SWELL, live @ Factory Festival (2008)

SWELL, live @ FACTORY FESTIVAL (Belgium, 2008)

This recording was made during Swell's final Euro tour, back in 2008. The show was part of the 'Factory Festival' in Nivelles (Wallonia, Belgium). Back then band consisted of David Freel (vocals/acoustic guitar), Brian Mumford (keys/sounds/guitar) and Ron Burns on drums. No bass player...

A huge tent in the middle of a muddy field housed the festival. Despite the name of the festival we didn’t spot any factory at all and dragged the gear and the merch through the dirt. A lot of dirt as the weather was shitty that day. Co-co-cold, dark/cloudy and extremely rainy. Indoors the temperature was no higher than a chilly 45°. When on stage everyone had to keep his coat on. You could see your own breath all of the time. Nice.

Conditions were bad but Swell played a more than decent show after an hilarious soundcheck. The acoustics in that muddy tent were rather strange. After the show we sold a few records and went away as fast as we possibly could.

Setlist: Introtape – Good good good – Trouble loves you – Down – Bad – What I always wanted – Sunshine – South of the rain and snow – Kinda stoned – Song seven – Saved by summer – Something to do.

Attendance: 300 to 400 (approx.)

RIP David Freel (1958-2022)
RIP Ron Burns (1968-2021)

[karl-heinzmeyer]

I saw and talk to him in Hamburg live. What a genious, sympathic musician. Thanks for this, Wouter. RIP David

[verlindend]

I missed that gig…I arrived just at the end of it the band was already discussing with Wouter…they played too early and the awful Girls in Hawaï played after them, really don’t know why….Young Marble Giant finished the festival. Really bad weather and bad luck for me….