Tag: rock

Brakrock 2024-2025: A two-for-one ode | Part 4 – New to Me, 2025 edition – Day one: The Real McKenzies, Dune Rats & Gino’s Eyeball

The Real McKensies

The discovery of bands and artists that leave me awestruck after their set is one of my favourite things about live music. Whether it’s at a festival like Brakrock, or just a random artist that got recommended to me, I like to go in blind and don’t check them beforehand. (I’ll tell you more about the full process of planning my festival in the 6th and final part of this series.) I am really bad at discovering music myself, but I am luckily surrounded by a bunch of people who’ll always steer me the right way.

I’ve already covered 2024 in part two of this series. The 2025 edition brought me so many new favourites that I needed to make a careful selection and break it up in two posts. So here we go for my new finds of the first day of Brakrock 2025!

THE REAL MCKENZIES

I had often heard the name, but had never really checked them out. Rocking up to the River stage, I spot kilts and bagpipes and I am already all in! Something was up with the sound, there was a lot of feedback from the mic and it either went too loud or too silent. (Very not in Brakrock tradition, the sound is usually impeccable. I blame the bagpipes, I can imagine working around them is difficult, even for the best sound engineers.)

But feedback be damned, I am still relishing in this energetic set and the way they throw themselves fully at the crowd. And I am not alone in this, even though it’s only 6pm, there’s already a lot of drunken clumsy crowdsurfing all around! The Real McKenzies’ Celtic inspired sound is incredibly danceable and I feel the bass positively surge through my body. 

After the show I note that either the sound improved drastically during the set, or I got gradually more drunk (on the music and/or beer, make of it what you will), so all’s well that ends well. Next time I can see them playing, they will definitely be on the list with an asterix, for ‘must see’, by their name! Extra points for the super sweet singer Paul, who graciously indulged my request for a selfie! ❤

DUNE RATS

When I read Dune Rats’ bio on the website, my attention was immediately sparked by their nationality. The Aussies already brought us so much good music, but two of my most beloved punk bands Amyl and The Sniffers and The Chats especially.

And boy was I right in my assumption that all Aussie punk is LIT. If Amyl and The Sniffers & The Chats had a love child, I would imagine they sound like this. So lucky I got to see them up close and personal at the Lake stage. I am pretty sure they’ll be headlining soon enough, these dudes are going places!

They are LOUD and ROWDY, much like the audience in front of them. The stage can barely contain such raw and chaotic energy. It is one of possibly two shows where I regretted not bringing my earplugs. But hey, at least the tinnitus will bring back nice memories!

They’re SO good, that I am listing them as the best find of 2025 already, only three performances into Brakrock 2025. (They are sharing that top spot with a band you’ll discover in the next episode, so stay tuned!)

GINO’S EYEBALL

I had been waiting to see Gino’s Eyeball for AGES. Their last show had been in 2017 and I only learned about that one afterwards. To say that I was STOKED to see them is an understatement. And as I get to the Lake stage, I see that I am not the only one who had been waiting for this one! Excitedly, I wiggle my way through the crowd. My notebook reveals what awaited me there, the lack of readability gives you an idea how hard pressed I was in the heaving mass of happy bystanders. 

So yes. MAYHEM. Bloody marvellous, memory making mayhem. In my own words “I might die here, but ok.” I can’t really make out much more from my scribbles, which is most definitely a sign I was having ALL THE FUN!

And I leave you with this! You can catch singer Tom (who is also part of my precious All Star Wedding Band this year with NØFX, a NOFX tribute band (duh), on Saturday at 7.30pm at the Ruin stage. Since I missed their set last year, I will most definitely not make that mistake this time around. 

Up next: Day two with Popes of Chilitown, The Anti-Queens and a twofer with Make War and their singer José.

Part 1 – Prelude to 2026
Part 2 – New to Me, 2024: Love Equals Death, Comeback Kid, The Queers & Cancer Bats
Part 3 – Legends of Ska: Mad Caddies, Less Than Jake & Millencolin

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 3rd 2024 & 8th 2026

Follow Brakrock

0

Brakrock 2024-2025: A two-for-one ode | Part 3 – Legends of Ska: Mad Caddies, Less Than Jake & Millencolin

mad caddies brakrock 2024

The three following bands were immediately top of the list when the line-ups for the 2024 and 2025 editions were announced. The lovely nostalgia of youth where we shared our favourites. We either made carefully curated mix-cds or sent them as true pirates through ICQ or MSN. That’s how I got to know most of my music in those days. 

