Comedy Of Errors &
Sky Architect

June 16, 2017 - Parktheater, Alphen a/d Rijn (NL)


For a lot of lovers of progressive rock in the Netherlands the name Serious Music Alphen certainly means something to them. Most of all if they want to see certain prog acts on a concert stage. This organisation of volunteers manages to get a lot of great bands in the genre to present their music at the stage of the excellent Parkvilla Theater venue. Those bands sometimes even choose to present their new album. This was the case during the event when the Dutch act Sky Architect and Scottish act Comedy Of Errors were invited to do a concert in Alphen aan de Rijn.  

Sky Architect

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Tom Luchies
The evening was opened by Sky Architect, coming from the Western part of the Netherlands. Those who have seen them before do know that their kind of progressive rock isn't always easy to understand. Their compositions do sound rather complex. Their high level of musicianship sometimes means that they can do things others don't. They are like a special dish. You like it or you don't! However this time around they did put something on the menu which seemed to be liked by a lot of the audience. This was mainly by the fact they performed 4 tracks from their brand new studio album. Their fourth album Nomad is more accessible compared to its three predecessors. Don't get me wrong. The band didn't sell out or go commercial. They still have influences from acts such as King Crimson, Gentle Giant (just listen to Wasteland) or Frank Zappa in their compositions.

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Rik van Honk
The band opened with an older track. Namely Wormholes taken from their album A Billion Years Of Solitude (2013, see review). But before they started their performance some relaxing music was played and the (red) lights were dimmed. One by one they eventually entered the stage to grab their instruments or sit behind them. First on was bassist Guus van Mierlo, followed by guitarist Wabe Wieringa. then drummer Christiaan Bruin entered the stage as well. Keyboard and trumpet player Rik van Honk followed him only a couple seconds later. Finally with guitarist and lead singer Tom Luchies the band was complete, he was the last one to climb the stage. From that moment on it was only a matter of time until the band fully exploded with the aforementioned track. During their one hour and 15 minutes long set they certainly grabbed my attention. You could tell that the band enjoyed playing their music and this was reflected by the audience in front of them. Most who came for the main act must have spend a pleasant time watching this band. Including myself! Even if they did several tracks from their earlier released albums, containing more complex sounding songs!  

Comedy Of Errors

Strangely enough the band which can be seen as today's headliners, I have only seen once. This was three years ago at the same venue (see review). Strange because this band from Scotland has already has been in existence since 1984 and has a second youth since 2011. Nevertheless I am glad Comedy Of Errors managed to visit
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Joe Cairney
the same venue again. Not one year later as I had hoped for, but still something to look out for even if it took a little longer. With one extra guitarist in the line up and another new album released hardly anything could go wrong.

Which of course didn't, and in many ways this concert could be seen as a copy of the concert done earlier at the same stage. The songs were again of a very high level and the kind of neo progressive rock I like the most. Only this time around with six musicians on stage making some of the songs sounding even more melodic. This came mainly due to the fact that former guitarist Mark Spalding had returned to the line-up. This did not lead to Sam McCulloch leaving the band. Now with two guitar players on stage the guitar sound gets a more richer sound and the sometimes twin guitar parts are a feast for your ears to hear! Also the retired fire-fighter and lead singer of the band did an excellent job, even if in many ways his act had no surprises in store. Once again Joe Cairney dressed in a slim suit along with some great looking boots. These were noticed by a female spectator as well who gave him her complements after one of the performed songs. During the set he again removed his jacket and revealed a shirt from one of his musical friends and someone he probably looked up to. Fish, the former Marillion front man and lead singer. But compared to this fellow Scotsman Joe still has a remarkable strong voice. A voice which hardly had any trouble reaching the high notes. Something which Derek William Dick
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Bruce Levick
only can dream about. And like three years ago Cairney still likes to wander around the stage from one corner to another. He even took a stroll into the people who were watching him. They actually could touch him or shake hands with him.

Of course did the set include material which could not been heard three years ago because it wasn't released actually. I am referring to the single version of Spirit and the Spirit Suite. But also to the one track taken from their brand new album House Of The Mind, titled Tachyon. All performed excellently just as the rest of the songs on the setlist. Not only thanks to the great performances of the musicians mentioned earlier, but also the great rhythm section. Consisting of bassist John Fitzgerald and drummer Bruce Levick, who were at the right time and place to kick ass, as did Jim Johnston behind his keyboard and laptop. Just like during the performance of the supporting act, the audience must have spent a pleasant time watching this band. Including myself again!

Sure some of the people which only came to see the headliners, didn't like the support act. But you can't please everybody I guess. It's always a matter of taste. The people of Serious Music Alphen were certainly not to blame. Like many times before they tried to come up with an interesting program to enjoy. According to myself they succeeded very well. Thanks!

Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)


Live video
recordings

   Henri & Roel Strik

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Endless Roads (11:11)
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Wormholes (5:54)



Setlist Sky Architect:


Intro
Wormholes (The Inevitable
       Collapse Of The Large
       Hadron Collider)
Race To The Sun
Woodcutters Vile
Nomad
Traveller's Last Candle
A Dying Man's Hymn
Endless Roads
Wasteland



Pictures Sky Architect by Arthur Haggenburg

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Click on the picture to enlarge.

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Line up Sky Architect:

(left to right)
Rik van Honk:
keyboards, bugel, trumpet and backing vocals
Wabe Wieringa:
electric guitar
Tom Luchies:
lead vocals and electric guitar
Guus van Mierlo:
bass guitar
Christiaan Bruin:
drums
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Live video
recordings

   Henri & Roel Strik

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The Cause (9:54)
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Student Prince Pt 1 (9:26)
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Student Prince Pt 2 (6:26)

Setlist Comedy Of Errors:


Disobey
Tachyon
Going For A Song
Jekyll
Spirit (Single Version)
Student Prince Pt2
Something She Said
The Answer
The Cause
Spirit Suite
Encore:
Student Prince Pt1



Pictures Comedy Of Errors by Arthur Haggenburg

>>> Click here to view all pics on one page.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

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Line up Comedy Of Errors:

(left to right)
Sam McCulloch:
electric guitar
John Fitzgerald:
bass and backing vocals
Jim Johnston:
keyboard, laptop and backing vocals
Joe Cairney:
lead vocals
Bruce Levick:
drums
Mark Spalding:
electric guitar and backing vocals
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