24 January 2024

2 mins read

Photography: Kelly Vermeer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with DES ROCS

CONCERT REVIEW: Power Outage Forces Des Rocs To Play Part Of Their Show Acoustically

On January 23rd, Des Rocs had a concert at the Amsterdam Melkweg. It was the first of two planned shows for Amsterdam. Because the first show sold well, they decided to add another one.

The event took place in the Melkweg’s Oude Zaal. The show kicked off at 8:00 PM with the opening act Christopher Shayne, a rock ‘n roll band from Phoenix. After their performance, there was a short wait before Des Rocs came on stage.

The show began with the song Dream Machine, fittingly so for the “Dream Machine” tour. The atmosphere was immediately thrilling, but after a few songs, the lights and sound in the venue suddenly went out. It became evident that a city-wide power outage had occurred. After the emergency lighting illuminated the scene, it was decided that the show would temporarily continue acoustically.

Chairs were arranged on the stage, and Des Rocs picked up his acoustic guitar. It was a remarkable moment, one not to be forgotten. After acoustic renditions of Maybe, I, and Never Ending Moment, the stage lights suddenly came back on, and the sound was restored.

From that point on, the show resumed with White Gold. In summary, it was an unforgettable evening, not only due to the power outage but also because Des Rocs tore the roof off the venue. The energy he brought resonated throughout the entire hall.

Check out the photos I took below!

Christopher Shayne

Des Rocs

2 October 2023

5 mins read

Photography: Christine Mooijer

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with 5 Seconds Of Summer

CONCERT REVIEW: 5 Seconds Of Summer Make Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome Come Alive

On October 1st, the popular pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer graced the stage at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, and boy, did they blow off the roof! It had been over a year since the Australian band last visited the Netherlands. I also attended their show at RTM Stage last year, so I was incredibly excited to once again experience a party like only 5SOS can throw.

As the opening act, the electric duo AR/CO took the stage. I had not heard of them before, but I enjoyed their performance. AR/CO had the honor of being the opening act for all UK shows and European shows. During their performance in Amsterdam, they even played a new song, All Over The World.

After AR/CO‘s set, we had to wait a bit before 5SOS hit the stage. They were expected to start at 8:45 PM, but it ended up being 15 minutes later. Thankfully, they had a great playlist playing in the venue while we waited. We went from Somebody That I Used to Know to Teenagers, and as soon as I Write Sins Not Tragedies came on, the entire crowd could be heard singing along enthusiastically.

Then came the moment we had all been waiting for: the band took the stage. In front of the stage, there hung a large curtain with “The 5 Seconds of Summer show” written on it. As the show began, the silhouettes of the guys were visible on the curtain, and it dropped down as they kicked off their performance.
The show opened with the song Bad Omens, which seamlessly transitioned into 2011, Caramel, and Blender. The band’s stage presence was once again great, and they made sure to interact with the audience throughout the show, in a unique manner that I had not seen with other bands.

In between songs, they occasionally showed short sketch videos, possibly to give the band a breather. For instance, between She’s Kinda Hot and Amnesia, there was a sketch where the guys played doctors in a POV style, with the audience as patients. In the end, we were “diagnosed” as 5SOS fans, with a humorous touch.

As I mentioned, audience interaction was a significant part of the show. At one point, a large red dice was tossed into the crowd, and the audience got to choose the next song based on what song the dice landed. The dice had to travel from the stage to the back of the venue and back within a minute. Unfortunately, the Dutch audience could not make it in time, so the band selected Voodoo Doll.

During the show, there was a battle between drummer Ashton and the audience to see who could make the most noise. Of course, Ashton won the battle. Later, when Michael addressed the audience, he made sure that we were not forgotten.

Each band member addressed the audience individually throughout the show. They seemed genuinely grateful that everyone had come to the show that night. I really liked this. It gave the show a personal touch.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the band’s version of a “kiss cam”. During the song Best Friends, the audience was filmed and shown on the big screen. They named it the “Best Friend Cam.” Of course, the band members themselves also made occasional appearances on this Best Friend Cam. I can imagine that it would be funny to see yourself on the big screen while dancing with your favorite band.

