Everyone begins to flag a little by their third day at a festival, and so the chilled out cultural events that Sziget have on offer are welcomly received. Today we wandered down to the ‘Chill Out Zone’ on Sziget beach where we lounged on huge sausage-like pillows and played board games. There was yoga, dance therapy, massages and calm, energising background music; a great way to start the day.
After that we headed to the Museum Quarter to take a look at some of Budapest’s cultural heritage and soak up the sun. Next up was the ‘Tent Without Boarders’, an area of the festival specifically dedicated to campaigning against border segregation and – in true festival spirit – to promote love and unity. Here I was dressed up like a Barbie doll and transformed into something (almost) catwalk ready… You know, aside from the greasy hair and bags under my eyes.
After checking that out, we headed to the Fidelio Classical, Opera and Jazz Stage, where the Dekoor Close Harmony group were producing a great ‘background music’ set for all of the tired festival-goers.
Then we headed to the Travelling Funfair where there was all manner of games – most of which involved throwing some sort of ball or hat at a themed wooden stall. Despite how simple it sounds, this was great fun, and there was even an ar ea where you could practice your juggling skills and play with all the circus equipment. As well as all the fun and games, there were some great circus acts throughout the day.
The one thing I notice more and more about this festival as I walk around on our third day is how truly diverse, and even political, it is. There is literally something for everyone, and with charity stalls and sculptures made from recyclables everywhere it’s hard not to soak up the karma free vibes floating around. Sziget is a testament to the tradition of festivals and the unity and love they are famous for representing, and wherever you look there is care and compassion for both people and for the environment. You’re urged to trade in recyclables for ‘gifts’, and can elect for your discarded tent and camping gear to be collected by Amnesty International and given to refugees in need.
As well as this, at 7pm every day, there is a themed party at the main stage where everyone flocks to one place to bring together – in the words of the cute, vibesy, Rastafarian hype man who leads these parties – bring together all walks of life from all over the world be they “black, white, yellow or brown”. On the third day, this international solidarity was particularly strong, as everyone waved flags from all around the world together shouting “One Love” at the top of their lungs, and dancing to the Sziget theme tune.
Finally, the act we’d been waiting for all day – Bastille – arrived (and on time, you hearing this Rihanna?). The boys put on a great performance that put everyone in a good mood (give or take the selection of more “depressing” songs in their set). Favourites were, of course, their opener ‘Bad Blood’, ‘Flaws’, ‘Icarus’, ‘Of the Night’ and closing song ‘Pompeii’. Best by far, though, was their throwback to their EP of covers ‘Other People’s Heartache’, and their cracking rendition of TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ which had the whole audience singing along in an intoxicated state of nostalgia. They also tried out a lot of new songs in their set that gave us a taste of what is to come in their next album – slightly different in that they have adopted an ODESSZA and Avalanches style use of samples, but put their familiar Bastille twist on it.
Overall, Bastille’s energy, camaraderie, and Dan Smith’s downright adorable-ness, made them a pleasure to watch. Dan took a few songs to warm into his vocals, but was soaring after that, and quite literally, as half way through the set, during Flaws, he ran all the way through the crowd and onto the rigging in the centre of the arena space. On top of that Dan sweetly stumbled through a thank you speech that he’d learnt by heart in Hungarian- showing his willingness to embrace the ‘one love’, universal mantra of the festival, and even paying a touching tribute to the late Dan Panaitescu, Sziget booking manager who tragically lost his life in a car accident this July.
Whilst Jake Bugg’s bedside manner was a little frosty, it was hard not to melt at the warmth that emulated from Bastille, as they, once again, made the entire crowd feel like their best friends, and ensured everyone had a great time.
Another great day at Sziget gone, I can’t wait for the next one!