November 2023 the Polish act Moonrise visited 't Blok in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel after their first planned concert on March 2020 was cancelled. At the time the pandemic spoilt a lot of great things for many progressive rock lovers out there. It wasn't possible to attend a concert in public. Well eventually the concert (see review) took place 3.5 years later. The people of Serious Music Alphen had at time, the same problem as the people from ProgFrog. Also, their planned concert with this band was cancelled twice due to the pandemic. They even had to wait a little longer to bring the band to their stage in the Parkvilla theatre. As soon as they heard the news that the band was playing concerts again, they directly contacted them to make a travel that would take them 14 hours (breaks included) to drive to this beautiful venue. So, after five years Kamil Konieczniak (keyboards and electric guitar), Marcin Staszek (lead vocals), Marcin Kruczek (electric and acoustic guitars) and Grzegorz Bauer (drums) finally climbed the stage of this former church and school building. Once again to entertain the audience in front of them as best as was possible. Just like they did two years ago at 't Blok.  

Strangely enough the setlist was almost the same as two years ago. With the only difference that the songs are a bit mixed up. But in principle they are the same songs that were rehearsed and played from the 4 studio albums.

Moonrise on stage (►more photos)

With the only difference that the song Antidotum from the album The Lights Of A Distant Bay has been added. Plus, a new song from their recently released new EP Single Game. The title song namely. Meaning that even more songs were done compared to the last performance in the Netherlands. Only this time around they had to fill in a half hour break because that's usual at this venue. If it was up to drummer Bauer, he would have preferred to do the whole show in one go. Because musicians are sweating on stage and are cooling down when they go off stage. However, this little inconvenience did not prevent them to sound like a well-oiled machine again. It is not so difficult if you have been playing the same songs for years. That does not mean that everything goes by itself. Oh no, there is still a lot of hard work to be done to perform everything perfectly as the songs should sound. This applies especially to Konieczniak on the keys, where he plays the bass parts on the keys simultaneously with his left hand. The excellent singer Staszek also has to remember the lyrics every time and make sure that he sings his parts on time and like on the albums. Of course, that also applies to the excellent guitarist Kruczek and the earlier mentioned drummer. Time and again they have to be there to make sure that the audience experiences a great evening that they ultimately paid for.

I won't go into too much detail about the order of the songs played. But I can tell you that everything sounded fantastic. Also, because the sound in the hall was perfect again, as usual in this theatre. And again, it was the singer who whipped things up with his hand gestures and sing-along invitations. The positive reactions from the audience probably motivated him even more. Of course, Kamil stepped out from his keys twice again this time to make his electric guitar sound beautiful during the two songs Calling Your Number and The Lights Of A Distant Bay.

Marcin Staszek (►more photos)

Most of all the last title included some excellent guitar solos. Whereupon Kruczek switched again from electric to acoustic guitar to accompany these beautiful solos.

As for the new song from the new EP. I can only be positive about that. Single Game is a beautiful quiet song with fantastic guitar and keyboard work. This of course promises a lot for the completely new album that is coming, planned for the end of the year. And if this is not feasible then early next year. Four or five new songs seem to be ready already. That is what the musicians were able to tell me afterwards.
Actually, there was nothing more to wish for after hearing the great songs that came from The Lights Of A Distant Bay (2008), Soul's Inner Pendulum (2009), Stopover - Life (2012, see review),Travel Within (2019, see review) and new EP Single Game. Maybe I missed again my all-time favourite song from this band. But without Awakened there was of course enough to enjoy what these great musicians brought to the audience with their beautiful songs.

Beautiful songs that are always beautifully performed and of which you can never get enough. Something the fans fully agreed with. Because when the band asked if they wanted to hear an encore, there was no one who did not want that. In the end they were rewarded with two extra songs. Namely my favourite of the evening Angels Hidden Plan and the beautiful closing song Empty Lines. Ending an excellent concert in a perfect way. Finally, I'll have to thank the people of Serious Music Alphen for bringing this great act to the Netherlands for a one off concert! And of course, thanks to Kamil, Marcin, Marcin and Grzegorz. You are the best!!!

Text by Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith)