Zwarte Cross 2010: Rated!

Netherlands | by Roy Kasius | 20 July 2010

Overall – 7/10

Zwarte Cross (Dutch for Black Cross) is all about motor cross. The festival started in the late 90’s as an event where everybody was invited to join in whether they had a bike, moped or any other form of transportation. But it rapidly grew into a major event, now welcoming almost 150,000 people.

Most organisations claim their event is unique, but Zwarte Cross really is one of kind. The combination of motor cross, music, theatre and stunts make this a festival unrivalled anywhere in the world.

There and Back – 6/10

Even though Zwarte Cross is located in the countryside, the trip to the festival area is quite easy with shuttle buses running from the train station to the festival site in about ten minutes for five Euros per return trip. It is harder, however, to actually get onto the festival site once we arrive. Those with camping tickets have to wait for about an hour to get to the campsite because there are only two queues for the bag check.

The Site – 8/10

Compared to other festivals, this is a pretty big site, with a main area and several smaller enclosed areas such as a reggae and metal meadow. There’s food aplenty here, both on site and on the camping. With a wide variety of choices, there really is something for everyone, whether you like Asian, pizza or burgers, or maybe something more unusual such as paella. Credit to the organisation for getting this site ready in time. Only days before the festival a storm tore down most of the site with several people left injured.

Atmosphere – 7/10

Zwarte Cross is known to outsiders as being a beer fest for the locals who get a kick out of rolling in mud, throwing beer and getting hammered. Truth is, there are indeed a lot of locals who often wear wooden shoes and a lot of beer is sold. But that’s not what this festival is all about. Zwarte Cross is meant to be a carefree weekend for people of all ages. This means you see whole families as well as some middle-aged men and of course hordes of teenagers.

You would expect there to be some confrontation with so many people getting drunk, but the police could have stayed at home watching the festival on TV. Everybody gets along like old friends. Who knows, maybe being drunk even helps?

Music – 7/10

For a motor cross festival, Zwarte Cross can boast an enormous line-up of musical acts. The Skatalites’ reggae and the gospel of The Campbell Brothers complete a line-up that is otherwise rooted in rock and metal. Throughout the weekend there are numerous bands to watch with the revival of Papa Roach, Paradise Lost and K’s Choice alongside newer names like Airbourne, Kontrust and the Baseballs. With bands like these, there really is something for everyone.

Uppers

Volbeat – 7/10
Volbeat are rapidly becoming a household name in the Dutch festival scene with a heavy mixture of metal and Johnny Cash-like rock. And they appear to be getting better with every performance. They have mastered the tricky art of entertaining a crowd without anyone actually knowing their songs. Granted, there are a few fans out there when the show started but no doubt a couple more at the end.

K’s Choice – 7/10
This year’s back to the 90’s theme sees the resurrection of female led bands like the Cranberries and Skunk Anansie. 2010 also sees the return of Belgium’s pride, K’s Choice. After seven years away, the band are back with a new album and a string of shows. The break must have had a positive effect on them as they seem to be enjoying themselves more than ever. Their enthusiasm spreads like wildfire and the crowd joins in all the way to back, especially when treated to old hits such as ‘Believe’ and ‘Not an Addict’. K’s Choice have a good mixture of ballads, pop and rock songs leaving no time for an uninspired moment.

The Baseballs – 8/10
Anyone who can turn Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ into a great song deserves a spot in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Although they haven’t booked a flight to Cleveland just yet, The Baseballs have landed a ticket to play on the main stage of Zwarte Cross. Their game is to take various number one songs, strip them apart and remodel them old school style. Think 50’s Rock ‘n Roll, think greasy hair, think ‘Cry Baby’. The band gets some of the best audience reaction of the weekend. But then again, who doesn’t know the worlds to Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love’ and J-Lo’s ‘Let’s Get Loud’.

Caro Emerald – 8/10
If there’s ever been a Dutch singer ready to conquer the globe, it’s Caro Emerald. In fact, she appears more than ready. Her seductive jazzy music is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and Duffy, if not better. It’s refreshing to see a band using saxophones and pianos, as opposed to the usual sound of guitars and drums. Caro’s voice is made to sing jazz; she does it in a very poppy way, leaving the door open for admirers of all walks of life.

Kontrust – 9/10
Sticking to the motto “save the best for last”, Austrian newcomers Kontrust are by far one of the best bands this festival has to offer. One of the many reasons why Kontrust are such a refreshing sight is the fact that it is helmed by both a male and a female singer. When one is busy with a song, the other has time to entice the audience. And it works because, unlike many other performances at Zwarte Cross, the crowd seems to be swelling all the way until the end of the show.