Tuborg Green Fest, Izvor Park, 05.09.09

I know it’s a bit weird to complain about the organisers at a free festival, but after not being able to speak for three days because of all the dust (literally not being able to make a single sound, not just being hoarse and sounding weird), I really have to question their decisions. The location seemed great on paper, but as soon as a few thousand rockers started jumping and moshing on a dusty ground, the whole dust went up and it became almost unbreatheable. There was mud in my bathtub after I took a shower! Other then this, it was an excellent night. 

The show was clearly targeted to teenagers, based on the bands performing and not having to pay for tickets (which I kinda weird when you think that alcohol is illegal here for people under 18, but eh…), and when you have such a show, with this type of audience and this genres of music, you can clearly expect some craziness to ensue. I can’t understand where these people got their energy, but both Zdubii and Guano Apes were marked by moshing from start ’till finish. I ended up caught between four or five groups of moshers, and had to pay equal attention to the band and my life, but I didn’t mind, it was part of the fun.

I didn’t really get in the mood for AB4, even though I used to be a fan of theirs when I was younger and The herballiser were not my cup of tea at all (in fact I have no idea what they were doing there during the rock night), so I can’t say much about them.

Zdob si Zdub were incredibly much fun, as always. I don’t think I’ve ever thought to myself “hm, I think I’m in the mood for some Zdob si Zdub, I’m gonna listen to them”, but they are just perfect for live shows. They are so joyful and entertaining and stacked with energy and Roman keeps jumping around and smiling and their enthusiasm is so freaking contagious! As this kind of happy and lively music requires, everyone in the audience was jumping, dancing, moshing and/or making huge horas. If you don’t come out soaked from a Zdob si Zdub concert, you have no soul! I have spoken 😛

As much as I enjoyed Zdob si Zdub, the highlight of the night was obviously Guano Apes. I used to love them when I was in school, but as they forgot about music, I slowly forgot about them as well. It was a VERY pleasant surprise to see them back together, and singing in Romania nonetheless! Apparently the Apes and Sandra especially are like the wine, getting better with time, as it was a really really good performance. Full of energy, great choice of songs, cool stage presence from all the band members… And then there’s Sandra. I officially declare my love for her. I am very much a straight woman, but I think I’d turn gay for Sandra Nasic :)) As good as the guys where, she completely stole the show! Not only she has an excellent and memorable voice, but there’s something about her attitude that makes her incredibly hot and captivating. She’s a mix of badass rock chick and tomboy, but somehow she is still feminine (and I’m not talking about looks here, but mostly about attitude and style of singing). I think most of the guys in the audience felt a bit hotter when she asked them to take their shirts off (by that point most the guys were shirtless anyway, using their shirts as protection from the dust and the girls probably regretted they can’t do the same, but eh… apparently she had some eye candy. Or so she said). I love how she doesn’t take herself too seriously, but she doesn’t have that vulgar vibe that a lot of the girls have when trying to be “one of the guys”. And she sure knows how to work a crowd, I ended up exhausted after this concert. That is the mark of a great concert, you know, being exhausted afterwards :))