Just What The Festival Scene Needed. Authenticity.
Introducing the Pure and Crafted Festival. Ever since Marlon Brando swaggered on screen wearing his Perfecto, 501’s and Engineers, denim, leather jackets and a good pair of boots have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with motorbikes and guitars.
BMW Motorrad (motorbikes) knows this, so once a year they bring together all the things we love about the biker culture. Crafted goods, made to last by great people. All this with a good amount of rock n roll for good measure.
Berlin. The Perfect Backdrop
The event took place in the heart of Germany’s capital at the old Postbahnhof. This red brick industrial building has been fully converted into an events location and provides the perfect setting for beers, bikes, grime and gear.
Bikes, Bits and Beers
Outside of the building you found the custom bike builders. These builders represent the very best of custom bike manufacture from around the world. Any fan of motorbikes would be in heaven just wondering around the booths.
It’s the Inside that Counts
Inside the Postbahnhof you had the market hall, BMW curated a list of makers and manufacturers that represented the very finest in clothing, accessories and related products.
One of the best things for me personally was that it brought so many good friends back together. In attendance were many of the brands who attend the Selvedge Run (my other gig). However this time, I was not working and had the chance to properly catch up with everyone.
To Name Just a Few
We saw Marc from Emma Optiz with his famous lanyards, Indigo People hand printing and indigo dying, the guys from Blaumann and the folks from Wrenchmonkees, along with the lovely Maria from Feinschmuck. And this is to name just a few.
There was a great buzz about the market and the visitors went away with some good stories and some great purchases.
Alongside this, you could also get a haircut and beard trim (necessary for almost all attendees), spruce up your scent with products from OAK barbers, get a Jagermeister shot or a Cocktail from Bulleit Bourbon before sitting yourself down to get a tattoo. Maybe it should not be in that order, but…
Food for the Soul
Also in attendance were my mates from Roamers Cafe, they are the go-to guys these days for catering these events where the gastronomy needs to be next level.
Much About the Music
Of course, it would not be much of a festival without a few bands. BMW did their homework and put on a fantastic lineup with headliners Noel Gallagher, Tricky and Band of Skulls playing to the eager Berlin crowd. Twenty years after Knebworth, the former Oasis frontman seems to have nailed down his musical mojo and Tricky was as borderline psychotic as ever.
For me however, the festival rounded off with seeing Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes. That satisfied my dormant punk.
Given that the festival was sold out both days, this looks like it will be a regular occurrence, and we’re happy about that. See you next year folks!
