The feedback on SPOT from the international press these days is being published these days –and it is the extremely positive kind. Lots of praise for SPOT but also for Aarhus as the festival’s setting. Most recently from the British online newspaper The Independent, which makes it clear that:
“The apparent effortlessness of what Spot’s organisers achieve is possibly the most impressive thing about it. Co-ordinating (literally) hundreds of bands and performers spanning everything from Scandi pop, dream-pop and chamber music to Levantine folk (the wonderful Syrian wedding singer Omar Souleyman was in town) and heavy-duty techno (Greenlandic DJ/producer Courtesy) having it all go smoothly is one thing; having that happen in a genuinely relaxed and creative environment is quite another. Spot, though, with all the self-assurance and organisational nous that comes from decades of success in the game, plus a setting of rare charm and beauty, makes it look very easy indeed. “
And Aarhus also gets its fair share of praise:
“Aarhus (“the City of Smiles”, naturally) is almost unbearably lovely…… and I’d challenge anyone to take a stroll around in the heading-for-balmy Nordic stillness of a May evening there and not have wistful thoughts about moving there.” Read more:
The Line of Best Fit (UK) even thinks that the English music business could learn something from SPOT:
“Having existed for more than twenty years, SPOT is doing something right and looks like continuing along the same successful path for some time to come. I just hope that somewhere in the UK, someone is taking some notice”. Read more.
UK music magazine Loud and Quiet concludes that SPOT’s approach to the festival format is simply different:
“What Spot manages to do is create something truly different to explore and experience that many other festivals aren’t, which is a glimpse of what potential future headliners from Scandinavia may look like”.
and also praises the city of Aarhus:
“Thankfully the constant venue-hopping means you take in plenty of the city, which is genuinely beautiful and a pleasure to be in. … One stage is even constructed over a canal, with groups playing out into the streets as a mixture of young kids with street beers and people sat in the many various cafes and restaurants look on. It’s an excellent use of space in a city that feels full of them.” Read more.
British 405 has even produced a photo story from the festival and the streets of Aarhus:
“…. basking in a glorious bout of spring sunshine that flooded the University city. Aarhus is the joint European Capital of Culture for 2017, and quite frankly has a lot going for it. “ Read more.
German Nothing But Hope And Passion (illustration to the right.) has also noticed the remarkable architecture of Aarhus:
“The city of Aarhus is not only worth a visit when it comes to exploring the music scene there. There is quite a big number of impressive buildings around, too. One of them is the former train station called Godsbanen that is now a centre for cultural production in Aarhus and a spectacular sight.”
Read more.
While the music site Drowned in Sound (UK) cuts a long story short:
Last weekend DiS headed to the city of Aarhus for this year’s edition of SPOT Festival and had an absolute blast. Read more.
And let us not forget the big German media like Intro and MusikExpress – the former emphasizes “the unique architecture and dazzling museums in Aarhus” while the latter among other things calls SPOT “one of the most important festivals in Europe, when it comes to presenting new acts”.
Picture top: Tårn playing their GoBoat concert. (Photo: Rasmus Vester)