Probably a lot of lovers of progressive rock have never heard about Mayra Orchestra. A musical act founded and led by Dutch songwriter Maartje Dekker. In 2013 they released World Of Wonder and four years later it was followed by Oracle (see review). According to their website are they a new cinematic pop orchestra fusing diverse musical genres such as classical, pop, world music and theatre. Moreover they say that Mayra Orchestra takes the listener on a colourful journey full of imagination. You can also read that they have an eclectic mix of theatre, rock instruments, classical strings, brass and polyphonic singing forms a dynamic and atmospheric

Maartje Dekker

show. They finish with the words that they sound sometimes small and delicate, sometimes grand and epic, Mayra Orchestra takes you to a dream world where nothing is what it seems.

Well I had never seen them before but was familiar with their second album. An album on which music could be heard which by many was compared to acts such as Hooverphonic, Ane Brun or Tori Amos. After an invitation from the band our team couldn't resist seeing a performance of them in their full line up at one of the best venues in the Netherlands. The Parkvilla Theater in Alphen aan de Rijn. A seated venue in which you can enjoy a band the best possible way.

After an instrumental opening tune the show was about to start. The stage was still dark and only the name of the act was projected in the back. Strange fairytale kind of creatures one by one came towards the stage. You could hardly see what they were. Making the place mysterious and an atmosphere for something special was set. In addition, the special dress, made by Maartje for the Oracle cover, was also shown. After that one by one the members of the twelve piece band took place behind their instruments and the first song could start. First

On stage

up the opening track of the new album. An instrumental piece titled Dawn. Next up A New Skin, another one from their second album. And this time around Maartje Dekker (dressed in a beautiful outfit and a kind of fairytale crown on her head) could show for the first time that she is a very gifted singer with a voice which easily could do country and western music as well. The following song was the first of their debut. After In The Woods the second composition from their debut. This track, Just Want To Be Loved, featured a beautiful guitar solo done by Tom Luchies. One of the three musicians in the band which are also members of Sky Architect. The other two are Rik van Honk (trumpet, accordeon and vibraphone) and Christiaan Bruin (drums, electric guitar and backing vocals). The first visual act could be seen during Rulers. The beautiful kind of circus act done by Richi Martis on the straps was breathtaking. After five more excellently performed songs he returned to the stage with a spectacular fire dance, while the band performed Edge Of The World. It was the end of the first set. A very enjoyable hour it was I must confess!

After a rather long break the second set began. A piece from their debut was chosen to start with. Hymn To The Sea featured again a wonderful guitar solo by the earlier mentioned Luchies. It was followed by another track taken from the same album. Smoke & Mirrors had a beautiful film of a merry go round projected at the back. It fitted the music really well. All of the back projections looked fabulous during the performed

Annika Hemmerling's walk

compositions. The band returned to the new album with a fine rendition of Stormhorses. After Metamorphosis another kind of circus act could be enjoyed during the classical music sounding instrumental Everything In Its Place. This time around Annika Hemmerling was doing some stunning moves on an aerial hoop. Spectacular was the way she walked on her hands and feet off stage! After that two more excellent performed compositions (Silver Paradise and Freedom) could be enjoyed before the band said goodbye to their audience.

After a well deserved applause and call for an encore the band returned quickly to the stage to perform two more songs. First a piece taken from their debut. The Lake was followed by their brand new single titled Face In The Water. But before this commercial sounding tune was done Maartje announced that one of the female spectators had bought 39 tickets for this special show to celebrate her birthday. Of course a special version of Happy Birthday was done to thank this special fan.

It was a magical evening for everyone present, including our Background Magazine team. We had witnessed a great show of an international allure. The songs from the bands two released albums came much more alive when performed on stage by this excellent band. A band fused diverse musical genres such as classical, pop, world music and theatre. Mayra Orchestra indeed takes the listener on a colourful journey full of imagination. And above all they have indeed an eclectic mix of theatre, rock instruments, classical strings, brass and polyphonic singing forming a dynamic and atmospheric show. If you have the chance to see them. Go!!! You won't regret it, we didn't!

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