Almost round Saturday

On Saturday morning the arrival of the people, who came with rest and who was half dragged. In the camp there have been a large number of little rave that have damaged sleep. It has been an intense African dance course in the plaza and a bertso poteo in the plaza, distributing the attendees according to the chess. Donostiarra Txiki has been in charge of putting the touch of humor, even though it had a difficult place. Next, the Komunetik show from Pamplona/Iruña will be offered, where the theatre and musical improvisation will be mixed. We've had to go by the time it's started, because it's the turn of the musician in our crew. Unfortunately, we have also lost the show of the dancer Amaia Elizaran.

We've downloaded the material and we've been at the collaborators' txoko with volunteer Julen. It is he who is in charge of creating a quiet place for all. You just need food, drink and a little tertulia. Andoni Oilokiegi is also among those present. It will make the afternoon enjoyable, and maybe it will for a couple of hours. But this guy has no limits and he's giving and singing with his guitar on the pitch.

At festivals, the pace of the organization is very intense. Assembly and sound test in 30 minutes. Usually an hour and a half. The nervousness is also greater, the volume out is too high, every stroke and every note has to be measured very well. Those of us who are used to small places touch with another breath. At the end of the concert we have been with Joana and he has thanked us for being there. We thanked him for the invitation and we got into the mouthpiece to thank us. We told him that next year we will come back with another group and he will see if that is true.

After giving the concert, the musician feels tired, but the other calls for him to recover. I had guessed it. French rap singer Jewel Usain, confirmed at the last minute, has spread firewood all over the top. Although the pace of the rain has continued to be intense, the public has not been discouraged by the chubasco. On the contrary, people jumped and danced to the limit, and Usain became amazing with the environment. “Ces Basques sont fues!”

After the event, it was the turn of ZEA Mays, who made a short presentation. The organization has been very pleased with the reception and determination to push the festival forward above all the difficulties. In the last four years, the festival has had to be suspended twice: one by the storm, one by the coronavirus. And yet it is still standing, ready to continue for another twenty-five years.

Anesthesia has aroused enthusiasm among amateurs. Mikel Kazalis, who passed throat cancer last year, has framed this concert on her life celebration tour. The essence of the concert was the delicacy of a group based on the chubasco, the respect that the hobby has. However, the overdose of testosterone had to be reduced a little, and there came from Madrid those of Tremendous da Jauría, who have been replaced. Cumbia and reggaeton rhythms have been combined with vindictive and feminist letters. Although it is sometimes too repetitive, the environment has been unbeatable.

To close Saturday evening, the time has come for the Mafia Chill, who has arrested six children. Certainly, the concert that raised the most expectations. From the very beginning, Dj Sara Goxua is clicking on the table and, in addition to the three singers, there are seven people sitting on a couch, in front of the computer, drinking and smoking as if they were on the premises. The atmosphere of the concert has been quite rare, some 2,000 people – according to official figures – all observed with attention. Many singing, but many others silently, as if they were studying with the goal of creating an opinion.

Unfortunately, the atmosphere has been distorted by a sexist aggression in the area. As for the Ubel brigade, they have indicated that the protocol distinguishes three levels of attack, and being the second category incident, the concert has been interrupted for five minutes. Upon their return, Chill Mafiy's comments, or because they didn't like what they saw, have made a sit-in where women and objects have been thrown onstage. In this environment, Brigade Ubela has reported a second attack and they have been uploaded to the table to report the protocol; due to the seriousness of the situation, it has been decided to suspend the concert when the last two songs were missing.

 

 

Burn the last cartridges

On Sunday morning Pirritx, Porrotx eta Marimotots have animated the atmosphere in the bullring. There are hardcore groups that would like the wood that those clowns have! For the good atmosphere there is, the goal is to reach Sunday well. Our colleague has tried to wake up with a shower, have breakfast well, but it is impossible, the hangover has overcome it. The musician convinces her to go to Rukula's concert. Nothing but Rukula. The Gaupaseros and their parents have joined the frenzied rhythm, dancing on thatched lands.

The camp began to empty, and most people aimed to eat dirty. The popular food that is celebrated every year is the perfect excuse to approach the villages around, find old friends, always with time to sing.

We found ourselves in the parking lot with the DJ Reimy de Sangüesa. He brought the bike to Sound System. Four people, four bicycles, four small sound systems and all connected with bluetooth. I have not yet met anyone who did not dance to the rhythm of Reimy.

The mythical Ruper Ordorika has left an unbeatable afternoon as the holiday of this Saturday resurfaced. What season does the oñatiarra have? What skill to play old songs so calmly! He has dedicated the concert to Sarrionandia, as with his return a new stage begins.

 

 

Following the old rockers, the Potato vitorians have been the kings. We dance and dance non-stop with reggae and ska. Many believed they didn't know them. But it's impossible that those 30-year-old songs have never been heard. It is not very skilled to speak, but Paco Sin knows how to have fun.

For us, the last concert was that of Diabolo Kiwi – we could not leave without seeing them. The funky of these young Garazites is on a different level. Those of Iparralde were able to reappear when Allande screamed from the microphone “Thank you Iparralde!” The South is a phrase that we release every time we go to Lapurdi, Baja Navarra or Zuberoa.

Although the other had intended to follow, the journalist had to write the chronicle and we went without seeing Reykjavík 606 and Xiberoots. What a pity!

25 years… and more

The biggest unknown of the festival was what would happen after COVID-19. We have all done a PCR and antigen test that has allowed the environment to be really smooth, as promised. Since the 2019 festival we have seen no big differences. Here is not Delta, not India; here is the only contagion E.H.Zepa. Let us hope that this is the case.

The festival has come out again thanks to the huge work of the volunteers, and it is now 25 years. The greatest praise goes to colleagues in the Green Brigade for the immense work of getting them to pay for their waste. Because the Ubelari Brigade also takes a step further every year and advances in complicated contexts.

The organizers have been "very happy," and it's no wonder. It has been the first music festival of Euskal Herria since 2019. If it were the BBK Live or Heineken ez-sé-zer festibala, it would have all the covers. But their echo is smaller, because their steps go further.

Along with those who join so many brands and super groups, Mikel Anesthesia claimed that EHZ is the best festival in the world. I will not be the one who denies it. Living as a journalist, musician and viewer, because it's beautiful.