August 2017 saw the first jaunt to Europe for KPG, at the classic cult festival that is VOIDFEST, near Sinzendorf in South-East Germany. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen technical difficulties back home, Sol wasn't able to join us for this one, but we were lucky that friend of the band and established bluesman Keith Thompson was available and able to step in at the last minute.
As we've each found on previous occasions, the folks down there were incredibly friendly and welcoming and we were made to feel at home from the first moment, as "Cherry Red" blared out to rapturous (and slightly drunken) dancing at the pre-fest party.
It was a short stay, but not without incident, as our intention to go down to the site on Saturday evening was scuppered by an apocalyptic storm, dark portentious clouds sweeping over just as night fell, all hell breaking loose shortly afterwards. We could only shrug sypathetically at the plight of the festival-goers as we abndoned the trip and took refuge in a local drinkerie for a bottle of wine or three as the sky flashed and the thunder roared.
As a resut the site resembled Glastonbury on a bad day as we arrived for our Sunday eary evening show. Luckily the angry weather didn't return and the sun shone down on us as we stepped out on to the sodden stage. Electricity, however, continued to be a problem as Chris managed to blow up the amp he had borrowed half way through the set. The stage crew rushed in heroically, eventually rigging up a replacement for the show's climax. Chris blew that one up during "Cherry Red", the thing miraculously recovering just in time for the ending. Other than the (highly amused and/or bemused) crowd, the main beneficiary of this drama was Keith, who ripped into uncharacteristically heavy rock solos that nearly brought the rest of the stage down with them.
The reception was, quite frankly, awesome and all technial difficulties were quickly forgotten in the euphoria. The rest of the evening was spent imbibing in the excellently refreshing local beer and spicy food and slogging through the ever-stickier mud to enjoy the rest of the splendid entertainment on offer.
The line-up was eclectic and cosmopolitan, bands such as Ohhms from the UK, Yuri Gagarin and Spelljammer from Sweden, The Underground Youth and Travelin Jack from Germany and Belzebong from Poland amongst others from all around Europe kicking up a storm to echo that which nature had provided. A great time was had by all, despite the weather, and VOIDFEST 2017 was an experience none of us will be forgetting any time soon.