handbag for most of the festival :)

Ok so this is what I saw, the performances which were good (regardless of whether I'm a fan of their music or not) are marked with a smiley face and the bad ones are marked with my face of eternal mourning   D:
In no particular order....

• Muse :)
• Greenday D:
• Them Crooked Vultures :)
• Vampire Weekend :)
• Arcade Fire :)
• Pearl Jam :)
• Rise Against :) 
• 30 Seconds to Mars D:
• Jack Johnson :)
• Balthazar :)  (Belgian band, never heard them before but pretty good, more on them later)
• Pink :)
• Paramore, surprisingly :)
• Stereophonics :)

Those are the ones I remember anyway. saw some other stuff but they obviously didn't make too much of an impression on me.


Impromptu reviews

Muse, Pearl Jam and Vampire Weekend
I don't want to go on too much about how great the big bands were, because I'm pretty sure its all been said before. All I'm going to say is that Muse and Pearl Jam both lived up to the hype. Vampire Weekend was great - they seem to carry a kind of innocence in their performance which I guess may come from them being relatively new to the scene.


Greenday
Probably the biggest let down of the festival. The only performance I genuinely wanted to end about halfway through. And my god, they played for like 2 and a half hours. A band with a lot of good music could pull that off (Pearl Jam, Muse) but they simply don't have the volume to work with. So they end up wasting all this time stopping and talking to the crowd during the song - completely stoppping the song for a solid 5 minutes. That happened on average 2 or 3 times a song. The first time it happens it's kinda ok but eentually you just want it to be over. By the time the song comes back on you've completely lost interest. Especially if it was one of their crappier songs to begin with.

The thing that really turned me off the whole thing though, apart from all I've already mentioned, is that they seem like complete pricks. I mean that probably seems like stating the obvious for some, but they really acted like douchebags. That drummer, my god, he thinks he's so damn funny. i think he has it in his head to try and be 'the crazy wacky one' but all he ends up doing is looking like an overweight older man trying to fit into a strange assortment of school clothes, wearing make-up and running like a retarded chicken. And not in a good way. The lead singer just makes up for that in general dickheadedness. The bassist managed to remain relatively inoffensive so I won't give him a hard time.

Arcade Fire
Many of you may know Arcade Fire, but I must admit, while I'd heard of them, I'd never actually heard one of their songs before going to Werchter. They had one of the best performances in my opinion. The energy on stage was incredible. They were crazy, but they pulled it off really well. Would be interested to listen to their music and see if its still good without the performance to back it up.

Balthazar
Right, so this is the Belgian band I mentioned earlier. Never heard of them prior to Werchter, but was pretty impressed. Its mostly pretty simple music from what I've heard but I like it. If you want to have a listen to a song to see what I'm talking about check it out at Balthazar's Myspace. You can listen to a few of their singles there. All good if I recall but like 'Hunger at the door' in particular as well as 'The boatman'... I think... Let me know what you think of the music in the comments...You know... if you want...

The rest I can't really be bothered talking about, not that they weren't good, I just don't feel like talking about them so much...

... There is one thing I should probably mention.. You know how at concerts they usually throw picks/drumsticks into the crowd? Well I was almost right at the front for Pearl Jam, and I managed to score myself a genuine PEARL JAM PICK! Which I feel is pretty damn awesome.

----------------------END OF REVIEWS---------------------------

This week was mostly back to normal. Last night I went to what can only be desrcibed as a youth booth festival. Which was pretty good. Before that we'd been playing lots of pool which was good cause I haven't done that properly in a while...

Public Transport
What is it with people when you're trying to get off the train/tram and they try get in before you can get out??? I mean, its bloody full. It doesn't take much brainpower to work out that if something is full, you have to empty it a bit before anything else can be put in it. But nooooo... these dicks are ambitiously trying to defy the laws of physics. And provoke my ire. Lets not forget the ire. I mean, I could glare at them or something. Actually I usually do, but they're too busy to notice.

