On Stage: Deftones @ 013

Deftones doesn't visit the low lands a lot and when they do it is usually only for a single night. I am very spoiled living in Amsterdam when it comes to concerts, since many bands will visit this town. But for Deftones I usually have to travel, this time to the south again like I did a few years back. Of course I know it is most probably worth it.

Deftones at 013 Tilburg, April 24 2017

Travelling this far on a weekday isn't ideal, since I know I will be home quite late. That's why I don't visit the 013 venue a lot. After I came here the last time, this place has been rebuilt and the main hall is now a lot bigger. Still the concert sold out quite some time ago. Deftones are still very popular and for a good reason. Despite the mixed reviews I like the last album Gore, but maybe it was a bit disappointing for some after the very good Koi No Yokan. Of course the older stuff is always a treat to hear.

At the beginning of the show singer Chino Moreno needs to warm up a bit. His vocals aren't great yet and the sound mix could have been better as well. Moreno's characteristic way of singing always is a bit on the edge but that's what makes it so unique. Fortunately it only takes a short time for him to get warmed up. He's all over the stage, climbing the riser at the front a lot. Guitar player Stephen Carpenter is in his own windy world, with a fan blowing his hair up continuously. Bass player Sergio Vega looks like he's having a lot of fun, playing with a huge grin, while drummer Abe Cunningham can hardly be seen in the corner from where I'm standing, but his powerful grooves can be heard very well.

Deftones know exactly what the crowd wants and play their big hits, taking songs of most of their album. Only two songs of Gore make it to the set list. Back to back they play songs of one album before moving on. So 'Diamond Eyes' and 'You've Seen The Butcher' are paired up, followed by Koi No Yokan's 'Tempest' and 'Swerve City' and so on. And of course the band knows how to build up a set and save the best for last playing the big hits of White Pony and Around The Fur at the end.

By this time the band is in good shape and is rolling smoothly. The crowd is roaring and Moreno is asking for a circle pit; and gets one of course. 'Headup' closes the regular set and the band returns for two more in the encore. It's good to see this band still keeps knocking out good albums and live shows. So in a few years I will no doubt head back south again for their next show.

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Setlist:
01. Korea
02. Elite
03. Diamond Eyes
04. You've Seen the Butcher
05. Tempest
06. Swerve City
07. Gore
08. (L)MIRL
09. Kimdracula
10. Rosemary
11. Minus Blindfold
12. Teething(with Life's A Bitch (Nas Song) chorus)
13. Digital Bath
14. Change (In the House of Flies)
15. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
16. My Own Summer (Shove It)
17. Headup
Encore:
18. Back to School (Mini Maggit)
19. Rocket Skates


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On Stage: Desert Mountain Tribe

Of course the special releases are great on Record Store Day, although record companies are starting to milk it again with insane prices and nasty scalpers who are after the rare ones to make huge profits on eBay. But one of the best things about this day is the many bands playing in the record stores. So what better way to finish this day by going to see Desert Mountain Tribe.

Desert Mountain Tribe at Q-Factory Amsterdam, April 22 2017

The show tonight isn't part of Record Store Day but is definitely a nice addition to today's program. I have seen this band play several times now and I really like their sound. It is a small venue with a small crowd tonight, since the band is still relatively unknown. but they set the mood right from the start when their psychedelic sound rings.

The combination of fuzzy guitar and bass with lots of effects and simple but powerful drums that always keep the groove going, is quite irresistible to me. On top of that it is the wonderful voice of Jonty Balls that completes their sound. You can hear a bit of Eddie Vedder in it now and then and he's always singing with a lot of heart, often closing his eyes.

The songs of their debut album go down well and tonight we also get to hear some new ones from new EP If You Don't Know Can You Don't Know Köln. The people that have shown up are definitely having a good time. Bass player Philipp Jahn and his brother drummer Felix, who are from Germany, brought a small group of their own German fans and they are having a good time at the front of the stage, creating a cheerful atmosphere.

At the back the geometrical visuals add plenty of psychedelic effects to the music. Together with the smell of a joint, which is rare these days at indoor concerts because of non-smoking regulations, all the ingredients are in place for a great show again. Too bad not many people have heard from this band yet, so it is about time they will get their well deserved break to a bigger audience.



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Spinning: Japandroids - Near To The Wild Heart Of Life

Up till now the two of Japandroids wanted to make their records sound the way it sounded on stage. This meant that the recordings were quite "lofi" and not a lot was cleaned up in the studio. After a few years of radio silence, because of exhaustion, they are doing things differently this time. For Near To The Wild Heart Of Life the duo left the "lofi" approach and decided to actually make full use of the studio a lot and mix in all kinds of additions to make it sound more impressive. Residing in different Canadian cities this time, it was also more practical to turn it into an actual studio project, so they could record independently from each other.

And so now we can hear all kinds of overdubs, synthesizers and other instruments. They didn't care about how to make it sound live on stage, which worked really well. Things go wild with synths and harmonies on 'Arc Of Bar', causing it to grow into seven minutes of almost epic proportions. The title song 'Near To The Wild Heart Of Life' also sounds big and impressive with wild drum fills and guitars. Japandroids all of a sudden sounds like a band that can fill arenas with a massive rock sound.

Of course they were never a band that were restraining themselves or used a subtle approach, but now everything has been made bigger for an even wider sound. Closer 'In A Body Like A Grave' even turns into a sing along track, that will probably go down well at festivals this summer. In the end only the short 'I’m Sorry (For Not Finding You Sooner)' feels somewhat out of place. According to the duo the song started out as an interlude, but was later added as a separate track.

Nevertheless Japandroids have taken a new direction with a bold and courageous choice, that works very well. The band sounds more impressive and deep than ever without losing any power. Even better, they actually gained power and seem ready for the next step to a wider audience. This simply must turn into an explosive happening when they play the new songs live.



This review has been published on Festivalinfo in Dutch over here.

Listen to 'Near To The Wild Heart Of Life' on Spotify:

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