These three bands, ska royalty if I have anything to say about it, were probably my first introduction into the genre, and have continued to be some of my favourite artists. So without further ado, let’s dive into it! 

MAD CADDIES (2024)

I got to meet Jon Fucking Gazi, y’all!

First up, Mad Caddies, a lively ensemble from sunny California. I AM READY FOR A DANCE PARTY. And from the get-go, there is no way anyone in their right mind can stand still hearing their catchy mix of Ska, Reggae, and whatever other kind of music they stir into the mix. 

The press of the crowd pushes me every which way, but even if you’re able to fall, the crowd will pick you up again. And what’s a few bruises more or less, I barely even notice them anymore. My only complaint about this is that I could have used a little more room to show off my flailing dance moves, but that thought is soon drowned out by the entrancing quality of the pure and unbridled enjoyment of the moving masses. 

Mad Caddies may be Dad Caddies after 30 years on the scene, but they haven’t lost a bit of that funky spark. After playing so many of my favourites, the set ends too soon, as it always does when you’re having this much fun. No breaks, no brakes! This edition of Brakrock is proving to be intense! 

LESS THAN JAKE (2024)

Okay, if I absolutely HAD to pick a ska favourite for Brakrock it is definitely Less Than Jake, authors of one of my most beloved personal theme songs: The Science of Selling Yourself short. A side note to this is that I was going to miss them this year BUT I decided to ditch Alcatraz in favour of my precious Brakrock. I couldn’t bear the thought of missing even one minute. 

Especially because not attending on Friday would not only mean missing these badasses, but also Gogol Bordello, which will most DEFINITELY be a HUGE party. (And who also wrote one of my theme songs which was a huge part of my rebirth, ‘Start Wearing Purple’.) I know I could have caught the last ones at Lokerse Feesten, but I feel like some of their magic would be lost in the crowd which is too big for my tastes. (Not to mention, their sound is never as on point as Brakrock’s is.) Their performance at De Roma in 2023 was LEGENDARY, as you can discover in my rave review here, which constitutes part two in a three part series. 

Anywhoooo, back to the band at hand! They synchronicitously start their set with ‘Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts’, the first song I ever heard of them. The teenager in me is partying and my older bones will have to suffer the consequences tomorrow. I jot down that there probably won’t be many notes taken after this since I am too much in the moment. I do note my absolute glee at their playing ‘All My Best Friends Are Metalheads’ and ‘Look What Happened’. After finally hearing ‘The Science…’ after all those years, all I could write was LIFE MADE. 

If the crowd was already in mayhem mode during Mad Caddies, it goes in hyperdrive for Less Than Jake. I have probably seen them from every side, since there is no way to keep a same or even similar spot in front of the stage. The rowdy masses are incoming on all sides at the same time, it feels amazing, like a warm punk rock pit hug. And this could possibly be the show with the most crowdsurfers I’ve seen at the same time. (as per the notes: SO MANY BUTTS IN MY FACE) It is heartwarming to see how many of them are kids. The future of Punk is assured! ❤

Afterwards, my broken body is happily refreshed with a little drizzle. I might need a month to recover from this show alone, but it was worth EVERY. DAMN. SECOND. Live while I’m alive and sleep when I am dead! But really, Less Than Jake was my absolute highlight of the 2024 edition. And a shared first spot with Toy Dolls over all the times I got to experience this beautiful festival. Oh, and I will always be able to relive this special moment because I snagged their setlist. SCORE!

Catch them this year on the Woodstage on Friday the 7th!

MILLENCOLLIN (2025)

The light, it shineth upon them!

This was top of the bill on my Brakrock 2025 checklist. Another one of those bands that have wormed their way into my subconscious during my teenage years and they are so dug in, it would take a LOT to get them out. I got there a little too late to get fully up front, but I will worm (or dance) my way there in the end. I manage to write down that my face hurts from smiling so damn much and my voice is nearly gone from screaming giddily along. 

The rest of my notes are nearly illegible except for FOX (again, the first song of theirs I’ve ever heard) and OW, MAH BOOBS, a testament to the audience dancing as one sentient being. So. Much. Love.

Not pictured, the trustfall where I nearly injured Bakkie!

I decide to go for my second ever crowdsurf (and almost took out one of my new front stage security friends. Hi Bakkie!) but it was absolutely LIBERATING and counts as my number one highlight of the 2025 edition.Sadly, my need to crowdsurf was a little ill timed and I need to sit the following song ‘Close But No Cigar’out from the sidelines, but that in itself is perfect comedic timing.

