I have seen many big shows this year, seen my actual favourite bands and yet nothing compared with the joy and warmth Anneke van Giersbergen gives off. She is a master of her craft, but more than anything she is such a sweet person, who truly loves what she is doing and is so honest. She lights up any room she walks in.
The night started with Maru, to whom I have to give a lot of credit. She gave such a nice performance and made us all feel warm and fuzzy and ready to see Anneke. I really want to search more about her and will definitely try to see her again if I get the chance.
The more I like a band or an artist, the more critical I become. And yet I cannot find a single bad thing to say about Anneke’s show. Maybe that I wish she played My Promise. That’s it. In rest I was just lucky to be there. What a voice! What a stage presence! So much warmth and happiness and pure joy.
What a nice setlist! Surely, that is the case because I know and love her latest solo album, “The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest”. If you haven’t listened to it yet, it’s high time you did.
She also brought back classics from her time with The Gathering, such as Strange Machines or Saturnine. And, of course, some Devin Townshend couldn’t be left out, so we got a bit of it with Ih-Ah. But the night was also full of covers. I love when artists don’t let egos get in the way of not just good songs but fun moments of diversity. We got to hear some Kate Bush, some Iron Maiden, even some Leonard Cohen.
An in between all these lovely songs Anneke was telling stories and laughing, reminiscing and simply connecting with the audience. Nothing can beat an acoustic show with a guitar and a great voice and just the warmth of it all.
Overall, what a night! Thank you metalhead/bestmusic for bringing Anneke to Bucharest. It was an amazing evening that I will cherish for a long time.
