Once upon a time there was a Baba Shrimps poster. Nicely signed by the whole band with dedication, it set out to its new owner’s home with a little detour from Aarau over Burgdorf. That it would make even a bigger detour, even it was already declared “dead”, it couldn’t have known. This was a typical “Sarah day” once again.
Markthalle Aarau. I was convinced I’d quickly find it. I didn’t. I made a total detour – even with satnav. But I finally found it. In the middle of the oldtown. As Markthalle I imagined it to be something different than this big shelter. haha. But it was glourious weather and the perspective of a Baba Shrimps concert brought huge anticipation and balance with it. A wonderful 30th August – that ended with a little confussion and being overwhelmed at once.
In front of the little hall party tables and benches were standing, you could get food and the atmosphere was relaxed. Admisson for the 2 days ‘Musig i de Altstadt’ festival was free. Many parents and grandparents with their children were there. Audience at every age. A mother warned his son not to go too close to the Baba Shrimps neon writing. If it falls, would it survive? At 6.15 pm the Baba Shrimps concert started. The setlist was about the same as 2 days before at Zürich Openair, if I remember right. As usual they started with “Trouble”, and among others “All The City Lights”, “Pride & Tears”, “Little House” followed. Well the usual songs from their album Neon. The kids were climbing on the speakers or standing with big eyes, obviously totally fascinated and charmed in front of the stage. Some blushed, when Adi looked at them a little longer. Maybe this was what distracted Adi a little bit and during 1-2 songs he got a little stuck. I was thrown off the concept too then – how can all the musician actually remember that many lyrics, I keep wondering? The stage was of course a lot smaller than the one 2 days ago at Zurich Openair. But I still liked the concert in Aarau a lot better. For the encore there would be the OneRepublic Cover “Feel Again”, I was told just before they returned on stage. Cool! But they skipped it and only played “Movie Star”. Man! But it was simply a very nice concert. And if it wasn’t enough yet, I got cake from a friend from her baking course! Yummie!
And then I finally got my Baba Shrimps poster. Actually you could get them for ages already. But either it was raining like crazy, the transport conditions were difficult out of different reasons or they didn’t have them with them. Nicely signed with dedication I was taking it with me to Burgdorf to the Rock The Bridge concert at Kornhausmesse. Another free festival. Later Marc Sway would have performed in Aarau, but Jan Oliver and Rival Kings also played that evening. You got to set priorities. I couldn’t guess, that the poster wouldn’t get home on that evening…
We were weaving through the oldtown alleys of Burgdorf passing all the people and stands to the Stalden bridge, under which the stage was standing. Jan Oliver had already started his concert – with a brand new band. Already in Aarau Movo (Baba Shrimps drummer) had told me about Jan Oliver’s new band and that he’s not playing any longer. Well, bass player Andi Schnell wasn’t unknown. We’ve seen him playing with Hendrik Belden or Caroline Chevin. And the one or other of the rest of the band seemed familiar too. Well, our little Switzerland. Jan, as we know it, sat behind the keys, sang his wonderful ballades and uptempo songs from his debut album “The Great Escape”. The same named title “The Great Escape”, “Going Down” or “High”, just to mention a few. And he was joking, that he actually didn’t like “Stay Young” much. The song, that everyone knows from the radio. My favour is another one too. Many lower the Luzern guy down to his Mr Switzerland title. Sure, he’s looking good, but he’s also making nice music and is playing the piano since childhood after all. And either you like it or not. With or without Mr Switzerland title. I was however looking forward to see him live again. Been some time since.
But suddendly it hit me. I was missing something: MY BABA SHRIMPS POSTEr! It stayed in the train. Great! Not. Byebye never to be seen again. So I was standing there, when my friends went home, waiting for the next concert. Down. Totally annoyed about myself. Migre Le Tigre played on the small accoustic stage, but I only listened half to them from far.
Rival Kings started their concert then. It was great! Also the concert of the Luzern rockband was a lot better in Burgdorf than it was at Zürich Openair. People were dancing, had fun and the band was full of energy, seemed to have fun as much. The sound seemed louder under the bridge. And a friend, who stayed, said to me “finally that’s a drummer, who’s really awesome”. Yes, it’s what I thought before. It’s not only up to the band, if a concert is good or not. Location, sounds, people – if everything’s right, then it will be good. And on this evening in Burgodrf it absolutely was. The band’s suitecase with their debut album “Citizens” and the LPS was standing at the age of the stage. Some of the new songs were on the setlist again. Super!
It’s when I got a message of my friends, who were on their home way – they found my Baba Shrimps poster! They actually caught the same train again and the conductor had saved it. I mean, how big was the chance for this? Wow! I barely could calm down. Yes, I know it’s actually only a poster, but it found its way home to me after all. Well-understood that I packed all other things carefully in my bag on this evening and paid close attention, where I put my things. All it would have needed, that I took the wrong train.
What a day. This evening I went home with so many impressions and totally overwhelmed.