Part 1 – Prelude to 2026
Part 2 – New to Me, 2024: Love Equals Death, Comeback Kid, The Queers & Cancer Bats

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 3rd 2024 & 8th 2026

Follow Brakrock

0

Brakrock 2024-2025: A two-for-one ode | Part 1 – Prelude to 2026

The first rays of spring are upon us, which sets into gear the high anticipation mode for the coming festival season. One of the staples of the musical year is of course my beloved Brakrock. Check out my 2023 ode that spells out my deep-rooted love for this festival.

A twinge of sadness creeps into my soul as this year, due to it falling a week later than usual years, I will unfortunately miss the Friday folly of punks in action. That day marks the culmination of a touralong that started in 2024, as Hope Erodes will set off their signature mayhem at Alcatraz. My journalistic yearning for a great story arc renders this performance an unmissable part in my fated web of purple musical threads to follow.

Sidenote: The only band able to sway me from this heartbreaking choice, would be The Vandals. Although seeing their current tour schedule, it doesn’t seem likely this wish will be granted. Yes, this means that I will even begrudgingly miss Less Than Jake, the authors of one of my favourite personal theme songs, as seen below. Fortunately, this series will have me revisit their (at least to me) legendary passing in the 2024 edition.

Be that as it may, even one day on the beautiful grounds of Duffel’s ruins, is better than a lot of festivals combined. I will be planning my schedule meticulously, so I can wring the most of the one Brakrock day that is granted to me by my musical overlords. My list will definitely include The Cancer Bats that were a absolute highlight of 2024, as you can discover in one of the two blogs on that edition that actually got written down. The other top spot is reserved for Good Riddance, who left me (literally) battered and bruised but smiling like a kid at a candy store in 2023.

Several other names have also piqued my interest, but the full battle plan for August 8th will be plotted once the time tables are set. So, lots to look forward to and in the meantime, I still have ample time to reflect on not one but two of the previous editions. Last year around this time, writer’s block struck me with a shattering blow. (As many artists and bands who’re still awaiting the write up of my experience with them can attest to.) Hence, most of my tale of the 2024 edition is still constricted to the confines of the notebook that holds the impressions I jotted down. (Aside from the last part in my Clyde McGee and Lightnin’ Luke touralong searies where they perform as Bridge City Sinners & the blog mentioned above.)

Some of those notes, as always, are near indecipherable since they’ve been written swaying shoulder to shoulder with the raging masses in front of the stage. Others may be a little more legible, when I decided to jot some stuff down while chilling by the pond. 

Nevertheless the few words I will be able to make out will undoubtedly trigger a flood of happy memories of music, atmosphere and the purple people I encountered there. So this year, I start my writing early to bring you a two-for-one special. A look back to my highlights of both the 2024 and 2025 editions. 

With this, I leave you in suspense, awaiting the next part. Spoiler alert: In honour of their appearance on Friday (and my wallowing in the melancholy of not seeing them this time around), I will tell you all about Less than Jake and the great Mad Caddies in part 2 of my two-for-one ode: The Legends of Ska at Brakrock 2024.

Part 2 – New to Me, 2024: Love Equals Death, Comeback Kid, The Queers & Cancer Bats
Part 3 – Legends of Ska: Mad Caddies, Less Than Jake & Millencolin

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 7th & 8th 2026

Follow Brakrock

1

Brakrock 2024-2025: A two-for-one ode | Part 2 – New to Me, 2024 edition: Love Equals Death, Comeback Kid, The Queers & Cancer Bats

With extreme giddy anticipation I’ve been looking forward to the 2025 edition of Brakrock on August 1st and 2nd. In true downsideup tradition, the two week lead up to this year’s Brakrock is for reminiscing about the previous edition. And what a year it was! 

In part two, I take you with me along some new discoveries. Part one, about the Bridge City Sinners (also known as part 5 in the Clyde McGee and Lightnin’ Luke touralong saga) can be read here!

LOVE EQUALS DEATH (August 2nd 2024)

After strolling around the site and taking in the sights, I venture over to the River stage to take my spot centre stage for the Bridge City Sinners well in advance. I hadn’t put them on the planning, but I am pleasantly surprised by getting to see Love Equals Death.

First off, a little preface of the news that broke nine days after their show at Brakrock.Chon Travis, the band’s lead vocalist sadly passed away in his hotel room, just prior to their show in Stafford. Heartbreaking having just discovered them, along with so many other people who got enamored and hearing about this so soon after.

