7 March 2025

2 mins read

Photography: Kelly Vermeer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with Silverstein

CONCERT REVIEW: Silverstein Turns the Melkweg into One Big Moshpit

On March 6, 2025, Silverstein took the stage in the main hall of the Melkweg in Amsterdam. I had never heard of the band before, but after listening to a few songs on Spotify, my curiosity was piqued.

The show opened with a video taking the audience back in time, showcasing the band’s early years and how many people doubted they would make it. As the final images flickered on the screen, the band kicked off their first song, immediately setting the tone for the night.

From the very first moment, they encouraged the crowd to start mosh pits, and the audience responded without hesitation. The energy in the room was high from the start and never wavered. The visuals on the screens added to the atmosphere, making the stage feel even bigger.

At one point, someone even lost their shoe in the pit. No idea if they ever found it again.

Musically, everything was tight. The vocals were on point, the chemistry between the band members was solid, and their interaction with the crowd made the whole experience even better. Between songs, short video clips were shown before they jumped straight back into the set.

I really have no complaints about this show. As someone who had never heard of Silverstein before, I had an amazing time. And I’ve already added a few of their songs to my playlist.

Check out the photos we took below:

Thursday

Silverstein

24 February 2025

2 mins read

Photography: Kelly Vermeer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with Cage The Elephant

CONCERT REVIEW: Cage The Elephant Rock AFAS Live

Sunday, January 23, the moment had arrived. Cage the Elephant brought their Neon Pill Tour to AFAS Live.

The show kicked off strong with Broken Boy, and the vibe was instantly set. It was hard not to notice how the lead singer used the entire stage. He even mentioned that this was one of the sickest stages for him. Apparently, he had recently broken his leg, but luckily, he was fully recovered.

The stage design wasn’t overly elaborate, but it perfectly matched the atmosphere. There were warm lights behind the band and small platforms for some of the musicians. The drummer stood on the highest one, making him easy to spot throughout the show.

The crowd had been singing along all night, but when Trouble started, the energy really stepped up. Some people even had their own little dance moves to go with it.

Another thing that stood out was the number of phones—or rather, the lack of them. Usually, you see a sea of screens, but this time, it was pretty minimal. That changed the moment Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked began—suddenly, phones popped up like a wave as the crowd went wild.

There wasn’t a lot of talking between songs, but there was plenty of interaction through waves, cheering, and dancing. It was also nice to see such a mixed audience. It felt like a lot of younger fans had come with their parents, which was fun to see.

All in all, I really enjoyed the show. This is one of those bands that might actually sound even better live than on their recordings. So, if you ever get the chance to see Cage the Elephant live, I’d definitely recommend it.

Check out the photos we took below:

Cage The Elephant

19 February 2025

3 mins read

Photography: Kelly Vermeer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with Set It Off

CONCERT REVIEW: Set It Off Take Over A Sold-Out Melkweg

Set It Off played a sold-out show at Melkweg on February 17th. Before they took the stage, the crowd was warmed up by TSS, Call Me Amour, and Point North. Each brought their own style, making sure the energy was already high. When it was finally time for Set It Off, The Final Countdown blasted through the speakers, building anticipation. The moment the band appeared, the room exploded. “You don’t need a warm-up,” shouted frontman Cody Carson. He was right – from the very first song, the crowd was all in. Lots of singing along, jumping, and mosh pits. The tempo was high, with the band squeezing in as many songs as possible during their time on stage.

Even though things moved fast, there was still plenty of interaction and quick conversations between songs. The audience was clearly having a great time – and so was I. There wasn’t a single moment where the energy dropped. Kill the Lights was one of those songs where you could feel the entire room come alive, with everyone singing at the top of their lungs.

One of the most fun surprises of the night came during I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, when drummer Maxx Danziger and vocalist Cody Carson switched places – Carson took over the drums while Danziger stepped up as lead singer. Carson also took a moment to reflect on their journey at Melkweg, from playing in the smallest room to now selling out the biggest. He made it clear how grateful the band was for this moment, and it felt completely genuine.

Other standout moments? A noticeably diverse crowd and a guitarist who somehow managed to play the entire show while keeping his jacket on. No idea how he did it, but respect.

Everything came together perfectly: a solid setlist, an energetic crowd, and a band that was clearly having a blast. It was a great night.

