Hardline & Sevi - Boerderij Zoetermeer, 18 April 2026

Tonight the choice was between some top class melodic hard rock or djenty progmetal during Stichting Huaaargh's second show. After some listening to both options I decided that Hardline would be more up my alley musically and I supported Huaaaargh by buying a ticket, but my physical presence surely was sorely missed. Hardline is among those bands that I know, but where I have to think: Do I own any CD by them? Turned out I do not (well corrected that last night). In 1992 the band released their debut album Double Eclipse. Vocalist Johnny Gioeli was joined by his brother Joey on guitars and Tod Jensen on bass. What made the band famous was the Journey duo Neal Schon and Deen Castranova also joining the band. Their music was a heavier version of Journey with some nods too hair metal. Even not owning that CD I did recognize several songs of that album, especially their "hit" Hot Cherie. Nowadays only Johnny is still in the band, and they are Italian, being it American or Italian born.

Before Hardline would come on, we were warmed up by Sevi from Bulgaria. Now I had never heard of that band before, but they are called after vocalist Svetlana Sevi Bliznakova. When they played it seemed logical the band was called after her, as she was very present all over the stage. A very good voice she has and the music was ok. Maybe the songs lacked a bit of character for me. The guitarist was a hired hand as he met the band only two days before with no time to rehearse. Well to me not knowing the band it sounded like he was a long time member. On Keyboards they were not so lucky, They were at times prominent in the mix, but on stage the keyboads were there, but nooone behind them. All together a nice warm-up show it was.

Discussing KIT and why I could not go this year at the break it was 21:45 when Hardline hit the stage. If anything was clear from the first seconds it must have been that Johnny Gioeli is a great frontman. Totally at ease he ruled the stage and his voice was outstanding. The whole band were in top form and when guitars do get emotional during ballad solos, these same ballads get a lot better. In general the tempo was more on the up and the setlist was build mainly around Double Eclipse with some new songs from recent album Shout blended in plus a few. I did get Shout after the show, but should get Double Eclipse too one day, as it is a classic. The band were enjoying themselves on stage and so was the audience. A decent turnout by te way, with even the balcony opened for the band. Somewhere halfway the set Johnny said that tonight was about having a good time with rock and roll and forget all the craziness outside these walls. That was exactly the feeling we had. Such an uplifting set they played the mood was accordingly. One of 2026's highlights for sure. So my choice of gig tonight was right, as you don't get these kind of presentation during a prog affair. Go see Hardline if you can, today they play het Bolwerk in Sneek.

Year of the Goat & Firmament - Musicon The Hague, 6 April 2026

An afternoon of retro occult hard rcok, what's not to like? Well obviously most people preferred this sunny afternoon a visit to the beach or seeing ADO Den Haag becoming champion as it was far from packed in Musicon. I did not know either band in advance, but agreed to reopen our HM B&B for the headliners. Looking at their next show being in München today I was prepared for a 05:30 alarm to send the band off latest 6:30. Well apparently also the band studied the map, so they annouced upon arrival no longer needing a place to sleep. No issues as bread and cheese stay ok for a while and beds can be unmade. So now I just headed for an afternoon of rock to Musicon. Almost I did not make it as while passing the cemetery en route a car  turned right, without paying attention to me. I could not get angry as you have to feel sorry for those heading to cemeteries at easter under the motto "who knows he or she comes back, it won't be the first time". Anyway I arrived in an empty Musicon on time and would spend a pleasant afternoon in the company of Frank (Festerfest survived) and Laurie.

First band on were Firmament from Germany. They looked like a seventies rock band and did honour their looks. Actually they were a very pleasant surprise. Their hard rock was played energetically and the performances by all were solid. Good enough for me to buy a CD later on in appreciation.

Headliners Year of the Goat are from Sweden. The band were founded already 20 years ago and released four albums so far. This tour was in support of their last album Trivia Goddess. That one received positive critics in magazines, but did not result in many people being aware of them and showing up. Well as so often happens, those staying at home lost out as we got a very nice show by this big band. Big as in seven people on Musicon stage makes you think the new Baroeg is more comfortable stagewise. Still not fully crammed on stage there was space to move and three guitars always promise walls of guitar. As I did not know the band I was surprised to see inbetween song banter and vocals coming most from the man at the back behiind the keyboards. In reality only the bassist and drummer were not allowed to sing, all other five members at times sung along.  If you than add the songs being varied and good and we had one fine afternoon show. Also for me reason to pick up their latest album and Triva Goddess playing now sounds nice enough.  So in the end we got two good bands this afternoon and those who were in loudly showed their appreciation. My next show in Musicon is probably The Hague Death Fest, when more people are supposed to find their way back home. Jag pratar inter svenska, but I learned from Mikael afterwards that my Tröjan T-shirt to them did not mean an English metal band, but actually the shirt. And the breakfast table: it stayed empty.

Festerfest - Baroeg Rotterdam, 5 April 2026

Festerfest in Baroeg. That means two good reasons for heading to Rotterdam today. Festerfest celebrating it's 10th and final version.  As if that is not enough Baroeg holding it's first try-out open to general public, which includes me. Two years after starting the demolishing and rebuilding Baroeg officially re-opens 25 April. I was very curious to see live what the new Baroeg looks like, instead of short movies on FB. Well I can say it looked all fine to me. Two bars, also one inside the hall is an improvement. The hall itself looks big and the stage is high and huge. Today the balcony remained closed, but new capacity is 500 people, which allows them to book bigger bands too. As it was a try-out comments are still welcome I guess. Well the beers in hard plastic cups were somewhat unfortunate when looking at size versus price. Further the price of 400 ml being the same as two times 200 ml is not how it is supposed to work. The garderobe is free and open, which I guess can be less comfortable when people buy vinyl and other merch. Cash is out, like many venues, but I don't like that. Enough complaints as both the building and  hall look very fine

Festerfest is the festival where genres mix and blend. This was edition 10 and over the years the festival travelled between Baroeg, Delft and Musicon. Last year was my first one as it was in Musicon. I loved the open-minded blending of styles and the number of bands I would not play that quick at home, but were live very nice. This year it turned out to be not very different.

Arriving around 16:15 I saw a part of the final song by a singer/songwriter. The entrance had DJ's inbetween, but I did not pass much time there. When I did a duo took experimenting very serious and send most people out for food. The first band I saw on the main stage were Headless Hunter. I saw them before and their Thrash Metal is closest to my comfort zone today. A nice show even if I thought drum and bass a bit loud compared with vocals and guitars.Next band Dutch doom band Akelei. They sing in Dutch and while they were with six and the stage was huge, their music was better than their static presentation. Day Drinker play punkrock in the vein of Dropkick Murphys. Typically one of them nice surprises on stage, while I don't need to get their CD. It was than when I started to feel an irritated ear, possibly also by putting earplugs in and out a lot. Those plugs needed to be in during Ontaard. The prize for vocalist that ruled the stage today went to them. The female vocalist spoke, shrieked and screamed to us. I liked the energy of this band as well as their show. Probably my surprise of the day. My final band of the day was a bit of Samavayo. These Germans play stoner rock and with good vocals to match. My ears told me I better got an earlier train, also as tomorrow Musicon awaits. So thanks to Frank for putting Festerfest together and congrats to all involved in Baroeg as it seems they will give us many nice evenings in years to come in this improved venue.