3 Courses @ 25th Anniversary

Not one, but two sold-out shows at de Effenaar in Anneke van Giersbergen’s hometown, to celebrate her 25th Anniversary. No support(s), just Anneke. Over the years she has built up an impressive discography with bands, in collaborations and solo. The evening is a kind of travel with a time machine split in 3 stages.

For this unique event fans from all over the world travelled to Eindhoven. All 34 countries were mentioned by presenter Björn van der Doelen (former professional soccer player of-PSV-Eindhoven and musician for years).

The first part opened with Anneke on acoustic guitar solo with ‘Saturnine’ (The Gathering song). All silent listing to her mature magical voice. After this the stage was filled up Kamerata Zuid, a full String Orchestra. The songs, specially arranged for this setting, got an additional dimension. The set included ‘Valley Of The Queens‘ (Ayreon song), ‘Stay’ and closing ‘Somewhere’ (Within Temptation song). And yes, with the last song Sharon den Adel joined Anneke on stage under a rousing applause. The two ladies formed an excellent duo with matching vocal voices.

Anneke used the break to change for the second set. The first part started a little heavier; a Rock set with Agua de Annique including ‘Even the Spirits Are Afraid’ (The Gathering song), ‘Sunken Soldiers Ball’ and ‘To Catch a Thief’ (John Wetton & Geoffrey Downes song).
For the second part, Danny Cavanagh (Anathema) replaced the band. In an acoustic setting with Danny on guitar they finished the second course with a small set including two Anathema songs; ‘A Natural Disaster’ and ‘Untouchable, Part 2’.

The main course is the metal set with her current band VUUR. Not only the fire of the pyro set, also the dynamics on stage fired up the audience. The excellent musicians on stage know how to perform and deliver. With the great opener ‘The Storm’ (The Gentle Storm song), my evening is top. The Gathering period was important for Anneke so it’s no surprise that some songs are part of this set. ‘On Most Surfaces (Inuït)’ is followed by ‘Your Glorious Light Will Shine – Helsinki’ of VUUR. Her collaboration with Devin Townsend is represented by ‘Hyperdrive’. With ‘Amongst Stars’ (Amorphis song), Alma Alizadeh (For I Am King) joined the stage for the heavy parts. Again great to see how all matches. With ‘Strange Machines’ (The Gathering song), given a new life by Anneke closed the party. Although loads of people hoped for more, it was finished.

The set was a kind of based on favorites on Spotify, some request song and Anneke’s own choice. It turned out to be a great overview of the diversity of Anneke. It was a very beautiful evening and we’re looking forward to what comes next.

As usual more photos: Set 1, Set 2 and Set 3