During their performance at De Pul in Uden (see review) in November 2012, the Dutch symphonic rock band Kayak already played a song of their then forthcoming new rock opera Cleopatra - The Crown Of Isis. Later on the title track was released as a single (see review) together with Symmetry, an old composition written in 1971. Cleopatra is a beautiful song indicating that the new album was something to look out for. However, it took another two years before it was released after a crowdfunding campaign. To promote this new double CD the band went on tour again, but unlike the other two rock operas the band recorded − Merlin - Bard Of The Unseen (2003) and Nostradamus - The Fate Of Man

Jan van Olffen

(2005) - they didn't prefer to perform in theatres with all the special effects, props and costumes. Instead they played in a minimal setting with only seven band members on stage, although they have plans to go bigger in 2015! Just like the last time I saw Kayak on stage, I had chosen the cosy venue De Pul to watch them doing the new material. Unfortunately I hadn't been able to listen to the new album, so I partly came to a surprise party!

The concert was split up into two sets and a final encore. They opened with four songs from their back catalogue. The first one was Alienation during  which bass player Jan van Olffen stepped forward to perform an excellent solo on his instrument. Next was Pagan's Paradise, a track from the previous rock opera Nostradamus wonderfully sung by Cindy Oudshoorn. After fine renditions of Daphne and Before The Angels Fell it was finally time to enjoy a large part of the new rock opera. The compositions have been built up in such a way that there's enough room for guitarist Joost Vergoossen and 

Sjoerd Rutten

keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel to play excellent solos on their instruments. Right from the start the Middle-Eastern musical influences could be noticed; occasionally lead singer Edward Reekers and guitarist-vocalist Rob Vunderink told the audience some details about the life of Cleopatra. Unfortunately Cindy Oudshoorn wasn't dressed like the real Cleopatra, but every now and then she moved around the stage like an Egyptian princess. Whatever she did she never failed singing her vocal lines in the best possible way! Drummer Sjoerd Rutten replaced Kayak's current drummer Hans Eijkenaar, who isn't available on Friday nights. Rutten had to learn all of the difficult rhythm parts in a short period of time. The story of Cleopatra was interrupted by a short break.

Cindy Oudshoorn (remembering Pim Koopman)

After having a drink Kayak continued with the new album. The remaining six compositions were all perfectly performed. During That Sacred Kiss, the last track from the album, it could be noticed that Cindy was overwhelmed by emotions. Did she just feel sad that Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony had all died in the end or was it something else? Well, I soon got the answer when Rob Vunderink memorized that it had been five years this month since founding member, drummer and composer Pim Koopman had passed away. For that reason they played Nobody Wins written by Koopman in order to honour this great person who had died much too soon. It was emotionally sung by Edward Reekers and Cindy while tears rolled down her cheek. She must have thought of Pim while singing his lyrics. After the song was finished Joost gently gave her a hug and a towel to dry her tears... During Starlight Dancer Edward gave her a warm hug as well just to let her

Edward Reekers

know that they all miss their former companion a lot!

During Chance For A Lifetime something went wrong as Vergoossen wanted to play the guitar solo in the middle section. He threw away his plectrum but professionally the other band members just played on and together they ended this classic Kayak track. The final song of the regular second set was the first song Mr. Reekers ever recorded with Kayak, namely Ruthless Queen. In 1979 this Kayak single also reached number 6 in the Dutch charts, the highest position ever for Kayak. Unfortunately they only returned on stage for one final encore. However, they treated their fans to a brilliant version of the title track of the new album. It was the perfect ending of an amazing performance! So a big hand for all the people involved for delivering a great show!

Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen)