Vienna is for sure not one of the worst cities when it comes to finding a place to park. However, on this particular day Bowerbirds singer Phil repeatedly drives in circles round the venue looking for the right spot. At some point he gives up and we just hop on their tourbus, driving through the city without any particular destination, finally arriving at Stadtpark. Bus parked, instruments unloaded and then we find ourselves in one of the longest and most enjoyable sessions we’ve ever done. Bowerbirds almost play without stop: next to their bus, while walking from the bus into the park, beside a monument, while passing a playground and strolling down a hill; In the end Phil does one song by himself, sitting in a jungle net with a kid putting its foot on his neck (“I want to go down this way!”, it says). The Raleigh-based band around Phil Moore and Beth Tacular obviously blossoms up in this setting, enjoying the busy park life with all the children playing in the mild spring sunshine. Their beautifully harmonic folk songs not only make it a memorable afternoon for us and them, but also for their very young audience.

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