Come As You Are @ Effenaar

Once again Effenaar in Eindhoven is celebrating thirty years of guitar music with the Come As You Are festival. Bands that go all the way back and new bands are playing on this day. It's a nice lined-up again this year and we have another excuse to have a night out with good friends, live music and lots of beer.

Come As You Are at Effenaar Eindhoven, December 7 2019



The Cold Vein

Thirty years ago Urban Dance Squad was one of the hottest bands to come from the low lands. Ex-member and singer Patrick Tilon, also known as Rudeboy, is no stranger here are the festival and returns with a new band The Cold Vein. The noise rock quartet play heavy sounding noise rock songs, which are solid vehicles for Rudeboy's vocals. He has a tendency of overpowering his vocals, causing it to sound more like screaming than singing. Not all songs sound equally well, but there are some very solid rocks songs with good ideas. Drummer Chief W. is a delight to watch, playing his grooves in a relaxed but tight and powerful way with a big grin on his face. Nice way to kick off the festival for us nevertheless.

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SØWT

We go downstairs to watch local band SØWT who are playing a mix of noise and grunge. Singer Danielle Warners is looking very angry most of the time and emphasises the serious and dark songs this way. They draw inspiration from grunge and noise rock bands from the early nineties like Nirvana and Sonic Youth. Their songs have a nice variation in sound and are real heavy rock bullets. I quite enjoy this band who live up to the festival's name.

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Mozes and the Firstborn

I bought tickets to the very last show of Mozes and the Firstborn at the end of the month at this same spot, but I most probably won't be able to make it. Fortunately they are playing here today, which will be the last time I get to see them. It's too bad this band is going to quit, since I have always liked their garage rock with great melodies and plenty of tongue in cheek. Singer Melle Dielesen is a bit less chatty than normal but still the band is playing a solid show in their hometown. The group has so many amazing songs like 'Dadcore' and 'Sad Supermarkaet Song' that always go down very well. I've been following this band from the early beginning and I sure am gonna miss these guys.

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Dune Rats

We head downstairs where Brisbane band Dune Rats have started their set. Their light punk rock songs could be nice to enjoy with a couple of beers. However the band seems to be too busy goofing around and the songs aren't anything special and don't sound that great. Time to get some food instead.

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Rick de Leeuw & Band

In the nineties I have seen Rick de Leeuw's old band Tröckener Kecks many times and every time it was blast. Tonight de Leeuw is playing with the band he recorded his new solo album with. He decides to play mostly old Kecks hits instead which pleases the mostly middle aged crowd who, like me, know him best from that time. Of course he has done so much more and wrote so many more wonderful songs after that, but tonight we all feel thirty years younger again, including de Leeuw himself.

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Johan

The festival is celebrating thirty years of guitar music in the broadest sense and so they booked one of my all time favourite bands Johan. I've seen them so many times and simply can't get enough. Their timeless pop rock songs are all little gems that I can hear over and over again. I mean who can resist songs like 'Tumble and Fall', 'Day Is Done', 'Oceans' and 'Everybody Knows' to name but a few. I know I never can.

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Indian Askin

The quartet Indian Askin seem to be on the road a lot and is doing another 'Another Round' tour at the moment. It brings their new LP Another Round to this festival, which is another lovely record. The band never makes compromises and their indierock with a punk attitude is a breath of fresh air in the rock scene. On stage the band is always able impress and today they work very hard to please the crowd. They have a bunch of very good songs to work with and in the end come up winning.

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Navarone

Nijmegen rock band Navarone have really given it all to force some kind of breakthrough, even joining a music contest on TV. It did draw attention to their music and they were able to sell out Paradiso recently. Today they are the headliner but judging from the half full main hall it looks like many people have already left. It's a shame because tonight the group stays clear from the covers and treats us to their own songs. Nothing can get this band down and they would even do their best when there was only one person in front of the stage. The rockers play a good show for the people and fans that came down and knock out a couple of their bangers. It ends the night on a high for me.

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It has been another fun edition of this festival. If they keep it up like this and can come up with another interesting line-up next year, I'm sure we will try to be there again.

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On Stage: Excelsior Supporters Day

The Excelsior Recordings record label always had a fine nose for interesting and quality bands. I like their mentality and a lot of the music they released and that's why I became a supporter of the label a couple of years ago. Now they are organizing the first Excelsior Supporters Day with a lot of music and performances by some of their most successful bands.

