Berlin Tokyo, Soccer Strokes

Tue 27 Jun

After the washing was folded Aaron and I trained into the city to view the Berlin Tokyo, Tokyo Berlin exhibition at the New National Gallery. This showcased the work between the two cities for the last 100 plus years. Was definitely worth every penny.

After this we watched Brazil beat Ghana 3-0 and then met Alessa and Yonca for The Strokes concert at Berlin Arena. A more intimate performance than the Hurricane Festival, and I think it was a better performance although the sound was surprising watery in parts. Great setlist.

I cut the others loose and went home as I was all rocked out, plus Aaron and I had a 5 hour cycle tour to attend tomorrow.

Tragic End

Mon 26 Jun

There was a lot of cleaning to be done as EVERYTHING was soaked and covered in sand. Once done Aaron and I cruised to the Fan Mile (yes, again) for Aussie vs Italy. This was the game with the most tragic ending of the tournament so far. Italy were awarded a dubious penalty in injury time of the second half. We were gutted.

Still exhausted, so early nights all 'round.

Hurricane, Literally (Almost)

Sun 25 Jun

I wasn't into any of the music on the final day, but I headed along to:

+ The Gossip
+ Pretty Girls Make Graves
+ Eagles of Death Metal
+ Mad Caddies
+ Archive

The first two bands above, and Archive we all very impressive. The girl from The Gossip is a big girl, but she sure can move it. Fasntastic voice too.

Before we saw Archive, Aaron and I watched the football match between England and Ecuador (1-0). Surprising number of Brits.

At 8:30 we packed up everything, but as we had too much to take in one go, Aaron and Alessa went ahead with the trolley (20 minute was to the car). As Marielle, Yonca and I finished the rest off, the sky turned dark. Within 5 minutes we witnessed the most intense lightning storm. Not just in one part of the sky, but surrounding us. We knew the rain wasn't far away. Just as Aaron got back the skies opened and the heaviest rain I have been in. Marielle and I had our arms full, the rain, the wind, the lightning, the people running around screaming, the people rushing back to their tents to baton down the hatches, the y-front wearing man screaming 'feel the power of the earth' all made for one hell of an experience.

It was like being in the eye of a hurricane.

The 4 hour plus drive home was wet and the lightning followed us for about 3 hours. But once we got home we got ourselves dry and got ourselves some sleepies.

I Will Follow You Into The Dark

Sat 24 Jun

Usual start (woken cos it was too hot, breakfast, beer) and waited until 2pm when The Kooks were on. I was really looking forward to seeing Sigur Rós again after their memorable show in Auckland just before I left.

You weren't allowed to take bottles or cans into the concert area, but you can take tetra pack boxes, so we filled these up and rock'n'rolled festival style.

+ The Kooks
+ Donavon Frankenreiter
+ The Raconteurs
+ Nada Surf (only got to play 15 minutes at halftime of the football. Gutted.)
+ Death Cab For Cutie
+ Mando Diao (some)
+ Shout Out Louds (some)
+ The Hives
+ The Strokes
+ Sigur Rós

Sigur Rós were again magic, but not so suited to outdoor concert settings. Brendon Benson ('The Raconteurs') was as cool as I had hoped. Death Cab's 'I Will Follow You Into The Dark' was perfect. Strokes...Julian got wound up by the camera on tracks along the front of the stage so he smashed it up with his mic stand. Classic.

Festival Begins

Fri 23 Jun

After a reasonable confortable sleep in the tent (although awoken by intense heat from the sun) we had breakfast and then fought the masses for a toilet stop and refill water bottles and clean up the breakfast mess. The set-up for the bathrooms wasn't too bad, and the toilets were proper flushers, not portaloos. The queue for the shower was horrendous so I doubt I will be showering at this festival.

We got our beer on just after midday and talked smack with the people in the neighbouring tent, waiting for 4:30 when we walked into the stage area. I think it was some sort of old horse-racing track.

The bands I saw:

+ Gogol Bordello
+ Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
+ Elbow
+ Arctic Monkeys
+ Fettes Brot (some)
+ Tomte (some)
+ Manu Chao Radio Bemba Sound System
+ Maximo Park (some).

Highlights for me were 'New Born' by Elbow, 'Cigarette Smoke' by Arctic Monkeys and 'King Of The Bongo' by Manu Chau.

Awesome day in the sun, too hot almost, but no worries of getting burnt as I was covered in the thin film of dust. Everyone was.

Scheeßel

Thu 22 Jun

I was told to be up and ready to roll at 8:45, and that I was. I went upstairs to find Aaron and Alessa sound asleep so I was absolutely gutted that I had missed out on some precious zzz's after the night before.

Once they were ready we packed the car, picked up Yonca and drove to Hamburg. Roadtrip! We had a look around the city, and although there is the football buzz going on, it seemed like a really hip-cool-funky place. A lot different to Berlin.

We met up with Alessa's cousins for a drink and a bite at a beach bar, before relocating to the bar across the road to watch both Czech-Italy (0-2) and USA-Ghana (1-2). At about 6 we drove to Scheeßel where the Hurricane Festival was; 50,000 in attendance this year.

We pitched our tents (there were 7 in all in our group). I couldn't belive how big the place was to cater for so many people for three nights. Tents for Africa. Massive.

We had a meal (cooked on our little cooker) and just generally chatted and wandered around, and then had a boogie in the party tent. The music starts tomorrow afternoon.

Norwegian Crew

Wed 21 Jun

We watched Portugal vs. Mexico at the Fan Mile (2-1 Portugal) before meeting up with the Norwegian cats from the night before. We had some drinks at the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) while Espen waited for his train. Once he had gone we continued our session at the big park beside the Fan Mile before securing great seats at our usual posie (the Coke Screen). Argentina drew nil-all with Netherlands, but we didn't really watch the game as we rocking with the other supporters - and the game was a bit of a fizzer.

At the end of the game it just exploxed and everyone started dancing and going nuts. One security guard took exception to us and the Norwegians, trying to throw us out but some Ecuadorian girls stood up for us saying we weren't causing trouble.

Can't wait to get to Norway and hang out with these guys again!

Tomorrow: The Hurricane Festival.