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It's time for the end-year lists, things that give reviewers sleepless nights and panic attacks. They don't want to leave any band out but there's always more bands deserving to be on an end-year list than there are spots. Another thing that seems strange, is that by the end of the year some albums or concerts which we reviewed as mega-fantastic seem to got lost in time while others, which at first listen seemed ok but not more, suddenly reappear as one of the highlights of that year.
Nothing is certain in a reviewer's life, except the December-stress...
We at Merchants Of Air refuse to force our writers into making these lists because these people are busy enough as it is. They know it's time for those lists and if they make one, we publish it. Life at Merchants Of Air is quite simple really.
In the next few weeks, we will publish a number of lists about whatever we feel like, musically speaking. We kick off with the live performances (mainly because we don't plan to see any more bands this month).
Nothing is certain in a reviewer's life, except the December-stress...
We at Merchants Of Air refuse to force our writers into making these lists because these people are busy enough as it is. They know it's time for those lists and if they make one, we publish it. Life at Merchants Of Air is quite simple really.
In the next few weeks, we will publish a number of lists about whatever we feel like, musically speaking. We kick off with the live performances (mainly because we don't plan to see any more bands this month).
Festival of the year
Without a shadow of a doubt, Dunk!Festival wins this. With an impeccable organisation, loads of brilliant bands and an amazing audience, this festival skyrocketed.
Perfect sound, awe-inspiring light show, free coffee (important!) and people so nice and friendly you want to marry them all. That's what Dunk!Festival stands for.
Read our review
Read an interview with Wout from Dunk!
Perfect sound, awe-inspiring light show, free coffee (important!) and people so nice and friendly you want to marry them all. That's what Dunk!Festival stands for.
Read our review
Read an interview with Wout from Dunk!
Concert top-10
Time can alter the perception of a concert. I've probably seen hundreds of bands in 2015 and apart from a few support acts, none of them were bad. Yet, over the course of a year, some gigs seem to have gained importance and others softly fade away in my memory. Here are the ten most memorable I've seen in 2015.
1. Barchan (Incubate)
Oh man, that was drone-jazz from such a massive level that I was watching James and Tomas with my mind open in full amazement.
2. Bathsheba (DesertFest)
Belgian occult doom band with some extremely experienced musicians and probably the best front-woman in doom history. I saw them twice this year, should do that more often.
3. Radare (Incubate)
Almost forgotten but forever remembered and thè discovery at Incubate this year. These dark jazz youngsters enchanted me and delivered the most played album of 2015.
4. Alice In The Cities (Dunk!Festival)
We've seen Alice In The Cities twice before, both times performing decent concerts. Yet, because of the professionality of Dunk!Festival these guys blasted into my all-time top-50.
5. The End Of The Ocean (Dunk!Festival)
As much as Radare was the discovery at Incuibate, The End Of The Ocean was that on Dunk!Festival. I couldn't help buying two albums and requesting them to be autographed.
6. Cecilia::Eyes (Dunk!Festival)
Cecilia::Eyes was one of thè bands for Merchants Of Air in 2014 and 2015 was no different. A brilliant set at Dunk!Festival and an album that plays often here. They belong on this list.
7. Thisquietarmy (forest gig at DunkFestival)
I've seen Eric perform before and I like it each time but this was different. There he was, kneeling down over his guitar in front of a tree, rolling his drones through the forest. It was almost a pagan ritual.
8. Dead Neanderthals (Incubate)
Intensity, power, noise, Dead Neanderthals came out as another huge discovery at Incubate. I can't wait to see them again soon.
9. Ufomammut (DesertFest)
Speaking about intensity. This is probably the biggest name on this list and with good reason too. These guys deliver live, that's for damn sure.
10. Vandal X (Desertfest)
Many bands were awesome on stage this year, and it was tough to chose number ten because I didn't want to leave anyone out. Yet, Vandal X gave me an amazing throwback into my time in my former city and I loved every second of it.
Serge
1. Barchan (Incubate)
Oh man, that was drone-jazz from such a massive level that I was watching James and Tomas with my mind open in full amazement.
2. Bathsheba (DesertFest)
Belgian occult doom band with some extremely experienced musicians and probably the best front-woman in doom history. I saw them twice this year, should do that more often.
3. Radare (Incubate)
Almost forgotten but forever remembered and thè discovery at Incubate this year. These dark jazz youngsters enchanted me and delivered the most played album of 2015.
4. Alice In The Cities (Dunk!Festival)
We've seen Alice In The Cities twice before, both times performing decent concerts. Yet, because of the professionality of Dunk!Festival these guys blasted into my all-time top-50.
5. The End Of The Ocean (Dunk!Festival)
As much as Radare was the discovery at Incuibate, The End Of The Ocean was that on Dunk!Festival. I couldn't help buying two albums and requesting them to be autographed.
6. Cecilia::Eyes (Dunk!Festival)
Cecilia::Eyes was one of thè bands for Merchants Of Air in 2014 and 2015 was no different. A brilliant set at Dunk!Festival and an album that plays often here. They belong on this list.
7. Thisquietarmy (forest gig at DunkFestival)
I've seen Eric perform before and I like it each time but this was different. There he was, kneeling down over his guitar in front of a tree, rolling his drones through the forest. It was almost a pagan ritual.
8. Dead Neanderthals (Incubate)
Intensity, power, noise, Dead Neanderthals came out as another huge discovery at Incubate. I can't wait to see them again soon.
9. Ufomammut (DesertFest)
Speaking about intensity. This is probably the biggest name on this list and with good reason too. These guys deliver live, that's for damn sure.
10. Vandal X (Desertfest)
Many bands were awesome on stage this year, and it was tough to chose number ten because I didn't want to leave anyone out. Yet, Vandal X gave me an amazing throwback into my time in my former city and I loved every second of it.
Serge
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