I have discovered a fairly handy trick to use on trains though. The seats are usually arranged in groups of four - 2 seats alongside oneanother facing another 2. Now if no one is sitting opposite you, you can stretch your legs out and relax a little more without awkwardly rubbing the leg of the big hairy man opposite you. The problem is that thetrain tends to get so ful that its inevitable that someone will come sit in your little foursome of chairs.

I try to disourage this.

So when they are walking along the coach trying to find the least occuppied stall to sit in, I just stare at them. Right in the eyes. Its simple, but it seems to work, because they usually feel so uncomfortable with my eerie stare, that they'll go sit with 3 other random people rather than sit next to, or around me :D Quite an accomplishment I feel.  Its really satisying when you see them coming towards you, you bring out the icy eyes, they look up and meet them momentarily, then, visibly shaken, they scurry off to any stall not in view of yours. I probably get more joy out of that then I should. I like to think of it as my only Jedi Mindtrick (so far)... Thats pretty much my morning socialising for you.

'Til next time accolytes

END

Short hiatus due to Rock Werchter

30 June 2010

Hello everyone.

This is just a quick update, letting you know that I won't be doing a full length blog this week. This is because tomorrow Rock Werchter starts and I only get back to work on Tuesday. Yes yes, you're all off the hook for reading this week, but when you've all stopped breathing sighs of relief, take a moment to consider I will probably have a lot to talk about next week after the festival. So you can have that to look forward to or dread. If you're dreading it then I at least admire your committment to reading all this. But it does kill me inside just a little bit. And when I die inside so do cute bunnies. But thats on your conscience not mine =D

I'll leave you with this quote from a much wiser man than me.

"Most of the time it was probably real bad being stuck down in a dungeon. But some days, when there was a bad storm outside, you'd look out your little window and think, "boy, I'm glad I'm not out in that."

This site has plenty more intellectual but amusing quotes, so for your entertainment, here's my newly discovered bevy of quotes.  Make sure you're in the right mood to read them though because I'm really tired and I'm thinking they were a lot funnier yesterday when I discovered them. Have a look either way.

Farewell for now minions

In Bruges (again), the Soccer World Cup and Rock Werchter! Also Wikileaks on the side.

24 June 2010


Rock Werchter
Wow, the time has finally come. It's a week until Rock Werchter, the best festival in the world. (Thats not just me talking, it has actually been voted the best festival in the world... don't ask me how they work it out or decides though). Either way, I'm starting to get pretty excited. Wolfmother was meant to be there, which would have been awesome, but apparently the lead singer had a severe case of screwjamesoverlitus, so they can't make it anymore. Nevertheless, with a line-up like this one, its still gonna be incredible. Here's a taste of what I'll be pushing and shoving my way through the hordes to see (I say to see them cause I have a feeling the hearing will go pretty quickly): (These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head, don't like all of them, but all are undeniably pretty big names)

• Pearl Jam
• Muse
• Vampire Weekend
• Them crooked vultures
• Jack Johnson
• Rise Against
• Greenday
• Rammstein
• Pink
• Corene Bailey Rae
• Arcade Fire
• The Black Box Revelation
• The Black Keys
• 30 Seconds to Mars
• Alice in Chains
• Paramore

Now you may not like all the bands there, but you have to agree, thats one awesome line-up!
Seriously. Well it all starts next Thurs and goes until the Sun, so its going to be four hardcore days of music, bad smells and possibly a few broken ribs. Hopefully it doesnt rain... Cause that'll suck big time.

World Cup Soccer
New Zealand are playing Paraguay today. Tense times. I'm hoping for a miracle. Italy are playing Slovakia as well and we kinda need Slovakia to do well... So maybe 2 miracles then.. Don't want to say anything more lest I jinx everything... Either way, good luck to the All Whites, they've done much better than everyone expected regardless of what happens now, so we'll at least have that I guess.

