Leipzig Pop-Up
May 09, 2010
The showcase market in Germany is getting busier each year, with large conferences setting up across the country to rival historical stalwart PopKomm. In the east lies Leipzig, the book publishing and art capitol of Saxony, and here is Pop-Up. Pop-Up is much smaller, quieter and independent that PopKomm, Reeperbahn or Cologne POP, but in its own right it has its merits. In the gorgeous WERK II venue, an old mill and trading market of sorts built on cobblestones and graffiti, there’s a trade fair where the more dyed-in-the-wool independent companies are setting up shop. There’s panels in the old workhouse, and an interview area to the front of of the trade show, where Canadian Blast was invited to answer some questions. In addition, there four venues, including one of the most beautiful we have ever encountered. It’s called UT Connewitz. It’s breathtaking.
This was more laid back than most festivals. The trade show opened for two days, while bands played both during the day and night, with DJs taking over the clubs afterwards. We had one Canadian present, the fantastic Wolf Parade, who headlined the closing gig of the festival at Halle D, a venue that saw its first shows for the festival, as a test case in prep for its official opening in July. Lots of German bands played, including Bang Bang Bang, The Lo Fat Orchestra and Me and the White Tiger, but aside from Wolf Parade it was Domino signed Brit Max Tundra that impressed the most, alongside Iceland’s For a Minor Reflection and Whale Watching Tour, featuring Nico Muhly and Valgeir Sigurdsson.
Germany has more independent labels than one can count it seems, and a lot of them were here for Leipzig Pop-Up. The trade show was filled with the people who still put up posters across town in February, do the door at their shows and flyer outside other peoples gigs. There’s something to be said about that aesthetic, and it was on show in full force here. Leipzig is a fiercely independent town, and its musicians and companies exemplified that.
Otherwise, Canadian Blast took in the sights. Leipzig is surrounded by lakes and forests, creating a ton of hiking trails. In addition, there is a big hill in the centre of town made from World War II rubble. We were taken up there by one of Berlin’s best music journalists, Axel Rahmlow, right before the interview.
But now it is back to London, as there’s the Puregroove gig and Great Escape this week. Here we go.
Here’s some pictures from the Pop-Up site:
