On Stage: Warhaus @ Paradiso Tolhuistuin

The side projects of the Balthazar members have proven to be more than worth it and show where Balthazar is coming from. Every single one of them is different but bear elementary pieces of their successful band. Maarten Devoldere's Warhaus already released its second album that sounds just as wonderful as the first one and tonight we can hear those new songs live.

Warhaus at Paradiso Tolhuistuin Amsterdam, November 9 2017

Devoldere started this project by himself and got his girlfriend Sylvie Kreusch to join him down the road. By now he has formed a solid band around him that now is playing the songs with a lot of power. Since the last time I saw them a year ago the songs sound even better. The grooves sound even more sultry and laid back, while Devoldere's lazy vocals float comfortably on top.

The new self-titled LP continues where the first album left off, not really exploring any new ground but adding more of those sexy songs to their catalog. The band adds samples and sequences to the mix to replicate the songs of the albums, creating that dark night club atmosphere that suits this music. Devoldere's girl-friend Kreusch acts as femme fatale and dances at the back of the stage continuously, showing tempting moves. She's maybe overdoing it a bit now and then but it spices up the show. At the same time she adds backing vocals that also spice up the songs.

It is clear Devoldere is a creative and talented musician that is full of ideas. It won't be long until Balthazar will come back from hiatus and he will be busy again. Hopefully he will find time in the future for Warhaus, since this is a project that I would like to hear a lot more from.



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On Stage: Wolf Alice @ Melkweg

Things are moving fast for British band Wolf Alice, who are starting to make it big in their home country, selling out larger venues every new tour. Their new album Visions Of A Life proves that is for a good reason, where they didn't repeat themselves but broadened their sound instead, moving between hard grunge to mellow pop rock.

Wolf Alice @ Melkweg Amsterdam, November 3 2017

Across the canal things are progressing a bit more slow although the last time I saw them play, it was in the much smaller Bitterzoet venue. Now they are on at the biggest stage of the Melkweg and despite the many British fans it hasn't sold out. It did fill up nicely though and the young band treat us to a solid show.

The band looks very professional and confident on stage. They could have chosen a much easier road in their music, going for big stadium anthems. But instead they show diversity and intelligent songs that are well written and have plenty of variety. It is something that becomes clear tonight as well. Instead of knocking out big banging rockers one by one, they play a nice mix of hard rocking grunge songs like 'Yuk Foo' and 'Fluffy' alternating with quieter ones like 'Don't Delete The Kisses' and 'Planet Hunter' that ask more of their audience. The band are showing a lot of progress and don't have to rely on explosive parts to please their fans.

Despite some moments during their set where the band doesn't choose to go for the easy pleasers, they make sure to never lose the crowd. Singer Ellie Rowsell keeps her distance from the crowd but has enough charisma to keep the attention, while it's bass player Theo Ellis who keeps firing up everyone when he feels their attention is slipping. Sometimes the group does go into one of their heavier songs to give the crowd exactly what they want but not all the time. Especially the new songs pack enough variety in itself to keep it going. The band is teasing a lot and this way makes sure they don't run out of steam before the end of the show. It's only a matter of time before this band will conquer the whole continent. It may take a few more years and a couple of records but I'm sure by then they will be one of the bigger acts.



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Setlist:
01. Heavenward
02. Yuk Foo
03. You're a Germ
04. Your Loves Whore
05. St. Purple & Green
06. Don't Delete The Kisses
07. Formidable Cool
08. Silk
09. Lisbon
10. Planet Hunter
11. Beautifully Unconventional
12. Moaning Lisa Smile
13. Sadboy
14. Space & Time
15. Bros
16. Visions Of A Life
17. Fluffy
Encore
18. Blush
19. Giant Peach


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On Stage: The War On Drugs @ AFAS Live

Only a few years ago The War On Drugs played smaller venues even though they made a couple of good albums. After the release of Lost In The Dream everything changed for this band and with the new LP A Deeper Understanding they have now made it to the larger venues.

The War On Drugs at AFAS Live Amsterdam, November 2 2017

Even though their music is definitely of a high standard, it’s not the band you would expect to make it big. They don’t have a big stadium sound with songs to sing along to with big spectacular live shows. But tonight it becomes clear they gained a new audience, the one that heard a few songs and decide to go see them play live with a group of friends and have a nice night out.

This crowd is loud tonight and unfortunately not in a good way. Around us several groups of people are chatting all night long, which makes it hard for me to get into the music. When they play a few of their well known songs like 'Under The Pressure' and 'Red Eyes' people turn to see the band and phones go up in the air, even singing along to the guitar riffs (yes, you can do that). When a more quiet song follows that is less known, they get more beers and return to their stories as if we’re in a big bar on a Saturday night where a band is playing in one of the corners. It is a big contrast with the show they played a few years back in Paradiso.

Enough about crowd annoyances and back to the music, which does please me a lot. On the new album the band has explored and deepened their sound even more, without compromising to anyone. This shows tonight as well with a great sounding performance where you can hear all the details. This is very important since it exposes all the layers in their music which is what makes it so good. I like the lazy feeling of songs like 'Pain'. Of course the epic 'Thinking Of A Place' is the centre piece of the show and it gets the performance it deserves with long guitar solos and sparkling play.

The string of lights are a very clever light plan for this show. It is quite subtle but it gives the show enough extras for this large venue. Of course the band sticks to playing the songs where front man Adam Granduciel only steps into the spot light when he’s singing but steps back when he’s done, blending in with the band again. Maybe that’s what draws all these people to this band. They don't have a big rock star vibe going but simply play amazing music. They are just too good for smaller stages.



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Setlist:
01. In Chains
02. Holding On
03. Pain
04. An Ocean in Between the Waves
05. Strangest Thing
06. Nothing to Find
07. Knocked Down
08. In Reverse
09. Red Eyes
10. Thinking of a Place
11. Under the Pressure
12. Clean Living
13. Eyes to the Wind
Encore
14. Burning
15. You Don't Have to Go


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