013, Tilburg, The Netherlands4th November 2014
Lindsey Stirling & Mike Tompkins
LINDSEY STIRLING surprised 013 venue two years ago by selling out the small stage in a blink and almost selling out the big stage as well. Her mix of violin, ballet, dance and pop music combined with her interpretations of famous soundtracks (Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, Skyrim, Lord Of The Rings and Game Of Thrones), proved successful. And now she’s back!
Mike Tompkins
MIKE TOMPKINS is an A-capella producer / artist who gained his fame on YouTube (over 175 million views). Using only his voice, he redefines A-capella music by crafting youthful and inspiring pop music / remixes. Aside from this, he also kick-started his career as a producer. With a degree from the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART) and over 10 years of experience, Tompkins is an accomplished recording engineer, mixer, and sound designer with an impressive list of credits in a range of mediums. 2014 has been a busy year for MIKE TOMPKINS outside of YouTube. He produced and is featured on the latest t.A.T.u single which went #1 in Russia. As well as co-wrote / produced with TIMBALAND for Jennifer Hudson's single 'Walk it Out'. www.tompkins.fm / www.facebook.com/MikeTompkinsMusic
Music & Performance
013 is sold out and the audience is already getting excited before the support act even starts. A simple dimming or movement of lights, or the appearance of a technician on stage, is enough to trigger multiple cheers from throughout the crowd. Then TOMPKINS gets on stage to start off with some proper beats, all produced from his own vocal range and skills. It’s catchy, infectious and showed off with a big smile from MIKE himself. Layer after layer of sound is added (or played from tape, as I got the idea that several parts were not ‘live’) and all is supported by two video screens on the sides of the stage. It’s fascinating and interesting to see how this man produces a whole band from his vocal cords. His work is built up mostly around his vocal sound effects but also includes some arrangements from popular it songs such as KATY PERRY’s ‘Dark Horse’ and COLIN PHARELL’s ‘Happy’.
Despite the catchy tunes and MIKE’s enthusiasm, it seems hard to get the crowd going. Aside from an occasional cheer on request, they hardly move their feet. The fact that TOMPKINS is mostly hidden behind his “turntables”, laptop and microphone, doesn’t really add to the live experience. Personally, I think it would be great to see this vocal-artist work more close-up in a smaller setting with just a loop & sample machine and a microphone. That would take away some of the fanciness of his work though. Choices, choices. Nice warm up overall!
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 6
Sound: 8
Light: 6
Total: 6.8 / 10
Lindsey Stirling
LINDSEY STIRLING is a violinist, dancer and composer, born Santa Ana, California. A former member of the rock band STOMP ON MELVIN, STIRLING began releasing videos on YouTube in 2007 and in 2010 she competed on the talent show “America’s Got Talent”. Her appearance gained the attention of cinematographer Devin Graham, with whom she has collaborated on several videos since then. Her YouTube channel has become extremely popular and has received upwards of 100 million views. STIRLING studied recreational therapy in Utah. Most of her musical upbringing however was done at home in her childhood. At the age of five she began to study the violin, being inspired by the classical records played by her father. She took private lessons for twelve years. When she was sixteen, she joined high school rock band STOMP ON MELVIN. As part of this experience STIRLING wrote a solo violin rock song, and the start of her signature style performance was born.
LINDSEY STIRLING has one EP (‘Lindsey Stomp’ - 2010) and two albums (‘Lindsey Stirling’ - 2012 and ‘Shatter me’ - 2014) out. On her last album, she collaborated with several other artists such as Lzzy Hale from rock band HALESTORM. This is actually how I became to know her music. For the “Shatter me” tour, LINDSEY is joined by keyboard player Jason, drummer Drew and dancers Stephen and Peter. http://lindseystirling.com / www.facebook.com/lindseystirlingmusic
Music & Performance
I think the location reminder (“Tilburg, Netherlands”) next to her set list says enough about the touring schedule little miss STIRLING has been on over the last couple of months. To promote her latest album ‘Shatter me’ she tours North America and Europe, doing 77 shows in five months. No fatigue at all shows however as that curtain drops and LINDSEY starts her show with ‘Beyond the Veil’ – literally, beyond a veil. The stage is built up with drummer and keys on both sides and a big screen with a riser in the middle.
Our star of the evening obviously doesn’t need to warm up, as she darts around on stage with her violin; it’s amazing how she just keeps playing like it’s nothing while running and jumping around at the same time. To add a little extra, two dancers make their appearance on stage. They’re in the background, sometimes lifting Lindsey up in the air, but they also get their own piece of ShowTime in a little dance-off further on in the show. This also gives STIRLING time to go through one of her many costume changes; from gym outfit, to neon, to romantic and last but not least a pirate outfit. As the first notes of ‘We are Giants’ start, singer-songwriter Dia Frampton appears on the screen, one of the collaborations Lindsey did for ‘Shatter me’. After a video break where we get a little sneak peek into LINDSEY’s youth, it’s time for the game tune of ‘Zelda’.
Then the stage is rebuilt to an acoustic setting. LINDSEY is an easy talker and quite witty as well as she jokes around with her keyboard player Jason. They play ‘Transcendence’ and JOHN LEGEND cover ‘All of Me’ in an acoustic setting. It doesn’t long before lighters and phones are up in the air. LINDSEY proves to be an inspirational talker as well, as she introduces ‘Take Flight’ from her personal perspective. Soon after, it’s time for a little up-tempo music again. When ‘Master of Tides’ is announced, I am completely surprised by hundreds of pirate signs held up – now that’s a committed crowd! Last but not least, we see Lzzy Hale from HALESTORM appear on the screen as the clock starts ticking for the title song ‘Shatter Me’. All in all a great energetic and balanced live show and for me personally: a refreshing break from metal music!
Setlist
01. Beyond the veil
02. Mirror House
03. Electric daisy
04. Night Vision
05. Heist
06. Swag
07. We are Giants (feat. Dia Frampton)
08. Zelda
09. Transcendence
10. All of Me (John legend cover)
11. Take Flight
12. Moon trance
13. Roundtable revival
14. Master of tides
15. Crystalize
16. Shatter me (feat. Lzzy hale – Halestorm)
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 10
Total: 8.5 / 10
All pictures by Ruth Mampuys (www.ruth-less.nl)
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