Intercity at Woetstok in 2024 as Kitty Purry. Photo Cees Beumer Text Coretta Jongeling
Woetstok, the Wageningen cover-band festival in the Torch park, celebrates its 10th anniversary. The last few years there has been more room for artists who focus on the repertoire of contemporary music, instead of just the bands your mum and dad listen to. One of those bands is Intercity, which will give their rendition of Lady Gaga as Googoo Gaga at this edition of Woetstok.
Intercity – the name refers to the train the band members take to rehearse together in Utrecht – usually plays at student parties and often covers rock songs. ‘The last few years we’ve been moving more towards pop,’ says guitarist Riemer. ‘It’s fun to play famous songs, to really put on a show. We take hits but transform them, make them heavier or we take a verse or bridge from another song. When you perform those iconic pop hits in particular, that gives you room to put your own spin on the music.’
In addition to her music, Lady Gaga is famous for her outrageous outfits. ‘We are definitely going to do something with that,’ Riemer says. ‘At first, the idea was to give each band member a Lady Gaga outfit from a certain period. But now Hugo in particular, the vocalist, is going all-out flamboyant, and the rest of the band will have matching outfits. That will be along the lines of a lot of black clothing with holes, and of course plenty of gel and mascara. We want to make it a big show.’
The Intercity band can trace its roots back 20 years, when band members Floris (drums), Jente (bass guitar) and Hugo (vocals) met each other at primary school in Wageningen. At secondary school, they befriended keyboardist Dylan and guitarist Riemer. And finally, when they were already students, Bas (guitarist) joined them.
This is not the first time the band has played at Woetstok. Two years ago, the band played songs by Smash Mouth, and last year they performed Katy Perry numbers (as Kitty Purry). Riemer is happy to be there again this year. ‘It’s very cool to be on such a large stage. And it’s nice that it’s free, so all our friends and family can also come and watch.’
See https://loburg.com/woetstok for the line-up and more information.
Woetstok, SAT 28-06-25 13:00-24:00, free
Torck park, Wageningen
Tips:
Thursday 19 June: Call of Booty (Pride party) – De Wilde Wereld
Sunday 29 June Gluren bij de Buren (living-room festival) – throughout Wageningen
Sunday 6 July: LEEF Festival (street theatre) – town centre
