Reeperbahn Festival 2016 - The Bearded Highlights
Miss D fell in love with Northern Beauties, Xavier Darcy, Pat Dam Smyth, Ben Caplan and (that love got a little out of control) Holy Holy.
Actually I didn’t see as many bearded musicians playing as I thought (or wished) at this years Reeperbahn Festival but quantity isn’t the same as quality. I was lucky enough to catch some really good and lovely men with beard who made awesome music during those four days.
The first ones were Northern Beauties. Those guys in the photo above. A musical tip by a friend who I met half an hour before their set. I left another concert a bit earlier in order to catch a bit of their set as well. Instant musical and optical love. Can I say that without sounding to superficial? But they named themselves Northern Beauties, not I. I just agree. The minute I got in the room I felt a bit more quiet and relaxed although their Folk music is not really quiet but warm and beautiful.
Almost the same time, same venue but a day later I saw Ben Caplan. That was something different. An upright bass player and a woman who probably plays everything. At least a whole lot of instruments. And a mad man. Probably as crazy as his wild beard. I’m absolutely not sure what kind of music he makes since there are so many influences like eastern European and Jewish influences and a whole lot of his soul. Of course I’ve heard of him before but for some reason never really checked him out. Stupid me. I will make sure that never happens again.
Later that day I checked out Pat Dam Smyth and Xavier Darcy - both were on my list of artists I really wanted to check out during the festival and both had just one slot. Haven’t thought about the times tho. They were basically playing back to back but in different venues which let to leaving Smyth’s amazing set a little earlier with a bit of a heavy heart to rush over to the Mojo Jazz Cafe for Xavier Darcy at 10 pm. 10 pm on Reeperbahn means it takes twice as long to get somewhere because of all those slow, drunken tourist looking for naked ladies and prostitutes. Sometimes I’d felt the inner need just push them over but I’m not a football player. But I made it in time for Xavier Darcy. Both artists really surprised me. They weren’t anything like I expected it. In both cases I thought I see something where I can relax and slow down a little, maybe even be one of those odd people who happily sit on a dirty club floor. They weren’t. Pat Dam Smyth was a bit rockier and full of melancholy in his voice. And then this beard and the hair and everything. I’m keen to see him live again. Hopefully soon.
And how awesome is the background at Headcrash where Pat Dam Smyth played? Can I have this in my living room?
Xavier Darcy is basically the complete opposite of Smyth. Darcy is a show man. An entertainer. I have got no clue why I thought I could slow it down during his set. But it was so good and he and his band actually woke me up. After 10 hours of running around trying to catch as much music as possible you get a bit tired. And then you end up with Darcy where you don’t have a chance but dance to his music. He is like a double espresso.
Last but not least: Holy Holy. I just love those guys. I love them so much I saw them four times in two days. That sounds even crazy to me but it was the right decision. I love their Rock, I love Oscar Dawson’s guitar playing and Timothy Carroll’s singing and the songs and how focused drummer Ryan Strathie always looked and I could hear “You Cannot Call For Love Like A Dog” live every day and maybe one day I won’t think of Sylvester Stallone walking into the room during the intro as if we were all parts in one of his 80s movie. And I don’t want to wait until the next year until the new songs will be out. They sounded so good.
I saw them semi acoustic at the N-Joy Reeperbahn Bus, late night in the small, dark and sweaty Molotow Karatekeller and went to be bed just to get up and see them as the first band at the Molotow Skybar at noon, do an interview in between and see them 10 hours later in the same venue on the last day of Reeperbahn Festival. All were really sweaty, all were so good, slightly different energy. I feel a bit empty now since I don’t know when I’m going to see them again but I guess I have made enough memories so I can survive until they’re back.
Who else is wondering what was going on outside?
Actually this one is from their (and my) last gig at Reeperbahn Festival but looks a bit like the day time photos just a bit more red.
More photos can be found on my flickr and the non bearded highlights (yes, they actually exist) are up on Heilewelt now:
http://heilewelt.tumblr.com/post/151157503187/reeperbahn-festival-2016-the-non-bearded-highlights
Have a good week,
Miss D
P.S. I tried to be cool but in the end I got Oscar’s setlist and this happened, too. I must admit I was a bit shy to ask for a photo with them at any point (I’m just such a fan sometimes it’s ridiculous) but…thank you, Jess!