Benjamin Praet and Kristof Bohez
Yesterday at 10:01 PM–
“Flighted 12 hours to be here”
Winston, Maricela, Hector and Armando are among the freshest exotics that landed in Dessel on Thursday. “From Mexico!” shouts the foursome. From San Luis Potosi more precisely, a city in the heart of the South American country. “We flew about 12 hours to get here for the first time,” it sounds. “Before corona we already had the habit of occasionally going to a hard rock festival in another country. We have already done Hellfest (in France, ed.). Now it’s Graspop’s turn. The poster appeals to us, and we also like the Belgian specialty beers here.” And by the way, Armando smiles: “Did you know that corona is a Mexican beer?”
ALSO READ. “Because the campsite was not yet open, we slept in the car”: festival-goers are all set for Graspop
© Geert Van de Velde
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“Everyone gets a pink pony from Santa Claus”
One man walks (half) dressed as Santa Claus on the meadow. Because it turns out it can. “Like many, I already had tickets for Graspop 2019, then had to cancel due to illness, then bought tickets for 2020 that I can now finally use,” says the Fleming, who lets himself be called Mr De Geens. He is not (yet) too warm under his Christmas hat. “Nice is not it? People come to ask for photos and possibly a present. Anyone can get a pink pony from me. Because I am so happy to be here again.” (laughs)
ALSO READ. Red Cross called on Graspop visitors to wear white clothing. They listened so well
–© Geert Van de Velde
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“Always a fresh breeze between the legs”
Seeking and finding coolness was a task for many in the field. At the various water taps near the sanitary blocks, people came and went who threw some water in the face or, like the man with a malleable drinking bag, squirted a stream into someone else’s face. Still others braved the sun with other creative impulses.
Stefan and Marcus are two German brothers who roam the grounds in Scottish kilts. “We’ve been wearing this to festivals when it’s warm for years,” says Marcus. “Really, it helps, because you constantly feel a fresh breeze around your legs. Unless you clench your legs together.” Brother Stefan nods. They do not want to say whether the two also wear underpants under their kilts. “Scots told us it’s part of the tradition not to tell.” Whose deed.
–© Geert Van de Velde
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Only for the daredevil
If you have steel balls, a disproportionate amount of self-confidence or just already drank ten beers, you can try karaoke in the Classic Rock Café. In front of an audience of hundreds. That is of varying quality, but always amusing. A certain Stefan, who sang Metallica’s Enter sandman, seemed to be experiencing the moment he had been counting down to for years. And did it wonderfully. The lady who just before mismastered Alone from Heart continues to reverberate for all the wrong reasons. But that doesn’t matter either.
–© Geert Van de Velde
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Learned young
One of the youngest fans is four-year-old Magdalena from Germany. She mainly comes for Powerwolf and Sabaton, her daddy says. Moreover, it is not her first time at Graspop: in 2019, when she was just one year old, she was already there.
–© Geert Van de Velde
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Howl along with phenomenal Powerwolf
Music is never an afterthought at Graspop. The group feeling really peaked the first time with Powerwolf on the main stage. Some find the German power metal band too slick. Too much image, too poppy. And of course the painted faces of the group members and the excess use of flamethrowers are a gimmick. But it does make for a show that comes in, even in broad daylight. With catchy songs such as Army of the night and We drink your blood in the set list, the critics were completely blown away. The festival was immediately back in sixth gear.
–© Geert Van de Velde
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A sneer to the VIPs
The Dropkick Murphys, that part of Ireland from Boston, have to do without their second frontman Al Barr this tour. He stayed at home to take care of his sick mother. So all the pressure is on the shoulders of Ken Casey, who passes on his bass guitar to be able to sing. There is no lack of enthusiasm, only a little hoarseness creeps into his voice halfway through. But a grouch who whines about it. The folk punks compensate for that with atmosphere and very strong songs. Whoever has the one-two Rose tattoo and I’m shipping up to Boston always wins. Also always sympathetic: their battle cry for the working class, and a fine-tuned swipe at the festival-goers in the VIP seats.
–© Geert Van de Velde
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The hottest spot
The meadow may be hotter than purgatory with the windows closed, but there is always room for a few more degrees. Graspop reaches its boiling point at the food stand with the Ofyr barbecue, where the employees are allowed to rub off sweat from 12 noon to midnight. From your own forehead, and that of each other. On the menu: king prawns, ribs and even pork souvlaki with pearl couscous. “But our absolute bestseller, even with this weather? Spinach stoemp with bratwurst.” The price: 12 euros if you bought the tickets in advance.
–© Geert Van de Velde
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The stars on the meadow
They say it themselves: “We do have some attention.” Not that that bothers them, because Sakina Van Dijck (25) and her mother Samira Naciri (50) are happy with the attention. With cut-out outfits and flamboyant tattoos. “It should be possible to stand out,” it sounds. For them it is a home match, because the two belong to Dessel, that Kempen pearl of which Samira’s brother-in-law is also mayor. Yet it is a style break for Sakina: “I usually listen to techno, house and R&B.”
–© Geert Van de Velde
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The hamster
Collecting empty cups is a sport as old as the festivals themselves. Anyone who collects fifteen at Graspop has a chance to win merchandise. Among other things, by being able to fish ducks in a fairground stall. And Cely (29) from Zonhoven is happy to participate. “I work in a care center for people with brain injuries. And they love such gifts.” She already had 130 cups yesterday afternoon.
–© Geert Van de Velde
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