Not many festivals are there in the world that can offer a quaint, relaxed experience, while still playing at the top of the game and doing everything as professional as possible. These are the reasons why Weserlieder Open Air, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is a very rare event and therefore even more valuable to attend and experience. Sadly, due to the Hellsingland Underground gig in Bielefeld the night before (full report HERE), I could not get that unique WOA feeling on the first night, but I more than made up for it the following night, July 21st.

The festival itself is located on the Weserpromenade, which means it’s right on the bank of the river Weser, running through Minden. Weserlieder really has it all – a typical festival stage leading a herd of various stands with refreshments, food and merchandise, all topped with a lovely portion of benches by the river where you can sit and rest your tired festival bones after another great gig. And there were truly many: from the opening act of the second night – The Pottytrained-Boys, who represent Minden’s indie rock mixed with boyish joy and attitude, followed by Oliver Eves & Band, an interesting musician who captured the best of both worlds he’s been dwelling in (Germany and England), all spoken through his acoustic guitar and ambiental performance, to Teaser, whose members have earned the status of returning acts (in one band or another), bringing classic rock all around (nothing says pure fun more than opening with „Jumpin’ Jack Flash“!) – heating up the festival to the main act of the evening, which were none other than Hellsingland Underground. The Swedes have been guests of Weserlieder last year and made such an impression that the 2012 line-up could not have been the same without them. This year they played several new songs from the upcoming album „Evil Will Prevail“, along with the much beloved tracks from their usual setlist, such as „Forever Damned“, „Vera“, and even „Stickin’ With You“, while the highlight of the entire festival night was surely guitar player Peter Henriksson’s ‘voyage’ through the audience and subsequent ‘guitar talk’ with his mate Mats Olsson from the stand opposite the festival stage – pure love for music and making melodies right then and there! The set lasted too short (as all good ones do), and Hellsingland Underground were greeted with loud applause and much praise from Weserlieder audience, thus appropriately ending their mini summer Germany tour. The torch was carried on by the closing band, CCR Revival Band, where even the official backstage chef took the guitar and played some tunes, and in the end, the band was accompanied on stage by all other performing bands and festival founders for a big thank-you to music lovers who visited Weserlieder 2012.

The goal of the festival was succeeded and surpassed – a big party with lots of friends, along with good music – what more could you possibly ask for? Weserlieder Open Air is definitely a festival worth visiting, so my thank-you to the organizers for such a cool event is definitely followed by warm recommendations to all our readers to come to Minden next July and enjoy WOA!

www.weserlieder.de

Report & photo: Ilhana Škrgić

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