Chon seems to have been an incredibly beautiful person if the outpour of messages of fellow artists can be believed. I want to honour him and his band with the real excitement of discovering them, so I leave the melancholy and sadness here, and describe the vibrance of their incredible set.

Love Equals Death starts my Brakrock 2024 experience off with a BANG! They’re loud, fast and in your fucking face with boundless energy pouring off the stage, even in this bloody heat! Feeling that drum vibrate through my body is heaven. I’m instantly a fan and thank the purple thread of music guiding me to this moment. I’m certainly not the only one to think so, because little by little, the crowd is growing nicely.

COMEBACK KID (August 2nd 2024)

Comback Kid ringsa bell from my early nillies punk days. I never really looked into them, (I am not always great at discovering music by myself.) but here’s me saying I should well have. Sadly my body has betrayed me from all the stomping around all day, so I take a seat on the side bleachers of the river stage. I wish I had more energy and less aches so I could follow from the pit especially since the vibe there seems lit as fuck.

Well, whatever, it already sounds amazing from afar, one day I will catch up with them on the first row. Another addition to the punk filled playlist, this is! My pen is dying and I can barely see what I’ve written down after this. Suffice it to say I was thoroughly impressed with the energy and sound. It sounds so incredibly nostalgic and I am here for it! I’ll just let the music speak for itself for now and will get back to them next time I see them pass through!

QUEERS (August 3nd 2024)

Kicking off day two a little later than planned since it took me a long while to get my broken body into gear. Made it just in time for the second band I had on my planning for the day. The atmosphere already feels amazing, everyone is as stoked as I am for this new day of festivities!

I’m loving their old skool punk style and bob along to the music happily. It’s a great and pure no nonsense sound, no breaks, just fucking rocking it. Their stamina and intensity rolls over an exhilarated audience.

The guitarist is obviously as amped (ha!) as the crowd and tears over his strings with dedication. Speaking of, at the end of the show he threw some guitar picks in the audience and I only noticed afterwards that my cup had accidentally caught one. SCORE.

After the show, a little drizzle cools us all off before we hit the next landmark gig!

CANCER BATS (August 3nd 2024)

So far so good, aside from missing the start of my day, I am currently still on schedule! Another name that was somewhere stored in the back of my brain from way back when, without any music attached to it. But just LOOK AT THEM GO! They are definitely excited to be here, as are we all!

The wave of sound is intense and so very soothing to my sore muscles. The near wave of sweat dripping off the stage is also a sight to see.

I’m finding it hard to find synonyms for describing the energy of all the Brakrock bands. I don’t think there’s enough words in the English language to describe all of it.

This band doesn’t play around! The bassist is circling like a madman, throwing his bass every which way. He slides all over the neck of the thing at lightning speed. The guitarist shreds his 6 string flying V, the singer pours his heart out and the drumls provide a searing tempo to rile them all up even more.

Part 1 – Prelude to 2026
Part 3 – Legends of Ska: Mad Caddies, Less Than Jake & Millencolin

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 4th & 5th 2023

Follow Brakrock

1

A love song to Brakrock 2023 | Part 6: Ode to the wondrous women of Brakrock! (The Venomous Pinks, Jen Razavi and Bad Cop / Bad Cop.)

With extreme giddy anticipation I’ve been looking forward to the 2024 edition of Brakrock on August 2nd and 3rd. Perfect time to look back on the previous year and get you guys equally excited with my tribute to the best festival in the world. The best bands, most idyllic location and greatest organisation made for two days that won’t easily be forgotten!

In this final post I look back on the inspiring performances by some of the mighty women that took the stage at Brakrock in 2023. Where are my female role models? HERE THEY FUCKING ARE!

THE VENOMOUS PINKS

In carefully planning which bands I wanted to see at Brakrock 2023, I got really excited when I came across The Venomous Pinks. Marked and highlighted with several exclamation marks, I decided this was a MUST SEE on day two. And booooy, was I in for a treat! 

I had almost missed the mark waiting for Sidekick to kick off, so I had to run like hell from the Ruin to the River stage and made it in the nick of time. I glide through the crowd, already slick from the pouring rain and set up shop in the front row. I can barely keep up with the energy that’s thrown at me from on stage. Their savage set leaves me so breathless and wordless, I can hardly make out the few bits I managed to write down.

Suffice it to say I was very impressed with their enthusiastic spirit and their bad ass stage presence. If I loved their recordings already, it is nothing compared to the live version. With a fierce and passionate intensity they attack their instruments and put on quite a true punk rock powered party. With their fast paced songs, empowering lyrics and rebellious attitude they made a fan for life here!