Excelsior Supporters Day at Paradiso Tolhuistuin Amsterdam, February 24 2019

Moss

By the time we arrive at the venue, the first of these bands is ready for their performance. Moss is one of the crown jewels of the label and has come a long way. They never made things easy for themselves but always stayed true to their own believes. Record by record they got better until they found their perfect form, resulting in the last album Strike. On stage they have found this form as well, looking comfortable and focused.

They try out a few new songs today and it almost seems as if you're in their practice studio, since these songs have not been rehearsed endlessly for live performances. Drummer Finn Kruyning asks what tempo a song is in and in another song they try to figure out where to start. This is a band that is not afraid to show this to an audience that has collectively embraced this band. I am looking forward to that new album they are working on a lot.



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The day continues with performances by Bewilder's Maurits Westerik, Awkard I (Djurre de Haan) and Bertolf(Lentink). It makes sense putting these artists on stage one after another, where Westerik and Awkward I perform solo on acoustic guitar. Bertolf brought his band and on top of that, Jelle Paulusma joins them for one song as well. It is the Excelsior way to encourage these collaborations and let artists discover their musical direction and spectrum, let them experiment and support them to explore joint projects.

Johan

The day comes to an end with one of the most successful bands on the label and without a doubt one of their most popular ones. Johan is one of my favourite bands and I am not alone in this. The beautiful songs with lovely melodies are so well done, it's no denying they are one of the best bands in the low lands. They had a very successful year releasing a new LP Pull Up and touring every stage and festival out there. It never gets old hearing these beautiful tunes where the newest songs already feel familiar between the classics.

This band simply is a delight to watch, who simply never are able to sound bad. This music is of such high quality that every single song sounds like a hit. Even when the band makes tiny mistakes it doesn't affect them or the music in the slightest bit. It results in a few smiles between members, but the band keeps going strong. What a great way to end this day.



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There's kind of a jolly atmosphere in here today, as if we're all part of this family, even though not every one is a supporter and it was also possible to simply buy a ticket. That is maybe the best compliment for this record label though, that they managed to make everybody feel part of a big family, both fans and artists. I hope this turns into an annual event.

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Top 10 Albums 2018

Since it's part of some kind of tradition here's my top 10 for 2018. Have a great year's ending and a wonderful 2019 everyone!

1. Hookworms - Microshift
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2. IDLES - Joy As An Act Of Resistance
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3. Orquesta Akokán - Orquesta Akokán
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4. Shame - Songs Of Praise
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5. Kamasi Washington - Heaven & Earth
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6. Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
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7. Canshaker Pi - Naughty Naughty Violence
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8. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Hope Downs
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9. Johan - Pull Up
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10. Fatoumata Diawara - Fenfo
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ITGWO 2018 Day 1 + Day 2

The summer is coming to an end and although that is bad news for me, the good news is that we get to go to that lovely festival Into The Great Wide Open on that beautiful little island. This year they have lined up another crazy load of amazing bands, so it promises to be a good edition again.

Into The Great Wide Open 2018 Thursday August 30

The first day started out as a simple warm up but although it still isn't a full day, it has turned into a nice start of the festival with a couple of great bands.

Dijf Sanders

The stage in the woods is still at the same lush place as the past years. Belgian musician Dijf Sanders kicks off the festival here and it is still a bit quiet between the trees. Sanders’ music is a good fit at this beautiful place. Warm vintage electronics are mixed with samples and sequences. A sax player adds variation to the mellow music. It isn't a crazy wild party but it’s a nice start of the festival.

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METZ

Now it’s time to pick things up and the Canadian noise trio will exactly do that. I love this band who play a loud mix of noise and punk. Their songs have powerful grooves that will nail them into your ears and head. In this dark small venue they are at the right place and give a blistering performance that goes down well with the people that can handle it and stay in there to watch.



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Braaknoot Ensemble & Mauro Pawlowski

Dutch artist Boudewijn de Groot made quite a number of records and tonight the Mauro Pawlowski and his Braaknoot Ensemble play one of his most experimental ones Nacht & Ontij. To be fair I didn’t see the whole performance because I spent most of the time chatting to a friend (at the back). But what I saw was quite interesting and well performed by these group of very good musicians. Visuals at the back are effectively supporting the experimental music. It is a remarkable show in a great setting between the trees in the dark.

