Venue: Melkweg, Amsterdam (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren
Many, many bands participated in this year’s Emergenza band contest in the Netherlands. Some of them made it through all those rounds to be in the finals. For today there were 14 bands scheduled, which means an early start at 18.00 and a tight schedule.
| First one to start in a quite empty venue was La Grâce. It probably had to do with the fact that originally on the website was written that the first band would be at 18.30. The band comes from Rotterdam and makes powerpop/rock. The band started of quite calm but gave full energy later in their set. The band knows how to interact with the audience and singer Annika shines on stage with a glittery guitar and is a true stage personality. |
| The second band was Sound Asleep. The bored me a lot when I saw them in semifinals, but this time they made a better impression on me. They seemed more motivated and there was more stage action going on. They came from far, Heesch is their hometown and it is not exactly close to Amsterdam but I am glad they came to put it all right. |
| A home match was there for the band 3rd Time in Vega. They make progressive rock. On the forehand I checked their music on the MySpace, which did not really please me. Live, they didn’t either. There was not much power in the vocals where I actually expected it. They did not convince me of anything. I don’t even understand what this band wants to radiate. So no thanks, there won’t be a 4th time. |
Also from Amsterdam was Black Bandit. Their music is more melodic and I heard a lot more energy and devotion in their music. Refreshing, straight after 3rd Time in Vega, but overall there is not an element in this band which stand out too much. It was ok, but nothing more than that.
| Up next was Monster. Punk rock comes into the venue. Lyrically, not a prize winning band, but who gives a shit when it is under the name of punk. The band got nicknamed by some people in the audience as: bathing wrap boys, mainly because the singer was wearing one. |
| Playyard came straight after Monster. This band gives a strong performance. It is full of energy and action. They make hard rock with influences of Papa Roach and Hoobastank. The band built a good party onstage and is definitely at the top tonight. Highlight of the set is a cover of Blur, which everyone of the audience knew and recognized. |
| From the center of the country we got Parka. The band makes alternative rock and meets the rock of Black Bandit which played earlier this evening. I liked it, though they did not stand out too much by originality. Also, the vocals kind of fell away by the rest of the band. |
| A band which I definitely liked is Reggaestration. As seen before in the semifinals they are a very original reggae/soul band. Although the stage is quite big, the band makes it look very small by taking it all over. They run from left to right… they are everywhere. It’s clearly visible that the whole band shares the same passion for the music they make and they were one of my favorites of this evening. |
| Clubugly is a band from Amsterdam which brings rock in the spirit of the past. You hear a lot of influences of 70’s and 80’s. The raw voice of vocalist Martijn brings back the typical rock and roll feeling, while their performance and appearance reminds me of Zen Café. This band would do great in Scandinavia anyway. |
| Onesixtyone comes next. Female fronted rock, with a small blue dressed vocalist. The band did not surprise me as much as the first time. The performance was a little too hold back and where the vocals sounded nice before, tonight it all sounded a bit like the same. Their performance was ok though. |
| Bloid came up next to bring some metal. Their metal is quite brutal and they were the first band that actually got a mosh pit started. Ok, it looked more like a toddler mosh pit, but at least people showed their appreciation, which the band definitely deserved. Good for those who do not appreciate mosh pits, they could still stand in front of the stage without getting hurt. |
| Add-on came from Rotterdam area to show their rock through a filled Melkweg venue. A chick with balls fronted this band and they made a nice impression on a lot of people as they were the winners of this evening. For me, the band did not do too much, but that has more to do with personal taste than the quality of their music. |
| Deliberate Jeopardization makes hardcore metal. The band got their name known in area Rotterdam but with reaching Emergenza finals sets them on a national map as well. The band has some members with quite some stage experience and no surprise they bring a great show. |
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Last band of the night is Blokade. The band sings songs in English and Dutch and knows how to entertain people. The singer came on the stage while he had covered his whole face. To ask the audience if they want to know who he is. A nice close of the evening! |
More pictures of this gig available at sabinevangameren.com
Links:
La Grâce MySpace
Sound Asleep MySpace
3rd Time in Vega MySpace
Black Bandit MySpace
Playyard MySpace
Parka MySpace
Reggaestration MySpace
Clubugly MySpace
Bloid MySpace
Add On MySpace
Deliberate Jeopardization MySpace
Blokade MySpace
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