On Stage: Iguana Death Cult @ Bitterzoet, JAGD @ Vondelbunker

The music scene always slows down around the end of the year and together with my vacation in January things take a while to pick up for me. But now things are moving fast with lots of new music coming out and many bands going on tour. So tonight I could choose between two shows and decided to try to make both.

Iguana Death Cult at Bitterzoet Amsterdam, February 17 2016

The Rotterdam based garage rock band Iguana Death Cult is one of the many exciting new bands that are country has been producing in a steady pace. Their energetic performances didn't go unnoticed and they released their first album The First Stirrings Of Hideous Insect Life this week. I listened to their music and instantly liked it. The comparison with Thee Oh Sees is spot on, since many songs have the same drive and feel including the shout outs and are high on reverb. On stage the band is lively and their energy gives the music even more power. It's as if the band and crowd are electrified and everyone is kicking off their Friday night on a high.



All Pictures

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JAGD at Vondelbunker Amsterdam, February 17 2016

Picture: Reinout Bos

I've been following JAGD for a while, simply because I know one of the band members. But also because they make great music. They won the "Amsterdam Pop Award" ("Amsterdamse Popprijs") in November and recently joined the Friendly Fire portfolio. It means the band is on the right track for greater things but for now are mostly trying to spend as much time on stage as possible. Tonight they are playing the Vondelbunker, an underground stage in Amsterdam. It's a great environment for this band and even though the sound is totally crap, it doesn't matter to them. Their powerful songs and convincing performance pays off. Their groove driven songs with an eighties new wave vibe go down well, especially because they play them with a lot of heart. Keep an eye out for this band, because we are going to hear a lot more from them.



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There you have it. Not a bad way to get out of my hibernation and start off the weekend. And there are so many bands lined up to play in or around my home town in the coming weeks, so check back here regularly.