By Daniel Casas @danielcasasc
Photo from the official catalog of the Estéreo Picnic Festival
There must be some kind of equation for the EstéreoPicNic festival, and let's just say we're going to invent it: The more mud and sludge, the better the event. The second day of its 2017 edition was no exception to that formula, even though by divine grace at 7 pm the sky cleared and the rain, which had fallen relentlessly on that area in the early afternoon, never returned. But the effect had already been achieved, The festival's transit areas increasingly became an endless mud pit from the thousands of footprints left by those who enjoyed an afternoon and evening of good music moving from one stage to another.
What did I hear, what did I see? To begin with The Makenzy, a Bogota band that has been consolidating its presence on the scene with its display of blues and rock, measured, passionate, with dedication to an audience that at that time seemed to be in good and growing numbers to applaud these Bogota natives.
With that strange, characteristic air of English rock, The turn went to the young band from Wales, Catfish & The Bottlemen, confirming why they were chosen as the breakthrough band of 2015 at the British Music Awards, with a solid proposal, of good rock, but above all powerful vocals, and which opened in its order with the opening tracks of his album The Balcony, from 2014, Homesick y Kathleen. Although the show became a bit dull during some songs, the ending was eloquent when they performed some of their best-known pieces, such as "7," a big hit from their album. The Ride y Cocoon, taken from the first one.
Silversun Pickups was one of the most vibrant moments of the night. Although the sound wasn't the best in the first two songs, it was a forgotten issue given the beautiful emotional charge that the music of this band from Los Angeles carries. There is no doubt that the most motivated was their leader Brian Aubert, who with his strange, almost feminine, and subtle vocal style – at times reminiscent of Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan – seemed surprised by the great reception that an audience as unknown to him as the Bogota audience gave to his music. Nightlight, Friendly Fires y The Pit, among others, They delivered an hour of brilliant, harmonious, captivating sounds, from one of the great acts of recent years. Outstanding Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) It's not just a great song, but when sung by their bassist Nikki Monninger, it takes on a different feel, but is just as charming as the rest of the set.
One of the most interesting bets of this Estéreo Picnic The overwhelming public response to Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy was truly surprising., recognized primarily for its great success Riptide, one of the most significant alternative rock songs of 2013, a song that was accompanied by other tracks such as Mess is Mine y Fire and the Flood, but he also had a highly interesting moment in the version he and his band performed of the Fleetwood Mac classic, The Chain, very closely linked to its original. Without hiding that Bobdylan-esque legacy so familiar to this type of artist, That legendary blend of folk with rock influences gave the night a special moment.
Australia remained on the list. Next up was Flume, the Sydney-born producer, musician and DJ, In the electronic music lineup during prime time tonight's festival, a stunning visual presentation took full advantage of the impressive backdrop of the main stage at Estereo Picnic, while the DJs at the helm of their machines delivered a spectacular performance. This man developed a set that addressed his different tendencies among experimental environments, a bit of trip hop, electropop, and EDM, giving way to some of their best-known tracks such as Never Be Like You and also to special remixes that Flume himself has made of songs by other artists.
From that electronic load we turned to Another highlight of this second day of FEP was the Irish band Two Door Cinema Club, a long hour of intense rhythm, a packed venue, and happy people jumping with that hot mix of dance atmospheres amidst great songs that fuse rock, pop, funk, and indie. Undecover Marty, Sleep Alone, Are We Ready? (Wreck), Bad Decisions and other well-known songs from this trio, vibrantly closed more than an hour of music with that famous 2011 hit, What You Know.
One of the most anticipated acts at Estéreo PicNic, and not just now, It was the American band The Strokes, My feeling is still unclear. Do they shine because of their perfection on stage, because of their still wonderful, solid, and relevant approach? I still don't understand, to be honest. He was the only foreign artist I heard who seemed to be struggling with the altitude. Several of his breaks between songs were far too long, excessively so for my taste. The atmosphere was rather gloomy, a combination of red lights on the stage in the middle of absolute darkness. Musicians on stage colder than the night itself, all amidst a perfectionist extravagance that at times made me wonder if it wasn't the same as standing in the middle of a meadow at midnight with a tape recorder listening to their music. But at the end of the day, they're The Strokes and we love their music.
There was no longer any strength left to wait for Claptone and Caribou. Only enough to wade through the thick mud that, with absolute indignation, led us toward the parking lots that seemed farther away with every step. Nice night Estereo PicNic, despite that.