Tivoli Oudegracht, Utrecht, The NetherlandsOctober 15th 2006
Omnia, Qntal, Unto Ashes
Qntal was touring to promote their new fifth album ‘The Silver Swan’. Having a pretty big fan base in Holland, they couldn’t skip our small country. On Saturday they performed with Unto Ashes in the W2 in Den Bosch, and in the Oudegracht they had Omnia backing them up in a folky gothic matinee. There were plans for a gothic fantasy market. By the time I got there, I found out there wasn’t going to be a market ‘due to circumstances’. But as I found out, it was not very busy in Tivoli. With not enough tickets sold they had to cancel the market. At 5 o’clock sharp, Omnia walked on stage.
Omnia
Omnia is one of the bigger Dutch pagan-folk bands in Holland. They have a pretty big fan base, and living in Utrecht themselves I was expecting more Omnia fans in the venue. There were only a few. It was too early for them to perform as they said themselves. Even if this was a joke it was lacking the energy I usually see in this band when they perform.
Music
The folky tunes of Omnia are mostly based on existing folk songs. They are studied, laid out, and then Omnia wraps them up with a modern Neo-Celtic coating. Some of the songs have been translated into English, others are sang with their original languages saved. On stage they use different instruments. Joe is playing his acoustic guitar; Luka is playing his Slidderidoo. That’s a didgeridoo with the ability to adjust its length. Also several of the members get to play the djembe’s, standing in the back. Jenny’s job is to sing and play the harp, the bodhran, and the turn quadrant. Their songs are about the gathering Celts, and go all the way to Afghanistan, from where they picked a song about hope and despair. Overall, the songs are very nice to listen to, and almost send you back in time.
The folky tunes of Omnia are mostly based on existing folk songs. They are studied, laid out, and then Omnia wraps them up with a modern Neo-Celtic coating. Some of the songs have been translated into English, others are sang with their original languages saved. On stage they use different instruments. Joe is playing his acoustic guitar; Luka is playing his Slidderidoo. That’s a didgeridoo with the ability to adjust its length. Also several of the members get to play the djembe’s, standing in the back. Jenny’s job is to sing and play the harp, the bodhran, and the turn quadrant. Their songs are about the gathering Celts, and go all the way to Afghanistan, from where they picked a song about hope and despair. Overall, the songs are very nice to listen to, and almost send you back in time.
Performance
Like I said before, the band was missing its natural energy they usually have on stage. They were probably still hung-over! As for the people who have seen Omnia perform before, you kind of know what the stage looks like. The harp was placed in the front this time and the percussion kit more in the back. All of the members were dressed in black again and had their make-up and drawing in their face all done very well, and looked pretty. There was a sign hanging in the back and a lot of green was used on stage to give it the overall natural look. The lights were also with a lot of green. Steve was making his jokes, and tried to lure come Goths out of their tent by saying they were all depressed vampires and so on. Even though the songs were played very well, it missed some of the atmosphere I usually feel when seeing them perform. Really too bad.
Setlist
01. The Twa Corbiez
02. An Dro
03. The Sidhenearlahi Set
04. Tine Bealtaine
05. Fidhe Ra Huri
06. Dil Gaya
07. En Avant Blonde
08. Entrezomp-ni Kelted
01. The Twa Corbiez
02. An Dro
03. The Sidhenearlahi Set
04. Tine Bealtaine
05. Fidhe Ra Huri
06. Dil Gaya
07. En Avant Blonde
08. Entrezomp-ni Kelted
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 6
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 7 (7.2)
Music: 8
Performance: 6
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 7 (7.2)
Unto Ashes
The second band to perform has been on tour with Qntal almost all the way. Living in New York, the city that never sleeps, the band was formed in 1997 by their musical wonder boy Michael Laird. After performing in NYC they are getting more and more feeling with their music. They released a few albums, and now they are performing in Utrecht.
Music
Unto Ashes make beautiful music. Medieval sounds combined with some dark electro spins. The lyrics vary from pagan chants to sm mistress character. It’s a wide range of different experiments with old and new music. Not all of the set was suitable for dancing, some of it is really meant to fill the atmosphere, or be background music for a movie. I think its something you should listen to, and then judge for yourself. They suit well with Qntal, there are just a bit more electro influences. Only thing I didn’t like was that most medieval instruments were done by synthesizer. Really too bad. Big plus: weird different instruments, and a singer who knows how to play the violin.
Unto Ashes make beautiful music. Medieval sounds combined with some dark electro spins. The lyrics vary from pagan chants to sm mistress character. It’s a wide range of different experiments with old and new music. Not all of the set was suitable for dancing, some of it is really meant to fill the atmosphere, or be background music for a movie. I think its something you should listen to, and then judge for yourself. They suit well with Qntal, there are just a bit more electro influences. Only thing I didn’t like was that most medieval instruments were done by synthesizer. Really too bad. Big plus: weird different instruments, and a singer who knows how to play the violin.
