Patron Timo Kumpf, the band’s guitarist, gathers at the Maimarktgelände in Mannheim Get Well Soonfor the 11th Maifeld Derby last weekend in June alongside headliners such as bonobo, Picture book and Sampa the Great a delicate variety of local “Monnemer” artists (MA) like Luva and (inter)national indie acts. Including two glittering artists from Down Under: Amyl & The Sniffers and Stella Donnelly. As well as the magical Büşra Kayıkçı. A foray.
Peroxide blonde 80s blow-dry hairstyle, eccentric black eye make-up, nipple-emphasizing light muscle shirt, cherry-embroidered denim hot pants, combined with Millennial Nikes and a tongue-in-cheek, rowdy, sweet hooligan attitude: The secret star of the Maifeld Derby 2022 – not only visually, but also energetically a special phenomenon – this year is Amy Taylor, who has toured with her gang of men to the ends of the earth. The stylish frontwoman of the Australian garage punk virtuosos Amyl & The Sniffers is reminiscent of a wild cross between Lady Di & Camilla meet Patti Smith in the gym. Celebrated across genres and already for a track with the Sleaford Mods in musical tow. In Mannheim, the people of Melbourne are giving one of their rare German concerts today.
With tongue out and macho poses, the petite figure whirls ecstatically extraterrestrial over the sunny, heated open-air stage, pulls faces and lovingly grins and stretches out her half-naked buttocks to “Security”. A concert that really bangs.
It’s not just guys who are attracted to this and seek Amy’s attention with cardboard signs (“Fuck Needle Injection”). The female fans in particular seem to find a role model here who inspires self-determined freedom of movement and stage diving with its unusual, wild feminine power and playful expression of anger. The security men accept that with a grin.
In general, everyone is happy to finally be able to freak out a bit again. A six-year-old girl, accompanied by her brother who is a few years older than her, pushes her way into the front row during “Guided by Angels”, probably the best-known song by Amyl & The Sniffers, and looks fascinated over the much too high barrier onto the stage. Although a mosh pit will soon be brewing a few meters from them, the little ones are carefully protected.
The general vibe of the festival is peacefully laid back and there are a few generations of musicians with their kids during the day.
At the other end of the festival grounds, on June moon Sunday, in the “Parcours d’Amour” you can let yourself be carried away by a gentle glittering rain of the Turkish solo pianist Büşra Kayıkçı sprinkle. Down at the retro stadium grandstand made of colorful plastic seats, decorated with lots of little hearts, the neo-classical artist in a headscarf blissfully gives the overheated festival visitors fresh, new energy for the final sprint on her old-school wooden piano with open keys.
After an exuberant audience dance choreography and the inspiring “Love is in the Air” cover by the pixie-like, light-footed Stella Donnelly from Australia, the festival says goodbye in the golden sunset to the dazzling sounds of the Norwegian headliner Kings of Convenience.
Warm securities thanked the fans at the exit. With the good flow and all the positive vibes of the resilient Maifeld Derby, not much is noticeable of the difficult conditions as an indie organizer with corona-related absences and staff shortages. Thanks to all the angels.