Stamping Ground

In 1970, famous bands including the Byrds, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat and Santana converged upon the urban woods in Rotterdam for the Holland Pop Festival; the Dutch version of the world-famous Woodstock of 1969. The event drew an estimated 150,000 music lovers, and it was the first major popular music festival to be organized on the European continent. George Sluizer and co-director Hans Jürgen (Jason) Pohland, assisted by several cameramen including Jan de Bont, made this comprehensive documentary of the music festival. The cameras are onstage with the artists, at the very heart of the action. But there are also shots from a helicopter and on the field among the concertgoers, who undeniably exude peace, love and happiness. These were the days when it was OK to be taking bong hits topless, and when singing along in your birthday suit wasn’t regarded as a provocation. Shirtless white chests, brown corduroys and colorful tie-dye fabric brighten the sweltering woods. In the meantime, kids are running around and people cool off in the nearby lake. The music performances and atmospheric shots are blended with interviews with the musicians, who are as concerned with peace and love as their audience.