VUUR, Votum Hamburg 2018
Location: MarX (Markthalle) Hamburg
Date: February 13th, 2018
She is one of the best singers in rock and metal, the Dutch Anneke van Giersbergen. Since 1994 she is on stage, first 13 years at the Dutch cult band The Gathering. Then in various individual projects (including Agua de Annique). Along with Liv Kristine and Kari Rueslåtten she toured with the project “The Sirens”. Together with Arjen Lucassen she released under the name “The Gentle Storm” with “The Diary” a much-discussed double album. From the live band of Gentle Storm then developed their current band VUUR. In October 2017 the debut “In This Moment We Are Free – Cities” was released. After touring Europe at the end of 2017 as support for Epica, the band’s first headliner tour followed. And during their stopover in Hamburg, the musicians invited their fans to the MarX, the small stage in the Markthalle. The pictures of the evening can be seen on Flickr.
First, Votum from Poland entered to the stage. Who presented them Dark Progressive Metal was not easy- listening. That was prog metal of a different kind, instead of sprawling melodic arches were more likely to hear sound paintings. Singer Bartosz Sobieraj played with different variations of his voice. That somehow reminded me of the vocal acrobat Al Jarreau. Even deliberately used feedbacks of the bass guitar were among the musical stylistic devices. This was one of the most extraordinary live performances I have ever seen.
Setlist Votum:
- Simulacra
- Void
- Prometheus
- Satellite
- Prey
- Vertical
- Spiral
VUUR came that evening below-strengthed on stage, bassist Johan van Stratum (ex Stream Of Passion, Ayreon) had to fly for family reasons back to the Netherlands. But VUUR did not want to disappoint the fans and still deliver a professional show. With pride they presented their current album. But also songs by Anneke’s previous band The Gathering ( “On Most Surface”, “Strange Machines”) and The Gentle Storm ( “Storm”) made for a great atmosphere. Of course, the announcement that the band is currently working on the second album, was received with enthusiasm. In the middle part of the show, two acoustic songs created a goosebump mood. First, the singer stood alone on the stage, with her acoustic guitar, then also came guitarist Ferry Duijsens on stage. Memories of Anneke’s appearance at the Rock Café St. Pauli were awakened. The singer led charmingly through the evening. She was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the fans. After two encore songs the evening ended. Afterwards you could meet the two bands of the evening at the Merch.
Setlist VUUR:
- Time – Rotterdam
- My Champion – Berlin
- On Most Surface
- The Martyr and the Saint – Beirut
- The Storm
- Like A Stone (Akustik
- Valley Of The Queens (Akustik)
- Freedom – Rio
- Days Go By – London
- Your Glorious Light Will Shine – Helsinki
- Strange Machines
Zugabe:
- Fallout
- Reunite! – Paris
MHF Magazine/Rainer Kerber
