Meeting the robots at Way Out West 2012

Time for another year at Way Out West, the cozy and predictable festival in the forest.

It’s always a bit of a challenge to have an early slot at a festival, since people tend to arrive later in the afternoon. Mark Lanegan and Deportees thus had bit of an uphill mission, before the party started to kick off with Florence & The Machine.

Feed Me did a dubstep set in the Linné tent, and I bet that even the penguins on the other side of the park could feel “the drop”. Refused did a energetic concert and I kind of slept through The Black Keys. DigiDroid did a fun gig in a tent and I discovered the best food in the area: grilled halloumi with fresh strawberries.

Walking on sunshine.

As I strolled through the area, an old man approached me. He pointed at my 242 cap (from the band Front 242), saying “Volvo is great, I also have one of those classic cars”. Cute.

Acts such as Feist, Bon Iver, Mogwai or even Blur could not take the spotlight from the main event. Even at the entrance it was clear which band was the most anticipated band, since they handed out 3D-glasses for the upcoming Kraftwerk concert which would close the festival.

Facing the robots.

The German quartet entered the stage and did their hyped 3D-show. Last time I saw Kraftwerk was some years ago in Denmark, but that show only had a few 3D backdrops at the end. This time it was 3D all the way. They started with We Are The Robots and people were just staring at the projections. Probably the only concert in the history of Way Out West where the crowd stood absolutely still and just listened.

Some kid managed to enter the stage during Trans Europe Express and danced a few seconds in front of Ralf Hütter before the guards hauled him away.

Radio Activity had been updated with Fukushima, after the disaster in Japan last year. As usual, they ended with Musik Non Stop, leaving one by one until the last remaining original member Ralf Hütter said “Good night. Auf wiedersehen.”