After putting my things and took some energy back, I'm heading to the beach. Youth groups stretch along the beach before the park. Armed with bottles of liquor and beer, they warm up for the evening.My first encounter is coincidental with two young Latvians dressed with psychedelic neon pink and green apple shirts. They were looking perhaps for Woodstock rather than for the Baltic Beach! They speak to me in Latvian, until they realize I'm not Latvian or Estonian... I quickly loose them but this approach gives me a foretaste of the festival.
I watch the last rays of the sun going slowly toward the horizon. The calm before the storm. After security, I find myself lost in the heart of the Latvian Youth. Most of them wear the colors of the festival: turquoise and white. On each side of the aisle stand rock and electronica tunes.
I find Arta, a young organizer in the event. After months of preparation and upstream activities, the festival began on Thursday, July 22 and has already gathered more than 10,000 people despite the uncertain weather. For this tenth edition, the goal is to beat in three nights, the 55,000 festival goers of last year. Especially as this is the last time, the organizers do not receive the support of the municipality, wish to change city.
Arta has prepared a workshop for the festival. They are making a banner of ten meters long. Each person can write on a piece of cloth, a message, a wish or a vow that will then be assembled to others. A way to provide a gift, a message of hope to the festival. Friday night, already six meters are woven.
I leave Arta and go to the different tents. Here, a DJ, then some Latvian pop, over there,fairground activities, thereby, beer and sausages afloat. The most interesting is at the end: the great scene where The Rasmus of Finland, are overdue.
To stir up the crowds, half dressed girls dance on the song of the World Cup and mimic the waka waka by Shakira.
The atmosphere comes electrifying when the band walks on stage. Let's go for one hour of rock and energy. The public loves them, they enjoy being here. The atmosphere and excitement are palpable.
Then a quick turn to the tent of Latvia pop Latvian. The experience is worth seeing: people of all ages, waving and waving his arms to the music. I feel like attending a redneck wedding between my huge neighbour and flickering lanterns.
A few beers, we return to the main stage to listen to ATB, a German DJ. Electro music until 3am and the party continues, but already small processions leave the festival. I do not get lost and I find my bed with great pleasure.
Three days to collect international groups taking turns on all scenes. Who would have thought that the Baltic coast would vibrate so much with the sounds of ATB, Madcon, Zver, or Tuklan, Skip the Use or Reigani? The powerful and attractif East attracts the talent of the West.
