PUNK ROCK HOLIDAY 2.5: HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH!

 August is my favourite month of the year! It is that time of the year when for one week we can be what ever we want, who ever we want, the time of the year when it's all about love and freedom and music and family! It's PUNK ROCK HOLIDAY time!

And as Monday the 4th came, year-round excitement was at it's highest! 

Early Monday morning, all packed and ready to go, we started our holiday trip to Tolmin, the most beautiful place in the world. I can't describe the feeling that you get when you descend from the mountains and it hits you: "Here I am!"

First thing I did was to unpack, meet Igor and Amalija, my friends from Osijek and also pick up boys from WASEI, our roommates for this year. My "hostess" job was done, so I went down to the venue and to the camp to kiss and hug my dearest ones. This year it was a proper family with the coolest kid and her cool parents (who actually met at PRH), 14 of her aunts/uncles and her eight months pregnant mom, a real PRH superstar who partied all 5 days! As almost every year, we had a "PRH virgin", the coolest lil' sis Petra, so after meeting her and having a drink with everyone I went straight to the beach and just in time to hear the last two songs from SIDEWALK SURFERS, melodic hard core/skate punk band from Germany. At that point that PRH feel kicked in hard and a 5 day party was on the go! Next were HEATHCLIFF, a skate punk band also from Germany. They are no strangers to PRH. Fast, melodic, energetic, the beach stage was full and loud! After them I went to the press area to see who is there, saw the best bar girls ever, the same ones from last year. I love that feeling you get when they remember you and what you drink and they always smile... as does everyone else from the PRH crew, the best security in the world, the coolest medics and of course the best of all - beautiful Klara, Andrej and Niko who make this beautiful circus possible and special every year!

It was time for the main stage and the first one this year were CHASER, also well known to us. "Brand New Enemy", "Good Times", "Small Victories" and "Just Breathe", they mixed it well as far as the set list goes, so this was a good way to open the MAIN STAGE for this year.

Next one were the first timers, my big love and the one I wrote down on PRH wish list year after year, SAVE FERRIS. Thank you PRH for making jet another of my dreams come true! Monique is my queen! That woman is indestructible! On and off the stage! Jumping around in heels, big red hair and a million dollar smile, she and the band ruled the main stage! They started of with newer one "Lights Out In The Reptile House", but caried on with "New Sound", "What You See is What You Get", "Turn It Up", "The World is New", "To Drunk to Fuck" and of course "Come On Eileen". This was one of the best shows this year for me! Fun, singalong, dance... they dominated on that stage! 

After that I had an interview with them so I tried to cool down, had a drink and missed most of CODEFENDANTS. Saw the last two songs from the distance so I really can't do a report on this one, but from what I've heard they were amazing! 

Last one of the day were THE BABOON SHOW, also well known to us. Somehow, this year they didn't do it for me. Last time they were here they blew me away. This year, and I don't know if it was because I had my "peek of the day", but something was missing. Don't get me wrong, it was a hell of a show! And just like that, opening day came to it's end, day zero - done! It was time to party at the afterparty.

Highlight of this year is the return of the afterparty on the beach. Oh what a thrill... Where there is the will, there is the way! And the way was to make it a silent party! And it was such fun!!! Well done! (Rhyme was not intentional!)

Day 1, or the second day for most, was going to be THE day! What a line up it was! I don't know who did the line up for this day, but WELL DONE! It was all mixed up together in one day and it worked! At least for me... and when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING!

QUEENS OF EVERYTHING opened the day and the beach stage. This Czech punk, rockabilly, swing band blew me away! The energy, the big brass section (and you know I like me a good brass section!), this was that one discovery this year! I have never listened to them so that is about to change! I didn't really know the songs but they are one of those bands that even if they sang in Swahili (btw, they sing in English) it would still make you jump and dance and smile. So happy I didn't miss them.

Next were WASEI, a pop, skate punk band from Italy, very melodic, fast. Very old school, very California! Very much my kind...

