The clock says ten o’clock, the thermometer ticks 22 degrees. And Lionel Richie sings Easy, at the end of a sweltering Sunday on which 20,000 visitors to the trotting and racetrack in Groningen do nothing more than relax. The 73-year-old American singer closed Stadspark Live in style, while Anouk delivered the best performance of the day earlier that evening.
When the gates open at noon, there is a friendly atmosphere on the lawn of the racecourse. Rugs are laid on the floor, the first drinks are fetched. Everyone is getting ready for a hot day full of live music. Look around you and you only see happy people. Young, old, groups of friends, complete families of three generations. A festival where you take your children for the first time. That is exactly what organizers Mojo and SPOT Groningen aim for with this festival. And despite the fact that the site is geared to a small 20,000 visitors, not sold out by the way, it doesn’t feel massive.
Water taps
Due to the heat, there are water taps near the toilets. Just like at the ice cream vendors, there are the longest queues during the day. Bottles are allowed on the site – including cap. It is not difficult to do at the entrance. Also handy: no coins. The payment method is increasingly disappearing at festivals and paying with a debit card is much easier – provided there is no malfunction. Those who do not regularly visit a concert or festival will be shocked by the prices (9 euros for a hamburger, 7.25 for a pancake, 3.45 euros for a drink). A consequence of the current market forces, but such a variety of food and drinks can cost quite a bit at such a festival. As long as it tastes good. And that’s the case.
‘Really an atmosphere of us-knows-us’
At the back of the field are Esmee and Iris. It is the second time that the people in their twenties from Groningen visit Stadspark Live. Esmee: ,,You really feel the us-know-us atmosphere here. We come for Anouk, we are at the front with her. We just read on the festival’s Facebook page that she wants to play a little longer and starts ten minutes earlier. Cool, great that this is possible at such a festival.” Iris: ,,After Anouk we will of course stay ahead of Lionel Richie. I must confess that I had to look up what his hits were!”
‘world bitch’
Because the music, that’s what it’s all about on this tropical Sunday. Six acts, a nicely balanced whole: three women, two men, one band. And that band, Son Mieux, opens the ball just after one with a festival set as we have come to expect from them. Nice and upbeat and sunny. Singer S10 – announced by Bert Visscher as ‘world woman’ – is in her own words in a ‘joyful mood’ and lives up to her reputation with her personal songs, while Selah Sue ripples on too much and does not flame. Reason for many to set off early to the bar, toilet or water tap.
Gregory Porter
No, then Gregory Porter. After ten years, the crooner is back in Groningen and he is still the High Priest of contemporary jazz soul. A singer of an honest and passionate calibre. Honors his soul heroes The Temptations during an intimate duet with his double bass player. From A to Z you believe what he sings. This also applies to Anouk, who is back at Stadspark Live after four years. Whether she feels like it, it sounds from the front row after three songs. “It’s starting to come,” she laughs, somewhat hesitantly. Performances by The Hague are rare these days: this year she will give only nine.
Anouk and Lionel Richie
It is not up to Anouk – now 48 years old – to give up. She packs everything and everyone, has an excellent voice and with an extremely well-oiled band behind her. During the day Lost she gets the whole field singing; between the lines it is very quiet. Of course she ends with Nobody’s Wife .
The singing along is also blown with main act Lionel Richie. He taps a lot of hits, both solo ( Stuck On You , Hello and Dancing On The Ceiling ) as from his time with the Commodores. He may have stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, but he still delivers exactly what is expected of him. Solid, but also a bit aged. Not all of his songs have stood the test of time.
Occasionally he jokes. Like with Endless Love , in which Richie almost works towards announcing Diana Ross. But it shouldn’t be like this tonight. Moments later they join Hello the first raindrops; it only makes the atmosphere at the sensitive song more special. Then follows We Are The World , the 1985 smash hit that Richie co-wrote with Michael Jackson, and preceded by a pep talk like, “Don’t let humanity go to hell.” Just after eleven o’clock the audience roams, with the encore All Night Long still in the ears, left the field satisfied.
‘Pinkpop of the North’
As a fun family festival for the whole family, Stadspark Live has proven its success. Without a doubt. But three years ago, Mojo said that Stadspark Live should become ‘the Pinkpop of the North’. How cool would it be if a major main act – such as Sting in 2019 – were on stage again next year? Foo Fighters, Muse? The Cure, Depeche Mode? Or Stromae? They will no doubt be welcomed with open arms.