Sometimes a sad moment turns into a happy moment. This happened to me when I was at the final edition of the annual Northern Prog Festival. Always on the first Saturday of November this amazing festival is on the menu. The festival started in 2013 and they had their 10th anniversary two years ago (2023, see review). At the time I could not suspect that only two years later they would announce that the 12th would be the final edition. Something that was difficult for myself and many others to grasp, because during the eleven earlier editions some amazing acts have climbed the stage at the De Uthof in Siegerswoude. Bands such as Galahad, Also Eden, IO Earth, Comedy Of Errors and Overhead have all made appearances. All those great bands that might still have been on the bill would therefore never be able to perform in this beautiful venue again. It is even worse for the region, because progressive acts almost never perform here. But then, out of nowhere, it was announced that a new organization, no longer the band Leap Day, would take over the annual programming of the festival from 2026 onwards at a new location in Leeuwarden. Everybody is now happy of course!
But this review is of course about what should have been the final edition. Again they programmed four acts. From the Netherlands Sound Of Strangers and Leap Day. From Italy Wilson Project and from the UK Living In Shadows. Both bands were outside their own countries for a concert for the first time.  

Sound Of Strangers

The band which kicked off the festival comes from the western part of the Netherlands. They started in 2016 and are inspired by the likes of Marillion, Rush, Riverside and Pink Floyd. Which you certainly can hear on their debut Crossing Borders which was released in 2023. An album which thematically revolves around a migrant family and relates of the hardships they endure during their travels, as well as their thoughts on past, present and future. During the time the five musicians were on stage they performed several songs from this excellent concept album. Strong renditions could be enjoyed of The Wake, Ocean Sky, Crossing Borders and Years Of Memories. In which excellent solos could be enjoyed by guitarist Paul Krempel and keyboard player Ron Mozer.

But also worth mentioning are the strong bass pedals parts of Paul Peperkamp. All those vocal parts on those tracks were wonderfully sung by Raymond Vermeij, who replaced original singer Serge Mannee in a perfect way. A new album is already on its way and therefore several songs from it could were heard. With songs such as Purity, This Rock and Katies Dreams they proved that there is something to look out for. Sound Of Strangers is definitely a band to keep in mind. They're a great live band that perfectly translates their studio material to the stage. I really enjoyed the first time I saw them perform!
 

Leap Day

Roelof Beeftink (►more photos)

They have played eleven times at their own organised festival. Eleven times a strong performance. Which is certainly a big compliment if you consider they also had to do many things before and after their concert to keep everything going at the festival. Their twelfth performance at this event might be consider as one of their best. While it wasn't flawless, I can definitely count it as one of my favourite performances by the band. With a new album released on the day of the festival and a new singer in their line up they were certainly ready to kick ass, which they really did. First of all, the new album When Gravity Wins (2025, see review) is a top album in the progressive rock genre and therefore set the high standard for this show. And secondly with an amazing new lead singer by the name of Roelof Beeftink expectation ran really high. But they were able to live up to that by delivering great live versions of classic Leap Day songs such as When Leaves Fall, Amathia, Sandgrains and Walls. Songs which were originally sung by Jos Harteveld. They were even lifted to a higher level due to the vocal capabilities of the new lead singer. Wow what a beautiful voice this singer has! He also showed on the songs done from the brand new album. Like the two tracks which were already done last year. Namely the instrumental Viral Cage and Falling Star, the one that started with the sound of an airplane. Plus, Wrinkles with all the amazing solos on the guitar (Eddie Mulder) and synthesizers (Gert van Engelenburg & Derk Evert Waalkens). Before and after their concert the band was honoured for all the years of bringing prog music to the northern parts of our country and therefore got a well-deserved applause!

 

Wilson Project

According to the reactions in the audience, a lot of people were waiting for this Italian band to climb to stage and do their musical tricks. Despite the long twenty-hour journey, the four musicians were eager to put on a fantastic show. And they certainly delivered. The audience went wild when they, wearing masks, launched into the album opener (Ouverture) from their latest album, Atto Primo. It's a concept album that transports you to the world of opera and progressive rock. Therefore, they were dressed in beautiful costumes. Fortunately, this didn't come at the expense of the music, which was superb. They played the entire new album. The drum and bass solos were included, as you can hear them on the album. Because the album is only fifty minutes long, they also covered Elio E Le Store Tese's Plafone. Plus, a new song titled Fiori Di Plastica, which is in keeping with all their other songs. Of course, I also have to mention the members one by one, because they did an excellent job bringing their sometimes-complex music to life on stage.

The fantastic keyboardist Andrea Protopapa, excellent female lead singer Annalisa Ghiazza, and the rhythm section consisting of bassist Stefano Rapetti and drummer Mattia Pastorino. Their first performance outside Italy can definitely be considered a huge success. It was worth the long journey. Especially when, afterward, you and your friends can also admire the beautiful Netherlands like tourists! It was magnificent and, for me, the absolute highlight of the festival.
 

Living In Shadows

Zoe Gilby (►more photos)

The festival's headliner crossed the English Channel to present the festival-goers with a different side of the progressive rock genre. To be honest, I hadn't really heard of them before. Their latest album, Neon Burning, had flown under the radar. It features husband-and-wife team Zoe Gilby (Parliamentary Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2019) and multi-instrumentalist Andy Champion (on stage playing bass and bass pedals), combining English alt pop and progressive rock while also reflecting their jazz background. For their live performance, the band was expanded with a drummer, guitarist, and keyboardist. Just like two years ago at Mad Fellaz's performance (see review), I was prepared to be surprised by their alternative music. And just like with the previous band, I completely succeeded. Even though it's not the music I normally listen to, I can say I enjoyed their infectious performance. And many others did, as evidenced by the audience's reactions. So, for them too, with their first performance outside their own country they can look back on a success. I don't know whether they also visited our country as tourists or crossed the English Channel directly. But it doesn't matter and I can only put my thumbs up for them as well!

Looking back, I can only say that what was supposed to be the final edition of the festival was a huge musical success. Four top bands all delivered outstanding performances. It was definitely worth the long two-hour drive. Once again, my thanks to the organizers who made everything run smoothly. Thanks to the help of the lighting and sound crew, and the venue staff. See you next year, but this time in Leeuwarden. The date: October 31st. Hopefully, it will be as successful as all the editions at the Uthof. Finally, thanks to Leap Day for organizing all the festivals where we were always welcome to report!

Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith)