By Santiago Rivas @Rivas_Santiago
The first day was great, with a diverse and interesting sound palette, culminating in a very popular band that bores me to tears, but people seem to love them, so all in all, very good. I don't know what I was doing there. Bad Religion, But I'm still extremely grateful. I already talked about the first day, so I'll move on.
The second day was horrible for me. Bogotá doesn't seem prepared, or the festival, to move as many people as they did. Four hours in a taxi, only to miss what I wanted to see, and barely make it to Noel Gallagher and Florence And The Machine, They were good, but not everything there was to see that Friday. A shame. Gallagher seemed quite conventional and bland to me live. Florence has an excellent voice, but she'd already been through enough without the rest of the night being dedicated to the DJs. It's nobody's fault (or maybe it is, but I don't know whose)., But I left with a terrible taste in my mouth., which you can figure out from how little I talk about music in this paragraph.
Saturday, however, was my revenge. After a peaceful trip on the Transmilenio, plus a while on an intercity bus, I arrived with enough time to start a good round of groups. I started with my friends from Goali. This group from Medellín, led by Sara Rodas (Mr. Bleat), offered a set of beautiful songs, where everything is carefully crafted, everything is delicate. Even the visuals, which managed to create a special atmosphere despite the daylight. It's a project that I hope will continue to grow. Then came Kanaku and the Tiger. I've liked this Peruvian group since the first song, from the very first second. It was love at first listen. I can't be
objective, but I wasn't the only one who was happy listening to them, chanting them, applauding them.
After that Flaming Lips, They decided to go for the flashy look, as they're not a band with much flavor, but they do have a beautiful sound., which they knew how to accompany with a lot of bombs And lots and lots of confetti. They didn't have much to do there either, but it was a lot of fun too. Then Alvvays, one of the most pleasant surprises of the festival for me, with a familiar sound, but well put together.
And then the chaos, because there aren't enough strong enough livers. That's why they called in... Snoop Dogg. Many criticized him because his show was nothing special, not even elaborate, but what did they expect? There was a moment when he went too far, putting Jump Around from House Of Pain, for to guide people (winning favors with other people's prayers, which they call), and then going on with his own business. It was all one could expect from him, and it was fun, so I have no complaints. All the DJs sounded the same to me., Although there were some very interesting things, like Skrillex joined by Diplo and Nicolas Jaar. But when your liver can't handle it, neither can your ears, so off to sleep. I'll send you a third article later, because I think that, once the hangover is over, There are still many questions to be asked about Stereo Picnic.
