Rock for People: Day 2

Blue skies for day two at Rock For People with a line up showcasing a number of familiar rock names and a few not so familiar. For the early risers (12:10), the Evropa 2 Stage offered Charlie Straight as the opening act. The Třinec/Prague based band were a pleasure to watch. The young band’s London Brit pop sound filled the tent with energy and good vibes. Their songs were up-beat and fresh, the lead singers London accent was spot on! The crowd were more than happy to show their appreciation, clapping along to the bands mockney tones. Following Charlie Straight I caught part of Dirty Blondes’ performance at The Jam stage. The Prague group with a feisty blonde lead vocalist who belted out track after track leaping from speakers and kicking symbols – infectious high energy levels for a Sunday morning!

Music aside, I took time out to have a sneak peak at the non-musical attractions available at this year’s Rock For People festival. For the under-age rockers perhaps the well-equipped and supervised Kids Corner? Slides, games and see-saws all free of charge for the youngsters. For the slightly older rockers, I suggest you hit the Klouzačka (or ‘slide’ for the UK speakers). Wet & soapy plastic makes for pretty good fun for the slightly inebriated. After the Klouzačka, dry off and cool down in the Staropramen air-conditioned bar. The white inflatable bulbous cube is slightly off the main festival path, but worth a visit I’d say. Cold 10 degree beers are served in real glasses on beer mats in the temperature controlled cube — super civilised pivo! I almost forgot I was at a festival. It sounds minor, but in yesterday’s heat it felt like a godsend. My next non-musical tip would be a trip to the ČVUT (Czech Technical University) tent close to the Rock & Pop stage. I had a brief guided tour around the tent teaming with goodies and futuristic gadgets. Tomorrow’s Formula 1 car, 3D movies (3D goggles mandatory), walking robots, dance mats, a lie detector test and a revamped Czech design classic, Prestige sneakers are all housed in the space. Get down there and acquaint yourself with the future’s must have items.

Back to the music. Tricky beamed down from his far away planet and took to the Česká Spořitelna stage on time, much to the delight of the eager crowd. It’s been a while since I’ve watched the husky voiced one perform. I was glad to see that he’s not lost his edge. At one point he invited most of the front few rows of the audience up on stage to join him and his slightly bemused band. Roughly 100 smiling, dancing fans moshed out to the band’s rendition of Ace of Spades. It was an unexpected sight.