A shout out to all my peeps in South Korea and Uruguay, well done for making it through to the second round, you know I've got your back(s)   ;)

In Bruges (Again)
In other news, I'm going back to Bruges tomorrow - staying for the weekend. Bert is coming with. We both love the movie and he hasn't been to Bruges, which I think is blasphemy, especially considering the fact that he is indeed Belgian. Going to try and get to some of the places they filmed, recreate some scenes etc. Think I've mentioned that already in a previous post, hell I don't care, I'm gonna do it and everyone should know. So yeah, pretty psyched about the whole thing really. Will be good to see the city at night as well. You know, different atmosphere and everything. Maybe I'll see a midget or two. Fingers crossed eh.

Hmmm wonder who I offended with that last line... If I keep it up I might find myself running short of viewers.. Hahaha, get it get it get it???? Its funny cause midgets are short. And South African New Zealanders are mildly offensive...

Homework
I've been going extra crazy on listening to Pearl Jam lately - got 349 songs by them on my i-pod. Live albums and all. Also been brushing up on Muse.

Wikileaks
I'm not going to go on about this but if you haven't heard of Wikileaks, check it out here. Its revolutionary. A guy by the name of Julian Assange founded it - Aussie guy. At the moment he's kinda my idol. Regardless of what you think of him or the site, it is very interesting and I really recommend checking it out. Look up some stuff about Julian as well. He's like a modern day hero. For now anyway. He's what every government conspiracy theorist wishes they could be. Fair enough too. If you google either wikileaks or Julian Assange you'll find plenty of info so go wild.  For me its one of the biggest world-wide news worthy stories in a long time... ok Enough of that. Just have a look okay? Consider it your daily duty to humanity or something, you know, whatever chokes your puppy.


Conc.
To all those who have commented on my posts, (you know who you are) thanks a lot, really appreciate them, keep them coming. To those who haven't commented, feel free to do so, its great to hear what you have to say about all of this (whether I know you or not). Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Over and out.

And darkness falls.......

I'm in a dark mood today. The weather reflects this, so maybe I have more influence on this Earth than previously thought. This, however, seems unlikely. I'm trying to find something new to write about at work but I'm drawing a blank which is fairly frustrating. The internet isn't being particularly obliging  either. Which I guess is why I'm here writing dark things in my dark mood.

Over the last few days they started putting up loads of international flags in the Grote Markt. No one seems to know why though. Perhaps there's some internationally focussed conference happening soon. Or something. Maybe they just enjoy the idea of me being confused. Its the kind of thing I would do.

I really want to see this new movie called Kick Ass. It looks like good combination of cool and funny. No doubt I'll give it some sort of unnecessary review on the blog if I ever get around to seeing it. I'll probably use excessive amounts of adjectives. Then I'll feel vaguely smug about the fact that I managed to fit so many flowery, superfluous words into one sentence.

I've been listening to a lot of Pearl Jam recently (Thank you Fergus) in an effort to educate myself for Rock Werchter. Been really enjoying it. I think I've got just about all their albums on my i-pod with the exception of their latest. Which is a bit of a bummer but oh well. I should look on the bright side. I mean I could be dying at a faster rate than I am now. Which would suck.

Between this paragraph and the last I had lunch. Which was good. Most of the places seem to be closed today so we had to walk ages away to find an open grocery. Although ultimately it was worth it because that grocery store did us the courtesy of not making their sandwiches crap. (crap being an adjective in this case, not a verb, if they could actually make their sandwiches crap I think I'd be very impressed, if somewhat put off my appetite) Our usual grocery recently decided that their sandwiches were being enjoyed far too much and so they now produce the equivalent of 2 bits of bun with a moderate amount of moisture between them. In 3 varieties.

Actually, if anyone has any ideas about what I could write about, please comment about them in my blog. I would be eternally grateful. Especially if its actually good :)  Comic relief subjects are also approved of. By me anyway.  

Right, I'm going to be in a dark mood somewhere else now.

The mostly random thoughts of the day

24 march 2010

I've been listening to Muse's new album so I can enjoy Werchter as much as possible. I think I've mentioned before that they kinda changed their style a lot in their latest album. I admit I was initially a little apprehensive, but its really growing on me. Maybe my subconscious is making me like it more because I want to like it more. I mean it's always a possibility. For whatever reason, I now think its a great album - when most bands change a bit they usually do it so they can appeal more to the masses etc, but this feels more like just a different perspective on art. Now I sound like a pretencious idiot who tries to over-intellectualise everything. But hey, there are worse things. I mean there are serial killers out there people. Lets remember that whenever you think I'm saying something particularly snobbish.

My big conundrum for today is whether I should go to Dutch today. The reason I'm contemplating not going is because my throat is pretty sore, as I may have mentioned yesterday, and I'm coughing a fair amount. The main issue being that speaking is a rather large part of the lessons and I don't really fancy saying the guttural words with my throat the way it is. However that also means I wouldn't get to see the other volunteers. So a conundrum indeed. We shall see. I will probably end up making my decision on the spur of the moment as I'm about to get on the train.

New Zealand, get a new flag. I mean I used to think that people who were behind the idea of a new flag were being a bit silly. I mean, there are more important issues right? Where I work, there's a big Australian flag on a mast on the building across from us. Now, they look almost the same. Thats not new. We bitch and moan about being called Australians by half the world, but can't be bothered getting a flag which looks vaguely different. Plus, whenever the flag issue comes up, the government always deflects the issue by saying it costs too much, plus more important things to attend to. But its getting to the point where the time government is wasting on trying to push the issue away is getting so large that they may as well just change the flag and shut people up, so they can finally put it to rest (until we find something else to complain about of course, likely the colour of the flag) and get on with all the 'important issues' of ruling the government. Like objecting to bills for no good reason other than the fact that you're part of the opposition. Politics. Gotta love it. In all its pompous glory (there's some debate about that last word I used there but try think of it more as gloriously pompous).

AHhhhHHhhhHHHHhHHHHHH I scream at life.

Not sure why I'm screaming but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Its a good, shrill, womanly shriek as well. None of that manly stuff that's so fashionable these days. Man I'm really in the mood for making peculiar noises. But I'm trying to restrain myself because making the sound of a cat caught in a chainsaw crossed with a burning bird would probably not go unnoticed in the quiet office I'm in right now. I'd be lucky to get out of the office without a straitjacket. Although it would make a very good story for my family and friends back home. Although if I went through with it I'd probably be seeing the people in NZ a bit sooner than anticipated.

I'm really tired today, can barely keep my eyes open. Which is strange cause I had a reasonable amount of sleep - I even had breakfast this morning. Crazy eh. I mean no one knows what I'm going to do next... I'll be robbing banks next. Then I can buy loads of breakfast. I probably won't though. Will be far too busy doing other important things. Like running from the police etc. That would inconvenience me a lot really. I mean I'd probably have to dye my hair, ridiculously blonde doesn't exactly blend in, and I really don't want to dye my hair. Thus the banks are safe for now. Probably.

GOODBYE

St Patricks Day: the morning after

18 march 2010

So about that gutter I mentioned yesterday....

So yesterday I went off to Dutch, which was fairly run of the mill. Although I've noticed our class members are steadily decreasing. I think there's some morbidly obese chick who eats the occasional one when they're too slow to evade her grasping sausage fingers. We went for the traditional post-pain drinks at Delirium. I don't think a place could be more magical short of prancing pixies, frolicking fairies and possibly Gandalf himself. That old tease. I had decided to go see the STAMP media crew for drinks in Antwerp afterwards so once chilling with the AFS/EVS volunteers was done I made my grand return to the great and glorious city of Antwerp.

There's an Irish pub within 30 sec walking distance from work so that was the chosen hang out. Now remember, it was St Patricks Day, so it was packed. The pub did a lot of business last night. The staff there were actually pretty incredible- they would carry stacks of used glasses which started at their waist and ending midway up their heads (hope that kind of makes sense).This was pretty intense because they would just hold the stack with the one hand, then navigate a jostling crowd, and without dropping or breaking anything. It was an acrobatic feat. I mean for most of us it was all we could do to avoid spilling our drinks (and we mostly failed at that as well). They had some dude dressed up as a Leprechaun playing live music. Have to give him credit, he started off pretty well, but as Leprechauns are notorious drinkers (I mean duh, they're Irish)... well let's just say his music steadily went downhill. By that point not many people cared though. He seemed to know a lot of songs, unfortunately he didn't always know the entire song too well, resulting in a fairly bastardised hotel california amongst other things. It was entertaining nevertheless.

