On Stage: Queens of the Stone Age @ Ziggo Dome

Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme seems a different person these days. He used to be quite a tough guy, even on stage, but ageing and a horrific experience during knee surgery a few years back changed him. When the world seems to be on fire, he and his band respond with a Mark Ronson produced record to dance to and forget about all the worries for a moment. So on a Sunday night we head to the Ziggo Dome to join Homme and his friends for a dance.

Queens of the Stone Age at Ziggo Dome Amsterdam, November 12 2017

This is exactly what Homme tells us during his little speeches in between songs. "Tonight is Saturday night" and "I want you to dance, drink and shagg". He wants us to forget about yesterday and to not think about tomorrow. He looks very relaxed and in a good mood. With a cigarette and a drink he declares his love for this country and city once more, calling it “the true land of the free”.

Surrounded by flexible light poles, the band cuts through their catalogue, playing a tight rock show like we're used of them. Homme's voice is clear, Troy van Leeuwen's guitar playing sparkling and the rhythm section is killing it. A few years ago when we saw drummer Jon Theodore join in for the first time, it felt completely natural and now it seems as it never was any different. What an incredible drummer that guy is and together with bassist Michael Shuman it is a killer combination. Dean Fertitia is the one who's filling up the missing pieces, adding guitar and keys.

Indeed the new songs are perfect for dancing and it is simply impossible to resist the catchy grooves of 'The Way You Used To' and 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now'. They have a more poppy sound and a lighter touch than the older material but it's not so far from a song like for example 'If I Had A Tail'. With a career spanning over twenty years, the band has evolved a lot, but still the songs from the seven albums go well together. Old ones mix perfectly with new ones and golden oldies like 'Avon' sound just as good as ever.

Homme is in a chatty mood tonight, although not all of his stories make sense. He gives out some advise or tells about what drives him now he's older. The man who is the image of cool tells us being cool is actually caring about something instead of pretending not to care. It proves the way he changed and it suits him very well. This relaxed attitude flows back into their music on their latest LP Villains and in their performance tonight. It is good to see that this band has grown so big for a good reason and I'm sure have plenty up their sleeves for many years to come.



All Pictures

Official Website | SoundCloud | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

Setlist:
01. If I Had a Tail
02. Monsters in the Parasol
03. My God Is the Sun
04. Feet Don't Fail Me
05. The Way You Used to Do
06. You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, but I Feel Like a Millionaire
07. No One Knows
08. Avon
09. The Evil Has Landed
10. Turnin' on the Screw
11. Smooth Sailing
12. Domesticated Animals
13. Make It Wit Chu
14. I Appear Missing
15. Villains of Circumstance
16. Little Sister
17. Sick, Sick, Sick
18. Go With the Flow
Encore
19. Head Like a Haunted House
20. Un-Reborn Again
21. I Think I Lost My Headache
22. A Song for the Dead


Read more!

On Stage: Millionaire @ Paradiso Tolhuistuin

Sometimes it is so good to find out a band will return that you haven't heard from in a while. We didn't hear from Millionaire, kind of Tim van Hamel's personal project, in around ten years. Earlier this year they were back with a new album and I got to see them twice at festivals. But now I finally could see a full show again.

Millionaire at Paradiso Tolhuistuin Amsterdam, November 11 2017

I'm sure glad this band is back since both those performances tasted like more! The one at the ITGWO festival was a bit awkward as it was in the middle of a hot sunny afternoon and not many people made it to the main stage where the band was rocking hard. Tonight the venue across the water in Amsterdam isn't sold out but has filled up nicely. 45acidbabies does a great job warming us up with hooky electro punk rock songs. We're so ready for Millionaire now on this rainy Saturday night in November!

The Belgian band doesn't need much time to warm up themselves and light the fire immediately from the start. It's good to see I'm not the only one who is eager to see them play again as people start rocking and dancing right away. Tim van Hamel is a delight to watch with his crazy moves. Better even, his guitar playing is incredible with screaming solos and big heavy riffs, backed up by a tight band.

Of course there are plenty of Queens of the Stone Age references in the groovy rock songs and van Hamel must get tired of questions about his relation to Josh Homme who helped him out in the beginning of Millionaire's career. By now he doesn't need his help any more, as he's talented and skilled enough on his own to play inspired rock music. The songs on the new LP Sciencing are catchy and heavy, and full of twists and turns that can make your head spin. Best of all they are great to dance to, so van Hamel must have picked up that from Homme.

It is simply too hard to stand still with songs like 'I'm Not Who You Think You Are' or the mysterious 'Little Boy Blue'. Of course they kick out a head splitting 'Champagne' as well. Yes, it is so good to have this band back again.



All Pictures

Official Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

Read more!

On Stage: Spoon @ Paradiso

American band Spoon keep knocking out one excellent album after another, without repeating themselves and always changing their sound. Their most recent one Hot Thoughts has a great electronic dance vibe to it and I couldn't wait to see them live again. Since Spoon is at its best when the band is on stage.

Spoon at Paradiso Amsterdam, November 10 2017

The group is in great shape tonight. Singer Britt Daniel mentions they are happy with the response here in Amsterdam as he apparently has mixed feelings about the past couple of shows. Indeed the band looks very pleased tonight and is in great shape. They play a cross reference of their amazing catalog including plenty of new songs. Of course they can't ignore killer hit songs like 'I Turn My Camera On' and 'The Underdog'.

Despite all the different kind of songs and variation in sound on their albums, it still is a coherent show they play. The band is so skilled at understanding the dynamics of a song, sometimes going full force with loud guitars, then taking it back again focusing on synthesizers or simply taking a minimalistic approach. But it always carries their unique signature.

Daniel is a charismatic front man that can draw all attention to him, but who will also step away from the spot light to let the rest of the band shine. Often he will drop to his knees to enlarge the dramatic effect without overdoing it. If you look closely there's a lot going on and Spoon is a smooth running machine. This band is absolutely amazing with so many good songs and an incredible live performance, which always makes it a pleasure seeing them play.



All Pictures

Official Website | SoundCloud | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify

Setlist:
01. Do I Have to Talk You Into It
02. Inside Out
03. I Turn My Camera On
04. WhisperI'lllistentohearit
05. The Beast and Dragon, Adored
06. Don't You Evah
07. Do You
08. Via Kannela
09. I Ain't the One
10. Everything Hits at Once
11. Can I Sit Next To You
12. My Mathematical Mind
13. Don't Make Me a Target
14. The Underdog
15. Got Nuffin
16. Black Like Me
Encore
17. I Summon You
18. Metal Detektor
19. Hot Thoughts
20. Rent I Pay


Read more!