Serious Music Event September 23, 2016 - Parktheater, Alphen a/d Rijn (NL)
On September 23, 2016 Serious Music Alphen reached a new milestone: their 50th live concert since the start in
2011. They celebrated it in an appropriate way by arranging a double concert of the bands that headlined at the
first two Serious Music Events in 2011 and 2012: Mangrove and Knight Area. Without a doubt two of
the best progressive rock bands in the Netherlands and for this reason the Background Magazine team made their
way to the cosy Parktheater in Alphen a/d Rijn.
Mangrove
After this song it was time for a piece of music that can be found on the band's soon to be released new studio album. A Call To Arms was again well performed and showed the band has a lot of great music to offer, just like they did on their final two pieces Beyond Reality and Voyager. The last title had a very special guest on drums during the intro, namely Knight Area's Pieter van Hoorn. He did a short drum duet with Remco Engels. Later on I heard that Gerben Klazinga was offered the job as well, but refused. Knight Area's keyboard player could easily do this because he played drums on the band's debut The Sun Also Rises (2004). The excellent climax at the end of Voyager ended a great Mangrove concert, leaving the audience speechless. A standing ovation was very well in place, even though they didn't do an encore. This was fine by me after an hour and a half of the best progressive rock music possible! Knight Area
Lead singer Mark Smit announced to the audience that they could hear the entire new album whom responded with a lot of happy cheering. Several times he asked the crowd how they liked the new material so far and again the response was very positive. All of the new songs gave me a good feeling. Most of all the title track, a song about death named The Reaper, and a song about split personalities named Twins Of Sins. Even
All in all the band showed they can still entertain an audience for almost two hours with only great songs, even though the sound has become a bit heavier since the arrival of a new guitar player and bassist a couple of years ago. The future certainly looks bright for them with an excellent new album on the horizon. I could not end this review without complimenting the excellent sound and lighting on stage during both shows. So bravo to those who were responsible for this great work. Finally of course a show of hands for the people behind Serious Music Alphen. Congratulations are in order for bringing on 50 live concerts since the start in 2011. Thanks! Henri Strik (edited by Astrid de Ronde) |
Setlist Mangrove: Fatal Sign Wizards Of Tunes There Must Be Another Way A Call To Arms Beyond Reality Voyager |
Pictures
Mangrove by Arthur Haggenburg Click on the picture to enlarge.
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Line up Mangrove: (left to right)Chris Jonker: keyboards Roland van der Horst: lead vocals, electric guitars Pieter Drost: bass guitar, bass pedals Remco Engels: drums |
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Setlist Knight Area: Afraid Of The Dark Unbroken Dreamworld The Reaper Twins Of Sins Crimson Skies Box Of Toys Starlight Heaven And Beyond Bubble Saviour And Sinners Eternal Light Three Of Life Memories Encore: Hypnotized Mortal Brow |
Pictures
Knight Area by Arthur Haggenburg Click on the picture to enlarge.
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Line up Knight Area: (left to right)Peter Vink: bass Pieter van Hoorn: drums, backing vocals Mark Smit: lead vocals Mark Bogert: electric guitar Lenne Huisman: (Serious Music Alphen) Gerben Klazinga: keyboards, backing vocals |
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