Árstíðir – Konzertbühne, TFF Rudolstadt; July 6th, 2013
My second day at TFF Rudolstadt started with waiting for my friend B. to arrive in the early afternoon. We got ready and left for the festival, not yet sure what we’d do. In Rudolstadt we made our way to the park and checked out the stage, then got food and returned, deciding we might as well just check out who played there. The programme said “Mauricia Velasierra Quintett”, a Colombian band, somewhat jazzy with lots of different flutes. They were quite listenable, I especially liked the few songs where they were joined by a dancer on stage. In the end, there was even something to sing along to. 🙂
The front row offered shade so we just stayed there during the break that followed. The guys arrived and a grand piano was literally pushed and dragged on stage. It needed to be tuned too, small wonder after that treatment. Watching the soundcheck was interesting this time, because things weren’t right in the beginning. Even though I don’t now anything about these things I enjoyed listening in and hearing how the sound gradually got better. 🙂
In time for their concert to start the place filled up and many of the people that had been sitting on the ground earlier got up. I knew today’s set was going to be a little bit longer than the previous night’s – my first full Árstíðir concert in a while.
On this beautiful summer day many people were just sitting around on the grass, enjoying the sun, but as soon as the guys started playing, many got up and moved closer. The sound was still a little bit off during the first two songs, but that’s complaining on a high level. soon, everything was back to normal, but nothing could have spoiled my enjoyment anyway. I alternated between listening to the music and taking pictures. Once in a while I glanced sideways at B. to see if she liked the concert. She did and so did everyone else by the looks of it. 🙂
As opposed to the previous night I had a good view of all the guys this time around. Victor was guesting again, playing violin. It was nice to have him there, he is a good addition to the band. This time around they played all the songs they had to leave out the day before, among them five a cappella songs. Throwing a few of those in never fails to impress the audience and it always makes me happy. <3 I was wondering how many of them were seeing Árstíðir for the first time and how many had come back to see them again. Either way, they were really attentive once more.
It was the perfect concert for everyone, no matter if it was your first impression of the guys or you were a fan already, the selection on songs was just right. If I hadn’t already been in love with their music, I would have fallen for it right then and there. The beautiful sound of violins and cello, the dynamic piano, the guitars covering ground from soft strumming to stronger rhythms and the voices in harmony, sometimes panting pictures with words, sometimes as an additional instrument. I loved the intro to ‘You just have to know of me’, the intensity of ‘Shades’ and the softness of ‘Heyr himna smiður’, the dynamics of ‘Nú gleymist ég’, the melancholia of ‘Sunday Morning’ and every song in-between.
When it was over, B. agreed that it had been great and we both got in line at the merchandise stand, she to get the CDs and me to hug the guys. I stayed a little bit in the back and until it was my turn. Spent the time chatting with Linda and Masha and offering CD advice to indecisive buyers. 😉 There was quite a crowd too, but finally I got the chance for a few words and even received a vinyl album. <3 The evening didn’t end here, but with a beer among friends after which we took the last train back to our hotel.
Setlist
Á meðan jörðin sefur
Sunday Morning
Heiðin
Ljoð í Sand
Days and Nights
Við dagsins hnig
Brestir
þér ég unni
You just have to know of me
Ages
Lost in you
Heyr himna smiður
Nú gleymist ég
Góða veislu gjöra skal
Til hennar
And so it goes
Shades/Tárin
Árstíðir summer tour – 2 gigs down, 2 to go. Next stop: Wroclaw