It’s only mid afternoon and I’m already fired up like there’s no tomorrow. The Venomous Pinks are an absolute highlight out of all the amazing performances I got to witness at Brakrock 2023! 

JEN (POP) RAZAVI UNPLUGGED

Only a little rest for the wicked and then off I go to the next highlight of the day, Bombpop Jen Razavi’s intimate solo set in the cosy (and dry!) atmosphere of The Belgian Beer bar. Got there 40 minutes early to beat the crowds, but only just made it in time to claim the last and quite possibly best spot right next to the little stage. Good foresight because a lot of late arrivals were left out in the rain, craning through the windows of the pop up dive bar to catch a glimpse. 

I had seen Razavi a year earlier with The Bombpops at Punk in Drublic and I already knew she was someone to look out for. I was however NOT at ALL prepared for what I was about to witness. I am immediately blown away by her striking and powerful voice that takes centre stage without the din of a back up band behind it.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to take away from the brilliant live performance of The Bombpops, which absolutely rocked my world a year earlier. I only emphasise this because my notes are littered with amazement at the stripped down version of that voice over the delicate tones of her guitar.

Which brings me to the fact that she never even intended to accompany herself and tour as a solo artist before the pandemic. We have Stacy Dee (Bad Cop / Bad Cop) to thank for encouraging Jen to go acoustic and go out there on her own. All because she’s addicted to touring and loves it so much, she wanted to maximise her opportunity to play. 

So she taught herself acoustic versions of her band’s songs and then went on to record some of her own. The mix between her own material, a couple of acoustic versions of The Bombpops and a few well reworked covers is splendid! She’s tells the crowd still finding her courage as a solo artist, but no need to be modest Jen, your talent shines through in what you do and how you do it! Pure magic this one.

And look, she even gave me a pic featuring her extremely cute puppy Saloon! Who’s a good boy? 💜

BAD COP / BAD COP

Speaking of Stacy Dee and friends, it’s time for some Bad Cop / Bad Cop action! Women to the front, y’all! Now, if I’d make a wordcloud of my Brakrock notes, I’m pretty sure the word energy would be front and centre. AND THESE LADIES HAVE IT IN ABUNDANCE! The same fuck you attitude as their friends The Venomous Pink and and such a kick ass stage presence too! 

I immediately fall madly in love with Linh’s beautiful bass and Stacy’s gorgeous pink guitar. More importantly though, their grainy voices and rebellious lyrics win me over in mere seconds. These women breathe the punk rock spirit, womanarchists indeed! I’m too busy dancing and enjoying myself to make further notes, but trust me when I say that I’ll be front row if I ever see them playing again near me! Meanwhile, I’ll let the music speak for itself, check out the above videos (and playlist below) for a little idea of why I got so excited!

This is where I decide that the women of Brakrock should have their own space in this Brakrock series. And of course, where I note to PUT ALL THE SONGS IN THE PLAYLIST!

That’s it for my throwback to Brakrock 2023, now it’s time to eagerly await the 2024 iteration. See you there!

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 4th & 5th 2023

Follow Brakrock

0

A love song to Brakrock 2023 | Part 5.2: Front Row Madness! (Day 2: The Lucky Trolls, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Toy Dolls!)

With extreme giddy anticipation I’ve been looking forward to the 2024 edition of Brakrock on August 2nd and 3rd. Perfect time to look back on the previous year and get you guys equally excited with my tribute to the best festival in the world. The best bands, most idyllic location and greatest organisation made for two days that won’t easily be forgotten!

On to day two of Brakrock 2023 where I discover two new favourites and finally get to check off Toy Dolls from my bucket list! Let’s get this party started!

LUCKY ENCOUNTER WITH THE LUCKY TROLLS

After enquiring after and finding my friend’s lost phone, I get sidetracked from my planning again. What’s this I hear emanating from the Wood Stage? The line-up says it’s CF98 but a glance at the backdrop tells me something different. Turns out I am unwittingly at the right place at the right time for a new discovery. Apparently there’s been a last minute change and I AM HERE FOR IT. 

At two am on Friday, The Lucky Trolls were invited to fill in for CF98 who sadly couldn’t make it to the festival. I say sadly, but I’m pretty stoked with the switch up if I’m being completely honest. After a moment’s confusion I am sucked in by that feel-good energy blasting from the stage. 

