Who’s in town!? Not to miss shows in… Amsterdam!

By Levina Duivesteijn

Some nice concerts coming up in Amsterdam (and in Utrecht, not far from the capital after all!) this month. Unfortunately, the Nationale Nederpop Avond -a concert of several Dutch musicians- which was going to be held in the Heineken Music Hall on the 17th this month, has been canceled. Too bad, as one of my favourite Dutch bands, Moke, was one of the acts! Meaning, we need some other good gigs to make up for this. Fortunately there are several other sweet concerts - have a look below and listen to our playlist at the bottom!

07 Sep - Modest Mouse @ Melkweg The Max

11 Sep - Calexico @ Tivoli (Utrecht)

14 Sep - Dawn Landes + Josh Ritter @ Paradiso

16 Sep - Paul Weller + Kasabian + Tim Knol @ Tivoli (Utrecht)

17 Sep - Modest Mouse @ Melkweg

23 Sep - Lifehouse @ Paradiso

30 Sep - Gnarls Barkley @ Paradiso

Wanted to stay updated about upcoming gigs through Twitter? Follow @BandsinAMS!

Photo of Modest Mouse via opbmusic

Who’s in town!? Not to miss shows in… Amsterdam!

By Levina Duivesteijn

Now July is almost over, it’s time to really let go of our World Cup final loss. Ok, perhaps you already moved on, but any excuse to go see some live music, right?! With all the summer festivals going on it sure is a little quieter in town, but for those who were too late getting a ticket for Lowlands (or perhaps aren’t the festival-type!), there are still enough other concerts to enjoy - have a look below and listen to our playlist to already get in the mood!

04 Aug - The Dandy Warhols @ Paradiso Grote Zaal

05 Aug - Jens Lekman @ Paradiso Grote Zaal

05 Aug - The Blow @ Paradiso

11 Aug - Kasabian @ Tivoli (Utrecht)

15 Aug - Bear In Heaven @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

17 Aug - Talib Kweli + Hi-Tek @ Melkweg

18 Aug - Goldfrapp @ Paradiso Grote Zaal

31 Aug - Eels @ Paradiso Grote Zaal

Wanna stay updated of gigs in and around Amsterdam on Twitter? Follow @BandsinAMS!

Photo courtesy of Goldfrapp

Who’s In Town…!? Not to Miss Gigs in… Amsterdam!

By Levina Duivesteijn

This month started nicely gig-wise in Amsterdam with Kate Nash playing at Paradiso - of which we’ll soon post some sweet video footage on this blog! At the same great venue will Tegan & Sara play on the 17th, as well Marina and the Diamonds the day before, but then in the ‘kleine zaal’ (small hall) - a great room for intimate gigs. The Heineken Music Hall also seems like the place to be for live music this month; Jack Johnson, Crowded House and DJ Tiesto will be getting the place filled with dancing people, especially the latter! Another great event in Amsterdam this month is at Java Eiland, where the Dutch bands De Dijk, Van Dik Hout and ACDA & De Munnik will be playing, accompanied by the great Ellen ten Damme. Check it out!

16 June - Marina and the Diamands @ Paradiso (Kleine Zaal)

17 June - Tegan & Sara @ Paradiso (Grote Zaal)

18 June - Kane @ Java Eiland

19 June - DJ Tiesto @ Heineken Music Hall

20 June - ACDA & De Munnik + De Dijk + Van Dik Hout + Ellen ten Damme @ Java Eiland

20 June - Crowded House @ Heineken Music Hall

21 June - Jack Johnson @ Heineken Music Hall

23 June - Local Natives @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

29 June - Gomez @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

Follow @BandsinAMS for more gigs coming up in Amsterdam and have a listen to our playlist for some great music of some of the bands listed above!

Photo of Ellen ten Damme by Klaas Guchelaar

Live: Rox in Amsterdam!

By Stephan Huijboom

The 10th of May was a very special day for Rox. It was this day that her very first proper show had been sold out, and it was nowhere else than Amsterdam’s pop temple Paradiso that hosted this brilliant show.

Before reading any further, be sure you’re quick to buy tickets for one of Rox’s upcoming shows, that is, before they’re all sold out. Who exactly, you ask? Roxanne Tataei, the 21 year-old half Jamaican, half Iranian singer with a voice just as powerful as Amy Winehouse, but lacking the needles and raw booze that her predecessor took for granted when performing. You may not have heard the name Rox before, but her smash hit-single “My Baby Left Me” has been given a lot of airplay throughout various European countries, so chances are you’ve heard it already.