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All Pictures Into The Great Wide Open 2018 Day 1

Into The Great Wide Open 2018 Thursday August 31

After a good start, the second day has a wonderful sunny start and we are ready for some more music. And beers I guess.

Altin Gün

What better way than to wake up with Turkish psychedelic rock? The Dutch band Altin Gün have reworked Turkish psychedelic music from the sixties and seventies into groovy and catchy dance tunes. Singer Merve Dasdemir is smiling when she sees the whole field dancing like true Turkish people and for a moment we are attending a wedding party in Istanbul. This group are a bunch of very fine musicians who are kicking us off in the most festive way.

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White Denim

I know I’m going to love the next performance on the field with this amazing band from Austin. They use classic and Southern rock als a basis for their music, but build all kinds of styles on it. The result is a crazy ride with a band that is excelling in mind blowing solos, twists and turns. The band is taking the field by storm with a rock show that has an enormous tempo and blistering power.

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Dylan Leblanc

On the beach Dylan Leblanc has already started his set. At the front people are dozing off sitting down on the beach, listening to the mellow sounds. His set is heavy on slow roots and country songs and the beach and the sun are the perfect setting for this. It is a bit too slow for me though, but the environment makes up for that.

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The Posies

Time to pick it up a notch again and nineties power rockers The Posies are waiting for us indoors. In the dark they are firing off compact rock songs with great ease. The band is celebrating thirty years playing together which has turned them into a tight band. Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow are alternating on vocals and both are singing really well. There’s a jolly mood on stage and it turns the show into a cheerful one. Although Stringfellow invites us all for a swim tomorrow morning I think I have to pass on that one.

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Johan

What is there to say about Johan, the band that I’ve seen so many times and love so much? I would have expected more people to come watch as their music is a perfect match to this festival. Their songs are simply gorgeous and the band is getting better and better after playing many shows since their return. Singer Jacco de Greeuw’s voice sounds good today and I find myself completely lost in their wonderful music.

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Pip Blom

Dutch talent Pip Blom is turning the beach stage into a garage rock party with her young band. While the sun is setting and the sky is showing amazing colours with purple dots of clouds, Pip is bouncing her blonde curls with a huge smile on her face. This is how garage rock is supposed to sound: a bit dirty and sloppy, but in a good way. Her vocals are sometimes a bit lazy which gives her music that extra dimension. This is a nice beach party with a lovely young bunch of musicians.



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John Cale

Legendary The Velvet Underground member John Cale is playing the main stage in the dark. Visuals at the back are supporting his experimental songs. Cale and his band are playing very focused, making sure all the layers of the songs are coming out well. It is definitely intriguing but it is a bit too difficult for me and most of the audience.

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Róisín Murphy

Irish singer Róisín Murphy takes us into the night after that with her modern disco tunes. She’s a great performer with quick costume changes and a lot of activity. She’s constantly moving around stage, dancing to her clever pop songs. The show never stops and before you know it, she has left the stage. The show is clearly well choreographed which leaves not much room for improvisation. Murphy also seems to play it on auto pilot which takes away the spontaneity. Nevertheless it is a nice end of an amazing day where we got treated to unexpected sun shine.

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All Pictures Into The Great Wide Open 2018 Day 2

Into The Great Wide Open 2018 Day 3 + 4

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Best Kept Secret 2018 Day 2

After a very good first day I am preparing for a very busy one. My time schedule is pretty much impossible so I'm gonna have to go with the flow and see how this day develops. One thing is for sure: this should be a good one. Best Kept Secret 2018 Day 2, June 9 2018

Omni

After that amazing first day we can use a band that will wake us up and put is in the right mood again. Omni are the right band for this. Their post rock with unexpected breaks and changes is a hookier and lighter version of Ought with a bit of Lou Reed in there, that sometimes has a restless feel. Frontman Philip Frobos has a very laid back style of playing his bass and singing. And laid back is exactly what we need right now.



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Bully

Fronted by ‎Alicia Bognanno, Bully don’t look like they are going to be laid back. I like their nineties Seattle grunge sound with a pop coating and their new LP Losing is pretty good. On stage it misses a bit of an edge although Bognanno is screaming on top of her lungs now and then. At the end of their show the band do let things rip for a final climax.



