Record number flock to Budapest for 12th Sziget Festival
The 12th Sziget Festival, most probably Europe's best known and biggest cultural event for the young attracted a record 369,000 visitors this year to that small island between Buda and Pest on the river Danube. While performers included a vast array of names in all genres - all the way from the Pet Shop Boys through Cannibal Corpse to Roni Size, visitors could also take part in many cultural programs, games and contests between August 4th and 11th.
On day zero, the most dedicated fans of the Euro-Woodstock like festival hurried out to the location to set up their tents at a good spot before all the best ones were taken. And sure enough, by day one, they numbered a record 51,000, some of whom knew their way around amongst the jungle of stages very well from previous years, while others seemed to be a bit lost at times.
The Sugababes were the first superstars on the main stage on day one, while Cannibal Corpse rocked the metal stage in the meantime and the Klezmatics truly dazzled the crowds around the world music stage. Amongst the overload of programmes and shows some people were so overwhelmed they had to ask one another for advice where to go and what to see. Those who asked me were usually advised to "go west"; the concert of Pet Shop Boys was no doubt the biggest hit of all at the Sziget Festival on day one, even bringing tears of nostalgia to the eyes of many fans.
The second day, that is Thursday brought names to Sziget, like the Bloodhound Gang on the Main stage who of course sang their most popular song Discovery Channel, the diva of Buena Vista Social Club on the world music stage, Omara Portuondo, and Freestylers just to mention a few. On this day 57,000 people attended the festival, which were 22,000 more than last year on the second day.
On Friday, not only the crowds were fun loving, but the Criminals as well on the main stage and the moment most people waited for finally arrived: Softcell sang tainted love loud and clear and live. As I was standing in the middle of the enormous crowd trying to record the live version for you with my little tape recorder, I got the crowd that sang along. Strangely, the performers were not angry about this at all. They enjoyed that people knew their songs. What we all enjoyed less was the incredible heat during the hours of the day.
On Saturday, however, Finland's The Rasmus managed to find some space in the shadows...
On Sunday, the German Seeed put together such an excellent show of Reggae, ska and rock that the huge area in front of the main stage was filled up in no time.
After their gig, their lead singer, Frank A. Dellé poetically explained to me how enthusiastic the band was about Hungarian ladies in general. And although some of the stars had to cancel their shows for various reasons, the islanders never lost their faith that the week of fun and games and concerts would indeed end with the greatest name of all, Faithless.
Faithless alone attracted over 40 thousand fans to the centre of the island and all this the day after the festival welcomed the 3 millionth guest of its 12 year history.