As is common at many concerts and shows, there were numerous cameras capturing the entire evening, providing beautiful visuals on the large screens in the venue. However, on this particular night, the cameras might not have been solely for the screens. Drummer Ashton jokingly mentioned how fun it would be if the entire show were recorded, but he also added, “For legal reasons, I said it would be fun.” I am curious if we ever hear what that was about.

After an amazing performance that truly rocked the house, the show ended with their hit, Youngblood.
The entire show featured a mix of the band’s well-known songs that you could sing along to and some lesser-known tracks, offering a great variety. I had a fantastic evening, although I imagine the cleanup crew may have had a bit of a challenge with the confetti cannons that went off three times during the show.

Check out the photos below!

5 Seconds Of Summer @ Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam

30 September 2023

5 mins read

Photography:

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with Thirty Seconds To Mars

ALBUM REVIEW: Thirty Seconds To Mars – ‘It’s the End of the World But It’s a Beautiful Day’

It’s been a few years since the popular rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars released an album. The last time was in 2018 with the album ‘America,’ their 5th studio album. This time, they are back with the album “It’s the End of the World But It’s a Beautiful Day.” This new album takes a more electronic direction, something different than what we are used to from the band.

Let’s dive right in with the first of the 11 tracks, “Stuck.” This song was released as a single back in May and immediately caught my attention, sparking my curiosity about what the new album would bring.

The song begins calmly with a bit of guitar and Jared Leto’s vocals. Then, it builds some tension leading into the chorus. Once the chorus kicks in, a catchy beat is introduced. I find this song to be somewhat different from what I expect from the band, but I really enjoy it.

“Stuck” is followed by “Life Is Beautiful.” I’m not entirely sure what to think of this song. Personally, it reminds me a bit of a film soundtrack.

The song starts quietly with some piano and the first verse sung softly by frontman Jared. Soon, there’s a sound resembling a lit match, and then the chorus with a good beat.

‘’Seasons’’ and ‘’Get Up Kid’’ both are a bit softer songs with a little beat. I feel like Seasons is a bit more uplifting and Get Up Kid is a more darker empowering track. These are two of the songs that were released before the album came out. Just like with Stuck I was kind of surprised with these songs. It’s so different than the other albums. You like it, or you hate it.

The lyrics of ”Love These Days” appeal to me from the very first sentence. “I think that it’s so strange what we call love these days. Kinda fucked up and fake.” This line alone can be interpreted in multiple ways. Is the song about how the concept of love has changed these days? Or is it about a relationship in which love has changed? In the chorus of this great slow electronic song, it seems to revolve around the idea that people increasingly seek a kind of “high” or excitement that comes from heartbreak, even if it means enduring pain.

“World On Fire” is one of the audience favorites, with 1.1 million streams on Spotify. I can understand why. This electronic track gives me a vibe in the chorus that reminds me of the band’s earlier work, especially in the part that goes, “Let there be light.”. But it’s a bit more calmer.

“World On Fire” is followed by “7:1.” This song also gave me a feeling of the band’s previous work, perhaps due to its slightly darker melody. I can’t quite put my finger on why it gives me that feeling.

I believe the song is about personal growth and the desire to break free from negativity. In the first verse, there’s a strong desire expressed to change one’s life. Later in the chorus, it seems that the realization has come that change and growth sometimes come with both good and bad experiences. I feel like this song has a story. I am curious if we will hear that story one day.

Arriving at “Never Not Love You”, the song opens with a gentle piano, and Jared Leto almost whispers the first verse. The song, which deals with post-breakup feelings, has a minimalist build-up toward the chorus. The chorus itself is calm but delivered with emotional vocals. Personally, I find this one of the weaker tracks on the album. It feels a bit too slow in certain parts.

After the emotional “Never Not Love You,” we move on to “Midnight Prayer.” What immediately stands out in this song is that the vocals are delivered by Shannon Leto. It’s a nice change of pace. In the last album, Shannon also did the lead vocals for one of the songs. It’s always a nice surprise.

As soon as the song begins, it gives off a slightly dark vibe. In the first verse, we hear Shannon’s vocals, followed by the chorus. The song seems to be about battling inner demons and mental challenges. The rest of the song is accompanied by a good beat. I think this song is one of my favorites.

In “Lost These Days,” after a short guitar introduction, we are greeted by Jared’s whisper-like vocals again. With its dark bass, this song stands out a bit from the rest (apart from “Midnight Prayers”). Despite being relatively calm, this song feels quite different from the others. Towards the end of the track, the style suddenly changes, and a dance-like beat is introduced. This is quite surprising.