I’ve been meaning to check out the Walloon music scene, and what an introduction I get with The Lucky Trolls. This magnificent band from Liege has that brilliantly unhinged Gogol Bordello and trashy, folky Days N’ Daze vibe, but with a Celtic punk rock twist. From the moment their first vibrant tones penetrate my ear drums I fall head over heels in love. Day two of Brakrock is starting off with a party, and my feet can’t resist bopping along to this colourful sound. It started raining at this point, but their cheerful music is more than making up for that. 

Straight into my playlist they go, and I immediately run off to the merch hill to add some gear to my ever growing band themed attire. (One of my favourite hoodies to date, I might add!) After having a lovely chat with their friends and demanding they tell the band how they absolutely made my day, I bump into one of the members.

It’s their 5 string bass player François! In true enthusiastic Julie fashion run up I yell out: ‘HEY, aren’t you a Troll‘ and without waiting for an answer start gushing about how much fun I had randomly encountering them on stage. They are firmly on my radar to check out again!

VEMEHENTLY VIBING TO THE VOODOO GLOW SKULLS

Thanks to a friend’s recommendation I wrote up The Voodoo Glow Skulls as a must see for day two. Good decisions all around and I’m promptly pressed into the hedges front row! The crowd is going wild in conjunction with the zealously euphoric buzz the band projects onto them. The band is clearly soaking up the animated reaction from the steadily growing audience in front of them and reflecting it right back.

I’m in awe of singer Efrem Schulz’s relentless intensity in dancing and his lungs out while darting around wildly across the stage. He’s seriously dripping in sweat while simultaneously not missing a beat singing along perfectly in tune. I can’t fathom how they manage to keep up that impossible pace for the entire set, it’s truly out of this world! He’s not the only one breaking a sweat however, the band is equally energised and seemingly inexhaustible in providing a great back up to the pumped up singer’s antics.

Much thanks again to Silvère Vasselin who captured most of my favourites from Brakrock 2023

Even though the rain keeps trying to spoil the party, I eventually have to shed most of my layers because I’m sweating so much from bouncing along to their lively set. I started the day off pretty exhausted after the first day of the festival but the adrenaline is kicking that fatigue to the curb. Eventually even the sun makes its appearance again, lured out by this band of ferociously engaged artists.

I am elated when after the show I get to hand my rainbow pillow over and get it signed by this sensational addition to my ever expanding Brakrock playlist. I’m milling around trying to catch my breath after this magnificent performance, when I run into guitarist Eddie & bassist brother in arms Jorge Casillias, whose bass got run over at the airport and graciously got to borrow one from The Venomous Pinks. (More on them later in the next and final part on Brakrock 2023!)

I let them know they’ll be getting a raving review for their epically enrapturing stage presence and manage to commemorate the moment with this fun shot.

DIGGING THAT TOY DOLLS GROOVE, BABY!

It’s raining heavily on my parade by now but that won’t spoil the fun of finally getting exposed to the dynamic trio that makes up the Toy Dolls. Let me preface this by saying that after hearing one of their songs for the first time, I immediately added their back catalogue to my playlists. I’d missed their passing through Belgium a few times already and this time I would NOT rest until I could check them off my all time bucket list of bands yet to see. And let me tell you, gruesome though it had been, it was well worth the wait and anticipation. 

The Toy Dolls celebrated 44 years of rocking out as the happy go lucky punk phenomenon they so obviously are. What a pleasure to be part of this spectacular anniversary tour. Well, pleasure doesn’t even begin to describe the feelings rushing through my body and soul while seeing them play. From their magnetic stage presence, to the raging riffs, over the hilarious lyrics, all the way to their mad synchronised choreography, there is nothing about this band that won’t put a huge grin on my face. (See picture above.) Of course this is only amplified by seeing it manifest in real life, only a few measly metres away. 

Careful observers can spot me right up front having a blast, singing and moving along with the masses of fans and security alike, who don’t even mildly care that the flood gates have now opened. I put up the hood of my raincoat but immediately drop it back down to just weather the storm and not muffle one bit of the set of these uproariously animated legends of punk.

After this brilliant display I am frolicking around (rather painfully, but still) on cloud nine. The rest of the night passes in a blur, as nothing would compare to what I have just witnessed. Day two of Brakrock was an endless party for me, as evidenced clearly by the smile that was plastered on my face throughout.

Next up: The Women of Brakrock, the last but certainly not least recap of Brakrock 2023 before I gear up for the 2024 edition!

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 4th & 5th 2023

Follow Brakrock

0

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

Up ↑