29 March 2024

30-03-2014 Grand Magus

Supports: The Vintage Caravan, Zodiac, Audrey Horne; Venue: Doornroosje, Nijmegen (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

A four band package would be hitting up Nijmegen (Netherlands) at the end of the tour. It is a Sunday evening but the place is pretty crowded anyway.

The first act on stage was the Icelandic band The Vintage Caravan. The guys seem very eager to play and with that attitude they have the first step in winding up the audience already. The band has some blues influences and you can feel the guys have been inspired also by some of the 70’s greatest acts.

When they are having their flow going they manage to keep the interest of the audience and that is mainly because their driving sound keeps the whole going. They play a short set and therefore I would have hoped a bit more variation in the songs as at the last ones you feel like you heard it before, but the guys are lucky that this is where their set ends. A good set, but should not have been much longer if they won’t bring some variation into it.

The German Zodiac is right up the alley of The Vintage Caravan, but comes straight off as a bit more vibrant. The guys click easily with the audience and their set is well thought. Halfway the band makes a great impression while playing a Neil Young cover in which vocalist Nick shows of his voice in a very warm and cracky way that he did not bring out before. Perfect for this song and just that one that people are remembering from them.

When the continue with their own work a song named “Moonshine” comes along and it has a bit different vibe, showing more the direction of the band self, which creates a contrast but one that defines the band. With a promise to return the band leaves the stage, we hope to see them again.

Audrey Horne set their name in this town before and that is quite clear, people are drawing closer to the stage and give a big chair as soon as the guys enter the stage. The Norwegians have a good feeling of how to entertain the audience. Wilde energy is flying all around you. A vocalist who has the hyperactivity to be everywhere and the vocal capacities to make you go ‘wow’ them. Yet don’t forget the guitarists of the band, bringing you great riffs and are besides the show of their skills also great in bringing a performance of show.

With an album called “Youngblood” out for a while now the band took the time to brings some songs from that one. “Cards With The Devil” as one that stands out, but the band makes themselves a name with the final song “The King Is Dead” when the complete band except from the drummer dives between the audience and continue their show there. Conclusion is, when you get to see Audrey Horne, you can expect a spectacle. Nothing less than that!

Grand Magus is a bit of the opposite of Audrey Horne when it comes to performance. They tend to be a bit more introvert as performers, but have the music to make their way to you at an intensive way. It’s heavy, it’s doom and fills you up. The guys released an album called “Triumph and Power” about two months ago and it seems like most of the fans are familiar with it. A great moment arises when drummer Ludwig Witt gets some time to shine with his drumsolo, it being a great moment to see the man at work and getting people’s fullest attention.

Overall, a remarkable evening having some bands that are a bit different from eachother but yet fit together on an evening like this. The tour is now over but it seems like they all are making promises to return and some dates are already set.

Photo’s by sabinevangameren.com

Links:
The Vintage Caravan Facebook
Zodiac Facebook
Audrey Horne Facebook
Grand Magus Facebook