Fri 30 May – Pinkpop 2008
After this awesome but exhausting day at Pinkpop 2008, I thought it might be a nice idea to list all the bands/singer-songwriters I've seen live in my life so far. They aren't many, but hey, I'm still 16 so there's plenty of time. With each name, I'll write a very tiny "review" and give the performance a grade (1 to 10).
[UPDATE] Most bands listed here now are all those I've seen live, also including pinkpop 2009!
Here's the list:
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Goffertpark Nijmegen, Holland, 2007
A truly outstanding concert. A huge crowd of 50.000 people stretching the whole park just to see this single, but most awesome band. Even though Mickey Avalon pretty much screwed up the support act, their performance got everyone singing their hearts out.
At the moment they started to play "Snow (hey oh)" a fine drizzle started to fall. Almost like snow.
Grade: 8,5
Dirty Pretty Things
Goffertpark Nijmegen, Holland, 2007
The first support act for the Peppers that day. Very well fitted the style of music the Peppers were aiming for themselves. Too bad Mickey Avalon messed up that atmosphere. Even though I already knew Dirty Pretty Things' music, it was a great support act.
Grade: 7,5
Spinvis
De Effenaar Eindhoven, Holland, 2007
Who could ever know that a settled man with a wife and children could ever manage to create such charming songs. Some of which frighten you, but mostly fulfill you with some weird kind of tenderness. This Singer-songwriter had probably some of the best Dutch popsongs that definitely deserve a golden medal. Also a unique repertoire of devious instruments. Worth listening for everyone, also for the non-dutch people.
Grade: 9
Genesis
Amsterdam Arena, Holland, 2007
Even though my mom invited me to go there, I quite enjoyed the music. Genesis doesn't really play music within my taste, but still, for one of Phil Collins' last performances before he went in retirement, it was a great concert. I've been listening to his voice a lot when I was a little child, because my mom loved his music and played his cd's frequently. Thus it was just a must to see him live someday, along with a great, old, but renounced and revolutionary band.
Grade: 7
Voicst (2x)
1st time: A record shop in Tilburg, Holland, 2007
2nd time: The Mezz Breda, Holland, 2007
Voicst is one of those bands I just "stumbled" upon. Actually, I tripped over them completely and fell for their fresh and energetic sound. I first met them in a tiny little record shop in Tilburg, Holland. Seeing this young, aspired band, I fell in love with their sound.
I saw them for a second time in my own hometown. They played their hearts out in a small performance hall. I knew they were going to be the next big thing. And indeed, they have played on the Saturday of Pinkpop 2008 in front of 90.000 people. Too bad I wasn't there, I would have loved their freshly gained recognition.
Grade: 9
Gram
The Mezz Breda, Holland, 2007
A singer-songwriter who's love for music really shows. Gram is a pretty young girl playing as the support act for Voicst most of the time. Her performance that day was a lush for the ear and eye. She used her guitar and a special programmed computer to duplicate her sounds and repeat them to build up a song. Starting easy, but turning into something really complicated. Really an inventive way to do a live performance. Rock-electronic style music.
Grade: 6,5
Racoon (2x)
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Racoon was one of those bands I definitely had to see at least once in my life. I think it's a must for every Dutch person who loves music that varies from sentimental poprock to a bit more harsh rock style music. Even though they played a bit too much of these sentimental songs for my liking, they also granted my wish by playing Kingsize and Couple of Guys.
They truly settled the atmosphere of that day at Landgraaf. Even the non-Dutch people loved them.
Grade: 9
The Mezz, Holland, 2009
Second time I saw raccon, and even more amazing than the time I saw them at Pinkpop last year. The prime reason for that is certainly the size of the crowd. Pinkpop was huge and they played on the main stage, attracting many fans. But this concert surpried me, because the mezz is only a very tiny music hall, allowing in a small 200 people at most. The intemacy of this concert was amazing, and I stood in the front row, wearing my keane t-shirt for good luck, and it definitely brought me some luck! The crowd is not devided from the podium, and the band could freely interact with the people. I was alone that day sadly, my friend didn't buy her ticket in time. But the vocalist noticed my enthusiasm for them and sat down on the podium in one of the final songs, singing one of the couplets of the song Feel Like Flying to me. He just sat there singing it to me and I was quite perplexed haha. It was totally sweet, one of my favorite bands, and oh so close because they are Dutch! I'll never stop loving them!