Now, we’ve arrived at the final song on the album, “Avalanche.” The song is opened by the lyrics, “Time, time to live our lives. Set the world on fire.” This song is somewhat different from the rest, but in a different way than “Lost These Days.” “Avalanche” gives me a bit of the vibe of the band’s earlier work, only slower. It’s fantastic!

So, my conclusion is that if you like the older songs of the band then I would recommend skipping a few songs on this album. But if you like to try the new, more minimalistic and electronic style of the band then this album will totally be your thing. I noticed while listening to the album that almost every song has the same build-up. First, a slow introduction, followed by a chorus with an electronic beat. The new style was something that I had to get used to, but in the end kind of loved.

It’s the End of the World But It’s a Beautiful Day is now available for listening on every streaming platform. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into this new album and experience Thirty Seconds to Mars’ fresh sound!

28 August 2023

4 mins read

Photography:

Written by: Kelly Vermeer

what's happening with DES ROCS

ALBUM REVIEW: Des Rocs – ‘Dream Machine’

Des Rocs is becoming a more prominent name in the world of modern rock music. With his unique style and raw voice, he’s capturing a lot of attention. Two years after the release of his debut album A Real Good Person In A Real Bad Place, he’s back with his second album: Dream Machine. The album was released on 25 August 2023.

Some of the nine tracks have been released as singles before, so in that sense, we’ve already had a sort of preview of what his new album would bring. When I listened to the singles, I knew this album would be something different than the first one.

The album starts with the title track Dream Machine. The four-and-a-half-minute song begins with a bit of acapella from the singer, which then transitions into the rest of the song. The song reminds me a little of “Highway Tune” by Greta Van Fleet. This title track immediately makes you want to take a ride yourself.

After the opening, the album continues with the songs I Am The Lightning, White Gold, and Nowhere Kid.
I Am The Lightning starts off with an awesome guitar riff. The riff that initially was part of Never Ending Moment but didn’t make it to the track. After Rocs returned home from tour he made a loop that became I Am The Lightning. The song really gives off a sense of empowerment. Overall, it’s a really great song with a good build-up. It also gives off the vibe that it could work well as a track in a movie.

I Am The Lightning is followed by White Gold, which, in my opinion, isn’t a particularly remarkable song on this album. The song has a good build-up, just like most songs of this album but, It doesn’t have a lot of lyrics and is my least favorite song of the album. That’s why we quickly move on to Nowhere Kid, one of the shorter tracks on the album. The lyric ‘’I don’t belong here And I never did’’, at the beginning of this song makes it clear that it’s written for those who consider themselves outsiders. The relatable lyrics and the rebellious rhythm are a great match in this song, After a somewhat more rebellious track, we find Never Ending Moment. With 2 million streams on Spotify, this is the most streamed song from the album. I completely understand why. I think this might be my favourite of all the nine songs. The song starts with an acoustic guitar and after a few seconds, more instruments and vocals are added. When the drums kick in, we briefly hear Rocs’ raw voice introducing the first verse. This track revolves around the desire to hold onto special moments and freeze them in time.

Following this song, we move on to Bad Blood. This song has a great dark and intense undertone. It makes the song more mysterious than the rest of the album. Despite several songs on this album carrying a dark undertone, Bad Blood has a different vibe to it, a vibe that to me is reminiscing of the classic rock sound from the ’70s and ’80s.

Natural Born Thriller has a different style than most of the tracks on this album. The beginning gives off country vibes, which then transition into rock, which goes back and forth throughout the song. It’s a nice twist on the album, something I didn’t expect. Before we approach the end of the album, we have In The Night to transition into the calmness of the final track. This one is notably calmer than the rest of the album. The softness and dark tones of the intro immediately create a sense of tension. Similar to Never Ending Moment, the song starts with a guitar, and this time, Des Rocs softly initiates the song before the emotional chorus begins.

Des Rocs closes the album with the acoustic song Up to You. With Up To You, you can really hear Rocs vocal strength. This acoustic love song, in my opinion, serves as a perfect ending for the album.

With this album, Des Rocs has musically revealed another facet of himself. I’m curious about what he will bring in the future. Dream Machine is now available for listening on every streaming platform. So, check it out!