After them it was time for MELONBALL, fast and furious, technical band band from Germany with a well recognisable strong female vocal. They set the beach on fire!

But the next one...well...the next one I fell in love with and this love is here to stay FOREVER! I heard them before, on the go, but never live. And let me tell you, once you hear them live, your life will never be the same. This band I have on repeat since that day. This was THE best gig for me this year: THE IRON ROSES! First of all, the vibe I got when they stepped on that small stage, which btw is so small for their energy, but the vibe, so much positivity, love, warmth... It was love at first sight! Or should I say first beat? They were like storm, came on strong, threw us away. They left us wanting more and more. There are just a few bands that had that effect on me over the years or should I say in my life, and they are one of them... My absolute number one this year!

After them it was time for the last band on beach stage for that day. THE ANTI QUEENS. This band came from Canada, two strong, beautiful female vocals, rough, wild, so rock'n'roll. Their stage presence, the easiness of singing and playing and the easy going, easy to approach feel they give, they were one of my favourites this year. And the best way to prepare us for the main course that day!

First one for me on main stage was GOB. Melodic, fun punk rock band from Canada. They fitted this mashed up day so well with their easy going energy, melodic riffs, catchy songs. But the next band, one of my all time favourites, them I've been waiting for!

IGNITE is one of those bands that are loved by hard core punks, skate punks, by all kind of punks. Melodic, fast, and well known to PRH, they ignited that stage as soon as the first bit stroke. "Veteran", "Poverty For All", "Anti Complicity Anthem", "Bleeding", "Let It Burn", "Slowdown", well known setlist, but never the less very good one! The connection this band has with fans is like no other! They are so modest, so patient and always have time to hang out with their fans. This is how it should be. This is what makes them BIG. They are big, but don't act like they are. I have said it all before about how Eli is just what this band needed, so nothing new to say there. I stand by my opinion - he is the match that lit them! With him they really do IGNITE!

Next was the AUTHORITY ZERO, also no strangers to PRH. "Lights Out", "Revolution", "No Regrets", they did good! As always.

And then, the last one for the day, MILLENCOLIN. "Penguins & Polarbears", "The Ballad", "Bring me Home", it was correct, but as everyone knows - I like their music, I don't like them! Too cold, distanced, don't give a fuck about the fans in a way that they don't give anything back. And I heard they placed some red fucking ribbons on both sides of the backstage... what the fuck was that about? I don't know... They never did it for me live. They just don't have that PRH feel and vibe that is so unique for this festival. Or any vibe at all if you ask me...

Afterparty, silent party, a few hours of sleep and here we are, right in the middle!

Day 2, Wednesday. 

A day to recuperate. Go slow.

All day chilling in the camp with my buds, slow drinking, daydreaming, did an interview, saw BATTERY, not because I like them a lot, more because I probably never will again. It was man on man, full house, I think beach sunk a bit after them.

A bit of STRAIGHTLINE, just to level me up, then back to refill the cup and then to the main stage!

I had high expectations from THE BAR STOOL PREACHERS and they didn't disappoint! UNFUCKINGBELIAVEBLE!!! The energy, that rough vocal, those dance moves, I couldn't stop dancing and jumping and boy, did they deliver! This was one of the best gigs this year! "Suicide Girls", "DLTDHYOTWO", "Flatlined"... I really enjoyed this so much! First time for me and they got on my daily playlist! Great, great, GREAT show! If you missed them, your loss!

Next - ZEKE. Wtf? I really don't know what to say except that they made us wonder. Wonder like "???". So I left. Walked around a bit, went to hear AGNOSTIC FRONT, also not my "cup of tee", but they are so good! The crowd went crazy and you could feel the unity of the festival just by looking from behind. The crowd and them - beautiful connection! And I swear that I felt Tolmin shift a bit to the left from all the jumping! 

