Well, my 7th time at Primavera and I can only repeat myself, it’s an excellent, well-organised festival and no other line-up comes close to the richness, thoughtfulness and variety of Primavera.
Some random thoughts and memories:
The unexpected thing was kinda fun, even though I didn’t care for any of the acts playing, I kinda got stuck in the moment and went for Arcade Fire (missing out on Miguel), I guess they lost me a few years ago, but the atmosphere and the excitement was still great to experience.
We got ourselves a backstage token while queuing for Jarvis, but only found the time to visit the Backstage at the last hour for Operators. Fun idea, but I guess if I hadn’t come across a token and some band I really would love to see would’ve played, I’d see things differently. Then again, it’s just a little bonus to an already stacked line-up.
Only been to Mordor once for Skepta, and yeah it’s a different world over there, feels like three times as many people as on all the other stages combined. Which on the upside means the old area of Primavera/RayBan/Pitchfork/adidas is such a thrill, comfortable and easy to navigate. I really think part of it is a change in the mindset of people, fame beats taste nowadays, doesn’t matter who’s playing as long as it’s on one of the big stages.
I missed the Unplugged-stage, Mango House was not a good substitute (but I guess Backstage was the real one).
The closing acts (Pinegrove, Priests, Mannequin Pussy) at Pitchfork were all great, a great way to end the day.
No more overlap between Pitchfork and adidas was a good thing, I guess. Even though some part of my brain was like “they took an additional option away from me”.
Musically there were just so many highlights, King Gizzard might’ve been the best show I saw, great setlist and energy, Skinny Puppy was something to see, Pinegrove and Teenage Fanclub had the biggest singalong moments I witnessed, the Make-Up and the unbelievable Ian Svenonius (always walking around and being happy to talk with some fans), Sleaford Mods felt kinda like a breakout-show, the fuck-up with sound turned into an electric atmosphere which somehow turned positive and became a larger-than-life feeling. Not to mention my other highlights, Hamilton Leithauser, Slim Cessna, Arab Strap, Death Grips, Sleep and lots of other sets that were, well, good.
So, thank you again, for all of that.