A wise move then to open the setlist with this laid back R&B ballad with strong hooks and powerful vocals. Better yet to follow up with ‘No Going Back’, which is arguably the leading candidate for her best song yet. “How are you doing everybody?” she warmly asks after performing her first two magnificent songs. Loud applaud and cheering from the whole audience. Rox tells her audience that she’s happy to be here, and she seems to really mean it. Her dark eyes and big smile are visible during most of the performance, making her show look like a natural act, performed from the deepest corners of her soul. It certainly helps that she has a very talented pair of backup vocalists and an excellent band. Rox goes on to perform most songs off her new album “The Memoirs”, which will be out June 7th. The album features a wide range of beautiful ballads, including “Sad Eyes” and the magnificent “Precious Moments”. She asks if we like reggae. A few enthusiastic fans loudly cheer. “Well, the next song has been soaked with reggae influences. If you like reggae, that’s great. If you don’t, now’s a good time to start liking it!” The track “Rocksteady” indeed makes the audience dance their feet off on irresistibly danceable reggae beats. As Rox says goodbye to the audience, most people start to chant that they really “want more, want more..!”

The encore featured the album track “Breakfast In Bed”, and a beautiful cover of Seal’s “Crazy”. If Alanis Morissette ever turned you off with her interpretation of this classic, then find your cure by going to one of Rox´s live shows. That is, if they’re not sold out already.

Rox will be playing in London on the 17th of this month, and at four different festivals in the UK in July. Wanna check out where and when? Have a look on Bandsintown and track her to stay updated about upcoming tour dates!

Photo by David Emery via Rox’s website

Who’s In Town!? Not to Miss Gigs in… Amsterdam!

By Leonie Sellies and Levina Duivesteijn

What a party it was in Amsterdam on Queensday two weeks ago! Museumsquare was packed with people dressed in orange and dancing on the beats of Tiesto, Alain Clark, Caro Emerald, Sidney Samson, Kane and many more. How great to see so many people enjoying live music and going crazy! For those who are still in the party-mood and already can’t wait for the next Queensday: don’t worry, we know that it’s still a long wait for Queensday next year, but in the meantime there are some sweet gigs coming up in Amsterdam for you to enjoy and to continue the dancing! One concert you DEFINITELY shouldn’t miss out on is Gotan Project playing at Paradiso on the 19th - they are incredibly talented and absolutely fantastic live. And wonderful venue Paradiso will no doubt greatly compliment their music! Josta van Bockxsmeer of @BandsinBerlin will be checking them out in Berlin as well and shall be posting a review of the concert afterwards! Another band playing at Paradiso this month is Beach House, which promises to be a great show too. Or would rather enjoy some sweet sing-along Dutch cheesiness with Guus Meeuwis? He’ll be playing in Carré twice this month!

18/5 Broken Social Scene @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

19/5 Gotan Project @ Paradiso (Grote Zaal)

21/5 Animal Collective @ Smart Project Space

26/5 Beach House @ Paradiso (Grote Zaal)

27/5 Temper Trap @ Melkweg The Max

29/5 +30/5 Guus Meeuwis @ Carré

30/5 Joanna Newson @ Melkweg Rabozaal

31/5 Snow Patrol @ Heineken Music Hall

Follow @BandsinAMS on Twitter for updates on all of the shows happening in Amsterdam and @reply us with a band’s name and we’ll tell you when that band is playing in Amsterdam! For example, tweet: “@BandsinAmsterdam Gotan Project” and we’ll get back to you within seconds. How handy is that?!

Photo of Gotan Project playing at the Brixton Academy in London

Who’s in Town!? Not to Miss Gigs in… Amsterdam!

By Leonie Francien Sellies

Finally the sun is shining. After two weeks of drizzly weather spring has finally begun in the Netherlands. Together with the spring some great artists have arrived;

Definitely a not to miss band is Rigby, performing April 3^rd in Utrecht and April 17^th in Uden. If you don’t immediately know who I’m talking about, you probably do -unconsciously- know their One Song.

Always wanted to know which band was responsible for that great catchy song that just kept playing in your head after you had watched some commercials on the telly? Here’s at least one elucidation by Coparck called The World of Tomorrow. Check them out now you still can, cause they announced to stop after the summer unfortunately.

