It's really rare for me to experience such pure joy that a musical event is about to take place. There are two exceptions: Pol'and'Rock and NEXT Fest Exactly. Throughout the year I go around and say that “when I was at NEXT Fest” or that “I saw them at NEXT Fest”, or also: “Compared to NEXT Fest…”, a month before the event I am slowly thinking about which concerts to attend. I will definitely go, who will I meet and will I drink tea before going to bed at seven instead of getting up at five as I do every day? Well, I'm very happy.
What is the most beautiful thing about NEXT Fest? I got off the train, at the station I met my first friends I hadn't seen for a long time, and when I saw it was raining outside, I just thought: “Phi, it's going to be great anyway.”
I started this year's concerts in Poznań Siding at the BaRock club. I was convinced by the description that it was “happy melodies and sad screaming”. I really missed punk concerts in the basement, after which I couldn't hear out of one ear for the next two hours. At the same time, the singer did a one-on-one listening session – the video can be viewed in his private archive.
Then a split between the concert Łona x Konieczny x Krupaand the team BIOS. What can I say about the first ones, what could have gone wrong? BIOS, on the other hand, are musicians who have previously performed with the best in this country and now decided to show something of their own. And very well. Even though I heard that they are “second Poluzjans”, why compare each other like that? It's just the BIOS, a team worth checking out.
About Poluzjants, we also heard them at NEXT Fest. Although I still don't associate Kuba Badach with stand-up, I'm starting to like this style of conducting concerts. They will also be playing at Jazz Around and I will definitely go again. Before their concert, I planned to drop by Iwona Skv, but the queue stretched all the way through the halls of the Dragon Social Club. Next time it will work.
I started the second concert day with Mulk, who quickly joined the list of bands you must see live. The second CD has already been added to the collection. From there, a quick teleportation to Plac Wolności, where she played on the outdoor stage Małgorzata Ostrowska. Catch her concert when it's just starting “Pigeon fluff”, that's something, huh? Then Jucho in CK Zamek. Even though I've already been to her concert, I still admire her in the same way. Moreover, I entered the hall when the stage said “we are here and now”. Perfect.
Vito Bambino as always, it was impossible to stand still. Neither the rain nor lack of sleep bothered me, because when Vito sings that he has superpowers, I believe that I have superpowers too. In the meantime, he played for the Dubliner club Galecki, which I admit I haven't heard of before, and although it's pop, which is not my style, the concert really had an atmosphere. I finished the second day with a duet Crucian/Roguckiwhere I wasn't shocked by a good piece of music, but by the number of people who stood in line to get into the concert, at least for a moment, I was.
My third day started at Blue Note at a concert Cosmonauts. So many people in a band that has jazz in its description – it's sweet for the heart. I definitely liked their music better live, and you… remember this name, the guys will cause a stir. I also quickly ran to the stage at Plac Wolności, where the brothers were performing Kacperczyk, while I was delighted with the performance of “Son of the Window” with the orchestra during the 10th anniversary of Tauron Arena, but here I felt awkward, greatly overestimating the average age. However, musically there was nothing to complain about.
Agata Karczewska. I wasn't able to attend the entire concert, but what I heard only confirmed my belief that she was a truly amazing singer who had the potential to fill the largest halls. Why didn't I stop the whole show there if I liked it? Well, because a band from Łódź was playing at the Schron club at the same time Alles. A bit of post-punk, a bit of other “post”, a bit of new romantic as well. Strange and disturbing. They bought me.
In CK Zamek – Hens. As I mentioned earlier, I recently wrote that I didn't go to Kury and I don't regret it, and it was true. This is an unpopular opinion, but I don't get the enthusiasm. I understand the cult appeal of the album “POLOVIRUS”, I understand that it's pastiche, I understand that it's sentimental. Maybe I'm too young. Anyway, I heard a lot of good things about this show, so I guess it's just one of those bands you either love or hate.
I ended the day at Meadows Łan in Tama. A historic moment, because it is the first performance after a break and with a new vocalist. Fans waited patiently in line to jump with the band. It was a great ending to the concert weekend. If someone would like to say that “it's not the same without Paprodziad”, I recommend going to the concert first, and then… and then you definitely won't say it.
At NEXT Fest I always think about the fact that I have to finally write a text explaining why after parties are the most important part of showcases. Now maybe I'll just repeat what I wrote last year: “most people meet at the bar, in the queue for the bathroom and at Next Fest.” The only thing that changed compared to the previous edition was that it was even better.
When talking to the Good Taste team, I said that what I like most about them is that they don't create an atmosphere of doing serious things, even though they do really serious things. This sentence is a bit lopsided, but totally true. NEXT Fest, you made spring the greatest.