The atmosphere is pleasant on Saturday afternoon at the Holland International Blues Festival in Grolloo. However, Beth Hart’s withdrawal hangs like a small cloud in a clear blue sky.
A beer in one hand, a cigar in the other. Wibo van der Werff and Sytze Batema from Surhuisterveen are clearly enjoying the music and the atmosphere in Grolloo. They are big fans of music from the seventies and eighties, they say. They stay here at the campsite to experience as much of the festival as possible.
Cigar fits festival
That cigar is mainly because, according to Wibo and Sytze, it fits so well with the festival. The two work in primary education, Sytze as a PE teacher and Wibo as a teacher for groups 6, 7 and 8. They do their best to interest school children in their choice of music.
“On Fridays we have a cultural hour from one to two,” says Wibo. “Then we’ll play this music. But it doesn’t really catch on. At this age they are more interested in the top 40.
It does not bother Wibo and Sytze that most festival-goers could easily be their father or mother. “My father-in-law has interested me in this music,” Sytze admits. Wibo also states that his parents inspired him, but that he developed his taste in music himself.
If at festivals it often becomes a mess for people of their own age, here it is neat and both teachers appreciate that. “Do you see a plastic cup on the floor somewhere?” Wibo asks. “Everyone here does it neatly in the trash.”
What happened to Beth Hart?
A little further on are Ronald Zuidema and Egbert ten Wolde from Groningen. From the first edition they visit the festival faithfully and then immediately make a nice trip to beautiful Drenthe. “We are also training for the four-day walking tour.” They are still a bit dazed Friday evening by the sudden announcement that Beth Hart dropped out for health reasons. “What exactly was going on,” says Zuidema. “You would like to know that.”
A spokesperson for festival organizer Mojo sticks to the announcement of Friday evening: to her regret, the artist was unable to go on stage for health reasons. It is a coincidence that people also saw an ambulance at the festival site, according to him that had nothing to do with Beth Hart. Another performance is planned elsewhere for Sunday evening, it remains to be seen whether the artist will be able to perform.
King Solomon Hicks
King Solomon Hicks has now finished his performance. He goes to the festival site to hand out flyers. Many ladies and some gentlemen would like to take a picture with this handsome appearance. He accepts it with a broad smile.
He loves it here, he says. His tour took him through Germany and Belgium, among other places, Monday will be the homeward journey to New York. “But whether you’re in Grolloo or in New York, blues lovers speak the same language everywhere.”