For those who don’t know yet, Spraoi is a free street festival taking place every August bank holiday weekend in Waterford, Ireland. I have written a good few posts about Spraoi, some of them can be found on this page. Spraoi is back once again, and so is Scotch!
Last August I featured the Dutch party band Scotch in one of my Spraoi related blog posts. An established favorite in Waterford, the band is celebrating their 15th anniversary this year. Way to go, Scotch!
This is Tim. He wasn’t with the band in Waterford last year.
Sam and Nathan,
Wouter and Sjoerd,
and Juno ( cute pout, man 🙂 )
I didn’t get a decent picture of Jochem that time, but bear with me.
Hi Wouter! Glad to see you and the guys. How does it feel to be on the Waterford soil again?
We really enjoyed to be back at Spraoi! It’s starting to feel a bit like home 🙂
How was your year since the last Spraoi? Any news?
The last year we’ve been mostly on the road. Have been touring every other month to a total of 12 different countries: The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Croatia, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
It is a very impressive list. Delighted for you and for those who were lucky to hear you perform. Sad that Sam won’t be touring Europe with the band any more. Why this decision? Do you have another violinist lined up?
Sam decided there’s no room in his life to play in a band. It’s too demanding to run a family, have a day job and tour all over Europe. It has been harsh but in the last months we’ve found our way to deal with it. There will be a new violinist, and starting next week we will be performing a new show. Looking forward to that!
So do I and all your fans. Thank you!
So, the rest of this post is dedicated to Sam who has been with the band from its first day.
For his solo number, Sam left the stage and mingled with the crowd. It didn’t take him long to make everybody dance 🙂
The band had another two gigs scheduled for the weekend, and I came over to Kazbar to take some pictures in a more relaxed atmosphere.
It is where I had a chance to take a proper picture of Jochem sporting a platinum mane. You can rock any style, Jochem 🙂
More pictures of Sam ( ah it is so so sad)
With his fans, one more time.
There was that sad beautiful stranger who had been standing there and showing no interest in the gig whatsoever.
But who can resist Wouter’s charm? I am sure she smiled back 🙂
Grand finale!
The audience was so large that I decided to take a picture of the part of it that was reflected in the roof mirror.
Thank you Scotch!
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scotchtheband/
Website: http://www.scotchtheband.com/
Booking info:
Scotch
booking@scotchtheband.com
t+31 6 12 42 70 77
Some more from Spraoi in my blog in November.
Have a great weekend!
Making memories 
What a party! You certainly know how to have fun, Inese. I loved how you mingle with everyone and don’t miss a thing. Perhaps that little lovely girl misses Sam? Wonderful time! 💕🌹💋
Thank you Rose! Sam had his last gig in their hometown, and now the band is rehearsing a brand new program. Show must go on 🙂 ❤
Every one looks as if they’re having a great time! What a wonderful festival and band, you can see the joy they bring with their music reflected in their own faces and those of their fans. Your pics would be surely great for their website too, did you offer them? Xxxxxxxxxx
Thank you Sarah, they are using some of my pictures for their posters and their FB page 🙂 The pictures from this blog have only a sentimental value as Sam has left the band xxxxxxxxxxx
That´s great! They would have been stupid if they didn´t use your pics and they don´t struck me as stupid at all. 😉 xxxxxxxxxxxx
All packed and ready to go?
Arrived safe and sound 🙂
Delightful. Enjoy your family and Freddy. (It is Freddy isn’t it?)
Oh Brian, Freddy is the best friend of mine. He is cheering me whenever I pass by his home 🙂 I have trained our middle child to catch grasshoppers for him in my absence. But I am back to Ireland now… Fighting jetlag and missing my dears. How is everything?
Grasshoppers? Must be quite a treat for Freddy. 🙂
Welcome back to Ireland. I’m sure the trip did you lots of good, jetlag and spleen notwithstanding.
We’re ok. Weathering out the rainy season (till October?) Daughter #2 is in the UK, then to Iceland. The trip should do her good. Hopefully.
Take care Inese.
Iceland is such a soothing land. Hope for the best.
Soothing? That’s an interesting word. I’m sure it will help. She has proven to be so strong… 🙂
Sent you a PM.
Thank you. I think I saw that. Must get into my mail. 🙂
But first the blog, then the mail. 😉
Wow, they totally pulled off the outfit with the instruments!
Thank you for your comment! The outfits look cool indeed 🙂
looks like a fun
band of players
and happy
dancing 🙂
Making people smile is a gift 🙂 Thank you for commenting! I am back in two weeks 🙂
This is fabulous… I love your photos Inese, they really make you feel like you are there. WOuld love to see them one day, it looks fun 🙂 xx
Thank you! 🙂 So sad that Sam has left the band. He will be missed.
I have a feeling that I may have read an earlier post about this festival, a year back or so. 🙂 I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland and I absolutely enjoy visiting it through your lens. Some of my favourite bands are Irish. Have you watched the movie Once? I really liked it. 🙂
Yes, I remember the movie, but I didn’t recognise the name, so I had to google 🙂
Beautiful photos, as always. The poor girl! There’s always one who just doesn’t want to be around at something. Reminds me of my sons who begged to get away from town during the fireworks. For all the festivities, they just didn’t want to be there. But still, the emotions on these faces, especially the band, are priceless, each and every one. xxxxxx
Oh poor boys, the fireworks can be scary, even for me 🙂 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It sure does look like fun and fun is what we all need.
Thank you! I cannot disagree. These festivals bring people together and put smiles on their face, and we all know that whatever life throws your way you are better off smiling and pressing forward.
You are a wonderful fan, Inese. And what beautiful people photos of the band members and that wild dancing. It looks like pure fun. 🙂
Thank you Diana. Scotch always gathers a crowd, and it is a fantastic opportunity for street photography. I also love to watch the way they interact without words, like the longtime friends they are.
This is such fun, Inese, the photos and introducing Scotch to us as well as the Spraoi. One day I will have to head to Waterford and check this festival out myself, you paint it so beautifully with your words and your photos. Wishing you a great week ahead. 🙂
Thank you so much! Hope you too have a wonderful week.
I love to see people who are gathered for fun and hearty laughter not in front of the screen 🙂 I also love the Parade on Sunday night. August is a month of festivals, and you are always welcome! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Sure seems like Waterford loves festivals! FAB. Wish I could hear the band. OMG… that bass player is very, very cute. He’d be the one I’d take home!
Did I say that?
On line?
I deny everything! 😀
Hahaha Resa, no one will blame you!
Right now I am listening to a concert that is going on somewhere in town, but I cannot put my finger on where the sound comes from. Don’t want to venture out in the dark either. We are very bad organising and advertising things, but I am sure someone knows about the concert and the others just follow the sound 🙂
Did you recognise the girl on the picture I linked to my comment the other day?
No I didn’t recognize her, but she seemed familiar. Neat that you can hear music from outside and away.
Oh, btw… did you get his number?
They are on Facebook. I contact with them through the messenger and talk with Wouter, the drummer. Ask for Sjoerd 😉
Rats! I don’t do FB! Oh well, I know a guitar player in Toronto. 😜
Oh that’s too bad… Didn’t I write their number in the end of my post? FB messenger is my phone basically 😦
A very unusual band! You seem to have caught their spirit. I would have liked to have heard them.
Thank you so much! It is the second time I write about them. Great music, lots of fun.
It looks and sounds like great fun Inese 🙂
Thank you Andrea! Enjoyed the festival, and will share more in November.