De Affaire is a cool festival held in Nijmegen during the city’s annual Zomerfeesten. Because there are a lot of cool artists playing we wanted to give you our tips on what to go and see. As you can imagine, it’s a little bit busy at the Incubate headquarters during this time of year. That’s why we decided to ask Tjeerd van Erve (Nu.nl, Gonzo) to write a ‘small’ article on De Affaire. This piece didn’t turn out to be so small so we decided to cut it up into two posts. You can find the next one online in the beginning of next week. Enjoy!

“If I felt like writing a small article on “De Affaire” for the Incubate blog”, was the question that Joost Heijthuijsen dropped on me the other day. Eager as always to drop my words wherever and whenever there is space, I immediately said yes. But then, running trough the program of “De Affaire”, the dilemma started. Joost didn’t ask me to write a book, booklet nor an essay on the sevenday festival in Nijmegen. No, the assignment was simple and clear; point out five must see acts. So here I am, halfway the second day and I already have six artists in mind. In some sense this could only make my job easier. My article could stop here with the advice to go to “De Affaire”. Take a train, step in the car, step on your bike or walk – you surely won’t be the only one walking in the area – and go. But that would be me avoiding real work, taking decisions.

 So, here they are, my five (or six, maybe seven) must see acts on “De Affaire” this year.

Saturday:
Amatorski: Earlier this year this Belgian band came with a surprisingly dark mixture of lofi and triphop on their first full length ‘TBC’. Music that comes in sepia colours, with icy guitars, dry beats and overwhelming, but distant vocals. Naked music that is sparse in sounds, but those sounds that are there hit hard. Nice side effect is that they play early on the Saturday, which means you will surely be in time to also check out Jamie Woon. His debut ‘Mirriwriting’ shows the keen hand of a gifted songwriter with skilled ears focussed on modern music, mixing dubstep and electronics in traditional songs. And heck, why not stay late. It is Saturday anyway, you’re almost obliged to make it late. And staying late ensures you that you will see Eins, Zwei, Orchestra. And this happens to be one of the best shoegaze bands that the Netherlands has to offer for you at this moment.

Sunday:
Next I would advice you to go and see Washed Out on Sunday. You might think that chillwave is just a hipster thing, Washed Out proves you wrong. This is sensual, erotic almost. The cover art of his latest release says it all; boy, girl, intimate, slowly intertwining. But be sure to come early – even though you might have a hangover, because I advised you to stay late on Saturday – to see The Black Atlantic. Momentarily working on a new record, so these Dutch indiefolkies might try some new songs on you. But even if they don’t, their debut ‘Reverence For Fallen Trees’ was one of the best records from 2009. So no chance that they will disappoint you. Neither will dd/mm/yyyy. Their show on Fabriq in 2010 was a pleasure for all those lovers of high energy ADHD postpunk. Somewhere between Dananananaykroyd and The Panoply Academy, they will surely get you moving with their hectic noiserock.

Monday:
On Monday the act you must see is Shaking Godspeed. Records as raw and pure as their debut ‘Awe’ are a seldom pleasure for the ear. Their live performances have an even higher energy level, as they always seem to play like the end of the world is neigh. Think Blues Explosion meets Grinderman. Sadly enough they play at the same time as Avi Buffalo, but you can’t have it all.

This is part one in a two-part series. Check out Inlog.org this Monday for the next one!