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Johan

Whenever I get the chance to see Johan play I’m gonna be there. Many people have turned up at the second biggest stage of the festival to see this wonderful band. The new songs of their latest album already sound familiar to the fans and the rest of the crowd can appreciate them as well. Old hit songs are greeted with loud cheers. Johan has no problem handling larger stages like this.



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Wolf Alice

On the main stage Wolf Alice return to this festival for the third time. In a few years time this band has grown pretty big, especially in their home country across the canal. The young group shows why they are getting this big with very good songs and a confident performance. Ellie Rowsell is a strong and at the same time charming front woman. All band members show a lot of energy and heart on stage. It is hot in the sun this afternoon but Wolf Alice make sure no one is dozing off. After the show we quickly run over to the other side to see Pip Blom play. The young woman with her equally young band have already started her last song unfortunately but by the looks of it she did very well.

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Mattiel

After seeing Mattiel play London Calling recently I really want to check her out again. Dressed in a red overall she impresses me again with her no nonsense attitude and incredible band. I know some people don’t really like her voice but when you do, it is clear how good her songs are. The compact soul and rock songs with a garage style approach go down pretty good.



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Downtown Boys

Today we kind of stick around stage five mostly since there are so many exciting bands lined up here. One of them is Downtown Boys who released a very good album earlier this year. Live the political songs about living in the USA nowadays sound even more urgent. Singer Victoria Ruiz’ stage presence is full of fire but very positive at the same time. The mostly Spanish lyrics sound fierce while she’s dancing around stage. Backed up by a very focused and lively band the leave a lasting impression.



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Cocaine Piss

Cocaine Piss is keeping the fire going with a aggressive and powerful performance. Singer Aurélie Poppins is a ball of energy bouncing around screaming her lyrics on top of short punk songs that the band fires at us. At the same time this is a very positive show as well, with a band that are heaven so much fun. At the end Poppins runs off stage and lands at my feet halfway the tent with a huge smile on her face and dripping from sweat. It’s a fitting end to the last show of our run at this stage. Time to make our way to the main stage.

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The National

When you’ve seen this band play you know you’re up for something good. By now they are a most wanted headliner since they will always deliver big. Tonight the band is even at their best with a very relaxed Matt Berninger who is in a good mood. While the sun sets the dark songs sound even better than ever. The crowd is totally into it and in the quiet parts of songs you can hardly hear anything as everyone listens to Berninger’s dark voice baring his soul. Traditionally this tour the band ends with an acoustic and unplugged version of ‘Vanderlyde Baby Cry’ at the front of the stage while the whole crowd joins in. It’s an impressive ending to this amazing day, one that was dominated by bands fronted by powerful ladies. Time to hit The Casbah again!



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Best Kept Secret Festival 2018 Day 1
Best Kept Secret Festival 2018 Day 3

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On Stage: Johan @ Paradiso

Dutch alternative rock band Johan have always been one of my favourite bands. Their ability to write gorgeous songs and their sparkling sound never missed their effect on me. That's why I found it really sad when they called it quits back in 2009. Fortunately earlier this year the band returned with another wonderful album and I couldn't wait to see them play again.

Johan at Paradiso Amsterdam, May 30 2018

On the new LP Pull Up it is clear that the band hasn't lost its magic touch as it is full of wonderful songs once more. They did have a line-up change with new guitar player Robin Berlijn, who adds a bit more roughness to the sound and rock guitar. You can hear this tonight as well where the new songs have room for him to play his solos. Johan's sound is so flexible that it actually feels good and the band kicks off with a few new songs right away. Next to long time members bassist Diets Dijkstra and drummer Jeroen Kleijn, keyboard player Jan Teertstra completes the band.

They work their way through a set that is built around the new songs but also add plenty of older ones including fan favourites like 'Oceans' and 'Tumble and Fall'. The look on their faces reveals they are happy to be back as well as they seem to enjoy this show just as much as all the, mostly long time, fans. Singer and master mind of the band Jacco de Greeuw's voice seems to have a bit of wear and towards the end of the show he has to work harder and harder especially in the high registers.

There also is a bit of wear on the guitar strings, as they keep breaking during the show. Here and there you can tell things aren't running smoothly all of the time, telling from the look on their faces. So it may not be a perfect Johan show, but that doesn't bother anyone for a bit and it doesn't matter either. It only gives tonight's show more charm and after the band finishes the encore it leaves everyone very happy. I'm so glad this band is back and are playing shows again since they are truly one of our countries' musical gems.



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