Posted on Jul 17 2023 10:52 AM
For the past three times I visited the Surfer Joe Summer Festival, I wrote lengthy reports on my travels and the event itself, but this year I was sort of overwhelmed and at a loss for words first. Since most of the concerts and panels of this year are available online, I won’t go into much detail, but I have to say: Looking at these videos really only provides one with a glimpse at what is happening in Livorno. Even though the quality of the video stream was quite good, everything sounds so much better live, at the proper volume and with a bunch of people next to you who are as nuts about surf music as you are! So, in addition to what you all could see and hear on youtube, here are is a short account of my experiences.
This year was the first time that tickets were mandatory, and a few days before my departure from Berlin, I had a moment of cold sweat when I asked myself whether I had actually received a ticket. I remembered buying one and reading an order confirmation, but there was no ticket in my inbox… Luckily, a quick look at the festival site reassured that everything was in order and that I would be handed my ticket at the entrance of the festival grounds (which worked out very smoothly in the end). I had bought the VIP ticket, mostly because I wanted to see “Sound of the Surf” – and hey: what’s wrong about the ability to see extra performances for a few euros more? In the end, it was money well spend!
This year I actually missed only one band (Dr Triton), so I can confidently say that all the bands that played were great and brought something different to the table. My personal favourites were:
HUMANGA DANGA, because they incorporated great rhythmic and dynamic ideas into their songs.
GREASY GILLS, because their music was virtuoso and accessible at the same time, and they made the whole Tiki Room dance for almost two hours after a long day.
EL ZEB, because he managed to pick up the playing style (and volume) of Dick Dale but develop his own way of writing songs based on it (and also because he played the song I requested for an encore).
THE MANAKOORAS, because they made us all dance to music which was much slower and atmospheric than the rest of the festival.
THE STRINGS AFLAME, because they combined a trad sound with modern songs, which you had to dance to even though the hot Italian afternoon sun was burning down at you…
THE BABALOONEYS, because they were trad to the T (including “King of the Surf” – a song I love to hate).
THE SCIMITARS, because of their focus on rhythm and dynamics and its excellent execution.
LES AGAMEMNONZ, because they are probably the best band on the planet and I got to see them twice over the weekend (the Tiki Room set, again, was much more energetic and direct).
SATAN’S PILGRIMS, because they are still Satan’s Pilgrims.
DAVE & THE PUSSIES, because they inspired me to get a little crazy on the last evening 
Again, I probably could have written something nice about every band on the bill, but I have to leave something for other people to write, right?
In addition to the great music, I especially enjoyed Bob Berryhill’s account of the Surfaris’ history as well as Ron Eglit’s insights into the music of Dick Dale and. The screening of “Sound of the Surf” was great, too, and I hope that the film gets a wider audience soon. In general, I think that these panels and the movie screening are still an overlooked strength of the festival programme, not only because they are informative but also because they provide the opportunity to discuss (and potentially develop) the culture of surf music with other visitors of the festival. (I know that movie screenings are a legal nightmare, but I have one or two ideas, which might circumvent that problem and make for an interesting panel and which I will suggest for the next year, maybe.)
I think, this year may have been the most communicative edition of the festival for me, since I talked to a lot more people than before; too many actually, to name them all here. Sometimes it’s just a few sentences, sometimes you get into long exchanges about music, gear, food and all sorts of things – I’m not the most open person, but actually I enjoy most of these conversations, so thanks to all of you for spending some time with me! And, of course, many heartfelt thanks to the Valdambrini family, the Surfer Joe staff and all the performers for making this great festival possible - you're the best!
Finally, the festival always is a great opportunity to buy some records. In addition to the booth on the festival grounds, which offered records by the bands playing on the three stages, there was a booth by the Italian label Misty Lane / Teen Sound Records, which offered used records in addition to their own releases. Travelling with small luggage limited me to buying CDs, but I think that I got pretty much everything I wanted (plus three volumes of my favourite Italian comic book):
I hope to see all of you next year! 
—
Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!
Last edited: Jul 17, 2023 11:01:45
February Birthdays 
the Surfer Joe Summer Festival will be back next summer, June 22-23-24-25.