Later on, Bert, some of the other guys and myself took a walk to a cafe to play some pool. I can't remember what it was called, but something to do with broomsticks or witches or some such. Which makes sense when you go inside - every spot of wall or ceiling was covered in witches flying on broomsticks, giant hairy spiders and some other mildy spooky stuff. Oh yes, cobwebs, let's not forget the cobwebs. Me and Bert went back to his after and watched some Green Wing... random bloody show. Then I crashed on the couch for a solid few hours sleep before heading back to work.

So here I am, probably looking slightly worse for the wear. Not too bad though - me being sick the last few days stopped me from drinking much at all, which I guess I'm a little thankful for this morning. Certainly made getting up easier. I suspect I don't smell that great right now but I can live with that for now. The question is whether the others can live with it... Only time will tell. One of the co-workers is still missing in action after last night so I'm guessing she's got some stories to tell. We eagerly wait her arrival. She has to turn up at some point - all of her stuff is here at work, including cell phone, bag, and laptop. Not exactly the kind of things one can shrug off losing.

Oh yes, one more thing... I GOT A TICKET TO WERCHTER!!!

Man I'm excited. So many cool bands are gonna be there; Pearl Jam, Muse, Wolfmother, Rise Against, Jack Johnson, Greenday, Rammstein and Them Crooked Vultures. Loads of other big names which aren't my usual listening taste but it's impressive they're going anyway e.g. Pink, Corinne Bailey Rae, Arcade Fire (I know of them but never heard their music so really can't comment on whether they're my taste or not), Alice in Chains, 30 Seconds to Mars and Paramore. AND there are still 20 more names to be announced. Its basically one massive musical orgy. And I'm going to be there to enjoy every juicy second. Am I going to be near dead by the end of the four days? Hell yeah! But I have a feeling its going to be more than worth it. Now all I need to do is manage not to be sick or motally wounded just prior to the event. If that happens afterwards thats fine, but I need to be in my prime when I go to Werchter. You know, my hair's got to be perfect etc. Cause thats what happens at four day rock festivals. Pretty much a fashion event these days...

Ahem.

Took a little break from blogging and now its 15:49 and our missing in action chick still hasn't made an appearance so I'm thinking she's going to try hold out until tomorrow to get her stuff back.


My brain is MElTing. Seriously.

I'm gonna focus on staying awake now,
bye for now...

FRIDAY!

12 march 2010

Firstly, Grace, if you ever read this, then Happy Birthday!

Ok, so everything I said in my last post about that party, forget it. It's not that it got cancelled or anything like that, I just managed to get most of the details wrong. Only the unimportant details though. Like the date etc. However, I am supposed to be going to a party tonight with Onur, Valerie and Monica. Which should be good. Was feeling a little sick yesterday so hopefully it all works out. Feeling a lot better today though. The party is in Antwerpen, so we're staying at a hostel afterwards to make things easier.

I think if I ever really get the hang of Dutch I'm not going to tell anyone at work. That way they can talk and talk and I'll learn all their secrets. Yeah, thats my grand plan. All I need to do now is learn Dutch....

Really glad I got an i-pod for this trip. Was listening to Vampire Weekend on the way to work, followed by a Perfect Circle. I keep coming up with strange combinations of music but I guess I like the variety. You know, the spice of life and all that.

*yawn*

Looks like everyone in the office went out last night. Some of them are a little manic still... you all know who I'm talking about :p Seem to be in that frenzied state of being completely overtired. It certainly makes work a little.. um... spicey??

I think I'm going to be in need of some serious amounts of caffeine before tonight. Red Bull here I come. Maybe I'll throw some coffee in there as well... you know spice of life ok shut up james.

