“Oh, oh, oh, oh, I’m fallin’ so I’m taking my time on my ride”, is what sounds on the ‘Johnnie Walker’ stage of the Picnic Stereo Festival (FEP). The screens show how Tyler Joseph, lead singer of Twenty One Pilots (TOP), he passes the security fences to get on a plastic board that is being held by the public: the dream of every rock star.
The first day of the event was characterized by the euphoria of its attendees, who wore colorful clothes and phosphorescent makeup. The rain was not an impediment for fans of bands like TOP, Tame Impala o The 1975 They will stay on the main stages: ‘Adidas’ and ‘Johnnie Walker’ waiting for the artists to come out.
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After Blink-182 canceled their presentation at the event -because the group’s drummer, Travis Barker, underwent surgery on his finger after an accident-, the organizers shared that TOP was going to be the new ‘headliner’ (head of poster) on Thursday, March 23.
“We weren’t supposed to be here at the festival, but we are so honored to be on this stage. We hope this presentation is everything you expected,” said the vocalist, before playing ‘All the small things‘ in homage to Blink-182.
(It may interest you: Festival Estéreo Picnic LIVE day 2: who sings, schedules and transportation)
During their set, they performed hits like ‘Heathens’, ‘Stressed out’ and ‘Shy away’. In addition, in the middle of the concert, a trumpeter played the introduction of famous Colombian songs such as ‘Hips don’t lie’, by Shakira; ‘My people’, by J Balvin; and ‘The rebellion’, by Joe Arroyo.
Despite the fact that their presentation was not scheduled, they gave all their energy on stage. The spectacle of lights and fireworks stood out during that hour and a half in which they accompanied the festival attendees with their music. In addition, they interacted with a joyful public to have them back in the FEP.
How did you experience the opening of the Estéreo Picnic?
“Finally we got the little miracle. Years putting the candles to this and it worked”, were the words of Lika Nova, the second musical group to perform at the Estéreo Picnic. The festival began with Ana Sanz and the group of artists that make up Llilli at 4 pm
Each stage and group stood out for different factors such as music, rhythms, interaction with the public and lights. For example, the presentation of Cigarettes After sex was slow, with soft rhythms. Likewise, the enthusiasm of the public was different from the one that received Wallows or The 1975.
“The start of the set of The 1975 was very good. I work in professional audio and I look at it from a very technical point of view. This intro was on a very high level because they are not easy shows to run. From today, it seemed the best by far ”, Diego Cárdenas, one of the festival attendees, told EL TIEMPO
(In addition: Day 1 FEP 2023: presentations resume after the threat of thunderstorm)
The lights went out. She started on saxophone, then drums. Suddenly, Matthew Healy began to sing. In the middle of his first song, he took out a cigarette and smoked it in the rests of the lyrics.
“Hello, I’m going to sing you one of my favorite songs,” he said after performing three pieces of music. ‘Oh Caroline’ came on. For the rest of the performance, Healy played piano, guitar, danced onstage and even gave her the ‘Happy Birthday’ to George Daniel, drummer for the band.
On the other hand, Sofi Tukker was one of the great acts of the opening. The performance of dance and colors and the talent of this New York couple brought to the Festival all the euphoria of the genre of house. The band danced the macarena, applauded and touched their feet in the classic game “I say” or in this case “Sofi says”.
The duo dazzled with the sensuality and charisma that characterizes their staging. “It is very special for us to be here. We were there before the pandemic, we waited for this moment for years and it feels very good,” said the artist.
(Also: Estéreo Pícnic: a space to transgress borders)
The day was frantic, as the public ran from one stage to another to see their favorite artists. The journeys were long and that is why before some bands finished their presentation, most people left the place to arrive on time for the other concerts of local or international bands or DJ plays at the Club -techno stage- and Budweiser Temple -reggaeton stage-.
The ‘techno’ scene and its interruption due to the threat of a storm
A woman is sitting on the moon. This is seen in the background of the Budweiser Club as part of the decoration of the electronic music tent. Right in front, the DJs take the console.
The fluorescent green suitcase of one of the attendees stands out among the lights that move to the beats of Marco Shuttle. Ideally, the tent should not stop its sounds, but it was interrupted by the threat of a thunderstorm that caused the performance to be postponed for 20 minutes.
(Read: What will you not be able to take and what will you let in at the Festival Estéreo Pícnic 2023?)
The public calmed down again and enjoyed the music, but when the Colombian Paula Vélez arrived, everyone began to scream. After a few minutes of sharing the stage with Shuttle, she started playing her beats.
Later, the voice of Sara Rodas, vocalist of the paisa band that carried the echoes of the New Wave mr. Barewas one of the first to be heard in the Briceño field after the calm of the rain while inviting attendees to see the rainbow.
A few minutes later, one of the most disruptive and attractive bands in Bogotá hip hop appeared on the next stage: ‘Ha$lopablito’, who kept his hands up for the believers of the Festival Estéreo Pícnic.
Suddenly, the ad that gave them the entrance came out: “we are not responsible for the guachafita”. One of the guests that the public celebrated the most was Ruztomember of the iconic Colombian band Aerophon.
What happened to the use of hallucinogenic substances at the festival?
During the shows, the health personnel ran with stretchers on which they loaded unconscious people, probably due to the abuse of psychoactive substances. In general, the first aid response was effective and fast.
in dialogue with give it headthe organization that regulates the consumption of psychoactive substances, at 8:30 pm they had attended an average of 1,500 or 2,000 people in information and analysis of substances.
“The substance that has been analyzed the most has been ecstasy and we have done it with colorimeters to verify it. We also have a machine that allows us to review which of its components can put people’s lives at risk”, explained Vanessa Morris, coordinator of the project ‘Hit your head when it hits your head’.
He also added that what worries them the most is the consumption of ‘tusi’, which is a cocktail of various substances such as ketamine, mdma (ecstasy), cathinones, opioids and benzodiazepines. “We do not know the amount of each substance. In addition, this substance has ketamine, which is a nervous system depressant and, mixed with alcohol, can cause loss of consciousness and lead to depression.
According to the coordinator, this organization is in constant dialogue with the first aid service. “We control situations that can be handled previously before the system collapses in the face of intoxication or overdose.”
The perception of some attendees
Fans from different parts of the world and the country were able to enjoy more than 24 events gathered at the Estéreo Picnic Festival. This is the case of Ana Maldonado and Marcelino Rosi, a couple whose ritual is to attend every festival of this type in Bogotá. They recognize that in this edition “there is more artistic offer. In addition, the screens and sound have improved considerably.”
“I have been coming to Estéreo Pícnic since 2013. What keeps me coming back is my love for music. The event has evolved in activities and although I have not been to many, I know that people do enjoy it. It’s cool to go by and see them happy”, said María Juliana Guzmán, assistant.
For his part, Diego Cardenas criticized the logistics of the event. “It was very difficult to know where things were located, for example, the bathrooms. I also believe that local businesses must be promoted and give presence to that. Apart from going to the stages and for something to eat, there is not a great added value in the Festival”.
In the next three days, artists of all genres will perform: rock, pop, ballads and also many nationalities. This Friday, the greatest expectations are in Blondie, Rosalía, Drake, Jerry Rivera and Mora.
If you’re going to attend, don’t forget to bring boots or bags to cover your shoes in case it rains, and plan to see your bands. Keep in mind that most of the stages are remote and you will have to travel distances of approximately 10 minutes.
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