Tinderbox 2018

Just when it seems the festival market is at peak saturation, a new offering sprouts up in the summer sun. Tinderbox, a 3-day multi-genre festival set in a Danish forest, has blossomed in its 4th year, boasting an impressive line-up and beer logistics so smooth they bring tears to an English person’s eyes—eyes used to staring at the back of a glittery scalp during a queue that never ends.

Located an hour and a half from Copenhagen, Tinderbox takes place on the outskirts of Odense, a charming little city perfect for exploring before the acts hit the stage. Here’s a look at who we saw this year.

Thursday (Torsdag!) #

Prophets of Rage

This is the act that seduced us to Daneland, as they had no UK summer dates on their European schedule. My boyfriend and I are both RATM uber-fans who would do just about anything to watch Tom Morello’s fingers fly down the frets. Despite recent hand surgery, Morello was there and as blistering as ever. Zack’s absence is felt, but Chuck D (Public Enemy) and B-Real (Cypress Hill) bring their unique styles, making for an incredible review of 90s rap and metal.

Iggy Pop

At 71 years old, Iggy Pop was set to fly to London the next day for Finsbury Park. His short set of hits like “Repo Man,” “The Passenger,” and a cover of Bowie’s “Jean Genie” was a mere scratch on the surface of his offerings, but that’s festival sets for you.

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode are heroes on the European continent, and they delivered a tight set of both new tracks and classics. The encore ended with a singalong “Enjoy the Silence” and a revamped “Just Can’t Get Enough.” I left sweaty and happy, even though I couldn’t quite get enough...

Tinderbox’s stage logistics are fine-tuned, with alternating Red and Blue stages allowing for non-stop music. However, shorter set times for headline acts like DM leave you wanting more.

Friday (Fredag!) #

Craig David presents TS5

TS5 is Craig David’s chance to mix his own hits with others’ work. The old hits drew a crowd, but once he started rapping, I had to run. He’s a talented singer but a terrible rapper who should steer clear of the genre.

Alanis Morissette

A guilty pleasure perfect for a festival setting, but her performance felt strained and underwhelming. We left after a few songs and headed to the tent stage for...

The Breeders

We caught them during “Divine Hammer,” and the Deal sisters felt so comfortable on stage it was like watching them practice in their childhood bedroom. “Off You” was a highlight, with its simple instrumentation and Kim’s vocals drilling into your heart.

IAMJJ

A Danish-language act with a Scandinavian Alt-J vibe and a bluesy frontman, IAMJJ was a late-night tent stage delight. Their sound is unique, and I’m sure they’d go down well in the UK.

Saturday (Lørdag!) #

Madness

I’ve seen Madness twice in the UK, where they sometimes seem to try too hard. But in Denmark, they were relaxed, sarcastic, and at their best. The set was tight, and Suggs’ banter was quintessentially East London.

Velvet Volume

The best new discovery of the festival! This Danish teenage punk trio tore the roof off the tent with a heavy metal Runaways sound. They sing in English, banter in Danish, and charmed the crowd effortlessly.

Jack White

Listed as a solo act but backed by a band, Jack White’s set spanned his entire career, including White Stripes and Raconteurs tracks. His new material was stunning, and the fresh takes on old songs made them feel alive. Sadly, his set was cut short because Tiesto was about to begin on the opposite stage.

My favorite Tinderbox memory was a teenage girl crying her heart out after Jack White’s set—a reminder that rock music is alive and well.

Logistics #

No Beer Queues!

Glastonbury needs to learn from the Vikings on how to serve beer to tens of thousands without long waits. Whatever their secret is, it works!

If you’re considering a foreign festival, choose one that offers cultural experiences alongside the music. Tinderbox is an excellent option for a festival off the beaten path, with the added bonus of exploring a beautiful Scandinavian city under the midnight sun.