Check out the photos we took below:

TSS

Point North

Set It Off

30 January 2025

2 mins read

Photography: Kelly Vermeer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with Dropkick Murphys

CONCERT REVIEW: Dropkick Murphys’ Night Of Music, Beer & Fistbumps

On January 29, Dropkick Murphys took the stage at the Ziggo Dome. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but from the very first second, the energy was through the roof. No slow build-up, just full throttle from the start. The crowd was encouraged to start mosh pits, though these were mostly limited to the center near the barricade. The rest of the audience stuck to bouncing along, jumping, and the occasional beer shower.

One cool detail was the small platform at the front of the stage, where Ken Casey frequently stepped up to get closer to the audience. He handed out fistbumps left and right and constantly engaged with the crowd. Even when he was right among the fans, everything remained respectful—no pulling, no grabbing, just genuine enthusiasm from both sides.

A standout moment in the set was Curse of a Fallen Soul, which started as a ballad before suddenly switching into a fast, hard-hitting track. Another surprise was their cover of AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll), which fit seamlessly into their performance.

As the night went on, the atmosphere became more lively. More beers were thrown, the mosh pits got more intense, and chants of “Let’s go Murphys!” echoed through the venue—something the band clearly enjoyed.

The music is fast and loud, but the energy is infectious. Even if you’ve never seen them live before, there’s plenty to enjoy. No frills, no over-the-top stage production—just a band doing what they do best: playing.

Gogol Bordello

Dropkick Murphys

19 December 2024

6 mins read

Photography: Kelly Vermeer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with Lolo

INTERVIEW: LØLØ On Her First Headline Tour, Fans & Live Highlights

It’s been a few weeks since singer LØLØ wrapped up her first headline tour, You Turn Me On Tour. Just days after her incredible show in Haarlem, I had the chance to sit down with the singer to talk about the tour, her music, and the inspiration behind her songs.

Q: How was your last show in Haarlem, the Netherlands?

LØLØ: “Haarlem was amazing. I think it was such a great last show. The crowd was amazing, the energy was great. I loved the room, I loved the venue. But I woke up sick that day, and it was really scary for me because I thought, ‘Am I going to have to cancel the last show of my tour?’ I didn’t talk all day, and I canceled my VIP performance to save my voice. Thank God, adrenaline kicked in during the show, and I was able to sing. The first three songs I was terrified, but then I got through it. I wouldn’t have wanted such an amazing tour to end on a bad note.”

Q: How did you enjoy the rest of your European tour?

LØLØ: “I had the best time of my life. This was my first headline tour, so I didn’t know what to expect. I was so scared, like, ‘Is anyone even going to buy tickets? Am I going to perform to 30 people a night?’ But almost every show sold out, and the crowds were just the best. They were screaming the lyrics, and it was so fun. I think every artist says this, but European crowds are the best. There’s so much more energy and excitement.”

Q: What surprised you the most about headlining your first tour?

LØLØ: “I didn’t expect how much work it would be. When you’re the headliner, there’s no free time. You’re doing soundcheck, VIP performances, interviews, everything. I didn’t get to see much of the cities, except Haarlem. I went to Bagels & Beans—my favorite breakfast spot in the Netherlands. I guess I’m a creature of habit!”

Q: Was it difficult to bring your full stage setup to every venue?

LØLØ: “Yeah. For example, in Berlin, the stage was so small we couldn’t hang the backdrop. I had the robot and the yellow brick road, but not the full look. In Haarlem, though, it was such a big stage that we could hang everything perfectly. The picture ends on the backdrop and connects to the real-life yellow brick road. I was so happy because it looked exactly how I imagined it.”

Q: How do you maintain your energy on tour?

LØLØ: “I try to conserve my energy during the day, especially now that I’m the headliner. I’m singing an hour and a half every night, plus two songs during the VIP performances, so it’s a lot more than when I’m an opener. I often go on vocal rest and don’t talk, which means I have to type things on my phone or play charades with my band. I also try to chill out and find a good coffee shop in the morning.”

Q: What’s your go-to coffee order on tour?

