Their 'stage' was a corner in what was normally the living room, which was cleared out for this occassion. So it was far from professional. Nevertheless, the sound quality was very good. And hee, it wasn't even too loud. How often does that happen?
They started playing at around 23.40. The first set contained three of their own songs. "Feed this pain" (one of my favourite songs, it sounded live even better than on their CD) and two older songs, "Leave" and "Wind". The other songs were all covers. They played a lot of covers that night. I think that was mainly because they played on foreign ground and most of the audience was not familiar with their repertoire. Still, I would have loved to hear "Dark park" or "The making of me". But other Pique Poque Poetry songs, like "Refind" and "Maar wie denkt", would have done too.
When the first set was finished they took a break of half an hour. During the second set they played another three of their own songs. Amongst which "Solid", a powerful, emotional balad, my favourite Pique Poque Poetry song. Live, the song wasn't anything less impressive than the studio version. But actually, all songs they played that night sounded live very impressive. Their is nothing wrong with their playing capabilities. If anything, they could improve their stage act. But personally I am happy that they put music on the first place.
After another break they started playing the third, final and best set of the evening. They started this set with a long version of Jeremy. With Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and their own "In de vrijheid van mijn bestaan" they easily got the crowd moving. To spare themselves and the crowd, they continued with two slower songs. Half of the band took a break to leave the singer and the guitarist play Savatage's "Sleep" and de Dijk's "Als ze er niet is". Halfway the latter song, even the singer retreated and he let a fan take over the vocals.
They also played their new song Tongue. ("Het volgende nummer heet Tongue, het gaat ook over een tong dus dat komt even mooi uit..."). Subsequently, three well-known covers followed. The crowd wanted more after this. And they got more. Nirvana's "Smells like teenspirit" was received enthusiasticly. But the crowds hunger for more wasn't satisfied. In fact, it had only increased in intensity.
What followed was a long jam-session inspired by the mythical dutch children hero "Sinterklaas". It was, in my opinion, the highlight of the night. They improvised heavily but still remained a solid collective. They made a lot of fun. Weird solos were played, for instance a solo with the guitar clumsily placed at the back of the guitarist' head. Members from the audience gathered around the microphone to sing along the well-known lyrics. During the song, the singer and drummer smoothly swapped places, and they fulfilled their new duties perfectly. And despite the fun they made, the quality of the music didn't degrade. I think the jam-session only exposed the talent of the band more clearly. Could anyone have wished for a better ending to this night?
Enschede. It wasn't the home territory of Pique Poque Poetry. Still a small number of their fans were able to witness this performance. But at the end of the night, I am sure they made some new fans.
- Erwin Bonsma
set-1 Alive Love rears Feed this (*) Inside Leave (*) One Wind (*) Creep Hard sh. set-2 Remedy Sat. night Solid (*) Rats Disable (*) Und. bridge Verlegen (*) Longview set-3 Jeremy Sandman Slapen (*) Sleep Als ze er... Basketc. Tongue (*) Black Come out Soma -- Smells Sinterklaasje
