Arvikafestivalen '03

On Thursday the 10th of July, around two o' clock in the afternoon, we arrived to the Arvikafestivalen. First we went to the check-in counter to get our media accreditation and then we were shown where we could place our tent on the press camping by Martins friend Håkan Ljunggren while our travel companions went to their little more luxurious resort. We pitched our tent and then thought we would see Tyskarna från Lund, but meanwhile a hundred of others had the same idea, we couldn't get into the festival area in time. We decided to walk to the camping where most of the people where staying because we where a little bit curious how muddy the ground had been so far this year.

Because we hadn't got our hands on certain phone numbers to the artists we proceed to the backstage area looking for Rouge from The Crüxshadows, because we had made an appointment to do an interview with him during the festival. We didn't come far, before we meet the band outside the backstage area, and settled a time to meet again and do the interview 30 minutes later. The interview carried out, and then we stayed a moment to chat a little bit with Rouge while we waited for E-craft to get up on stage.

At 9 pm E-craft entered the Andromeda-stage, and some time after that The Crüxshadows did the same. After those two gigs, Martin went to the press camping to talk and hang out with his tent neighbours while I went to take some photos of Interlace who played at 2 am at the stage called Lyran.

The Friday didn't really start until 4 pm when we did an interview with Colony 5 at the backstage area. Then we saw the last of the concert with Hedningarna who also had started their gig at 4 pm. Colony 5 didn't enter the stage until 7.30 pm and HIM replaced DAF at 9 pm. In between these gigs Martin had some time to hang out with Crowhead at the press camping area. While Martin was checking out the gothic girls own moomin HIM, I was doing an interview with the singer from Front 242, Jean-Luc De Meyer. The night continued with Ministry on the big Vintergatan stage, and ended with Front 242 on the Apollo-stage.

During the Saturday morning the festivals obvious rain came falling down making the area muddy, but that is more or less typical for the Arvikafestivalen. The day went on proportionately uneventful until 6.30 pm when Soulfly played on the big stage. After that gig we prepared us for the interview with Mesh witch we were doing during Håkan Hellströms concert on the big stage. Later we saw Projekt Pitchfork and got us a few songs to dance to. The night and for us, the festival, ended with the appearance of Mesh at the big stage.

This year's edition of Arvikafestivalen was totally sold out, which you could notice on the bad organization at the entrance that had its moments where it was impossible to enter because of the crowd. Also the press area where very hard to find, hidden behind the Café and it wasn't any signs. It wasn't so much to find in the area and to next year I hope for more information, computers for research and other equipment that can be necessary during a festival. Remaining, the festival is a nice memory and we are looking forward to next year. See you there everyone!

This article was written 2003 and initially published on Neurozine.com