And there is no excuse to not go see Midlakewho will be performing a stunning four times in the Netherlands the coming month - Utrecht, Rotterdam, Nijmegen and Groningen!

Here are some more concerts we recommend you to check out if you can and have a look at your concert cloud on BandsinTown to find even more great gigs!  

03/4 - Rigby @ Tivoli de Helling (Utrecht)

10/4 - Coparck @ Tivoli de Helling (Utrecht)

10 + 11/4 - BLØF @ Carré

14/4 - Silvert Hoyem @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

16/4 - Lostprophets @ Melkweg The Max

19/4 - Midlake @ Tivoli (Utrecht)

24/4 - Laura Jansen @ WATT (Rotterdam)

25/4 - Paolo Nutini @ Tivoli Oudegracht (Utrecht)

28/4 - Jason Isbell @ Paradiso Kleine Zaal

28 + 29/4 - Wouter Hamel @ De Kleine Komedie

29/4 - Coparck @ Paradiso Grote Zaal

Follow @BandsinAMS to stay updated about upcoming via Twitter!

Photo of Coparck

Who’s in Town!? Not to Miss Gigs in… Amsterdam!

By Leonie Francien Sellies

March is a month of many musical highlights and as a special this month I have also included a fair number of first-class Dutch artists to the list, both the newbies and the good oldbies! Aside from these Dutch artists I have moreover chosen to include many indie-artists. Among these the American Rock band 30 seconds to Mars and Blood red shoes from Brighton, England for example. Jazz is also in the air with Dutch jazz singer Wouter Hamel and Trijntje Oosterhuis, Dutch pop and jazz singer. Finally, both Alphabeat and Mika do not need an introduction. If you are in need of some more energy during these depressing drizzling days, be sure not to miss out on their gigs!

02/3 - 30 Seconds to Mars @ Heineken Music Hall

03/3 - Dave Matthews Band @ Heineken Music Hall

03/3 - Four Tet @ Five Days Off

05/3 - Wouter Hamel @ Spant

09/3 + 10/3 - Acda en De Munnik @ Carré

13/3 - Mika @ Heineken Music Hall

14/3 - Alphabeat @ Melkweg The Max

17/3 - Blood Red Shoes @ Paradiso Grote Zaal

18/3 - I Am Kloot @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

23/3 - Trijntje Oosterhuis @ Paradiso Grote Zaal

24/3 - Giovanca @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

27/3 + 28/3 - Absynthe Minded @ Melkweg Oude Zaal

29/3 +30/3 - Guus Meeuwis @ Carré

Want more? Follow @BandsinAMS on Twitter for more concert updates or if you want any personal recommendations. And of course you can also log in on our website and check out your own Concert Cloud for upcoming concerts in Amsterdam, or anywhere else!

Photo of Wouter Hamel via Last.fm

Live! Friska Viljor in Amsterdam

Photos & review by Leonie Francien Sellies

Some bands have the ability to connect to the audience. They know how to convey their love for the music and to take the listener with them on a ride; Friska Viljor is one of them. The band came into existence in 2005 when Daniel Johansson and Joakim Sveningsson, the founders and currently head singers of the band, were simultaneously left by their significant others and found each other while drinking away their grief in the nightlife of Stockholm. After a long night they miraculously ended up in a studio together and Friska Viljor was born!

Daniel Johansson and Joakim Sveningsson, with their beards and long blond hair seem like the epiphany of what we would call Swedish men.  It is a peculiar and striking duo. With their raw voices, personal lyrics and clear affection for the audience they know how to capture you in their music. Reoccurring themes in their songs seem to be alcohol, broken hearts and disillusionment with the world, followed by optimistic prospects for the future.

The duo has already produced three albums – Bravo, Tour de Hearts and For new Beginnings – the last of which announcing a new beginning for the band and the direction they are heading with their music. According to Daniel the music is deeper and more thought has gone into what kind of instruments they have used, but the new beginnings above all announce a  new attitude towards life, finding more harmony. An example of this can be found in their new song ‘Hibiskus Park’, but their new album also contains more energetic songs such as ‘People are getting older’. Friska Viljor by now has obtained a fair amount of fame in Sweden and the Benelux.

