FUCK FUSION

So we played at the Fusion festival (biggest DIY fest in Germany). Okay, not officially, like, on a stage, but in the pathway.

The first day I arrived I hated Fusion. "Fuck Fusion!" I yelled into the void for whoever to hear. No one responded. I wasn't high/ drunk/ I was tired and lost and the colours and noise and vast amounts of people just intimidated me. Too many people. Too many energies vying for attention. Too much German... I need to learn German; really.

And that night I heard somebody mutter behind me "Michael Jackson is dood". Huh? No... What the... ? I didn't know what to think.

So I fell asleep in "Casino"; the chill tent for 5 hours. Then Xania came and we relocated to our tent (this is kinda cool... we showed up at the festival with NO tent. Then we magically met Josh, who hooked us up with a nice little tent... within minutes!) where I slept more.

I awoke. Josh's friends and compadres said something (again) about Jackson being dead. They didn't know if it was true or a rumour. I then met up with Anna H., an old friend and MASSIVE Jackson fan, who also mentioned MJ. Still, we didn't know what was truth or a rumour...

But we soon decided to take my battery-powered synth and xania's shoes, board and violin to the pathway near the Casino and the Photo Booth to entertain passerbys. Within seconds of beginning we had a huge crowd. They were all smiles and grins and responded enthusiastically to every song; even our new, uneven one: Sweaty Cigarette.

We played three sets that day. The second one was the most magical because when the angels appeared to dance the Trikey, the sun (for the first and only time all festival) broke out from the clouds, like magic. It was really amazing! Two british girls really loved us and were all grins. It was lovely. After this round we sold 5 more CDs, making it ten in total.

Then we just hung out, got lost seperately... I played like I was a jedi knight with Sebastian for hours, drank water like a fiend (you can guess why) and meandered everywhere; stage to stage... and bumped into Mischa (who booked us at Aachen).

And, by yesterday evening, there was a sign up saying there would be a flashmob moonwalk at 7:00. I missed it, but I was there in spirit. By this point it was pretty clear it was a reality. The king of Pop was no more. And this tragedy really added something surreal to the whole proceedings. To find out something like this in a festival, with so much joy and craziness and circusy energy everywhere; thousands of people dancing and laughing... life and death mingled together in this circus; Jackson's music finding its way into various DJ sets throughout the few days we were there. Very surreal and unforgettable.

One band, before launchin

I will never forget this festival.

And hopefully next year we'll find a stage.