BENICASSIM FESTIVAL 2008
Benicàssim (Valencia) From the 17th till 20th of July 2008
The Festival has many faces, sounds and scenarios to set the script of these memorable days.
Days in which everything has a different rhythm, that of the sea waves that also seem to get to the venue during the gigs, turning the audience into a sea of rising arms…
The shared experience with our friends leaves in our face a happy tiredness that disappears quickly after a siesta and a swim in the beach.
Spain’s biggest festival, and a point of reference in the international panorama, plays host each summer to more than 100 artists who come to perform across its 4 stages. Benicàssim, a small town on the Costa de Azahar (literally, the “Orange Blossom Coast”) situated between Valencia and Barcelona, turns into the European capital of music for over a week.
FIB Heineken - Benicàssim International Festival - was born of the Maraworld team’s passion for music, and from 1995 has been bringing together the best of indie rock, pop and electronic music. Year after year, it manages to surprise, with an innovative and up-to-date line-up, as well as inviting artists who are a reference on the world stage.
Just a few steps from the beach, the 4 nights of concerts (from 17h to 8h) and 9 days of camping included in the pass as well as the programme of art, theatre, cinema and dance in the festival venue and on the streets and beaches of Benicàssim, offer the chance to experience an unforgettable holiday on the shores of the Mediterranean.
It’s an unmissable event, which offers a lot more than music…
… a unique experience.
THURSDAY 17th OF JULY
Aldo Linares, Battles, Black Lips, Facto Delafé y Las Flores Azules, Krakovia, Lightspeed Champion, Mates Of State, Nada Surf, Pin & Pon Dj’s, Sigur Rós, Single, Dj Supermarkt, These New Puritans, Two PIAS DJs.
FRIDAY 18th OF JULY
Babyshambles, La Casa Azul, Chromatics (live), El Columpio Asesino, Danton Eeprom, DerWinzige, El Guincho, Erol Alkan, Fujiya & Miyagi, Gentle Music Men, The Glimmers, Hot Chip , I Was There, Josh Wink, Metronomy, Mika, My Bloody Valentine, New York Dolls, Róisín Murphy, Robert Babicz, The Rumble Strips, Spiritualized, Tobi Neumann, Toxicosmos Dj, Vincent Vincent & The Villains.
SATURDAY 19th OF JULY
American Music Club, Ascii.Disko, Blanca db, Booka Shade, Bracken, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Calcetines & Johann Wald, DaPuntoBeat, Eef Barzelay, Gnarls Barkley, Heavy Trash, Ivan Smagghe, John Acquaviva, José González, Juan de Pablos, Kiki, The Kills, Líneas Albiés, Lori Meyers, Manos de Topo, The Marzipan Man, Metope, My Morning Jacket, The Raconteurs, Tiefschwarz, The Ting Tings, Tricky.
SUNDAY 20th OF JULY
Calvin Harris, The Courteeners, David Duriez, Death Cab For Cutie, El Hijo, Ewan Pearson, Joakim, José María Rey, Justice (live), Kinki, Leonard Cohen, Marc Marzenit, Micah P. Hinson, Morente Omega con Lagartija Nick, Moriarty, Morrissey, The National, On Air, Radio Slave , Richard, Hawley, Siouxsie, Supermayer, Tommie Sunshine, Vive La Fête, Yelle.
One of the groups who heads the Benicássim festival is the group, “Vive la Fête”. It is a Belgian duo, formed by Els Pynoos and Danny Mommens. In one of the festivals organized and directed by Hotel EnfrenteArte "Music and twilight" in the year 2000, Vive la Fête was one of the groups invited. This group was very well received in Ronda for all those who could enjoy his music. In the winter of 1998 and 1999, Els Pynoos and Danny Mommens, recorded in the recording studio that during that time was led by Hotel EnfrenteArte, the album "Surprise Attaque." That is why Els Pynoos, wrote a text about her experience in Ronda, recalling the time in our hotel and recording studio in Hotel EnfrenteArte.
VIVE LA FÊTE
Text by Els Pynoo
http://www.vivelafête.be/
A feast of HorsesIt’s a quiet summer morning in Ronda. When I wake up, the sunrays shine trough the wooden shutters. It makes me think of those paintings where you see clear rays lighting up the heavy clouds, as if God “watches” over you. The streets are calm, and my man Danny and all of the other hotel guests are still asleep. As we’re only staying here for a couple of days, I decide to act the full time-tourist. I take a fresh drive into the pool, squeeze some juicy oranges, and lay myself down into the almost burning sun. An hour later, our tour manager Eric asks me if I want to come along to some kind of “horse feast”. They can’t make me a better proposition on a day like this. Ben, our bass player, is also up for the idea, and the three of us hit the road.This annual festivity (Romeria) takes place in a valley facing the famous bridge Puente Nuevo in Ronda. A huge statue of the virgin Mary is installed on a beautifully decorated hooded cart, drawn by enormous oxen. Accompagned by hundreds of dressed-up locals, the statue is brought from Ronda to a chapel carved out of the rocks. On this route people pray, sing and shout “guapa” (beauty) to the Holy Virgin. I notice that we’re the only tourists, and soon a real “pilgrim” feel surrounds us. Fascinated, I can hardly believe my eyes… the men with their high, tailored pants, whiter than white shirts, the gorgeous black leather boots, and the classical hats. The women wear these typical flamenco dresses made out of colourfull patterns. It has been a long time since I have seen so many beautiful people gathered together. But, most of all, I’m stunned that they all bring their magnificent horses. From granddaughter to granddad, they all come to show off their Andalusians. The horses seem to represent the pride of the family. The Andalusians most characteristic colour is grey, and with its honesty, elegance, and intelligence, it’s a perfect horse for dressage.
Now I start understanding what Eric meant by “ horse feast” , because throughout the day, different contests are organized, where families can win important prizes. On the main, improvized, rural square, local food is served with fresh beer. In this authentic atmosphere, we are soon joining the culinary offer…. Everybody really feels happy here, eating, drinking, and dancing. After the lovely cuteles, we head down for the cave where the Virgin is set up. We are intrigued by the fact that down here everything is extremely serene, while just 50 metres up the hill the noise of the party is all over. I say a short prayer myself while the locals probably pray for the trophy their horse might win at the end of the day. When we arrive back up the hill, the locals are fully occupied with the splendid horse parades. The air is filled with all kinds of primitives shouts and screams, people encourage each other; some try to be the best, others just try to impress the young girls. The whole scene reminds me of the Jacques Tati movie “ Jour de Fête”, but with a gypsy flavour this time.After more beers and food, we are a bit tired on our way back. At once, we see a horse, all alone, just grazing at the side of the road. Immediately I realise this is my moment of glory on this special day, and I junp on the horse. Ben takes a picture of it, the picture becomes my personal trophy of the day. When I arrive back at the hotel , my man, Danny Cool Rocket is just awake…I describe my experience to him in full detail, and by doing so I relive that same magic day yet again…
BIOGRAPHY VIVE LA FÊTE
Vive La Fête was founded in 1997 when Mommens (then still playing in his former band dEUS) recorded a few demos with Pynoo on his 8-track recorder. These demos were released on the EP Je ne veux pas (sometimes also referred to as Paris) which gathered some attention because of its reminisce of Eighties music. Their first success came with their debut Attaque Surprise (2000). Later records such as Republique Populaire (2001) and Nuit Blanche (2003) made them popular, especially in the fashion world, where Karl Lagerfeld is one of their fans.[1][2] In 2005 they released Grand Prix and toured all over Europe and played some shows in Brazil[3] and Mexico.
ALBUMS:
1. Attaque Surprise (Surprise Records, 2000).
2. Republique Populaire (Surprise Records, 2001).
3. Nuit Blanche (Surprise Records, 2003).
4. Attaque Populaire, compilation (Surprise Records, 2004).
5. Grand Prix (Surprise Records, 2005).
6. Vive les Remixes, remix album (Surprise Records, 2006).
7. Jour de Chance (UWe, 2007).
Labels: cultural-agenda-events
at
28.6.08