I also managed to snach the setlist, that made me very happy indeed.
Grade: 9,5
The Wombats (2x)
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
I only caught this band in the middle of their performance, but I could still enjoy many of their best songs, such as Let's dance to Joy Devision, the way the entire crowd jumped made it one of the most energetic gigs I have ever seen. Sympathic fans and generally cool people, a moment to remember. I promised myself to visit them again some time, which I did, later that year!
Grade: 7
De Effenaar, Eindhoven, Holland, 2008
One of my friends told me the Wombats were performing in Eindhoven somewhere late 2008. I agreed to go with here and it was totally worth it. Just as energetic as Pinkpop earlier that year, powerful, happy, interaction with the crowd. The tiny hall made it even more intimate and personal, definitely one of the more personal gigs I'v ever attended. Their big inflated "wombat" in the background made up for the lack of good visual effects, but no matter no matter, these guys know how to -pep- a crowd!
Grade: 7,5
The Girls
De Effenaar, Eindhoven, Holland, 2008
Support act for the Wombats that day. Sweet little songs and a young aspired band, showing no shyness whatsoever. I didn't know any of thier songs but they were an interesting listen indeed.
Grade: 6
Fiction Plane
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
A super awesome opener of the last pinkpop 2008 day. Their sound blasted in the open fields and made everyone jump like they've never jumped before. Belting along with songs like Death Machine and Two Sisters, they definitely made my day. One of the greatest concerts that day, for sure.
Grade: 8
Counting Crows
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Not really my type of music, but who can't resist singing along with the addicting
Holiday In Spain? Well, I couldn't. My dad enjoyed this performance highly.
Fun fact: During the concert, I saw the lead singer of Saybia sanding right next to me. I looked at him questioningly, and he looked back and nodded with a smile. That a famous artist like him can stand in the midst of this crowd without being seen (except for me) is a moment I'll never forget.
Counting crows is a pretty good band, but not my favorite.
Grade: 6
Keane (2x)
Ahoy, Holland, 2009
Boy was I excited to see my all time favourite band for the very first time. I was thrilled and even a little afraid. The concert was to be held in a big venue, and I really wanted a place somewhere in the front row. Waiting outside for a couple of hours in advance, together with other dedicated Keane fans did pay off. Once inside, we ran towards to front rows, and I did conquer a place somewhere in the second row, and I was very happy with that. After another hour, A Balladeer was up, the support act for Keane that day (see their name for more description on thier performance!). Then Keane was up, blasting off with many of their spectacular songs, and I indeed wasn't bored for a second, since I love every one of their songs. I sung and danced and jumped along with other fans on the front row. One memorable moment was when Tom Chaplin walked down the podia and hung into the crowd, allowing them to hold him, while we was standing on a couple of crates. Fuck safety he must have thought, he really does appreciate his crowd, and shows it in a very carismatic way. Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes and Jesse Quin were all very awesome. Tim, the mastermind of the band, sure knows how to beat that keyboard! He dances and headbangs and seems to enjoy every moment of it. One of my favorite concert of all time, at this moment my very favourite. Afterwards, I waited for a couple of hours at the artist's exit, I and a bunch of other fans got ourselves pictures and signatures, I actually had my brand new Keane t-shirt signed on the back, and got a picture taken of me and Richard, it was very very cool.
Grade: 10++
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Seeing them in a very different seeting this time. On a festival and outside in the open air. They had a smaller setlist of course, but still managed to make me sing and dance and jump and hurt my throath like crazy. I loved the lighting and their clothes, that seemed to fit the album Perfect Symmetry's cover perfectly. Tom was less able to interact with the crowd, due to festival rules and things like that. He did however run around on stage and jump and dance and make gestures with his free hand, to accompany the lyrics. ("me" pointing at himself, "Who are you, what are you living for" moving his arm along the crowd, "wrap yourself around me" hugging himself and bowing down, looking like a beaten child). He difinitely grew into a open guy, I used to know him as a microphone kissing and sorta shy person, it's great to see how he changed.
