Exploring and supporting the local scene
Sometimes, you have to think outside the box. For me, it’s no different to how it is for everyone else. So, when my colleague Sarah told me that she now volunteers at a local festival, I started thinking about broadening the scope a bit, from purely metal festivals to a festival with a mix of music, food, beverages, diversity, inclusion and just plain fun for all generations.
Go there now!
Here we are, focusing on Friday evening and night on 23rd May, the Besser Als Nix Festival, or BAN! for short! ‘Besser als nix’ translates as ‘better than nothing’, and I can tell you that this festival by Besser als nix e. V. Verein für junge Kultur im Rheingau, was much better than nothing. The festival continues until 25th May, Sunday evening, so if you live nearby, take your bike, car or train and pay a visit NOW! It’s worth it!
Donations welcome
Firstly, entry is free. The organisers kindly ask for donations, whatever you can afford instead. Remember that for some people, even five euros can be too high a cost. There is a nice selection of merchandise available to support the festival. As well as that, there are lots of food stalls and a wide variety of other stalls selling all kinds of things, as well as a mobile tattoo studio. There are also three stages. One is more techno-related, the middle one is a small circus tent for wizardry karaoke, and some other sweet little things. The largest one is the main stage for live bands. Just check out the pictures.
Unknows Voyage
So now let’s take a look at Friday’s bands. The opening act was Unknown Voyage. They play a kind of pop punk, leaning more towards punk than pop, and certainly not the kind of AOR music that would bore the audience. They could have deserved more viewers earlier in the day at 18:00, but that’s the fate of opening acts. Most people arrive, have a look and listen for a moment, then continue exploring the whole festival before returning later.
Juicy Roadkill
The second band was Juicy Roadkill. As the name suggests, they were impressive. Their soundcheck was impressive. The programme flyer says they play alternative punk, but Ipersonally would describe them more as alternative crossover and metal. Their attitude reminded me a lot of that of Germany’s rising metal stars, April Art. Fun fact: both vocalists are called Lisa. So, if you ever get the chance to see Juicy Roadkill, take it. They have already released two albums, so check them out!
With Her Fall
Third band to perform are With Her Fall, who play a wild mix of Nu and Alternative Metal. Like the previous act, they are a female-fronted band, but they sound completely different. So much for ‘metal is always the same three boring chords’. During their set, I saw the first circle pit of the evening, but certainly not the last! Even a diverse audience can go wild!
sharpened.lives
The fourth band I watched on this slightly chilly evening after sunset was called sharpened.lives. The brutality of the guitar riffs had decreased, and the music was more akin to alternative rock crossover with some electronica elements. Nevertheless, the trio raised the bar for the audience again. Wild, outrageous and powerful music ruled the festival as the sun set.
The Paraberries
Another band, The Paraberries, was scheduled to play that evening, but I had to leave due to other commitments early the next morning and a possible lack of sleep. Here is a clip of a previous gig so you can get an idea of what they sound like.
Change of Mind Set
As well as watching these four bands, I had plenty of time to walk around, check out the stalls and observe the audience. Take a look at the pictures — it’s amazing how easy it is to change your mindset once you enter the festival area. It’s a completely different world of peace, freedom and harmony. Thank you to the organisers, especially my colleague Sarah, for inviting me and for the input, explanations and interesting conversations we had. Now it’s up to you to go and enjoy BAN! on Saturday or Sunday! Festival at Geisenheim/Rheingau, Rheinwiesen!
And on special request, with their permissions, a portrait of father and son, part of the crew and two rock buddies.
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Online:
Please buy merch and physical music or downloads from the bands’ official sources and don’t stream it for free, because that steals the artists’ income.
Original photos taken by Friend.X aka Mr. Deep