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 (circus)) 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. This is the second one, part one was posted last Friday.

“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.

Tuesday:
And then again, with such a bill you are likely to miss out on something, whilst seeing something great. Tuesday the one act you can’t miss must be 2562, Dutch dubstep with a hang to minimal. So far every record that he has produced has received critical acclaim, so surely this an artist to check.

Wednesday:
Wednesday has a more experimental hang to it. Knalpot and Dead Neantherthals will defy what you know as the borders on rock, punk, jazz and pop music. But the must see artist here is the indierock band Dananananaykroyd. In 2009 these young kids from England where one of the best acts on Incubate, blending indiepop with screamo and a strong need to entertain. Brace yourself to become part of their show, maybe even in a ‘wall of hugs’. A unique band with a unique blend.

Thursday:
Do you love blues inspired garagerock? Young boys that spark fire? Do you love rambling rock? Traumahelikopter on Thursday is your answer. Hailing all the way from Groningen, they will come to bring garagerock to Nijmegen. You won’t see Jack Oblivion, but you will feel the fire.

Friday:
A fire that also burns with the guys of Birth Of Joy. Organ based psychedelic blues rock rock that’ll certainly kick ass. But the highlight of the day must be Hauschka. His mesmerizing piano pieces were miraculous on Incubate in 2009, and even better on Incubated a year later. If you choose just to see one artist in the whole week, this surely is the one you should go for.