LØLØ: “At Starbucks, my go-to order is an oat milk latte with brown sugar syrup. But in Europe, you guys don’t always have that, or the oat milk tastes a bit different. So I usually just get a regular latte. Honestly, European lattes are my favorite—the milk tastes so much better here than in Canada or the US. I don’t know why, but it’s just better!”

Q: What’s the most memorable thing a fan did on this tour?

LØLØ: “A lot of fans dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters. In Manchester, there were Dorothys, Scarecrows, and Tin Men. Someone in Germany gave me a Tin Man Funko Pop, and it’s now hanging in my room. I also got so many gifts—it’s insane. My mom and family couldn’t believe it when we opened them all.”

Q: Can you tell us about your latest single, “Don’t”?

LØLØ: “The song is about trying not to think about someone, even though you’re completely obsessed. I’d be running on a treadmill, telling myself I wasn’t thinking about him, but of course, I was. I tried everything—getting drunk, distracting myself—but it didn’t work. The twist? I’m dating him now! So, I didn’t listen to my own song.”

Q: Are there any songs you always perform live? Why those?

LØLØ: I always perform “junkie”. It’s funny because it’s not even one of my top-performing songs, but it feels so good to sing live. I also do ‘Debbie Downer’ because the energy is just so fun. It’s funny because I love writing sad, depressing songs, but on stage, I love performing the upbeat ones. I also always play ‘You Turn Me On, But You Give Me Depression’ and ‘Hot Girls in Hell’—they’re fan favorites, and I play guitar on those, which I love.”

Q: Your ballads often feel deeply personal. Do you have a song that means the most to you?

LØLØ: “Probably ‘Bill Hill’ because it’s about the fear of growing up and realizing life isn’t what you thought it would be. It’s real and scary but honest. Also, my ballads like ‘I Would Fix You If I Could’ and ‘Snow in Berlin’ are super personal. ‘Hot Girls in Hell’ was literally just a stream of consciousness—I sang what I was feeling, and it turned into the song.”

Q: Which artists inspire you the most?

LØLØ: “Green Day is my favorite band, so they’re my biggest inspiration. My album was also really influenced by Boygenius. Gus and I saw their set at Coachella, and it blew me away. It sparked so many ideas. I also love Julia Michaels’ songwriting—her lyrics feel like a conversation. And of course, Taylor Swift—she’s such a good storyteller.”

Q: Would you love to collaborate with those artists someday?

LØLØ: “Oh my God, I would die to collaborate with any of them. I don’t know if it’ll ever happen, but you never know!”

The show in Haarlem might be over, but LØLØ’s performance is one we won’t forget anytime soon. Check out our full concert review!

28 November 2024

2 mins read

Photography: Kelly Vermeer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with Chrissy Costanza

CONCERT REVIEW: Chrissy Costanza & VOILÀ A Perfect Match In Amsterdam

On Tuesday, November 26th, Chrissy Costanza and the band VOILÀ brought their Spin The Bottle tour to the stage at Melkweg Amsterdam. Chrissy, widely known as the lead singer of Against The Current, wasn’t performing with her usual band this time. Instead, she recently released a new EP and teamed up with the guys from VOILÀ for this tour. During the show, Chrissy shared that VOILÀ had produced her new EP—always fun to learn those behind-the-scenes details.

When I first heard these two acts were touring together, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was curious to see how the show would unfold, but the entire performance felt cohesive. The evening kicked off with Chrissy and VOILÀ on stage together, performing the opening song. From there, they alternated throughout the show, with Chrissy and VOILÀ taking turns every three to four songs.

There were also several collaborative moments, including a joint performance of 7 Minutes in Hell.

The night was packed with audience interaction. Chrissy shared personal stories behind her songs, and at one point, a spin-the-wheel game was brought out on stage. Fans had the chance to spin the wheel during the concert, with the outcome determining a surprise song. During this show, someone from the audience was brought on stage to spin the wheel, leading to a special performance by Chrissy.

VOILÀ also had a beautiful moment with their song Long Story Short. The crowd lit up the venue with their phone flashlights. It was a magical moment.

Overall, I had an amazing evening. VOILÀ was fantastic, and their chemistry with Chrissy on stage was a joy to watch. It was clear that everyone was thrilled to be performing. I’ve added a few new songs to my playlist, and I can’t wait for both Chrissy and VOILÀ to return to the Netherlands soon.