This first-class DIY micro-festival started out back in 2007 in a Danish warehouse that was turned into what its organisers playfully called an “experimental food theatre”. Its name is inspired by the camping trailers that surrounded the outdoor stage. The following three years saw Trailerpark growing steadily. It moved to the more spacious Copenhagen Skatepark – big enough to incorporate a crowd of 5,000 – and now offers an eclectic line-up of more than 40 local and international acts ranging from shameless indiepop to full-on rampant techno, dubstep, hip-hop and disco.
Trailerpark is the brainchild of ArtRebels, a creative grassroots network of arty types: musicians, designers, filmmakers and web designers. Their ambitious vision is to “give opportunity for radical expression and to initiate, promote and support creative projects, while endorsing a social responsibility.” They do so by establishing partnerships with organisations, brands and businesses (for example The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bacardi and Hummel) that are compatible with the spirit and ethics of the Trailerpark concept, with the aim to “unite common interests into a creative solution for the benefit of everyone involved.” Every year the entire Skatepark site is revamped and recreated by a large group of participating artists exhibiting their works, aided by around 100 volunteers. The fact that all profits go to charity via an in-house non-profit organisation called HeartRebels adds to the socially engaging character of the event.
Some of the acts worth mentioning are:
Thee Attacks
Thee Attacks might become Denmark’s loud answer to the Hives. For the time being, this North Jutland band is completely unknown outside their home country, which doesn’t stop them the least from rocking their guts out. Their energetic, well-executed garage punk combined with a cocky, rockabilly attitude, although not completely convincing – a bit too clean-cut indeed – made for a good kick-start for the weekend.
Sleep Party People
SPP are the personal project of Brian Batz. Effected vocals, warm electronic textures, and acoustic strums result in a hauntingly beautiful outcome, enhanced by the mystery effect of the bunny masks that SPP wear throughout the set. Their music sometimes reminded me of the recently deceased Mark Linkous’ Sparklehorse, which can only be taken as a massive compliment.
Toro Y Moi
Chaz Bundick’s chillwave finally arrived in Copenhagen. The static and effortlessly geeky looks of this 23-year-old from Columbia, South Carolina suggest a sub-genre of dreamy yet punchy lo-fi, influenced by among others the likes of Animal Collective and Daft Punk. The Danes loved it, although Toro Y Moi’s music would have worked better in a smaller venue.
Trentemøller
This wasn’t part of the plan. The prospect of a secret DJ set by Denmark’s biggest electronic producer who’s just released one of his finest albums (Into the Great Wide Yonder) was indeed an endearing one. And the rumours were confirmed! What made it even more exciting was that the same person that was performing last summer on Roskilde’s Orange stage in front of 50,000 was now in front of a mere 500. Euphoric beats mixed with indie classics. What a treat!
Caribou
Caribou were by far the most talked about act of the weekend – and rightly so. Daniel Victor Snaith’s vintage indietronica was delivered absorbingly by a full live band, complete with dual drumkits. The dazzling psychedelic beats were embraced by an ecstatic crowd, especially during “Odessa” which was the definitive moment of a great Trailerpark Festival.
Words and photo by Vasilis Panagiotopoulos