Tim remained jumpy as ever. And my dad made one of the best pictures ever, where Jesse Quin is standing on the right side of the stage, and on the huge screen above, it shows Tom singing to Tim while bowing over his keyboard, looking at each other in quite a meaningful way. I think it's very special how they can show their intimate friendship in front of such a big crowd. Many of their personal lyrics after all, have meaning about themselves.
During Crystall ball, Tom lay down on the podium and sang to the sky. "Oh Crystall ball, save us all, tell me life is beautiful, mirror mirror on the wall. Lines ever more unclear, not sure I'm even here. The more I look the more I think that I'm starting to dissapear". Amazing amazing amazing, I love these guys.
I bought myself my second Keane shirt afterwards, it's great!
Grade: 10++
a balladeer
Ahoy, Holland, 2009
Saybia
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Queens of the Stone Age
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Pete Murray
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Treintje Oosterhuis
Spanjaards gat: Jazz Festival Breda, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Milow
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Volbeat
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
The Rifles
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Madness
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
James Morrison
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Placebo
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Maxïmo Park
013 Tilburg, Holland, 2009
Yes, yes YESSS!!! I finallyl got to see this band live, I've waited for such a long long time. I've been knowing Maxïmo Park since 2006, but I never got the chance, because they had brought out their new album back then, and the touring had already stopped. I guess their touring got into hiatus, except for bigger venues and more important countries than tiny Holland.
Anyway! It was rather much a surprise visit, my sister mentioned it only a week before and I was like "WHAT, WHERE??" and bought tickets only minutes later.
And they were AMAZING. I love this band so much. The carisma of Paul Smith, the guitaring skills, keyskills and drumskills of the others, it was such a burst of energy. Thanks Maxïmo for giving me another great experience of yet another of my favourite artists =).
Grade: Fucking 10. srs.
Pete and The Pirates
013 Tilburg, Holland, 2009
This band was the support art of Maxïmo park that night. A very well fitted act, really my style of music. I think they convinced me to look into their music a bit more! Energy and enthusiasm on stage, great!
Grade: 7
Bands I want to see
The White Stripes
Editors
Coldplay
Pendulum
After this awesome but exhausting day at Pinkpop 2008, I thought it might be a nice idea to list all the bands/singer-songwriters I've seen live in my life so far. They aren't many, but hey, I'm still 16 so there's plenty of time. With each name, I'll write a very tiny "review" and give the performance a grade (1 to 10).
[UPDATE] Most bands listed here now are all those I've seen live, also including pinkpop 2009!
Here's the list:
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Goffertpark Nijmegen, Holland, 2007
A truly outstanding concert. A huge crowd of 50.000 people stretching the whole park just to see this single, but most awesome band. Even though Mickey Avalon pretty much screwed up the support act, their performance got everyone singing their hearts out.
At the moment they started to play "Snow (hey oh)" a fine drizzle started to fall. Almost like snow.
Grade: 8,5
Dirty Pretty Things
Goffertpark Nijmegen, Holland, 2007
The first support act for the Peppers that day. Very well fitted the style of music the Peppers were aiming for themselves. Too bad Mickey Avalon messed up that atmosphere. Even though I already knew Dirty Pretty Things' music, it was a great support act.
Grade: 7,5
Spinvis
De Effenaar Eindhoven, Holland, 2007
Who could ever know that a settled man with a wife and children could ever manage to create such charming songs. Some of which frighten you, but mostly fulfill you with some weird kind of tenderness. This Singer-songwriter had probably some of the best Dutch popsongs that definitely deserve a golden medal. Also a unique repertoire of devious instruments. Worth listening for everyone, also for the non-dutch people.
Grade: 9
Genesis
Amsterdam Arena, Holland, 2007
Even though my mom invited me to go there, I quite enjoyed the music. Genesis doesn't really play music within my taste, but still, for one of Phil Collins' last performances before he went in retirement, it was a great concert. I've been listening to his voice a lot when I was a little child, because my mom loved his music and played his cd's frequently. Thus it was just a must to see him live someday, along with a great, old, but renounced and revolutionary band.
Grade: 7
Voicst (2x)
1st time: A record shop in Tilburg, Holland, 2007
2nd time: The Mezz Breda, Holland, 2007
Voicst is one of those bands I just "stumbled" upon. Actually, I tripped over them completely and fell for their fresh and energetic sound. I first met them in a tiny little record shop in Tilburg, Holland. Seeing this young, aspired band, I fell in love with their sound.
