Pretty in Pink: Hanson Goes to the Pink Pop Festival in Holland
By Taylor Hanson
No matter how far and wide you travel, a few things remain the same about music festivals on all sides of the globe: There are always shirtless hipsters,
fried confections of every type, the wafting smell of pot mixed with
body odor and...six-feet-tall women wearing pink hats? Well, maybe all festivals aren't all the same, but the Pink Pop Festival was charming nonetheless.
A few weeks back after finishing up our installment in London, we made our way up to the Netherlands for Pink Pop, which has been running for more than 40 years and brings together hundreds of thousands of people. The event was one of the best-run festivals we had ever seen (I guess they've had a few years to sort it out) and we were among a great mix of bands from Kings of Leon to Wolfmother. During the day we got to catch up with the Wolfmother guys as well as Justin Nozuka and traded geek-talk about gear and traveling abroad. We also partook in the large amounts of pineapple, ketchup and Swiss cheese sandwiches backstage. Can't say they fell into my favorite foods of the trip.
The show itself was amazing, with thousands of fans gathering for the set and singing along to just about every tune. We were pleasantly surprised to get such a great reception because it's been a few years since we've played in Holland. We'll just hope that's a good sign for the coming dates set to be announced soon for our Europe tour, which will bring us back to Holland for the next round.
I had a great time putting on my shades and hat (not a pink one, unfortunately) and sneaking around the festival with my camera to build the picture of this pop-rock festival. Don't ask me to explain things like the "We Eat Africa" stand, the colorful VW shuttle bus or Zac dressed in a hair-metal blonde wig, but like many of the best things in life, making sense of it all doesn't necessarily make it better.
Enjoy --Taylor
A few weeks back after finishing up our installment in London, we made our way up to the Netherlands for Pink Pop, which has been running for more than 40 years and brings together hundreds of thousands of people. The event was one of the best-run festivals we had ever seen (I guess they've had a few years to sort it out) and we were among a great mix of bands from Kings of Leon to Wolfmother. During the day we got to catch up with the Wolfmother guys as well as Justin Nozuka and traded geek-talk about gear and traveling abroad. We also partook in the large amounts of pineapple, ketchup and Swiss cheese sandwiches backstage. Can't say they fell into my favorite foods of the trip.
The show itself was amazing, with thousands of fans gathering for the set and singing along to just about every tune. We were pleasantly surprised to get such a great reception because it's been a few years since we've played in Holland. We'll just hope that's a good sign for the coming dates set to be announced soon for our Europe tour, which will bring us back to Holland for the next round.
I had a great time putting on my shades and hat (not a pink one, unfortunately) and sneaking around the festival with my camera to build the picture of this pop-rock festival. Don't ask me to explain things like the "We Eat Africa" stand, the colorful VW shuttle bus or Zac dressed in a hair-metal blonde wig, but like many of the best things in life, making sense of it all doesn't necessarily make it better.
Enjoy --Taylor
Your Comment
Posted at 1:45 on Jul 13, 2011
Thanks so much for sharing! Enjoy all your blogs. Like how you said, "... but like many of the best things in life, making sense of it all doesn't necessarily make it better.' So true.
Posted at 4:02 on Jul 13, 2011
Wauw, great photos of Pinkpop (and the Limburgse landscape ofcourse!)
Posted at 4:57 on Jul 13, 2011
Great pics Taylor! Apparently you guys got to see stuff that me and my friends overlooked, so cool to see it on picture now ;) Glad you had a great time, but there was no need for sneeking around :p
Posted at 12:58 on Jul 13, 2011
Looks like quite a trip! Nice work!
Posted at 4:13 on Jul 13, 2011
I absolutely love your photography. It takes me away from everyday life and the struggles of raising two young children. I want to travel someday, so this helps keep me satiated for now. ( Love your music too!)
Always a fan.
Posted at 9:50 on Jul 13, 2011
Oh Taylor! you're just so amazing!
Posted at 3:11 on Jul 14, 2011
That looks like an amazing festival. Im sure Holland fans were so happy to see you guys! Thanks for taking pics Taylor!
Posted at 2:17 on Jul 14, 2011
I love the old style tay photos are so beautiful I would love to learn to take pictures so classic,,,, harmonious, I congratulate you very very nice
pd: hey tay please give me your blue eyes hhahaha
Posted at 5:06 on Jul 14, 2011
Love these pictures..thank you..and Taylor..you have a beautiful smile. You should show it more :)
Posted at 10:04 on Jul 14, 2011
Great photos!Beautiful colors!
Posted at 9:38 on Aug 19, 2011
Great photo's Taylor. Always a joy reading your blogs and seeing your photographic Eye. See you guys at the Nashville TN show this September.
Always,
Kimberly K.
Posted at 2:50 on Aug 22, 2011
Because it is never to late to post a reply... ;-)
Great pictures, and nice to see and read your view on Pinkpop!
Since I was already going to the Pinkpop festival (and I am lucky since it is kinda around the corner) It was a very nice suprise when you guys were added at the sunday line up.
Overall the line up was amazing this year and finally seeing you guys after listening to your music for like 15 years made it even more fun ;-)!
Loved the show & can't wait for the Amsterdam gig!
Take care & have fun while being on the road
Posted at 2:50 on Aug 22, 2011
Because it is never to late to post a reply... ;-)
Great pictures, and nice to see and read your view on Pinkpop!
Since I was already going to the Pinkpop festival (and I am lucky since it is kinda around the corner) It was a very nice suprise when you guys were added at the sunday line up.
Overall the line up was amazing this year and finally seeing you guys after listening to your music for like 15 years made it even more fun ;-)!
Loved the show & can't wait for the Amsterdam gig!
Take care & have fun while being on the road
Posted at 2:55 on Aug 22, 2011
Because it is never late to write a reply ;-)
Great pictures and nice to read and see how you guys enjoyed the Pinkpop Festival.
I already had tickets for the festival (and I am lucky since it's kinda around the corner) and then you guys were added on the sunday. Overall the line up was amazing this year and I finally had the chance to see you guys performing (after listening to your music for like 15 years) which made it even more fun ;-)!
Loved the show and can't wait for the Amsterdam gig!
Take care & enjoy being on the road!
Davina