We Love Green Festival: A Rainy Yet Electrifying Experience
The We Love Green festival, held in the Bois de Vincennes, faced unexpected weather challenges this Saturday. Despite the rain and ensuing mud that turned the festival grounds into a slushy landscape, tens of thousands of determined festival-goers stayed to witness spectacular performances. The festival opened on Friday with slight humidity, but by Saturday, it had become quite muddy.
Attendees, equipped with boots, jackets, and ponchos, braved the inclement weather to enjoy the concerts. Pop artists such as Josman and the French band Empress, fresh from Coachella, graced the big stage of La Prairie, performing to enthusiastic crowds. Volunteers scattered straw to make the grounds passable, showing the communal spirit that kept the festival vibrant.
Highlights of the Day
Among the performance highlights was the legendary Kim Gordon, former bassist of Sonic Youth, who delivered a radical solo show at age 71. Also drawing attention was Giedré, whose performance under the Think Tank tent featured his darkly comic nursery rhymes.
The night concluded with the much-anticipated performance by electro duo Justice. Known for their breathtaking visual displays, they closed the evening with a powerful and visually stunning concert, fulfilling all expectations.
Despite the mucky conditions, the youthful energy of thousands of festival-goers persisted, making for an unforgettable experience. Shygirl, following Belgian rapper Shay's Friday performance, delivered a colorful show that kept the spirit alive.
Parallel to We Love Green, another major music event took place this weekend—Green Day’s concert at Madrid’s Caja Mágica. While the weather wasn’t a concern, the venue choice resulted in visibility issues for many attendees. The use of a large screen obstructed views of the live band, leaving some fans feeling shortchanged.
Green Day performed their iconic albums, Dookie and American Idiot, in their entirety, unleashing a furious energy that captivated the crowd. Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, sporting a youthful look at 52, led the crowd through a set that included interactive moments and a nostalgic journey back to the 90s and 2000s punk rock scene.
- In comparison to We Love Green, Green Day's concert faced criticisms despite their energetic performance. Held in a narrow, paved section of Caja Mágica’s parking lot, the concert's logistics failed to accommodate the large audience effectively. The crowd, initially enthusiastic, had to settle on viewing the concert via a large screen middle of the venue, as the stage was visible only to those at the very front.
- The concert, branded as part of the Road To Río Babel festival, featured other bands like The Hives and The Interrupters. Despite the venue issues, fans of various ages—the middle-aged reminiscing about Dookie days, the youth celebrating American Idiot, and families with young children—maintained their festive spirits.
