If you’ve been wondering why the activity level on here suddenly dropped, it’s because I’ve been spending the last week in the dust at Roskilde Festival. After an intense week of about 20 concerts, I’m back to tell you all what you missed if you weren’t at this year’s festival. This post will recap some of my highlights from the festival; the best concerts, the best tracks, and the best parties.
Major Lazer
Using your very last energy to semi-dance at Diplo’s booty shakin’ dance party in the Cosmopol tent sounds like a great way to spend a sunday evening. I only managed to catch the first 45 minutes of the show, which turned out to be just fine. Since Major Lazer’s catalogue still is a bit sparse, we were treated with a Diplo dj set for the first half of the show, which was a lot of fun to say the least.
When you have enough courage to go from Sidney Samson’s Riverside over Ready For The Floor to Darude’s Sandstorm everything is possible. Though the choice of tracks may have offended some narrow minded hipsters, the unpretentious style suited me just fine. I only caught 2 real Major Lazer tracks, but hearing Pon De Floor on a proper set of speakers was immense.
- Major Lazer – Hold the Line (DJ Edit)
2manydjs
Before you slap me across the face for being a Soulwax-virgin (I think that’s a respectable term) before Roskilde, I would like to state, that 2manydjs aren’t as boring and predictable as your average friend will tell you. Sure, you can predict a great chunk of the setlist. Sure, they’ll play all their great bangers.
I never saw anything wrong in 2 hours of people jumping all over the place with their clothes soaked in sweat, and if you enjoy a crazy part, 2manydjs will definitely deliver that. Their new backdrop makes for some interesting cover action and watching the crowd go nuts as their favorite track is slowly revealed on the big screen (think Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400) is good fun.
- Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400
Friendly Fires
Dance parties in 30 degrees Celsius never really become dance parties, unless some funky UK dancerock frontman decides to dance frantically in front of a crowd of passionate fans. Then, things go crazy.
I really enjoy the Friendly Fires debut album and early singles and experiencing them live for the first time was a treat. You may criticize them for being a little too dependent on the pre-programmed synths, but starting an afternoon party and showcasing just why their music is labeled as danceable is enjoyable, if not heartwarming.
- Friendly Fires – Jump in the Pool
Go ahead and tell me what I’ve missed and what you enjoyed the most if you were at Roskilde too.
Photographic high five via Christian Steen
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for you post! I didn’t go to Roskilde this year, actually I never was there although I am always planning it. Sounds like a great atmosphere from what you’ve described.
You should go sometime, it’s always great fun. The music was much better than I expected and the weather was beautiful all week. You can’t really ask for more than that, right?
Great post! I saw many of the same bands, but I will say you missed The Whitest Boy Alive, Mew, and most importantly MALK DE KOIJN as highlights.
Do you happen to know the setlist from 2manydjs ? I would love to hear some of those tracks in their original version.
The Whitest Boy Alive was an excellent show. Did you see them in ’07? In my humble opinion, that show was way better than what they played this year, although their show wasn’t bad at all. I have just never seen Odeon as much on fire as when they played there in 07. A lot of my friends saw both Mew and Malk and were all raving crazily about the shows. Glad to heard that you had a good time too; it seemed like everybody enjoyed the music this year with no major let downs.
I can’t remember the exact setlist, but here are the tracks I remember:
Probably just one of their own edits)
Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400 (Obviously
Proxy – Raven (Maybe the Crookers remix?)
Don Rimini – Let Me Backup (Crookers Remix)
Tiga – Shoes (Mr Oizo Remix)
Tiga – Mind Dimension (Most likely the Soulwax edit, but I’m not sure)
Kid Cudi – Day ‘n’ Nite (Vocals were from a dutch a capella cover version. Great stuff)
Kraftwerk – Tour De France
Dizzee Rascal – Bonkers (Soulwax Edit)
Mr Oizo – Positif
Walter Murphy – A Fifth of Beethoven (Soulwax Remix)
Major Lazer – Pon Di Floor
Justice – Phantom Pt. II (Soulwax Remix)
Those are the one I remember, but they definitely played a lot of stuff I don’t remember including some older tracks.
Thanks for the list, only one I can add is The MGMT – Kids
2manydjs was along with Friendly Fires and Malk de Koijn – by far – the most awesome concerts i’ve ever attented! got some wicked photos from the 2manydjs-concert, wich reminds of some few other artists, that got in the mix during the night:
Daft Punk (don’t remember what song..)
The Clash
Michael Jackson (Billie Jean and one more i think..)
Depeche Mode – I Just Can’t Get Enough
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
I made a grooveshark playlist with the original songs. It’s right here:
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Radio_Soulwax_originals/10390212
Great article! My review of the festival is up here: http://www.six7eight.dk/?p=2896
Great review, thanks for sharing that!