Een zinderende concertweek

The penultimate week of July 2019 was hot, very hot. So hot that temperatures soared to new heights never before recorded in the Netherlands. What do you do in a week like that? Attend multiple sold-out concerts in a packed hall in Zoetermeer, of course!

On Monday, July 22nd, it was Anathema's turn to kick off the week with a bang. First up was an artpop opening by Maartje Dekker's Dutch Mayra Orchestra. Then, Anathema took to the stage to a soundtrack from the film Interstellar. Anathema played a fantastic set with atmospheric images from around the world and space in the background. There was also a surprise appearance by some Pink Floyd, including the song "High Hopes," played solo by guitarist/singer Daniel Cavanaugh.

Thursday, July 25th, ultimately became the hottest day ever recorded in the Netherlands. That evening, I attended Riverside in another sold-out Boerderij in Zoetermeer. They even declared it the "hottest concert ever" but promised us we'd feel younger afterward. I doubt they entirely succeeded, especially tired. But they certainly did, because the band gave the audience such energy that everyone was singing along and headbanging. Eventually, singer Mariusz, bass guitar and all, jumped into the room for a tour of the audience. The days of them staring at their shoes, somewhat introspective, are long gone. It's also cool how the instruments seamlessly blend during heavy numbers. And how Mariusz can then launch into a quiet, vulnerable acoustic number. Absolutely fantastic! And by the way, respect for Dutch pride Lesoir, who, despite the heat and limited space for the seven musicians as the opening band, still put on a great show and definitely won over some fans! Playing a song called Luctor et Emergo for a bunch of Zeelanders always scores points ;-)
After that rocking evening, we got in the car. On the way home, at a quarter to twelve at night, it was still 33 degrees Celsius, the car showed. Hottest concert ever...