ITS FRIDAY!!! Always something to be thankful for I guess. On Wed after Dutch we inevitably found a bar - Delirium- over 2000 kinds of beer available there at any given time, and in fact holds the world record for that. Which is AWESOME! My god. Plus it's actually one of the nicer bars I've been to - its decorated with loads of the different beer labels and beer trays. The music was pretty good as well - I mean there were a few blunders but nothing bad enough to spoil it. Not even close. To be honest I'm not sure if highly concentrated amounts of really bad music played for sustained periods of time would stop me going there. I mean it would be offputting sure, but its hard to argue with over 2000 beers. Although if I ever find myself doing so I think its a sure sign to stop drinking.

Dammit all my yawning is making me tear up and now it looks like I've got emotiolitis. Which is a problem because that kinda thing is contagious. I mean I don't want people avoiding me because of a disease I don't actually have. I want people to avoid me for good solid reasons. Like bad body odour, a scary look on my face, a disease I do have. Just to clarify, I don't actually have a disease, just trying to illustrate a point. So calm down already.

I'm pretty much ready for lunch now. It's only 11.20 as I'm writing this but I never have breakfast so I'm a little hungry.

Just went with Emi to get some food. It's Emi's last day so she bought a weird S&M kinda magazine for the office. Yeah, it made the afternoon somewhat different...

Ahh but the day is getting on and I should occupy myself with other things so fare thee well fair creatures. I shall speak to thee once more (at great length no doubt) at a later date

Dutch Lesson 3

10 march 2010

Just got to work. Really feeling the lack of sleep but got to try and survive the day. Here until 12 then off to Dutch. Ok that just changed. Going to get a book which has information on my current article so will leave a bit earlier for that - it's nearish Antwerpen Centraal Station so I'll just do a little detour before going to Brussels. Then I should do my Dutch homework on the train. Cause predictably that didn't happen last night. My eyes ache. Oh the oppression of life.

Can't wait for this weekend, should be good. The party I'm going to is held by ERASMUS students. If that makes any sense to you. If not then from from what I can gather they're a collection of students from elsewhere in Europe. So naturally they're having a massive party. Which is cool because its an open party so the other volunteers and myself can just turn up.

If I've mentioned this before then I apologise, but take the greatest hits of Radiohead (Many thanks to Fergus for getting me this), and Momuments and Melodies by Incubus and put them on a playlist. Randomise songs. So good. Listen to it almost everyday on my train trips. Then I've got a much shorter playlist for variation, with a few of my favourite Simon and Garfunkel, Oasis, The Sick Puppies, Supertramp, Daughtry and The Living End. Oh and Cat Stevens But just a few songs from each. Kind've a strange mix but its good.

I was listening to the new Wolfmother album as well -Cosmic Egg-. I've been trying but I'm not really convinced eh. I mean its good, but no where near as good as their self titled album. In their defence that was an awesome album and hard to follow up. There are plenty of good songs on Cosmic Egg, overall it just doesn't have the same impact - it seems a bit repetitive. But maybe it'll grow on me. It's the kind of music that has a way of doing that so maybe I'll listen to it again in a bit and fall in love with it. But for now I'm not holding my breathe (I mean its dangerous - I could die or pass out or something. I for one don't really aspire to do either of those).

I just drew a crude map of where I'm meant to get this book later on. Ah, speaking of books, I finally went and bought one yesterday - they have a good English fantasy section in a nearby bookstore. Thank god. It's called the Diamond Throne I think (Yes Matt, I've finally started David Eddings :) ) Maybe if I do my homework fast I can read a bit on the train. For some reason don't get motion sick when I read on the train. Unusual but convenient. So I'm not going to complain - for a change.

The article I was meant to write for AFS NZ, which was due 'sometime this week' suddenly became due yesterday. (tues - even in NZ it would still only be wed) Soooo... guess I'll be doing it for next month then. Which is a little annoying because I'd written half of it and now I'll have to start over as the info all relates to now. Or rather the very recent past. Guess I'll just have to modify it a little.

Today has a weird feel to it. Not sure what it is. I'll attribute it to lack of sleep until further notice.

Alright, since yesterdays post was so long I'll stop now.

Bye for now people.

P.S. Aurora, who are you? lol