I saw them for a second time in my own hometown. They played their hearts out in a small performance hall. I knew they were going to be the next big thing. And indeed, they have played on the Saturday of Pinkpop 2008 in front of 90.000 people. Too bad I wasn't there, I would have loved their freshly gained recognition.
Grade: 9
Gram
The Mezz Breda, Holland, 2007
A singer-songwriter who's love for music really shows. Gram is a pretty young girl playing as the support act for Voicst most of the time. Her performance that day was a lush for the ear and eye. She used her guitar and a special programmed computer to duplicate her sounds and repeat them to build up a song. Starting easy, but turning into something really complicated. Really an inventive way to do a live performance. Rock-electronic style music.
Grade: 6,5
Racoon (2x)
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Racoon was one of those bands I definitely had to see at least once in my life. I think it's a must for every Dutch person who loves music that varies from sentimental poprock to a bit more harsh rock style music. Even though they played a bit too much of these sentimental songs for my liking, they also granted my wish by playing Kingsize and Couple of Guys.
They truly settled the atmosphere of that day at Landgraaf. Even the non-Dutch people loved them.
Grade: 9
The Mezz, Holland, 2009
Second time I saw raccon, and even more amazing than the time I saw them at Pinkpop last year. The prime reason for that is certainly the size of the crowd. Pinkpop was huge and they played on the main stage, attracting many fans. But this concert surpried me, because the mezz is only a very tiny music hall, allowing in a small 200 people at most. The intemacy of this concert was amazing, and I stood in the front row, wearing my keane t-shirt for good luck, and it definitely brought me some luck! The crowd is not devided from the podium, and the band could freely interact with the people. I was alone that day sadly, my friend didn't buy her ticket in time. But the vocalist noticed my enthusiasm for them and sat down on the podium in one of the final songs, singing one of the couplets of the song Feel Like Flying to me. He just sat there singing it to me and I was quite perplexed haha. It was totally sweet, one of my favorite bands, and oh so close because they are Dutch! I'll never stop loving them!
I also managed to snach the setlist, that made me very happy indeed.
Grade: 9,5
The Wombats (2x)
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
I only caught this band in the middle of their performance, but I could still enjoy many of their best songs, such as Let's dance to Joy Devision, the way the entire crowd jumped made it one of the most energetic gigs I have ever seen. Sympathic fans and generally cool people, a moment to remember. I promised myself to visit them again some time, which I did, later that year!
Grade: 7
De Effenaar, Eindhoven, Holland, 2008
One of my friends told me the Wombats were performing in Eindhoven somewhere late 2008. I agreed to go with here and it was totally worth it. Just as energetic as Pinkpop earlier that year, powerful, happy, interaction with the crowd. The tiny hall made it even more intimate and personal, definitely one of the more personal gigs I'v ever attended. Their big inflated "wombat" in the background made up for the lack of good visual effects, but no matter no matter, these guys know how to -pep- a crowd!
Grade: 7,5
The Girls
De Effenaar, Eindhoven, Holland, 2008
Support act for the Wombats that day. Sweet little songs and a young aspired band, showing no shyness whatsoever. I didn't know any of thier songs but they were an interesting listen indeed.
Grade: 6
Fiction Plane
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
A super awesome opener of the last pinkpop 2008 day. Their sound blasted in the open fields and made everyone jump like they've never jumped before. Belting along with songs like Death Machine and Two Sisters, they definitely made my day. One of the greatest concerts that day, for sure.
Grade: 8
Counting Crows
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Not really my type of music, but who can't resist singing along with the addicting
Holiday In Spain? Well, I couldn't. My dad enjoyed this performance highly.Fun fact: During the concert, I saw the lead singer of Saybia sanding right next to me. I looked at him questioningly, and he looked back and nodded with a smile. That a famous artist like him can stand in the midst of this crowd without being seen (except for me) is a moment I'll never forget.
Counting crows is a pretty good band, but not my favorite.
