On Sunday night I went to see Laura Jane Grace perform in the Hague. She known for the legendary punkrock band Against Me! On this tour, she's performing with a new band, including an additional singer but lacking a lead guitarist this time. They played our socks off anyway - at one point she asked us to fill in the guitar part by singing along.
She didn't mention the elections on stage, but I guess she spoke her mind by singing: "Does your God have a big fat dick, because it feels like he's fucking me." And the final song was her classic Sink, Florida, Sink.
The support act was Pet Needs from Essex. They put a phrase from their most popular song Tracey Emin's Bed on a flag as their motto: Kind of creative, but mostly a mess. I had to put party plugs in my ears, but also regretted it - they were so fucking sharp. Both acts had funny banter too.
The venue is called Paard and this was the smaller of two stages.
I also took a look at the parliament buildings which are being renovated and the Grote Markt square. Then back to Utrecht by train and home on my bicycle.
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Het Paard, a place I've been to a few times, not for rock bands, but for techno events.
One I vividly remember. A (new) DVD/vinyl tour by Jeff Mills. 15-odd years ago or so. Two hours of DVD play, sound and visuals on screen, while Jeff himself wasn't in the room. The crowd going nuts, regardless. Followed by a 2 hours DJ set with him behind the decks pushing through a record every minute.
Had a blast :)
Cool, another legend! Yeah, I know we have a different taste in music, I remember you talking about techno in Hamburg.
One funny moment here was when the Pet Needs singer asked the sound & light tech to do a solo too, while he was introducing the band members.
By the way, I liked the audience too. Everyone was friendly and in a good mood. Many queer people, dressed in various punk styles.
Het Paard is one of these places, like most of the other pop podia in our country, bringing all kinds of music (and art)—something I really like. Sound systems are usually set up for bands, though, not for electronic dance, but whatever. Great, the crowd was good! I like a mixture. Different peeps partying together, trying to become one organism, makes the world better, IMHO.
You know, been to quiet a few festivals long long time ago with Rock (the more heavy sides of this genre) and Techno combined. Different stages, but same entrance. Never asked why they did this, but I suppose rock peeps may be inclined to like Techno. Well, in the far past, like the 70s we've seen plenty Rock bands going electronic; Ambient at first but all that progressed to what Dance and more particularly Techno became in the 80s and 90s.
NJOY your Sunday!