Journal Entries
Roskilde 2000
Posted Jul 4, 2000
8 dead and 20 to 30 injured - this is the headline that will always be associated with the Roskilde Festival 2000, it's 30th year too.
I was one of the lucky ones, I was not near to the crowd that crushed those people nor did I know any of the victims. Still, you could not help that you felt part of the terrible loss.
One of the most important things about a music festival like Roskilde, is the sense of togetherness. Okay a lot of people are drunk or on drugs, but that only has a small part to play in the way people act at festivals. For the time you are at the festival, you are able to forget some of the social graces that have become 'normal' in todays life. You can walk up to some and just chat, joke or just share a moment.
That same atomosphere changed in the space of an hour after the accident occured. It felt like an emtional shockwave ran across the entire site.
I did at the time and still do now, believe the festival organisers were correct in continuing with the festival. Even putting bands back on the stage where Pearl Jam was playing before.
To force that many people (about 100,000) at midnight out of the site would of been mayhem.
The Cure cancelled as they where due to play straight after Pearl Jam, which was understandable. The next day both Oasis (who was missing one of the brothers anyway) and Pet Shop Boys cancelled too. Now at the time I agreed with the festival organisers, they said it was wrong for these bands to cancel and they would not get paid. Now I am not so sure. The story from the bands was that by not playing they would be showing their respect for the dead, which is one point of view. My problem is that all but one other band (Live, US) DID play. Not only that it felt that by playing and saying some words, these other bands showed more respect than Oasis/PSB's.
It is a tough morale dilema, which is better to play or not to play?
The problem is made worse for me, as both bands where already in Copenhagen which was not very far from the festival. Why could they not come to the festival and say something in person? Scared I think.
I am sorry if it is true that these bands canceled due to a showing of respect, because I am not sure I believe them. Therefore I will NOT attend ANYTHING that these bands are involved with. Maybe if enough people do the same, then they will see how hurtfull it can be when no one turns up?
So to summarise, do please go to a festival somewhere soon. They are one of the greatest events on the earth. Be careful if you are going to be anyway near the front of the stage. If you see someone in any kind of trouble there, stop and help. I was unsure if I would write an article review of the festival or not (as I said I would before), after writing this entry I think I will. Not least as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives on Friday 30th of June 2000 at Roskilde Festival.
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Latest reply: Jul 4, 2000
Off we go
Posted Jun 28, 2000
Well almost, have to be at work for several hours first, boo hoo. Then its off to Roskilde. The weather is looking like it could go either way at the moment, but where as my girlfriend is believing the weather reports (cloud, rain?, some sun - when are they ever right?). I am going for the no rain, cloudy? and sun. Okay it is not going to be as hot as it was last year, but hey its a festival. It always seems to me that festivals create their own weather system anyway.
Here is a interesting fact (or not) - There will be about 100,000 people at Roskilde. 75,000 punters (like me) and the rest bands, crew, etc. This will make the site the 5th largest city in Denmark!!
Give me a B, give me a E, give me another E, give me a R, what do we want BEER 
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Latest reply: Jun 28, 2000
Swedish Lesson #1
Posted Jun 27, 2000
Phew. Last night I had my first Swedish lesson. I was tired before I started but was wasted by the end!
Many thanks to my star Teach Åsa (yes the same one!!). I can see why her former students really miss her, such calmness.
For those who don't know me, learning another language has been my greatest fear. It is not easy to explain here (it took me nearly thirty years before I explained it to someone), but just think of the thing you find the most differcult to do and then you will have some idea of the way it made me feel.
To me this was more than just a lesson, it was overcoming a major fear.
BUT that is all in the past now. If fact the lesson was fun and I am looking forward to doing it again.
I found by creating my own phonetics and keep going over a problem word/sound until I got it, really helped.
Maybe by the time of my wedding I might even feel up to saying a few words in Swedish the guest! (maybe )
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Latest reply: Jun 27, 2000
1 day to go
Posted Jun 27, 2000
Tomorrow we go to Roskilde
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Latest reply: Jun 27, 2000
Festivals
Posted Jun 26, 2000
Only 2 and 1/2 days to go
Then I shall be going to Roskilde Festival. Four days of beer, bands and bonking!!! Okay it is very likely that we will too busy (!) with the first two for the last one!
For the uneducated, Roskilde Festival is THE largest music festival in the Nordic region. Okay this might not sound so great given the population size of Nordic, but it is the single best organised festival I have ever been too (went last year). The band list is not as star studded as some UK festivals, but the overall atomosphere and organisation is far better.
Saying that they have got Oasis, Roni Size, Pet shop boys (!), Underworld and many more UK acts. They also have the two single best bands to come out of Sweden - Wanndies and Kent.
I shall be making notes over the four days and will write up an extensive report next week, so watch this space 
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Latest reply: Jun 26, 2000
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