The Dutch progressive rock acts Silhouette and Mangrove have shared the same stage several times. For example both bands shared not only the stage but also the dressing room in 2018 at several venues. In July they could be seen at 't Blok in Nieuwerkerk aan de IJssel (see review). But also several months later. In November they were double headliners at the Parkvilla Theater in Alphen aan de Rijn. I was present during both occasions and noticed that during those concerts Mangrove was in great shape and made sure everybody had a great time. For Silhouette it was a different story. At 't Blok they gave a rather chaotic performance. Mainly because they hadn't done any concerts for more than a year due to personal circumstances. But also technical problems prevented them to give their best shots. However the concert at the Parkvilla Theater was a concert with which they showed that they were capable to entertain their fans the best possible way. Which they did!

Now two years later both bands climbed the stage of Gigant in Apeldoorn. A venue I hadn't visited since 2009. At the time I witnessed Mangrove's CD-presentation of their latest release Beyond Reality (see review). I ended my review with the words: 'Not only the musicians were breathless, but they also left the audience panting from breath for they witnessed a fantastic CD release concert'. Could it be that history could repeat it selves? Who knows, maybe?
 

Silhouette

Jurjen Bergsma and Daniel van der Weijde (r) (►more pics)

Silhouette had the task to kick off and warm up the audience at the rather fully packed venue. Not bad for two not so well known acts in the progressive rock scene. So bravo to those who promoted this double headliner show. But back to the band who I had witnessed countless times. They started out as a very poor live unit, but after several line up changes they became one of the best live acts in our country. After I saw them in 2018 they stopped doing concerts due to a sabbatical they gave themselves. However the people who organised the Northern Prog Festival 2019 (see review) in Siegerswoude managed to convince them to do a one off concert at this annual festival. The band played an excellent concert even if they were on hibernation. I guess they had a couple of good rehearsals. But for the concert I witnessed now I had serious doubts if the band had done enough rehearsals. After all they were again off stage for a couple months and still on hibernation. I asked myself this question, because the musicians on stage sounded rather chaotic and did not always play flawlessly. The audio sound was also something to discuss. But I am not complaining, because strangely enough I enjoyed very much the songs they performed. Even if the songs were the same as almost three months ago. Because it's always a delight to see the musicians play their songs with a lot of passion and enthusiasm. Which certainly increased our evening's enjoyment. So looking back at their concert I can still say I had a good time watching the band even if they played sometimes chaotic and made several mistakes. The songs they did were after all still a must to hear!
 

Mangrove

Pieter Drost and Roland van der Horst (r) (►more pics)

This band from Apeldoorn I also witnessed several times. For them it was a home town show and probably the reason why so many people attended their performance. A performance which turned out again a real feast for everybody present. Just as all the other times I had been at one of their concerts. During the bands almost two hours long showcase they entertained the audience all the way with one musical highlight followed by the another one. Yes this was progressive rock on the highest level possible. As for the set list it was for the fans of the band a feast of recognition. Almost all of the songs from their masterpiece Beyond Reality (see review) were played. Only Time Will Tell and Love And Beyond were left out. And with three new pieces in the set, there was little time left for songs from the bands other two album releases. Therefore only Back Again could be enjoyed from Touch Wood (2004). A great composition, but I had preferred Wizard Of Tunes, Fatal sign or Penelope. My favourites of this album. Also from its successor Facing The Sunset (2005) they chose to do one track. Namely the only encore and audience favourite There Must Be Another Way. A great live piece on which one of the most underrated Dutch guitar players gets off stage and joins his fans in front of the stage. Yes Roland van der Horst is an amazing entertainer and at the same time one hell of a guitar player and lead singer. Also his fellow band members are masters on their instruments. Take for example the bands keyboard player Chris Jonker. Standing on a higher platform and surrounded by lots of keyboards he sometimes sounds like a younger version of Tony Banks (Genesis) or Mark Kelly (Marillion). Or

Lex Bekkernens (►more pics)

bass player Pieter Drost who might be the Dutch version of Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings & Karmakanic). And what about the rookie in the band. Lex Bekkernens, who certainly belongs to the best drummers in the Netherlands. He sometimes sounds like a modern version of Bill Bruford (Yes & King Crimson).

But back to the fantastic compositions performed during this excellent concert. Most of all the three new tunes they played. Songs which are on a on new album to be released this year or next year. Songs which have the working titles Reflection, Stay and Bridge To Fiction. They were done without any introductions in between. So they sounded as one large epic piece of music. Music which had lots of modern musical influences. Probably because of the influence of the very young drummer. A drummer who used electronic devices to get a rather modern sound. Just as the earlier Bruford did during his musical career. The songs most of all showed that the bands new studio album is certainly something to look out for. And if you ask me, and many of their fans, it is about time the band comes with a brand new album as a worthy successor to their latest album released 11 years ago.

And guess what? History can repeat itself. Because once again not only the musicians of Mangrove were breathless, but they also left the audience panting from breath for they witnessed a fantastic concert. Can I ask for anything more? I guess not! Because even the musicians of Silhouette made me feel happy with the songs they performed. So all in all most people present, including myself, can look back at a very entertaining evening of good live music!

Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)