01-02-2008 Emergenza Rotterdam

Venue: Exit, Rotterdam (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

  The second night of Emergenza in Rotterdam was fortunated to be a very special
  one. Bands from quite different genres were performing, which made it a great
  experience for the audience.

A quite relaxed start was brought by Reflected. The band came all the way from Utrecht and maybe that is why they did not bring that much fans with them. Their alternative rock did not impress the audience at all. They did not really impress me either. The vocals sounded a little monotone and boring. When listening to  reflected, you hear a recognizable sound, easy made and over and over again.� Like a CD on repeat.

Second band was even more out of inspiration. The band played some covers and even the songs they announced as made by themselves sounded like a 75% rip off of some well known music. The band chooses to cover Red Hot Chili Peppers and it seems like they brought all their friends, which were quite pleased with this song.   New Perspective did do this right; they chose the right song to get people singing along. At least that is positive. For the rest of the performance, I can just say that I hope the band skips the covers next time.

Unique Statement brought quite some audience as well and this is the first and this evening which got my vote this night. The band makes pop rock with power! The female vocalist has a powerful voice and sings on such a way that she keeps my attention. I did expect some more punk in their music, because that would definitely suit the voice of the vocalist as well. I enjoyed watching the performance as well. This front woman has charisma and shines on stage.� They made it to the semifinals and they deserved it well!

I Wish I Knew was the fourth band and they really got me staring to the stage. Musically they sound like Miranda Sex Garden. Listening to them is like being transported to a different world. You forget the world around you and get into the music. I recently wrote about Kilt. and I think these bands are comparable, though I did not expected it to be like this when I was listening to the songs on their myspace. This mostly because the quality of the recorded songs is not that great, but I hope this band soon makes it to a studio and records these beautiful creatures of them. I voted for them, I wonder how they are going to do in the semifinals.

A quite drastic change came when the metal core band Menesis entered the stage. In a few songs their audience created a mosh pit and fans of other bands clearly never saw a mosh pit before. That is why this evening was very interesting.Opening different worlds for different people. Their music is mostly rhythmical and maybe together with the fact that the grunt parts were not really impressive it made me more think of emo core. Thought the band presents the right energy on stage and give 100%. And even though the music is definitely not everyone his taste, not too many people are leaving. I voted for this band, because they did a quite ok show.

Where I just mentioned that Menesis opened up worlds, Sodomy & Lust did even more. This progressive band shocked everyone with their act. A lot of young girls which came for the pop/rock/alternative bands earlier this band were quite shocked by the way they dressed. It seems to be easy to mention Marilyn Manson as a influence here, because everyone know that he is the master of shocking.� Actually, I was not really that shocked. The band entered the stage and a girl came hanging pink boa’s all over the stage. Later on she throws some colorful balloons to the audience and walks on the stage as a princess of darkness. Not to be afraid of, just to be dark. Musically, I would not say they are the best in their genre. I saw better acts than them, but they definitely showed people that a band is about more issues besides just playing the tunes. For that reason I voted for them.

Too Loud for Granny was there to be a more “normal” band after the more alternative bands. They make some punk music and it seems like they have a busload of fans with them. Musically, their music is well thought and the songs are very nice arranged. Definitely a band which will make it far in this Emergenza contest.

Last band of the evening is Yokocola. Their music is weird and described as underground. I think I have to be in the mood to listen to this, which I actually was when listening to them. It is music you just like or hate; no discussion about that. You do have to be open and listen it very well to make up your opinion.� For me they brought the feeling of being somewhere in the UK in a dark and grey city in a sort of downtown café listening some music while everyone around you is smoking a joint, maybe you even do it yourself. Thinking about the misery of life before you have to go home and sleep to make sure you are on time at your work the next day when another week of endless routine begins.� When the time comes to vote I hesitated a second, I can’t say why, but I voted for them. Unfortunately they did not make it to the Semifinals.

Results:
  1. New Perspective
  2. Too Loud For Granny
  3. Unique Statement
  4. I Wish I Knew
  4. Menesis
  6. Yokocola
  7. Sodomy & Lust
  8. ReflectedFor more pictures: Sabinevangameren.com

Links:
  Reflected Myspace
  New Perspective Official
  I Wish I Knew Myspace
  Menesis Myspace
  Sodomy & Lust MySpace
  Yokocola Myspace