Yesterday started with rain, but today it’s all different: a bright sun makes the temperature rise every hour. It’s getting crowded under the huge parasols, and the front rows of the stage (which lie in the shadows) are packed with people when Frozen Plasma start their show. ‘Ex Namnambulu’ it says in the program, a band that never really did much with me. And it’s the same with Frozen Plasma, despite the enthusiasm the music can’t reach me. Good background music, but nothing more than that.

After that it’s time for more fun: Faun! It’s always nice to see this ‘Pagan Folk’ band on stage, and today that doesn’t change. The pleasure that Lisa and Fiona radiate on stage and the stories and jokes of Oliver Sa Tyr make the positive mood of the band come across pretty fast, and people are dancing everywhere. Even though I’ve seen Faun a few times before it’s still a delight to see them on stage, and I’m still impressed by the musical qualities. When Oliver tells the audience that ‘Andro’ is their last song the audience shows their disagreement with a huge ‘Boooh!’, which shows that I’m not the only one who’s fond of Faun.

The Italians of Dope Stars Inc. had an impressive start of their career. Their debut album ‘Neuromance’ did very well, and gave them a lot of fans. Today it’s crowded in front of the stage when the wild looking men appear. At first it’s a bit funny to see this adult men standing in their glam-rock outfits and pink eye shadow, but when they blow you away with their music it doesn’t matter anymore. Especially ‘Theta Titanium’ sounds great live. It’s a shame that due to lead singer Victor Love’s bad English the response of the audience isn’t really optimal.

Fixmer/MC Carthy turn out to be something that I really don’t like: a monotone beat and ever more monotone vocals. No thank you! Letzte Instanz is next, and take care of a massive dancing audience. ‘Sonne’ and ‘Tanz’, which I know of their single’ sound even more solid live, and they play a tight set.

My first experience with Samsas Traum wasn’t a good one. I’ve seen them play as a support act for L’âme Immortelle in Amsterdam three years ago, and I have to admit that I really didn’t like it at all. After this numerous people tried to convert me to like them, but it never worked. Luckily for them the whole festival seems to think different: it’s really crowded in front of the stage! The audience chants along with every word coming from Alexander, and the response is just huge. Even though this just isn’t something for me, it’s been a good decision by the Amphi Festival organisation to book Samsas Traum.

Negative is more a band for me. Last year on the M’era Luna festival I was impressed by their music and appearance, so I’m eager to see them live again. Singer Jonne’s new hairdo makes him look a little less pretty then last year, but the masses of gathered young girls obviously don’t care. The men are even more popular then their colleagues from Finland , The 69 Eyes! From forthcoming new album ‘Anorectic’ they play their new single ‘Planet of the Sun’, which is a great follow up to their latest hit album ‘Sweet and Deceitful’. Negative is a very popular band, and the crying girl at the end can only endorse that.

I have to be honest: I never really liked the music by And One on albums. Yet I’m curious to see what they’re like live, and have to say that it impressed me! The guys fill their small hour with a highly enthusiastic and energetic performance, and the songs don’t sound as soft as on their albums. When they finish with two covers, ‘Sweet Dreams’ by Eurhythmics and ‘The Walk’ by The Cure I catch a big smile on my face. I think I have to go and check out  their latest album ‘Bodypop’!

Headliner of this year’s festival is Schandmaul, another band that has a huge following in Germany and doesn’t do a lot in the Netherlands . A shame, since these six musicians obviously know what they’re doing, and treat the audience at a sparkling performance! It’s fun to see the rocking yet very happy tunes gets even the darkest goths dancing in the light of a warm evening sun. With Schandmaul the Amphi Festival 2006 sadly reaches its end: I’m already curious to see what they’ve got in store for us next year!

Review by: Seraphictine