See you next year Colours!

There were around 32,000 attendees for the final day of Colours of Ostrava, as the mid-morning gloomy skies had done little to deter people from what was set to be an exciting day of workshops, circus shows, delicious (well-priced) food, and of course musical performances.

The afternoon started with an inspiring performance from Shtetl Superstars. The band played an upbeat combination of traditional Israeli tracks with a twist. Elements of ska and reggae with an impressive brass section kicked off the day’s proceedings!

Colours of Ostrava 2012 has been a great success. The well-planned schedule generally ran on time with few delays, meaning that I caught performances from all of the acts I had earmarked. It’s also been fun checking out new musicians or bands that I’d not heard of before.

Sunday’s line-up featured many such performances which made for a great learning experience.

My fatigue was slowly setting in by late Sunday afternoon, but I was determined not to be beaten! The soothing sounds of Ninja Tune recording artist Fink served as the perfect antidote for my aching legs and tired brain! Fink played a down-tempo set which I thoroughly enjoyed, a truly talented performer who charmed the audience with jokes and banter between tracks.

The newly constructed Gong Vítkovice stage proved a popular venue during the festival period, with artists from around the world performing in the impressive auditorium. The great space had excellent acoustics with comfortable seating. There seemed to be constant queues of impatient people waiting to gain access to the packed auditorium; arriving early was imperative to secure yourself a spot. Fortunately, I managed to squeeze into Portico Quartet’s Saturday show.

The festival organisers have been quick to address feedback from attendees, many of whom complained about the rocky terrain which certainly helped to reduce flooding, but made walking and standing painful after many hours. I have to admit that by Sunday night, my feet and legs were bearing the brunt.

The closing performance from Janelle Monae was well worth the wait – A real spectacle, with the petite Monae giving 100%. Her impressive band didn’t miss a beat as Janelle made the stage her own, interacting with her adoring audience. Monae casually painted a canvas while performing songs from her award winning back catalogue, brush-stroking her way through the performance then kindly giving the canvas to a lucky member of the audience who happened to be celebrating her birthday. A great birthday gift for one fortunate fan!

I had an incredible few days in Ostrava. The festival’s new location is a real hit in my opinion. Stunning scenery, helpful staff, fairly-priced food and refreshments with minimal queuing and of course excellent music from around the world. The organisers did an incredible job and I will cherish the experiences I’ve had over last few days for many years to come. I’m already thinking about next year’s fest. It can’t come soon enough!