MEGA BLOG POST: Belgium, Boston, Philly, NYC & Quebec
6 shows Brussels, NYC, Philly, DC, Boston, Quebec rolled up in blog burrito
you like burritos
Let me first apologize for chocking so many things into one blog post. Not being able to work on blog posts while offline (Flying, driving on the tour bus) really hits my ability to keep the blog up to date. Time passes, new photos come in, I forget what happens the daybefore.. and as you see above, we have 5 Blog posts unposted.. rolled into one. Hopefully this prooves an enjoyable read, versus a Tedious one. I'll try and keep it quick!
BELGIUM
Festival show- Colouer Cafe in Brussels, Belgium. Our last show before heading out to the US. Interesting Venue, Interesting stage (a Vlog exists, its been edited, soon to appear on the Indiggcollective youtube page and my blog), Great show.
BOSTON
The first show in our North American tour was boston. It was a good vibe all around, lot's of jamaicans in the crowd came through and brought a huge vibe.. at one point I thought I went deaf.
She held this iPad up for the entirety of the show
PHILLY
This show went by really quick to be honest.. I don't remember that much (besides drinking a decent amount of Hennessy). Oh! The NoMaddz were in town as well for that night and made a very unexpected appearance on stage with a Wa Dis (Poo Puku) x Kingston Be Wise Mash up.
The "Jah know wifi" pose
NYC
NYC was very interesting, when we started off with a live radio set at Sirius FM. Along with an interview, it was interesting moving our huge buss through the cramped NY streets. After we posted up at Irving plaza and the surrounding area until showtime. There was a #blacklivesmatter protest around the corner at union square which made nearby NYPD frown, but it didn't seem to harm any of the crazy vibes inside Irving plaza as we filled both floors to the brim. was quite the energy
DC
woke up on the festival grounds for the first Merryland Music Festival in DC. A basketball sized arena. Where we played a short and spicy set. Highlight of this show was the suuuper fast wifi, fire catering, and the free back massage from Kat.
Big up Taj Francis three time
QUEBEC
Quebec was pretty memorable and outstanding. Took a while for me to really understand that they spoke french. it's just really weird to know you're in North America, but everything looks and sounds like Europe. Surprisingly enough the crowd was very turnt and knew songs word for word. Pretty memorable show and beautiful city (looks like gotham) and great people.
That's how Protoje x Indiggnation Shell show
(P.s. Quebec looks like Gotham)
Like Living in Brussels
Photo study of a week (kinda) living in Brussels, Belgium
We left the Netherlands via a very comfortable train ride. I love train rides over airplanes, because I really hate things like Immigration checks, security, customs, middle seats, luggage weight restriction, Turbulence, People reclining into your personal space, I could go on forever.. but these are things you usually don't have to deal with on trains. Only hurdle is bringing your luggage all the way to the train, which really isn't an issue for me. Once I get into that comfy spacious seat, I can get so much work done. Anyway!
Arriving in Brussels-Midi Station
After what felt like a too quick 90-minute train ride, we pulled in to the most familiar place in europe for me; Brussels. I was washed with a light wave of nostalgia, it's been almost a year since my last time in Brussels, but arriving there it really felt so much shorter.
Single file off the train the whole Indiggnation was once again in Brussels, for four consecutive days off.
Grabbed a couple Taxi's and took a short drive from Midi central to the legit center of Brussels. We rented a couple apartments instead of staying in some hotels. More space, more const efficient, and defininitely more comfortable.
4 Days Living in Brussels
I decided based on feedback via social media, that people wanted to see a bit more culture and the like, so these photos are just a study of the time spent in Brussels and the things I saw, or thought were worth seeing/sharing.
This is just the living room o:
Getting work done in these spaces, despite the sub-par net (i've seen way worse)
The view from our 3rd floor apartments.
We were listening to Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1 when, she played "Glad You're Home" off Royalty Free (big deal)
Paris and Kongz (DrumKeys) doing the usual late night routine.
Night time views
This one is a special gift to all my fellow sweet-tooths out there... I didn't have any because... too much sugar lol.
My favourite place in Brussels: A camera store called PCH.de, they have a used section which is in a window right beside the actual store, and I'll stand in front scanning for even 30 mins, perusing and contemplating while people walk past me. The staff is very polite and cool and they remember me since I bought my Sony camera here as well.
This is a view from another of my favourite type of place- 90% of wherever you may be in Europe, you're bound to find a Kebab spot, run by middle easterns. They serve various types of portable meals: Durums - which is the wrap..., Kebab... which I believe is more of a sandwich type thing.. and then there's a plate- where you get everything but a starch if that's more your vibe. They serve Pork (Porc), Beef (Boeuf), Chicken (Poulet) and the vegetarian option is a Falafel. The food is good and cheap.. I'm always in a Kebab spot.
Shopping district in Brussels. ALWAYS crowded.
Viet-Thai restaurant we frequented often YAKI. Also, she's NOT giving Diggy the stink eye, I swear
Display inside YAKI... would you believe that this food is plastic?
We spent our last night at home in Brussels watching the Wales versus Belgium match.. the streets were deathly quiet after the loss, humorous and sad at the same time.
At the end of this post you might ask- "Yannick, why is almost everything in black and white?"
I know I usually pride myself on providing colourful and bright images, but for this post I really wanted to give you the reader an impression of the city as well as the time spent there. I felt colour may have served as more of a distraction, than an enhancer in this case. The black and white allows you to see the scene and the story, versus the aesthetics. I included colour in an image only when I thought that the colour worked to enhance your understanding, versus taking from it.
If you enjoy black and white photography, and want to see more, I'd recommend you check out my friend and colleague Jik-Reuben's Website as he specializes in Black and white photography
