If you thought that they couldn’t party in the northern part of the Netherlands, then you’re absolutely wrong.
Saturday May 14 the Rock ‘n’ Roll festival in Franeker took place for the second time.
A free open air festival, not just fantastic for Rockers, but also very nice for the locals.
I’ve visited the afternoon edition of this festival, but it would last until midnight, with as great closing act the band Chilli and the Barracudas from Austria.
For those who missed this band, just like me, you have a second chance to see this band live in action at Hoorn Rock ‘n’ Roll SUNday at May 29 in Hoorn (NL).
In the center of the town you could imagine yourself right in the fifties, because of all the American old-timers that were lined up. These old-timers would make a sightseeing tour through the surroundings later in the afternoon, after which the best car would receive a prize.
The shopaholics were not forgotten; a fifties fair with a very wide range of stuff; clothes, shoes, diners, CD’s, records, you name it. Who thought that his hairstyle wasn’t really quite in shape, could go to a fifties hairdresser for a perfect quiff or cotton candy hair.
Even the children were thought of, they were able to be photographed in Rock ‘n’ Roll style and there was a real hula hoop contest, divided into age categories. Who would maintain the hula hoop for the longest time? By loud cheers from the audience, it became very exciting.
On 3 stages different bands played throughout the afternoon and evening.
The first band I walked in to was Billy Benton & the Birddogs. A young, energetic band from the north of the country; the public was able to get along well with recognizable songs.
After this band it was time for The three farmer boys. A trio, who has proven themselves in the rockabilly/hillbilly and country/western swing. They’ve toured with the legend Candey Kane.
In the meanwhile on another stage, the band Crazy Cadillac was beginning to play and you could tell! There was almost no more space, so many people came down here.
Crazy Cadillac is a seven-strong, swinging fifties Rock ‘n’ Roll party band in traditional line up: vocals, guitar, saxophone, bass and drums. That is why their music sounds authentic, the way the music from the fifties should sound like: pure, swinging, charming, sometimes raw, and always with a heavy dose of fun and humor. Crazy Cadillac brings a varied repertoire with all the oldies from that time, very recognizable with songs from Bill Haley & the Comets, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Dion & the Belmonts, Eddy Cochran, Freddy Bell & the Bellboys etc.
Highway 54
My favorite band this afternoon was Highway 54. Highway 54 is a rockabilly band from the Netherlands. In 2002 they began as a trio, and they played songs from the swinging fifties. Back then, only with strings, the so called Tennessee Two ingredients, they played Sun classics from Johnny Cash and also exciting honky tonk blues.
In 2005 a drummer joined the band and after a year a new bass player.
In 2006 their first CD ‘Southern Tales’ was recorded and they were contracted for gigs in Germany and Norway. Their typical train-a-billy sound was soon asked for.
They were asked in England for the well known Rockabilly Rave Fest and an invitation to Mallorca followed soon after that.
Also Franeker couldn’t escape from this railroad rhythm. They’ve already convinced us Rockers, but after this gig also the locals.
A great afternoon, well organized, very nice to visit this festival with your whole family and for sure next year I will see all of the bands.
