GRTR's Ian Pollard first visit to Sweden Rock was back in 2002 and he's been
a regular visitor ever since. He has witnessed first hand the growth of one
of the main festival events in the rock calendar. He braved the vagaries of
the Swedish summer to report on four days of beer and bands...
Day 2 of the festival dawns with slightly less
cloud in the sky, and the promise of only 'light' rain showers according to
the forecast.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Off we go,
following a breakfast of cheese, ham, bread, fruit, and, of course, beer.
First stop today is the main Festival stage for some southern-fried rock
served up by Dan Baird and his latest band, Homemade Sin. This is
actually three-quarters of the original Georgia Satellites with the added
talent of the ebullient Warner Hodges on guitar (celebrating his birthday
today too).
The result is stunning, riff-laden
rock of the highest calibre - though it has to be said that "Keep Your Hands
To Yourself" is still the highlight of the set. Warner's trademark 360
degree guitar swings and spins provide yet more entertainment for those
present.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Still no rain…and
more southern rock. This time it is The Outlaws turn, with their
triple-guitar attack. A more relaxed set than the previous one, this sits
comfortably somewhere between The Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The 3 guitars
are used to good effect to produce some lovely harmonies, but they can also
punch out the riffs when needed. The phenomenal "Green Grass and High Tides"
closes the set - and the inclusion of that song in a certain video game's
set list has no doubt helped their cause in recent times - especially
outside of the US.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
The sight of 48
Marshall amps greets our return to the Festival stage, and that can only
mean one thing Candlemass are in town and ready to blow everyone away
with their doom metal! This is their first performance at SRF featuring new
vocalist Robert Lowe, but he is well established with the band now and leads
them well through the set. With over 20 years, and a dozen albums to their
credit, they have plenty to choose from. Latest offering 'Death Magic Doom
obviously features heavily in the set, but the mix of old and new seems to
go down well with the sizeable crowd.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Having seen next
band, Tyketto, in their "last ever" gig almost 2 years ago, I was
somewhat surprised to see them on the bill. Surprised, but very happy as you
are guaranteed a fantastic show from Danny Vaughn and co. Their brief hiatus
has not dampened the live spirit and this evening's performance is up there
with the best. So much so, I decided not to leave early to get some photos
of Flogging Molly as I couldn't possibly bear to miss "Forever
Young". This, and "Wings" (both from their 1991 debut album) are highlights
of the day!
The aforementioned Celtic-folk-punk fusion band is well under way when I
arrive, pounding out a heavily Pogues-esque set on a multitude of different
instruments, both electric and acoustic. Highly entertaining, foot-stomping
stuff from this talented array of musicians - just a touch overly
anti-English at times, although mostly this appears to be in jest and is
Dave King's way of creating a rapport with the audience.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
The Texas beard
convention now arrives (1 by name, 2 by nature). Billy Gibbons, Dusty
Hill & Frank Beard bring almost 40 years of experience playing together
to the stage, and it shows. A perfectly choreographed 90 minute set follows,
with a telepathic communication channel apparently open between them. Hit
after hit is flawlessly performed to the delight of the very large audience.
The biggest cheers are, of course, reserved for the triumvirate of big chart
successes from the "Eliminator" album - which are delivered in succession
and really get the place bouncing. The challenge has been laid down… follow
that!
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Download as desktop wallpaper (In
Windows, save and then open image, right-click and select 'save as desktop
background')
The job of
'following that' falls to the most anticipated band on this year's line-up -
at least in my opinion, that of almost everyone I talked to, and quite
obviously to the thousands who flock to the 3rd stage to see them. Over
The Rainbow launch into a set of non-stop classic songs, taken from all
eras of Ritchie's personal vehicle. With 4 genuine ex-Rainbow members
present, plus a Blackmore on guitar (Jurgen, son of Ritchie), the pedigree
is evident.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
Joe Lynn Turner
challenges himself (and succeeds) by taking on Dio era staples such as
"Stargazer" and "Man On The Silver Mountain", alongside the Graham Bonnet
era hit singles, and Doogie White material… whilst not forgetting his own
significant impact on the band's history.
Special mention must be made of
Rainbow Mk. IV keyboard player Paul Morris, who filled in at short notice
following Tony Carey being taken ill, and learned the set in 4 days. From
the opening bars of "Tarot Woman" to the "Since You've Been Gone" / "All
Night Long" encore he is note perfect.
Photo by Ian
Pollard. Photo
Gallery
The hill in front
of the 12,000 capacity Sweden stage is full throughout, suggesting that
there may have been a slight miscalculation on the choice of stage somewhere
along the line. Talking to people after the set, the anticipation had been
duly rewarded with a stunning show that was the absolute highlight of the
festival for me - the fact that they cannot get a gig in the UK is criminal.
Overall, probably one of the best days I have had in 8 years at SRF, and I
wasn't going to let Twisted Sister spoil it - so it was back to the tent for
a beer and sleep. In fact the last 8 hours had passed so quickly I'd hardly
noticed that there had been no significant rainfall all day; a situation
that would not repeat on Friday unfortunately.
