28-03-2008 Emergenza Amstelveen

Venue: P60, Amstelveen (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

Second night of Emergenza Semifinals in Amstelveen. The first five bands of this evening, I already saw during the first rounds in Rotterdam. How would they do now?

Eyes Are Blind are opening. Their alternative rock music is nice to hear and feel good. Compared with the performance they did at the first rounds I have to say that the vocalist seem to be less “shy” and gives some more power in the songs. I definitely liked it more than last time, although last time was ok as well. Unfortunately they did not get that much votes, which might have to do with the fact that they played first as well.

New Perspective was one of the bands I highly disliked last time, mainly because of the covers. They did play a similar set as far as I remember and I feel a little sad about that. While I was taking pictures I heard someone behind me saying: “They are just stealing” so it seems to be that I am not the only person thinking this way. Overall their performance was a lot better. Their vocals came out more pure and sounded better.

Unique Statement surprised me positively last time. I was definitely looking forward to this gig. Their pop/rock came out very steady just as last time. Their vocalist is a woman with a stage personality like Sandra Nasic (Guano Apes) and the famous Dutch rockchick Anouk. They did not make it to the finals, but I won’t be surprise to hear of this band somehow anyway. Well done!

The Paved. Last time they quite bored me. I have to say that they showed better this time, but still did not manage to get my enthusiasm for their progressive music. The band looked like they felt horribly lost on this bigger stage. No, I don’t get the thrill at all. They did not made it to the finals.

Incomplete was the last band of tonight which I had seen before. Their melodic punk stuff reminded me to Parasite City and that feeling is still alive. They are entertaining and I can understand that not everyone adores the vocals, but I liked the originality of the band. They made a show of it all and lived their 30 minutes of fame like they were born to be on stage. Nice!

Clubugly brought the typical rock n roll feeling up to me. Their stage act remembered me to the Finnish band Zen Café. The P60 was giving full attention to this band. The singer has a great charisma and he makes some jokes as well. He knows how to entertain people. I had a great time watching this band. I voted for this band and they made it to the finals, so we’ll meet again in Melkweg.

Arise was a band that I really dislike. This female-vocal-metal band is typical a band that we already have enough in the Netherlands. Just dressing up beautiful, making some dance moves and mumble some words in the microphone does not make this interesting at all. No matter how great the instrumental part of the band is, you can not forget about this act around the music. It’s a cheap way of trying to get success. No, thanks, no Arise for me please.

Blokade, the last band of the evening made a smile on my face appear just by smiling. They showed they wanted to have fun on the stage and made it happen! They make alternative rock music and did it really nice. I liked it and many people did; they got the most votes of the evening and we’ll see them back at the semifinals.

More pictures of this gig available at sabinevangameren.com