Cactus Festival, Bruges, Belgium12th July 1997 |
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Marc's review
So the previous weekend Irko and I went to the Metropolis festival in
The Netherlands to see Ani for the first time in our lives. My god,
were we impressed: Afterwards we got really mad about the fact that
we didn't also visit the performance in the Melkweg in Amsterdam.
Of course we decided to visit the next concert within our action range:
The Cactus festival in Brugge-Belgium. This is a three hours drive from
the Eindhoven area in Holland where we lived. Yes Americans: Europe is
like a small town and this sometimes is just very practical.
Half past one I found a parking place for my car, but at ten minutes
to two we still hadn't found the Minnewaterpark where the Cactus
festival took place. Yes indeed: We were the guys running through the
center of Brugge like a couple of bank-robbers, but finally we made it
to the entrance, just in time.
After stumbling through the crowd sitting and standing in front of the
stage we made it to about the fourth row at the left side, and within
a few seconds she appeared with Andy and Jason.
I guess this is the place where you would expect the playlist, but
forgive me, I don't have one. It's been half a year now and I can't
remember. All I can tell you are some experiences, but that's what life
is about.
The Cactus festival was a real college-event, or at least it appeared
to be. At Metropolis the atmosphere was a lot different: People
slam-dancing (not at Ani songs however) and lots of wanna-be-die-hards
from the alternative scene. Lots of people smoking hash (this is allowed
in The Netherlands and very common at all festivals). It also was a
rainy day then. At Cactus the sun was shining, people were lying in the grass and
drinking a few beers. Ani also took notice of this: "You are really nice
(or did she say kind?) people!" is what she said about it.
She was right about it and I can judge because I'm not from Belgium.
The Belgian or more exact the Flemish (I love my last name) are kind,
maybe they should act more boldly sometimes.
There weren't a lot of people who knew the lyrics I noticed. There were
some in the middle of the crowd and they were jumping, or in Ani's words
"bouncing" at the music.
I think it was while singing "Letter to a John" when she looked at a
person in our direction for half the song (yes Ani it really was that
long). Irko and I agreed this was definitely a concert we would never be
able to forget. The thought of the (small) possibility that one of us was
scrutinized by the eyes of our most beloved person at this planet is just
hardly bearable.
Of what interest could a philosopher-student or a M.Sc. in E. be to an
artist that lives an exciting life? If she really looked at us though she
must have felt the honesty of our interest in her songs, lyrics and
thoughts. I think that has to suffice for both of us....
Vividly I remember the encore: A presenter appeared at stage and he
announced the next band, but then we started calling "Ani, Ani ...." and
she returned.... Alone. There she was, doing "Both hands". My god we were
touched by the way she sang. There are just no words to explain the
feeling we got.
Before the Metropolis concert we knew (some of) her albums, loved the
lyrics very very much, but that was about it. Since almost nobody is
perfect there had to be something wrong with her, but there wasn't. After
two concerts I think we may draw the first conclusion. What a cute person,
singing the most beautiful songs with lyrics that really hit you.
Ani: Let us decide who is a pretty girl and who isn't. No matter what
character you are off-stage (we don't know), we all have listened and
found out that you really live, feel and think. Respect.