During the performance the duo, with their three band members accompanying them on the electric guitar, electric piano and drums, keep surprising the audience. They use unusual instruments and feed from the energy of the crowd. There is a perceivable build-up in their performance, which starts somewhat lethargic but keeps building up during the performance up until the point when everyone is energetically dancing and singing along. The constant smile on the face of the pianist expresses the joy the band clearly gets out of playing live. At one point Joakim walks up to an ecstatically dancing girl and for a few seconds the music is only dedicated to her. During some songs Joakim holds out his hands towards the audience as if he wants to hug them.

The music is unique, could be classified as indie, but to really know it one needs to listen to it, preferably live. As the last song is announced the crowd goes wild: “We want more, we want more!” and they get more! After the first encore Joakim declares  he adores enthusiastic audiences and this enthusiastic audience is rewarded with a total of 4 encores!

All in all it is a great concert with first-class music and an awesome atmosphere. If you have the opportunity to go to a live concert of Friska Viljor this is definitely a must-see!

Who’s in Town!? Not to Miss Shows In… Amsterdam!

By Leonie Francien Sellies

Finally I’m back in the Netherlands!  After spending 5 great months  in Italy partying and studying at the University of Bologna I have to say there are a lot of reasons why it’s good to be back: namely live music! In February there are a bunch of great shows playing in and around Amsterdam, which I -  for one - do not want to miss out on!

Stereophonics Feb 06, 2010 at Heineken Music Hall
Artist Line Up: Stereophonics, De Staat

Midlake Feb 10,11, 2010 at Paradiso
Artist line up: Midlake, Adam Green

Treasure Fingers Feb 12, 2010 at Melkweg
Artist Line Up: Treasure Fingers, Goldfish

Xavier Rudd Feb 17, 2010 at Paradiso

Spoon Feb 18, 2010 at Paradiso

Sebastian Feb 19, 2010 at Paradiso
Artist Line Up: Sebastian Sturm, Kane

Fightstar Feb 20, 2010 at Sugar Factory

Florence and The Machine Feb 22, 2010 at Paradiso
Artist Line Up: Florence and The Machine, Good Shoes

Vampire Weekend Feb 24, 2010 at Paradiso
Artist Line Up: Vampire Weekend, Grand Lee Philips

Destine Feb 27, 2010 at Tivoli De Helling (Utrecht)
Artist Line Up: Destine, Only Seven Left, MakeBelieve

Jookabox Feb 27th, 2010 at SugarFactory

Le peuple de l’herbe Feb 26, 2010 at Melkweg

Want to stay updated on shows in and around Amsterdam? Follow @bandsinAMS on twitter for show announcements, ticket giveaways and more.

(Photo of Florence and the Machine via Gigwise)

Who’s in Town!? Not to Miss Shows in… Amsterdam!

By Leonie Francien Sellies

Although winter officially had already started late October the cold now is really reaching its all-time nadir. Instead of staying home near the stove, why not go to some energetic concerts to beat the winter blues?  Swedish Rock band Europe, best known of their epic song ‘The Final Countdown’ and upbeat energetic American band ok GO (who doesn’t remember the classic treadmill music video of  Here we go again?!?) are sure to lift up your energy level.

Are you looking for something calmer? Though its hard to put her in a box, Dayna Kurtz with her powerful voice which will sweep you off your feet. 

In the mood for a mix of hard and soft sounds? Then you should make sure you don’t miss out on Archive. This London band, exhibiting a mix of triphop in progressive rock will surprise you in their diversity, even within one song!

Last but not least OneRepublic is back in the Netherlands after a tour through Berlin, Cologne, London and Vienna! Don’t miss out on the new songs of their latest album Waking up!

Here are some upcoming tour dates:

Europe live in Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Sun Jan 17, 2010 at Paradiso

OK Go live in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Fri Jan 22, 2010 at Melkweg  

OneRepublic live in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Mon Jan 25, 2010 at Melkweg

Dayna Kurtz live in Utrecht, Netherlands
Wed Jan 27, 2010 at Tivoli

Cocoon Recordings live in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sun Jan 31, 2010 at Studio 80

If you’d like to know more about some of the artists mentioned above visit their artist pages at Bandsintown.com,where you can find upcoming shows, playlists, similar artists and of course, tickets.

For more information on shows in Amsterdam you can follow our brand new @BandsInAMS twitter account.  What shows are you looking forward to? Let us know!