Performance
Their performance was really boring. Even though most of the songs were slow and just for listening, also the social talk in between the songs and telling us something about the song lacked all enthusiasm. It was like they are all afraid to come across as an actual person. They would rather hide behind their stage character and just play the songs. 3 members were on stage. One girl who played the violin and the electric drums, one girl behind the synthesizer and one man on stage who played about a dozen instruments and ended up behind a snare instrument looking like a huge rectangle… a bit like a side table. But with snares. Their performance was lifted somewhat because of a very awesome lightshow. The fairytale like feeling of the music was printed out well in the lightshow and the audience was very quiet during the songs, captured by what they saw. The lead singer was dressed in a very pretty dress and had her hair tied up beautifully. It suited her very well. She looked very comfortable singing and dancing when possible.
Their performance was really boring. Even though most of the songs were slow and just for listening, also the social talk in between the songs and telling us something about the song lacked all enthusiasm. It was like they are all afraid to come across as an actual person. They would rather hide behind their stage character and just play the songs. 3 members were on stage. One girl who played the violin and the electric drums, one girl behind the synthesizer and one man on stage who played about a dozen instruments and ended up behind a snare instrument looking like a huge rectangle… a bit like a side table. But with snares. Their performance was lifted somewhat because of a very awesome lightshow. The fairytale like feeling of the music was printed out well in the lightshow and the audience was very quiet during the songs, captured by what they saw. The lead singer was dressed in a very pretty dress and had her hair tied up beautifully. It suited her very well. She looked very comfortable singing and dancing when possible.
Setlist
01. A Hymn To Pan
02. Fountains (Hurdy Gurdy)
03. Serve Me
04. Intacta Sum
05. Spider Song
06. I Cover You With Blood
07. Four Loom Weaver
08. Der Letzte Ritter
09. Rose Thorns
10. One World One Sky
11. Frühling
12. Don't Fear (The Reaper)
01. A Hymn To Pan
02. Fountains (Hurdy Gurdy)
03. Serve Me
04. Intacta Sum
05. Spider Song
06. I Cover You With Blood
07. Four Loom Weaver
08. Der Letzte Ritter
09. Rose Thorns
10. One World One Sky
11. Frühling
12. Don't Fear (The Reaper)
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 5
Sound: 8
Light: 9
Total: 7 (7.2)
Music: 8
Performance: 5
Sound: 8
Light: 9
Total: 7 (7.2)
Qntal
Qntal took some time to get ready for their gig. This was what most people came to see. Even though the atmosphere was missing at the beginning, after a few drinks most people became happier. DJ XLII mostly played songs that suited the atmosphere of tonight. An electro version of a few of Omnia’s songs, and some Faun most people enjoyed. Some people cared for a little dance, but most of the time the floor remained empty, and people just chatted a bit. It really was a Sunday. Then after some time, it was time for Qntal! Ontal is on tour now for their fifth album, ‘The Silver Swan’. Being around for quite a few years, Qntal has created quite a large fan base in Holland. Being one the of the larger bands at Summer Darkness 2005, it was clear people do love their combination of folk and ritualistic music combined with some sophisticated cyber beats. It gives the listener the feeling there is more to this band and want to experience it. So tonight we had almost 90 minutes of experiencing!
Music
Qntal makes medieval music with an electro taint. The different songs from the new album are inspired by the Carmina Burana. These slow folky tunes are fairytale like. Combined with the beautiful voices of Syrah, Qntal creates a truly magical atmosphere that will carry their visitors to their faraway fairytales. After dreaming for a while, Qntal mixed more dance songs to their set. During the set, Unto Ashes’ members came on stage to help out. This was a nice add to the music, gave this a bit of a fuller sound. The newer songs were combined well with their older work. The music is sought out, and balanced very well. The band is very talented, both technical as well as being able to perform.
Qntal makes medieval music with an electro taint. The different songs from the new album are inspired by the Carmina Burana. These slow folky tunes are fairytale like. Combined with the beautiful voices of Syrah, Qntal creates a truly magical atmosphere that will carry their visitors to their faraway fairytales. After dreaming for a while, Qntal mixed more dance songs to their set. During the set, Unto Ashes’ members came on stage to help out. This was a nice add to the music, gave this a bit of a fuller sound. The newer songs were combined well with their older work. The music is sought out, and balanced very well. The band is very talented, both technical as well as being able to perform.
Performance
On stage there were not that many instruments set. The original members of Qntal came on stage one by one. With only 2 blue lights on and a red light aimed at Syrah, the intro was very mysterious and gave just a small glance in the nearby future. The next 90 minutes to be exact. Om stage there was the band. And Unto Ashes was doing a guest performance for Qntal. This is the first tour we see the band on stage with more then 3 people. Their performance is energetic and professional. All members are used to each other and don’t get in each others way. They make little jokes, play well, and a lot of medieval instruments are used. This is a band who knows how to perform. Syrah moves graciously around on stage on the rhythm of the music. And when the band came back for an encore, the roadies had set up a table with glasses filled with water on them; they did a song with singing glasses. So creative and so enchanting… Qntal deserves all those fans in Holland!
Setlist
01. Von den Elben
02. Dulcis Amor
03. Palästina
04. Monsieurs Departure
05. Am Morgen Fruo
06. The Whyle
07. Levis
08. Flamma
09. Entre Moi
10. Amor Volat
11. Veni
12. Lingua
13. Ecce Gratum
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14. Unter der Linden
15. Ad Mortem Festinamus
16. Flow My Tears
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 9
Total: 9 (8.5)
Music: 9
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 9
Total: 9 (8.5)
Photography and copyright: Monica Duffels
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