22nd of June was long awaited day for me. It was the
date of summer Solstice organized by the French BH Division-Hexagone. The other
very important reason that I was so exited about was the special guest of the
event - the living legend Stigger!!! As soon as I was told about the event, I have
done my very best to be there, no matter it was really hard to take day off
from work. I’ve visited summer Solstice in 2012, so I had great memories from
this event.
The
celebration was at the same place as last year-very nice and big botanic
garden, near by the city of Marseille .
We arrived around 17 h., when everything was already prepared. So it was the
right time for a bottle of rose wine :) !!! I was happy to see there some old faces, almost
all the guys from B&H crew and many of my mates.
In such so nice
and friendly atmosphere time ran out very fast. Between the wine, beers and all
the friends there, somehow the night was already fallen down. So here came the moment I have been waiting for years. Finally I had the chance to see Stigger on a live ballad performance! Of course a musician like him needs no representation, I really don’t believe, there is someone in that movement, who don’t feel respect and comradeship, when he hears his name.
So, for the first part of his set, he has played some very famous Skrewdriver ballads like "Old Albion" and "Green fields of France", few of his own band “Warlord”, plus covers of “Sweet homeAlabama ”, "Tuesdays Gone" and "Devil's right hand". I have expected really a lot, but his performance was even more than I expected!
Right after him, Michel (singer of “Frakass” and guitarist of “Brutal Attack”) took the guitar. It’s not necessary even to say, how all the people was happy to see him on the stage, as his band “Frakass” is one of the most loved and active from the French RAC scene. He has started his acoustic performance with “Runes de pouvoir”, ”Un chemin pour la liberte”, ”Hymne a la gloire” and “LVF”. Right after his set, it was time for the Solstice ceremony.
So, for the first part of his set, he has played some very famous Skrewdriver ballads like "Old Albion" and "Green fields of France", few of his own band “Warlord”, plus covers of “Sweet home
Right after him, Michel (singer of “Frakass” and guitarist of “Brutal Attack”) took the guitar. It’s not necessary even to say, how all the people was happy to see him on the stage, as his band “Frakass” is one of the most loved and active from the French RAC scene. He has started his acoustic performance with “Runes de pouvoir”, ”Un chemin pour la liberte”, ”Hymne a la gloire” and “LVF”. Right after his set, it was time for the Solstice ceremony.
The “head”
of BH Hexagone, delivered a great speech about the nature, the mission in our
life, comradeship and family. He said really good things which touched the
heart of everyone. After that we burn the fire, and for respect the tradition
we drink “Hydromel” (the oldest alcohol ever known), which Stigger brought from
England
especially for the ceremony. After that, everyone had the chance to put in the
fire stick of wood for the memory of someone important for their lifes, which
is not anymore among us…
Great
ceremony, not to short, not to long-just perfect! There was something magic in
the air and we really become one with the nature and we felt the spirit of our
ancestors.
After that
was time for the real party! Michel took again the guitar, he made very professional
and the same time funny presentation, and as always when he plays - all the
people was singing along and dancing with him. The second part of his set
contained songs as “Pour la France
et l’Europe”, after “Solstice d’hiver” and he finished with “Dernier Hommage”.
Michel was perfect, as usual. I really believe, that at the moment, he is the
most popular French RAC singer, as we can see, he really loves what he does and
he do it well.
So once again
it was time for my favorite singer in present days – Stigger. For the second
part of his set, he has choose more dynamic and rock’n’roll songs. It was the
climax of the party, everyone, absolutely everyone was singing and dancing. The
youngest fan of his music was very little girl, which has been there with her
parents.
The moment I will never forget, was when Stigger played “Get yourself
tattooed” specially for me J. He also played “Blood and Honour”, which were
specially for the guys from B&H and for finish, as he always do, he played
“Sleep well my brother”. Now he really touched my heart, was breath stopping moment
to stay and watch this amazing acoustic concert with the big fire under the
moon light!!! A moment of my life, which for sure I will never forget!!!
The concert
was over, but the party wasn’t. All the people were sitting around the fire, we
had nice and interesting conversations and I’m sure that all of us will
remember this evening until the end of our days.
Here as usual
I want to thank first B&H Hexagone’s members for the hard work and great
organization, Stigger and Michel for the great concert they did for us, to
Nadia, Helene and Aurelie for the great “wine time” we had togetherJ!!! I honestly confess this was one of the best
weekends in my life.
Exclusive report by S.