And then one of my all time favourites ZEBRAHEAD! I really think it is not just me, as this is their third time here in four years. It must be love! Again, they delivered big and showed us how it is supposed to be done! The interaction with the crowd, singalongs, energy, fun on stage, the stage bar, their crew, crowd surfing, crew surfing... this was the best, most fun show this year as far as the main stage goes! "The Perfect Crime", "Hello Tomorrow", "Lay Me To Rest", "Mike Dexter...", "Who Brings a Knife...", it was a big on-stage party and these guys were partying hard as always! Love them, love their energy. I bet we will see them again, because they love us, this festival, as much as we do and as much as this festival loves them!

The best afterparty at the beach, I laughed so much and so hard most of the night that tomorrow morning my face hurt. 

Day 3, Thursday. Easy day. 

Hang at the beach, tired and hungover, didn't listen to much of the bands - sadly. Then did some camp resting and went to see YOTAM at the acoustic stage. The moment he started NUFAN cover my heart started beating faster, my energy suddenly came back and goosebumps started to show. I love his voice and that calm energy he has and radiates. Walked to the main stage to catch MISCONDUCT, went for a drink and then we all went to see GRADE 2. This trio from England dominated that big stage. So well rehearsed and with that full and mighty sound, you would think it's at least a five piece band. Fast, melodic, with the energy and the sound of a five piece band, they were one of the pleasant surprises this year!

FRANK TURNER AND THE SLEEPING SOULS were ok. Well, more than ok, but not as good as few years ago. Something was off, the energy was not as we are used to... "Girl From The Record Shop", Bob", "The Ballad of Me and My Friends"...setlist was there but it sounded as if they were not. Like they were absentminded, not in it... Nevertheless, it was good, we had fun, danced, and then off to the beach! Danced some more, laughed, and as the sun was about to show itself we went home.

How? How is it possible that this day, the last day came so fast? Again!

Day 4. Friday

Last day of the festival. Went to hear SKIN OF TEARS. Really liked this melodic skate punk band from Germany. But "the last days burnout" is a real thing and it hit us all. And with my best bud Dario gone home due to some family emergency, my energy dropped. He is my caffeine. If I slow down he kicks me in the ass and recharge my battery. So at this point, my energy was blinking red! Watched JUDO CHOP and URETHANE sitting down, sipping my "bambus", went up to the camp for a while and (after a while) I was off to see THE LAST GANG. So good, reminded me of The Destillers. I must remember to put them on the playlist! But in reality, I was saving myself for JAYA THE CAT that day, and for the last afterparty of the year. JAYA was as fun and as good as always. After him TURBONEGRO. I gave them a chance but... I don't think they are PRH band. They are good, real showmen, but not really punk (like genre, not personality or philosophy), and I am not the only and lonely in this opinion. As I stood behind and watched, there was no jumping and too much standing with hands crossed on the chest, wondering wtf? One thing I hold against them is lack of connection with the "wtf?" crowd, but I must admit, it was hell of a show to watch. I didn't even mind them there on that stage being the last band of the year, as we all got to rest a bit before the PUNK ROCK KARAOKE with beloved PIGS PARLAMENT and the last Tropicana afterparty of the year. And just like that, morning came and it was over. That is always the worst feeling, that Saturday morning sadness that hits you while tired and slightly broken, drunk and still wired up. THAT'S ALL FOLKS! See you all next year... 

As I went back to the apartment I felt full and empty at the same time. Full of good emotions, happiness, love, new discoveries, new friends... Empty because it is over, Because some of you I want see for a whole year. 

This years PUNK ROCK HOLIDAY was a blast, as always. This is my safe haven, my reason to hold on, my one week in a year. MINE! And that one week in this heaven on Earth (not referring to religion, any religion, but Belinda Carlisle) makes me stay sane and safe and alive. Just the thought of being here makes me smile. So I really hope that this peace of heaven will continue to bring us together every year for many years to come. Thank you Andrej, Klara and Niko, thank you all the crew, thank you family for my sanity! Love you all and see you next year.

Written by I.