Winning two festivals means that it was time to check what we were really worth. So we decided to register ourselves for the Dutch Championships Streetmusicians that takes place every year on the Saturday in the same weekend as Fathers day. This year the date was 17th of June 2024.

Elst is not really close to the Bollenstreek, but we are lucky because we have got a time machine that can take us to any time or place we want. We arrived early in Elst and the weather forecast wasn't that good. Elst is a small town and when we walked up to the main square where we had to register ourselves we noticed that the spots were not at bars (simply because there weren't that many) but mainly in front of shops and even a church. We received our lunch package, our Mooneys sign and the map where we had to go to.

Our first spot was in front of the Bruna Bookstore at 12 noon. There were not a lot of people around we noticed. But when we started playing a lot of people showed up. This were most of the time people passing by during their shopping or cyclists who stopped and listened to us. This felt really very nice. After 25 minutes it was time to move to the next spot. At 1 PM we had to play in front of the R.K. Church. This was completely different. A much more difficult spot but still we managed to get some people around to pick our bingo balls. It is especially really nice to see some people who cannot leave. Is it because of us, or because they want to know what the next song is?

The final two spots were really great. Both next to a bar/restaurant with a terrace. We wanted to get people on the terrace involved on the third spot, but this turned out to be impossible because of too many people standing before us watching. Still the people on the terrace were also able to hear and see us. The final spot was next to a closed terrace. We decided to get on the closed terrace and the sound there was amazing because of the windows around us. Within minutes the terrace was full and we really enjoyed ourselves.

When we finished we had to get to the main square for the result. But we still didn't have time for a good lunch so we stopped at the fish stall for some kibbeling (fried small bits of haddock). Then off to the square. There were three categories. Solo acts, Duo acts and Groups. And in the end also an overall winner. We had to wait for the final categorie and WE WERE ANNOUNCED AS WINNERS! While we were on stage, the announcer asked us to wait. There was another prize. This one was from the main sponsor. Their prize was for the most talented act of the day and they thought this prize had to go to THE ALBERT MOONEYS! Still the overall winner had to be announced and it was unbelievable but this prize was also for THE ALBERT MOONEYS! DUTCH CHAMPION STREET MUSICIANS 2024. This had never happened at the Dutch Championship that one act took three prizes! Very special.

We were allowed to play two more songs on stage which we of course did with a big smile on our faces. Check this link for a video of the Mooneys original Gardens of America that was filmed by Marcel.

Unfortunately Street Musicians is still not an Olympic Sport. We would have loved to represent the Netherlands in Paris this year at the Olympics. Maybe in four years?

Jury report:

• musicality: exceptional musical and varied
• presentation: nicely matched to each other, also in terms of clothing
• interaction: great interaction with the audience, everything was right

After winning the Gouden Pet Festival in Leiden, the Mooneys received an invitation from the Gouden Roos Festival in Roosendaal. This was basically the same concept, but it was slightly smaller. There were three different locations instead of four and for the final on the stage there were only four acts chosen. And these finalists were chosen just by a jury so there was no crowd voting involved. This all took place on Sunday the 13th of August 2023 and because of the distance (about 90 mins by car) the Mooneys had to leave early. The first spot they had to play was on the entrance of a shopping centre. This was very disappointing. And we were not to excited about the festival. Very low crowded and when you go shopping, you don't stop for 30 mins to watch a band. But for the second and third spot we had to move to a square where the main stage was also set. This square had a lot of bars and restaurants and plenty of seating. This felt much better. We had to play near a poster but we quickly moved to the bars with the seating area because the acts were too close to each other. This worked very good and when we started at the first bar there were just two tables with people. But as soon as we started more and more people were attracted and even a woman from a terrace two bars away came to pick a bingo ball. So we decided to walk with her and play her chosen song near her seat and drink.

After our third set (right in front of the stage) we zipped up our bags and waited for the results with a nice cold beer. The four finalists were not named immediately. So the first finalist was named (Mellow Yellow 69) and they played another three songs on stage (amplified). As there name already gives it away, they looked and played like hippies. Very good vocals and well known songs. When they finished the second finalist was named and this was... THE ALBERT MOONEYS. Another final! So we unpacked our instruments and went to the stage. The sound man had everything pretty good organized ("do you really have four singers?") and all was set really quick. We played A whiter shade of pale, Run to the Hills and No one knows. We could see the crowd enjoying every minute and a lot of singing along. So it looked pretty good.

Then the third finalist: El Capstok. A one man band. He was really good. Played the guitar with his hands, sang with his mouth, all kinds of percussion with his feet, a horn, kazoo etc. Very funny. A true street artist. He also did one (local) song in Dutch and this was well received by the crowd. And the fourth finalists were the Kiloknallers from Leiden. They also played at the Gouden Pet festival, but didn't make it to the finals (I still don't know why). They were really good. Good brass section and up tempo ska music. With this sunny weather really nice.

So in the end, the festival was slightly smaller, but we had the idea that the acts were of much better quality. Everyone who reached the final could have won it. But the results: 4th: Mellow Yellow 69 3rd: Kiloknallers 2nd: El Capstok 1st: THE ALBERT MOONEYS!

Jury report:

• Good instrument mastery
• Good vocals. Both individual as harmonied together
• Original way of crowd participation
• Clothing well coordinated
• Nice varied repertoire
• The picture was complete
• The amplified set in the final confirmed their qualities

The band received a trophy with the Gouden Roos on it and a nice additional bit of cash money (which was spent over the day for drinks, food and car gas). But the main thing is that we had another great day! Second time we play on a festival that involves a competition, and we won again. We all do agree that music is something that should not have competition. Because there are so many differences in style and everyone is just doing their best. But hey, when there is a competition: it is always nice to win it!

See you next year!

The winners of the Gouden Pet Festival

On a very hot and sunny Sunday the 25th of June 2023 the 35th edition of the Gouden Pet Festival was held in Leiden. This festival is very well known and one of the biggest Street Musician festivals in the Netherlands.

Forty different bands play four time for half an hour on different locations throughout the city. When you have finished your playtime, you have the next half an hour to move to your next location which is pointed out by the organisation. Voting will be done by a musical jury that shows up as mystery and unknown guests during the performance. And the crowd also has a chance to vote via a special Gouden Pet QR code that is printed on a sign on all locations.

When four hours have passed, all bands get back together to the Hooglandse Kerk square where there will be six finalists named (three from the offical jury and three from the crowd). These bands will get another chance to show their talent, but now on stage. They get 10 minutes to show themselves.

The Albert Mooneys were named one of the finalists and they were up on stage second. They played two songs in the final: A whiter shade of pale and Run to the Hills. After all finalists have played their songs, special voting cards were handed out on the square. On stage there were six buckets with the name of each band on them. So the crowd had to put their voting card in the bucket of the band they thought were the best act.

When the voting had closed, all the votes were counted. All bands were invited on stage again and the jury came on stage to name the band who received the most votes and would be crowned. And the winner of the Gouden Pet 2023 were... THE ALBERT MOONEYS! They received the one only golden hat, a nice amount of money but most of all; a lot of cheering by the crowd. And they have to return next year to defend their title.

They were allowed to play two more songs on stage (I held her in my arms and No one knows)

Thanks to leidseglibber.nl and detweespieghels.nl for some of the photos below.