Grade: 6
Keane (2x)
Ahoy, Holland, 2009
Boy was I excited to see my all time favourite band for the very first time. I was thrilled and even a little afraid. The concert was to be held in a big venue, and I really wanted a place somewhere in the front row. Waiting outside for a couple of hours in advance, together with other dedicated Keane fans did pay off. Once inside, we ran towards to front rows, and I did conquer a place somewhere in the second row, and I was very happy with that. After another hour, A Balladeer was up, the support act for Keane that day (see their name for more description on thier performance!). Then Keane was up, blasting off with many of their spectacular songs, and I indeed wasn't bored for a second, since I love every one of their songs. I sung and danced and jumped along with other fans on the front row. One memorable moment was when Tom Chaplin walked down the podia and hung into the crowd, allowing them to hold him, while we was standing on a couple of crates. Fuck safety he must have thought, he really does appreciate his crowd, and shows it in a very carismatic way. Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes and Jesse Quin were all very awesome. Tim, the mastermind of the band, sure knows how to beat that keyboard! He dances and headbangs and seems to enjoy every moment of it. One of my favorite concert of all time, at this moment my very favourite. Afterwards, I waited for a couple of hours at the artist's exit, I and a bunch of other fans got ourselves pictures and signatures, I actually had my brand new Keane t-shirt signed on the back, and got a picture taken of me and Richard, it was very very cool.
Grade: 10++
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Seeing them in a very different seeting this time. On a festival and outside in the open air. They had a smaller setlist of course, but still managed to make me sing and dance and jump and hurt my throath like crazy. I loved the lighting and their clothes, that seemed to fit the album Perfect Symmetry's cover perfectly. Tom was less able to interact with the crowd, due to festival rules and things like that. He did however run around on stage and jump and dance and make gestures with his free hand, to accompany the lyrics. ("me" pointing at himself, "Who are you, what are you living for" moving his arm along the crowd, "wrap yourself around me" hugging himself and bowing down, looking like a beaten child). He difinitely grew into a open guy, I used to know him as a microphone kissing and sorta shy person, it's great to see how he changed.
Tim remained jumpy as ever. And my dad made one of the best pictures ever, where Jesse Quin is standing on the right side of the stage, and on the huge screen above, it shows Tom singing to Tim while bowing over his keyboard, looking at each other in quite a meaningful way. I think it's very special how they can show their intimate friendship in front of such a big crowd. Many of their personal lyrics after all, have meaning about themselves.
During Crystall ball, Tom lay down on the podium and sang to the sky. "Oh Crystall ball, save us all, tell me life is beautiful, mirror mirror on the wall. Lines ever more unclear, not sure I'm even here. The more I look the more I think that I'm starting to dissapear". Amazing amazing amazing, I love these guys.
I bought myself my second Keane shirt afterwards, it's great!
Grade: 10++
a balladeer
Ahoy, Holland, 2009
Saybia
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Queens of the Stone Age
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Pete Murray
Pinkpop 2008 Landgraaf, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Treintje Oosterhuis
Spanjaards gat: Jazz Festival Breda, Holland, 2008
Description coming soon
Milow
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Volbeat
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
The Rifles
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Madness
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
James Morrison
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Placebo
Pinkpop 2009 Landgraaf, Holland, 2009
Maxïmo Park
013 Tilburg, Holland, 2009
Yes, yes YESSS!!! I finallyl got to see this band live, I've waited for such a long long time. I've been knowing Maxïmo Park since 2006, but I never got the chance, because they had brought out their new album back then, and the touring had already stopped. I guess their touring got into hiatus, except for bigger venues and more important countries than tiny Holland.
Anyway! It was rather much a surprise visit, my sister mentioned it only a week before and I was like "WHAT, WHERE??" and bought tickets only minutes later.
And they were AMAZING. I love this band so much. The carisma of Paul Smith, the guitaring skills, keyskills and drumskills of the others, it was such a burst of energy. Thanks Maxïmo for giving me another great experience of yet another of my favourite artists =).
Grade: Fucking 10. srs.
Pete and The Pirates
013 Tilburg, Holland, 2009
This band was the support art of Maxïmo park that night. A very well fitted act, really my style of music. I think they convinced me to look into their music a bit more! Energy and enthusiasm on stage, great!
Grade: 7
Bands I want to see
The White Stripes
Editors
Coldplay
Pendulum
