Yesshows & Mangrove May 21, 2022 - Parkvilla Theater, Alphen a/d Rijn (NL)
It had already been two years since I witnessed a concert by the Dutch progressive rock band Mangrove.
It had been taken place on January 17, 2020 at Gigant in Apeldoorn (see review). At the time nobody knew that
the Covid 19 monster was going to destroy all concert activities for bands and their fans. If I knew it at the
time maybe I would have enjoyed this concert even more than I did at the time. Two long years I cherished the
sweet memories of this outstanding performance. And now finally more than two years later I could enjoy another
concert of one the best progressive rock band in the Netherlands. This time around it took place at one of my
favourite concert venues. Namely at the Parkvilla Theater in Alphen aan den Rijn. A double headliner event was
on the bill. So even more fun and musical enjoyment thanks to the Dutch Yes tribute band Yesshows.
Maybe you know that both Mangrove (2011, 2016 and 2018) and Yesshows (2017) have previously been booked by Serious Music Alphen. The reason for getting them back again was obvious. With Mangrove on stage you will always get a performance which turns out a real feast for everybody present. And as for Yesshows, you will get the music of one of the best progressive rock bands ever. Strangely enough due to several line-up changes in both bands, a substantial overlap with musicians in both bands took place. So I witnessed several people during both performances. Roland van de Horst was the bassist with Yesshows and the guitarist/singer of Mangrove. This also applied for drummer Lex Bekkernens and keyboardist Ebert Zwart who were twice on stage playing the music of Yes and Mangrove. Maybe this was one of the reasons to program both acts on one evening. Yesshows
As for the songs performed it is easy to say the one musical highlight was followed by another. As for myself being a true Yes fan, I enjoyed each and every song played. They started with Siberian Khatru and was followed by one of my personal favourites. Namely Heart Of The Sunrise. Next up was Perpetual Change. Followed by two tracks taken from Close To The Edge. And You And I and the title track. The songs that are most of the time the encores during a Yes concert finished off the one and a half hour live show. Namely Roundabout and Starship Trooper. All of the songs were brilliantly accompanied by a special light show and video animations in the background. Which made this excellent performance even more special.
Mangrove After the break it was Mangrove's turn. Something which I was really looking forward to. For those who know the band very well, asked themselves of course several serious questions. How would they present themselves without keyboard player Chris Jonker? And can we expect new songs from a forthcoming new album? Back in 2020 nobody would have believed me if I told them that Jonker is no longer in the band when the new album Bridge To Fiction is going to be released in 2022.
After the band ended their excellent performance they got a real surprise for everybody present. Roland announced that all visitors could choose a free CD or DVD from the merchandise table. It was a nice way of saying thank you to their fans for showing up and supporting them after the terrible Covid 19 period. With two great concerts done by Yesshows and Mangrove the people of Serious Music Alphen can look back at a great start of a new season. A new season with many concerts to look out for. Thanks guys! Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) |
Setlist Yesshows: Siberian KhatruHeart Of The Sunrise Perpetual Change And You And I Close To The Edge Roundabout Starship Trooper |
Pictures
Yesshows by Arthur Haggenburg Click on the picture to enlarge. |
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Line up Yesshows: (left to right)Enzo Gallo: electric guitar and lap steel guitar Ebert Zwart: keyboards and backing vocals Katinka van der Harst: lead and backing vocals Roland van der Horst: bass and backing vocals Lex Bekkernens: drums |
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Setlist Mangrove: Daydreamer’s NightmareBack Again Bridge To Fiction Reflections Zone 1 Zone 3 Voyager Beyond Reality |
Pictures
Mangrove by Arthur Haggenburg Click on the picture to enlarge. |
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Line up Mangrove: (left to right)Ebert Zwart: Keyboards and backing vocals Roland van der Horst: lead vocals and electric guitars Pieter Drost: bass guitar and bass pedals Lex Bekkernens: drums |
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