Two years ago saw the start of a new progressive rock festival in the Netherlands, namely the Northern Prog Festival
(see
review). A festival that was very well needed in the Northern parts of The Netherlands after the disappearance
of the famous legendary ProgFarm Festival. A festival which was located only a few miles from the place where
the new festival would let their acts perform. The second edition of this event (see
review) one year later went
very well and therefore there wasn't a reason not to organise it a third time. So once again we made our way to
De Uthof in Siegerwoude to tell you what happened on that rainy day in November.
Maanlander
|
Edo Brummer |
The first band that would warm up the crowd could be named as sort of a lost act in the middle of bands that are
truly inspired by everything we could label as progressive rock. The band names themselves Maanlander and
are located in the Eastern part of our country, Enschede. While listening to their music on their website I noticed
that they had very little in common with the other bands on the bill and our beloved genre. Therefore my expectations
of their performance were not very high. However when the four musicians (dressed in great looking NASA outfits)
went through their set I noticed that they certainly entertained me. Maybe not everybody in the hall could respect
that a band was on stage and lost interest and started to talk with each other. That they sang in their native
language and a keyboard player wasn't in their line up didn't matter that much to me. The twin guitar parts of
Edo Brummer and
Patric Dikkers combined with the fine rhythm parts of bassist
Robert Jan Meijer
and drummer
Luc Tiehatten were good enough to keep my attention throughout their entire set. Most of all
the parts which were influenced by the space rock sound of
Hawkwind and the power progrock of
Rush
really felt good to hear. Most of all their brand new piece
Hier Komt De Storm showed that they could entertain
the progheads just like all the other acts later on would do.
Leap Day
|
Jos Harteveld |
With a brand new album (
From The Days Of Deucalion Chapter 2) in their bag the organisers of the festival
must have felt a bit strange to climb the stage as the second act. Usually they are the centre band that would
show their tricks to the audience. The reason for that was explained later on when the third band made their appearance.
The days before the festival my fellow countrymen of Leap Day actually only did two rehearsals. Rehearsals
that, in their eyes, didn't go very well. So I guess they must not have felt very confident when they started
their set. A set that would contain lots of material taken from both chapters of their
From The Days Of Deucalion
concept albums. Most songs had already made
|
Live video: God Of Wars |
their way to their setlist. Therefore they were already very recognisable
for me when I heard them perform. Just like the classic ones taken from their first two released albums. That
the band didn't have the perfect rehearsals wasn't noticeable at all. For me it was one of the best performances
I have witnessed from them ever. Several times the musicians made me speechless with the musicianship they showed
on stage. Even if lead singer
Jos Harteveld sometimes didn't know the right order of the setlist or made
a mistake which song came from which album, the band was just top notch. Each and every song was a delight to
hear and perfectly performed as well. I could just say they have grown to an unbelievably good live band since
they started playing together since 2008. Bravo!
Flamborough Head
|
L to R: Eddy Mulder, Koen Roozen and Margriet Boomsma |
The next act Flamborough Head used to be the organisers of the already mentioned ProgFarm Festival. During
those festivals they were always the centre band to perform their music. As a tribute to what they had achieved
during the 15 years of organising this great event they got the centre spot during the third edition of NPF. Seeing
this excellent Dutch progressive rock act only a couple of weeks earlier at the ProgFrog Festival (see
review)
meant their set didn't have many surprises for me in store. The songs were exactly the same, with the addition
of the beautiful epic piece
Looking For John Maddock.
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Live video: Looking For John Maddock |
And just like the last time I saw them some minor
mistakes slipped into the songs. Once again Leap Day members
Eddie Mulder and
Koen Roozen made their
appearances. Only this time around Eddie replaced his electric guitar for a bass guitar. However Koen could still
be spotted behind his drum kit. I wasn't the only one who was aware of the fact that both of them had to spend
a little bit longer on stage. Therefore it was nice of female lead singer
Margriet Boomsma to ask if they
could handle the situation to do two shows after another with only one short break in between. Anyway, it was
once again a pleasure to watch the musicians of this band perform music of their two latest releases and one from
the early days, which they certainly did in a positive way!
Hangover Paradise
|
Elias de Vries |
The fourth band on the bill was after Leap Day and Flamborough Head the third band that comes from
the Northern parts of The Netherlands. Hangover Paradise a rather well known band for me as well, compared to
most visitors of the festival. I guess for most of them it was the very first time they heard the music of this
excellent band. They must have been surprised in a very pleasant way. Just like I was when I witnessed them the
first and second time during a live performance. Comparing them to other acts isn't easy and therefore I will
not. Like on earlier shows the band played songs from their debut
Mirrors (2013, see
review) and some material
that is going to be on the second album, which will be released in 2016. That the band practised a lot before
making their way to the festival certainly showed. I guess I can say this was the best concert they did that I
was present at. Latest member
Erwin Budike was certainly to blame for that. His melodic guitar parts have
been very well integrated in the total sound of the band. Even more than the first time I saw them play with the
other musicians on stage. Musicians that already knew their parts so well because they had been together longer.
Lead singer
Elias de Vries was again the perfect host during their excellent show. Telling stories and
making jokes. The bands farewell tune couldn't be better.
Religious Minds has an ending which is typical
in progressive rock songs. A composition which is perfect to say goodbye to their audience. It has a real bombastic
ending with an amazing guitar solo. I just couldn't ask for more! For me this band did steal the show during this
festival. The highlight of the event even before the headliners did their show.
Galahad
|
L to R: Roy Keyworth and Stuart Nicholson |
It had been two years since the British act Galahad came to The Netherlands to do a concert. For me it was three
years ago when I saw them at the first Progmotion Festival (see
review) in Uden. At the time the band had
Mark
Spencer on bass guitar, but in the meantime he has been replaced by former member
Tim Ashton. A very
nice person who showed that he is still capable to play along with his buddies from the old days. Even though
the band had a long and rough journey to the festival they didn't show they were tired. One hour and forty five
minutes they entertained their audience throughout their entire set in the best possible way. Doing random songs
taken from their large back catalogue. The crowd could enjoy the classic songs such as
Room 801,
Painted
Lady,
|
Live video: Sleepers |
Exorcising Demons and
Sleepers. During this last one lead singer
Stuart Nicholson
put on some real Dutch wooden shoes. The same Nicholson is still a great entertainer who always takes care
of his looks, by using eyeliner and nail polish or by wearing a beautiful red coat during the first couple of
songs. A coat which he accidentally threw on one of the photographers when it became too hot to wear. But looks
have nothing to do with the music of course. Music most of the time people could hardly stand still to. The trance
and house sounds coming out of the equipment of keyboard player
Dean Baker were probably responsible for
that. Galahad was the only band that could do an encore due to the strict time schedule. But anybody who knows
that this band celebrates their 30th anniversary this year doesn't have a problem with that. They did
Seize
The Day before they said farewell to their fans, leaving them in a rather good mood to go home, because Galahad
gave them a splendid show!
Just like during all former editions of this festival everything was very well organised. All bands were awesome
and gave great performances. Let's hope I can say the same words next year when on November 5 the fourth edition
will take place. Thanks to those responsible for this wonderful day!
Henri Strik (edited by Astrid de Ronde)