Anastacia was this year’s bright shining star, Nibe Festival Day 4
The fourth and final day of Nibe Festival brought a climax that exceeded all expectations. Despite the rain that made people forget the sunny beginning of the festival, the atmosphere remained excellent. The audience once again showed why this festival is so special, with 20,000 visitors per day setting an absolute sales record this year.
JONAH BLACKSMITH
From the most northwestern part of Jutland, called Thy, come two of the nicest and most down-to-earth musicians and songwriters, the brothers Alstrup, Simon and Thomas. Together they have formed the band Jonah Blacksmith (named after their admired grandfather Johannes, who was a blacksmith) – and thank you very much for that!
Some musicians are just oozing musicality and great harmonies, and their songs just seem to come to them naturally. As if these songs were just waiting to be written. And enjoyed by others. Thanks to just a few songs, Jonah Blacksmith has grown to be a household name – a strong one – in Denmark, loved for their likability and their heavy load of very catchy, a bit folksy pop and rock songs.
A concert with Jonah Blacksmith is much like having a couple of great friends visiting you. You feel welcome due to their more than pleasant songs and their very relaxed – and again natural – way of creating a nice mood through well-known (and well-played and well-sung) hits like “Monster Under My Bed”, “House on Fire” and “Up”.
So far, the well doesn’t seem to have run dry – a new song, “Yellow Bike”, is a nice one about happiness and gratitude. After 55 minutes, Simon Astrup leaves the stage together to arrange a rain dance for the crowd to the sound of another great and tough solo by the wizard Søren Bigum. Yes, you are in good hands.
DANSER MED PIGER
Charming is the first word that comes to mind when mentioning the Danish pop band Danser Med Piger (“Dancing With Girls”) with four men in their early 20s (and close friends since kindergarten). They are way, way too young to play tight 80’s disco and funk – but they do it with great authenticity and a lot of pure youth. So much, that you leave the concert with a broad smile and with a lighter heart.
An hour with Danser Med Piger is the definition of a party, based on funk, disco, Latin American rhythms and a lot of magnificent solos by the gifted saxophone player Daniel Mølgaard Christensen. Don’t look back, don’t think about tomorrow, just dance to the very tight funk beat and nice lyrics about having a good time, meeting girls – and yeah, well, dancing with them.
For Danser Med Piger – with the greatest hit still being the first, called likewise, “Danser med piger” – the party seems to have just started. The four young men have created a timeless sound that makes everyone forget their daily worries and just enjoy the moment.
Their energy is contagious, and their authentic approach to music makes every concert an experience you won’t forget. With Daniel Mølgaard Christensen’s virtuoso saxophone as the crown jewel, they deliver a party that continues long after the music has stopped.
ANASTACIA
And remember: Always leave the best for last. 20 years ago or so, Anastacia Lyn Newkirk from Chicago – aka singer-songwriter Anastacia – was just about everywhere, thanks to born classics like “Paid My Dues”, “Not That Kind”, “Left Outside Alone” and “I’m Outta Love”. Later on, not so much.
But never mind. Here she is. For the first time at Nibe Festival. But hopefully not for the last. Her 70-minute performance was an explosion of high energy, not just in her greatest hits, but through “Sick and Tired”, “Broken Wings” and the rock classic “Sweet Child o’ Mine”. And all the others.
The show started at a speed of at least 120 km an hour and kept up the energy, thanks to her raw energy (and raw voice) and her constant, natural presence. She is on. So we, the audience, are on all the way through a show that kept getting wilder and wilder. And wilder. And still heavier.
Her voice is still great, so is her wit – she has time for little comments about the audience and the weather (bragging about coming from the USA to put a stop to the rain – at least for a while). Even the “packaging” is funny and with a clear hint of irony. With the theme song from the TV series “The Simpsons” as a starter, and another TV theme, “The A-Team”, to close it down. Anastacia brings a smile to your lips. And let your feet dance all by themselves.
With the final notes of Anastacia’s explosive performance falling, four unforgettable festival days came to an end. Despite the changeable weather, Nibe Festival has once again proven why it’s called “Denmark’s biggest intimate festival”. The 40th anniversary next year promises to be even more spectacular.
Come back soon, Anastacia. Please! … Oh, and by the way, Anastacia will be back in Denmark. Soon. For the Wonderfestival on the sunny island of Bornholm on Saturday, the 16th of August. Be there. You won’t regret it.
Th-th-that’s all, folks… Nibe Festival is at an end. Started warm and sunny, ended rainy and wet and muddy. But still with a lot of good music and a nice feeling. Never mind the weather! It has been four days with two international acts and a lot of well-known, upcoming, and local artists. And an audience with a thirst for life – and a thirst as such.
Never have so many guests (20,000 a day) bought so much; the sales have hit a new record. And next year seems to be the party to end all parties, for it will be the 40th Nibe Festival and will be celebrated, not by looking back, but looking forward, according to the association behind “Denmark’s biggest intimate festival”. Next year from the 1st until the 4th of July.
Photo’s (c) Martin Damgaard/Hverdagsvinkler.dk
