Archeon, Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands9th of December 2006
Conorach, Valkyre, The Thirsty Dog
It was an early morning, especially for a Sunday. Drove all the way to the Archeon. It is a historical theme park. But today there was more to see than ‘just’ the prehistoric, medieval and roman era. Today a few parallel universes were added. The midwinter fair is a day in fairytale land with a nice touch of metal and folk music.
There is so much to see on a day like this you have to make choices (or go two days). We started out in one of the shopping tents which then led us in to the Roman bath house where the shops continued. There were clothes of many sorts and sizes, incense and its ingredients, books, puppets, swords, mead and many lovely homemade products.
Besides spending your money on the market there were other things to do, such as several lectures. We attended the two lectures of Prof. Dr. Rotherham. The first was about working with animals, in the broadest sense possible. There was spoken about pets but also about the use of animals in the ancient Egyptian realm of gods and goddesses. The second lecture was about the spear of destiny, a heavier subject but very interesting as well.
The Thirsty Dog
The first band we saw today. The Thirsty Dog always creates a nice party atmosphere and around the clock of two we were finally awake and ready for some action. Today they had brought an extra musician to the stage, a banjo player named Fred. There was quite an audience gathered to see The Thirsty Dog, their fame has spread.
Music
Often songs are started with a scream/shout of their lead singer Jasper. Then with great enthusiasm and joy the songs are played. David who also sings a few songs has a great voice which is very versatile as well, he can sing with a normal voice, a more raw voice and even a crying voice. As the name of the band suggests there are many songs about dogs in their repertoire, some of which are started with some nice dog howls. Not al songs were happy and upbeat there was also a more depressive song, especially because it was the midwinter fair. We were told it was time for a huge winter depression but the song was to end in a soccer stadium shouting so the song still ended with the entire crowd shouting and clapping along to the song. There were some technical problems but these were no problem for The Thirsty Dog, they just announced what was to be adjusted (or took another guitar) and went on with their show.
Performance
One of the most obvious aspects of The Thirsty Dog is that you see they love being on stage and playing their music for us. There is great interaction between both the band members themselves and the band and the audience. They always like to keep on playing. At the end of their performance they played “To The Bar” (an audience request) and told us they could make it as long as they’d like. So every time they stopped playing the audience shouted for more and they played us some more. During the performance more and more people started to dance, in the front there were even some small children dancing. A good time for both old and young!
One of the most obvious aspects of The Thirsty Dog is that you see they love being on stage and playing their music for us. There is great interaction between both the band members themselves and the band and the audience. They always like to keep on playing. At the end of their performance they played “To The Bar” (an audience request) and told us they could make it as long as they’d like. So every time they stopped playing the audience shouted for more and they played us some more. During the performance more and more people started to dance, in the front there were even some small children dancing. A good time for both old and young!
Rating
Music 7
Performance 8
Sound 6
Light – (there were only a few lamps which couldn’t move and these were not provided by the band)
Total 7 (7.3)
Music 7
Performance 8
Sound 6
Light – (there were only a few lamps which couldn’t move and these were not provided by the band)
Total 7 (7.3)
Valkyre
This band has become a familiar face of the Midwinter fair. Judging by the full hall they had brought some fans along.
Music
The first song of the show had some great choir parts in it. That sounded quite impressive. Unfortunately the sound during the rest of the show was not very impressive, but that is also due to the circumstances of this festival. The hall where the bands play is not build for concerts at all. The sound of the guitars sounded to machine like and that was the loudest instrument in the mix. During the show it did improve somewhat. The vocals of Mieke don’t sound very relaxed, the notes don’t flow like they should. She needs some time to relax it seems because after a few songs she sounds much better.
This band has become a familiar face of the Midwinter fair. Judging by the full hall they had brought some fans along.
Music
The first song of the show had some great choir parts in it. That sounded quite impressive. Unfortunately the sound during the rest of the show was not very impressive, but that is also due to the circumstances of this festival. The hall where the bands play is not build for concerts at all. The sound of the guitars sounded to machine like and that was the loudest instrument in the mix. During the show it did improve somewhat. The vocals of Mieke don’t sound very relaxed, the notes don’t flow like they should. She needs some time to relax it seems because after a few songs she sounds much better.
Performance
Without any announcement the band started to play. Immediately more and more people came in to listen. The second song was announced shyly by one of their guitarists, too bad he was wearing a cap which covered his eyes, all of his expression was hidden beneath it. During the performance it showed that the guitarist had a great time. Gaelle (their keyboard player) stayed literally and figuratively in the background. It was good to see this band again and see that they have improved their sound although a bit more self confidence couldn’t hurt them.
Without any announcement the band started to play. Immediately more and more people came in to listen. The second song was announced shyly by one of their guitarists, too bad he was wearing a cap which covered his eyes, all of his expression was hidden beneath it. During the performance it showed that the guitarist had a great time. Gaelle (their keyboard player) stayed literally and figuratively in the background. It was good to see this band again and see that they have improved their sound although a bit more self confidence couldn’t hurt them.
Rating
Music 6
Performance 6
Sound 6
Light -
Total 6
Music 6
Performance 6
Sound 6
Light -
Total 6
Conorach
Being founded in the year 2000 the band has undergone many line-up changes to come to the member which form Conorach today. They have recently released a mini album containing 4 songs. Unfortunately this was recorded before their new vocalist Jacco joined the band.
Music
Even though they are a young band (with this line-up) they have a solid sound. A mixture of power metal and folk which in my opinion is a great sound for them. Their vocalist Jacco has a classically educated voice and he knows how to sing although it would be nice to hear a bit more emotion in his voice. To hear that he really knows the story he is telling. Other than that they have probably acquired some new fans this evening.
Even though they are a young band (with this line-up) they have a solid sound. A mixture of power metal and folk which in my opinion is a great sound for them. Their vocalist Jacco has a classically educated voice and he knows how to sing although it would be nice to hear a bit more emotion in his voice. To hear that he really knows the story he is telling. Other than that they have probably acquired some new fans this evening.
Performance
The stage was actually a bit to small for the band but they managed. The crowd was enthusiastic. It was not that full any more because the fair was coming to its end and they played over an hour later than was planned. It was a shame that many people have missed this band. A lot of people had left for home after they heard the fire show was cancelled because of the weather and they assumed that the bands were finished. For those of you who want to catch up… go and see them on the 23rd of December in Delft. It was fun to see that their guitarist Patrick was thoroughly enjoying himself, holding his guitar high up in the air while playing the final notes of their songs. Jacco didn’t always seem to know what to do with himself on stage. I believe it was their fourth performance with the band as it is so they are probably learning with each performance.
The stage was actually a bit to small for the band but they managed. The crowd was enthusiastic. It was not that full any more because the fair was coming to its end and they played over an hour later than was planned. It was a shame that many people have missed this band. A lot of people had left for home after they heard the fire show was cancelled because of the weather and they assumed that the bands were finished. For those of you who want to catch up… go and see them on the 23rd of December in Delft. It was fun to see that their guitarist Patrick was thoroughly enjoying himself, holding his guitar high up in the air while playing the final notes of their songs. Jacco didn’t always seem to know what to do with himself on stage. I believe it was their fourth performance with the band as it is so they are probably learning with each performance.
Rating
Music 7
Performance 7
Sound 6
Light -
Total 7 (6.8)
Music 7
Performance 7
Sound 6
Light -
Total 7 (6.8)
Photography and copyright: Monica Duffels & Edwin van der Ende
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