The Four Days Marches festivities of… Mountain States
-
Mountain States tips Protomartyr. Foto: protomartyr.bandcamp.com
The 100th edition of the Four Days Marches is coming up and that means: party! A beer on the river side, some music... But where should you go? Today, Jeroen Populier, bass player of the Nijmegen band Mountain States, gives five tips for when you visit the Valkhof Festival.
#1 together PANGEA
Saturday 16th July, 22.00, Valkhof Festival
‘For a first festival night, together PANGEA is the perfect show. This American garage/punk band will definitely throw a good party. Easy to sing along with, nice and explosive, summer atmosphere… Yes, this will be a happy show.’
#2 Donnie
Sunday 17th July, 21.30, Valkhof Festival
‘Go see Donnie on Sunday. It is true Dutch hiphop, made under the watchful eye of the Jeugd van Tegenwoordig’s producer. It has his style: amusing and breezy. I especially like the songs ‘Batras’ and ‘Koud als ik je zoen’.
The Nijmegen band Mountain States is known for their performances and songs like Hologram and El Sombrero. Music magazine OOR has named them one of the most promising bands at the upcoming Popronde, and before that they were received with applause by music blog Kicking the Habit. Unfortunately, they are not playing at the Four Days Marches festivities themselves, but with a good reason: they are recording their debut album this summer. In September, you can go see them at the Popronde and in Doornroosje.
#3 Die Nerven
‘Immediately after Donnie, you can move on to German post punk band Die Nerven. I do not know them that well, but they sound nicely noncommercial and authentic. Whether this is also the case when they play live, is yet to be seen, but hey, that is the fun of it. This is the kind of band that you do not know what to expect of beforehand, but turns out to be very good. Then you have really discovered them there.’
#4 Rats on Rafts
Monday 18th July, 22.45, Valkhof Festival
‘The first weekend is good, but Monday is the day that I am looking forward to the most. Rats on Rafts is playing then, a band from Rotterdam. If you ask me, it is the best band The Netherlands have to offer at the moment. They have been playing together for a long time and really have a unique sound now. Their performance has a raw element to it, it will be one big party.’
#5 Protomartyr
Monday 18th July, 23.30, Valkhof Festival
‘Directly after that, Protomartyr plays on the main stage. An American, relatively young band, but with an older singer. It makes the music heavy and conversational. Nice and authentic, eighties style music, different from the rest at the festival. Last year they played at the Le Guess Who festival, I heard that was very good.’
