Landmarq & Silhouette February 8, 2013, Lakei, Helmond (NL)
The last time the British progressive rock band Landmarq
visited the Netherlands for a live performance is almost ten years ago; it took place at Plato in Helmond. In
the meantime many things happened both to the band and the venue. For instance keyboardist
Gonzalo Carrera and drummer Dave Wagstaffe
left the band; they were replaced by Mike Varty
(Shadowland, Credo,
Janison Edge) and Daniel Martin. Lead singer
Tracy Hitchings had some serious health problems, which prevented the band from releasing a new
album, but fortunately she's now fully recovered. The name of the venue changed
into Lakei and opened the doors for several prog rock acts. Therefore it's
rather curious that the same venue welcomed Landmarq's return on a Dutch stage. The Dutch prog rock band
Silhouette had the task to warm up the audience.
Silhouette
Well, I then fully agreed with his observations and to be honest, I was afraid that the same problems would occur again. However, while watching and listening to the same songs they also played during the previous
Landmarq When Landmarq started some sound problems occurred with the wireless system of bass player Steve Gee. It didn't work properly and this made him decide to plug in his five-string wired bass guitar to his amplifier.
I truly hoped that the band would include some old classic Landmarq tunes, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. However, they had seriously thought of including songs like Lighthouse, Summer Madness and The Overlook from the album Science Of Coincidence (1998), but even without these fantastic pieces they succeeded in performing an outstanding show. Personally I found Stormbrewing, with a beautiful piano solo, Thunderstruck and Calm Before The Storm the ultimate highlights. These pieces contained musical firework with a lot of great guitar and keyboard solos. I have to mention songs as Prayer (Coming Home) and Glowing as well, because these pieces demonstrate the sensitive and emotional side of the band. I'm already looking forward to their Dutch performance at the Rock Ittervoort Festival in April this year. Landmarq will be the headliners of this event and I'm sure that they again will astonish the people who'll attend that festival just like they did during the show I witnessed in Helmond. I can only say: welcome back Landmarq, you've been away far too long! Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen) |
Setlist Landmarq: Mountains Of AngliaTurbulence (Paradigm Shift) Personal Universe Glowing (Part 1: Friends) Glowing (Part 2: Lovers) Stormbrewing Thunderstruck Prayer (Coming Home) Walking On Eggshells Calm Before The Storm I. Strange But Beautiful II. Spiderman III. From The Abyss Encore: Entertaining Angels |
Pictures Landmarq by Arthur Haggenburg Click on the picture to enlarge. |
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Line up Landmarq: (left to right)Uwe D'Rose: guitars Mike Varty: keyboards and backing vocals Daniel Martin: drums Tracy Hitchings: lead vocals Steve Gee: bass guitars, bass pedals and backing vocals |
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