Festival report: Popadelica 2010
All things come to an end. I've been to more festivals than I care to remember, I've slept in freezing tents and stayed on a regular beer/pizza diet for far too long. It was all worth it, of course, I've seen dozens of really good shows (and some bad ones), met some really cool people and, most importantly, discovered tons of great music and amazing new bands. Nowadays when I visit a festival, it's all about comfort. Popadelica is a very comfy festival just outside of Jönköping, Sweden by the shore of Lake Vänern. It's a tradition, the first weekend in May my pals and I hook up and visit what just might be the coziest festival there is. No sleeping in tents. Hostel with breakfast included is more like it.
This year's rendition of Popadelica can be divided into two categories (and of course, one or two bands in the in-between). The Rookies and the Veterans. The Rookies consists of artists that just released their first record or are about to, those bands are always interesting to see live. Here we have acts like First Aid Kit, Bye Bye Bicycle and We are the Storm. First Aid Kit was kind of a disappointment -- not that Johanna and Clara Södergberg didn't pull the songs off or anything -- I just know they can do so much better. Their gig at Arvikafestivalen last year was something out of the ordinary. Perhaps they were a little nervous about actually having a record out now. Or maybe it was the fact that they did their first show with drummer boy Niklas. I'm sure people in the audience were pleased nonetheless.
Bye Bye Bicycle, on the other hand, showed no signs of nervousness or stage fright. Perhaps they should have. Their music is great Göteborg pop at its best, but front man André Vikingsson is a bit too much. I know, it's a whole concept thing, but Bye Bye Bicycle is walking a fine line. Perhaps if I give them, and André definitely, some more time things will give. As for We are the Storm, they are slowly building a buzz about themselves much thanks to the incredibly catchy and direct "I woke up to the bells". Read this for a more detailed review of their concert.
The oldies but goldies then. Here we have Hästpojken, Timo Räisänen, Salem Al Fakir and The Sounds. I really enjoyed the first release from Hästpojken, "Shane Mcgowan" and "Caligula" are still two of my favorite tracks (still frequently represented whenever it's time to put together a playlist of some sort). "Från där jag ropar" is a whole other kind of record and I haven't got used to that one yet. Say what you want about Martin Elisson, at least he looks like he's having fun on stage. The gig at Popadelica two years ago was better though. Timo Räisänen and his men got an award for best live act in 2008. I can see why. Go to a couple of his concerts and you'll realize that's more or less the only thing he's got. I still miss one genuine good song. Salem Al Fakir and The Sounds both did okay, but it rarely gets interesting. Salem got a big cheer when playing his hit single "Keep on walking". It's actually a good song. The Sounds did their best, I'm sure, but they did look a little bit weary.
What about those band in between? The Kissaway Trail was one of those. With their second record, "Sleep mountain", the Danes are out on an extensively tour around Europe. They feel very much New York rather than Odense. I think this will be the year they get the attention they deserve. Denmark's answer to Arcade Fire (more here).
To summarize things -- Popadelica 2010 was just as cozy and inspiring as always. All I can ask for next year is a bit more of warmth in the air; the rest is already taken care of with grace and elegance.
- Christian Stenbacke