Asuncionico

Publisearre: 30.04.2018

One of the highlights of recent times was Paraguay's largest music festival: Asuncionico. The whole thing took place during the week (common theory: the headliners play on weekends in the other proper South American metropolises :D) and yet in Paraguay-size.

In addition to some local bands, international big names also came, so 3 days for 55€ were practically a gift.... well, it's almost half our monthly salary. :D

In the midst of it all and in great spirits (:

So Tuesday and Wednesday after our Bariloche vacation were the first two festival days with the big headliners "Imagine Dragons" on Tuesday and "The Killers" on Wednesday.

Lineup Asuncionico 2018, Os Kchiporros and Kitapena are recommended!

Excited, we left the office early to stock up on cans of beer at one of the two dozen wineries on the way (goes without saying, right?). We continued on our bikes towards the venue (located on two main roads) and it didn't take long until, feeling really cool of course, we passed the traffic jams and were greeted by the first bass beats, wildly waving parking attendants (yes, also for bikes..), raincoat sellers and the obligatory asado, burger and cola stands in front of the entrance.

A quick snack (but we only visited the stand once.. :D)

We decided to park our bikes and get our admission bracelets first, as our colleagues had warned us in advance of long queues. Our bike ride was once again good for a laugh: the parking attendants at the venue were clearly puzzled when asked where we can park and actually didn't care. Much more important was the question why we even brought bikes... We later learned that people in Paraguay rent fancy cars from their friends specifically for the ride to festivals, to show off to everyone what they can afford :D Well, now we know for next time!

Festival impressions..Read on, there are more outtakes below ;)

After a small beer stop, we were prepared for long queues... which didn't exist. So quickly to the ticket counter, once again giving our driver's license numbers as passport numbers and going through FOUR (!) entrance checks at a distance of 5 meters onto the grounds. That sounds like a proper Paraguayan job creation measure..

Asuncionico's playground during massive rain showers!

That's how all concert days started. Followed by strolling around the quite manageable grounds, but with plenty to marvel at, just like in the rest of Paraguay. Lots of delicious Paraguayan junk food, 3/4 liter of beer for a measly 2.80€, sometimes outrageously long waiting times (in the most well-behaved queues I've ever experienced at festivals) due to the fact that behind the bar there were only completely overwhelmed 18-year-olds handling just one bottle opener. If it had to be done quickly, beers were also poured into used paper cups....... vale la pena? :D

The mysterious children's area of the festival grounds (which unfortunately was also somewhat flooded)

Some of the national bands were really excellent and because they performed on the small stage as a side act, there was significantly less crowding, and it was nice to meet some really friendly Paraguayans. At least here, there was at least as much dancing as filming and photographing. Highly recommended Kitapena :)

Mothership, national band and incredibly entertaining!

At the end, there was always a concert by the headliners, and it never started before 11:00 pm. We were already looking forward to the Imagine Dragons during our Bariloche vacation after we had memorized some of the songs. It was really worth it!! Heavy rain during the concert didn't change the fun, Ari's 1.50€ poncho didn't last long and I wisely didn't buy one at all... :D So we ended up soaking wet, the parking lot became a battlefield, the traffic jam was endless, BUT we could simply ride past the fancy cars with our bikes :D

Soaking wet but still really good!

There were also some DJ concerts, but who understands them,.. Paiku, Alan Walker...? Well, one is definitely not just one, another one is masked and in general the suspicion arises that anyone could be standing there, especially since we are in Paraguay...:D

Is it worth building a whole stage for that....? But it seems to work

The third day of the festival luckily fell on Hansi's birthday, a nice occasion to celebrate even on a weekday. And especially for this occasion, Milky Chance, another DJ and the Gorillaz were invited. Ideal! And without rain :)

Yes, it's hard to believe...

We had a fantastic last day of the festival and Hansi had a great birthday. However, we learned a few things: Milky Chance doesn't have enough different songs for a live concert, Sofi Tukker is THE worst music there is, and the Gorillaz make cool music, but are still a virtual band :D