Friday 30 September 2011

Within Temptation - Tilburg & The Paradiso Amsterdam

Full Tour Set List
  • Shot in the dark
  • In the middle of the night
  • Faster
  • Fire and Ice
  • Ice Queen
  • Iron
  • Our solemn hour
  • Stand my ground
  • Sinead
  • What have you done
  • The howling
  • Angels
  • Memories
  • Deceiver of fools
  • Mother earth
  • Stairway to the stars




The Paradiso stage is much narrower than Tilburg so there was no raised area. Therefore the screenshow lost a little. I have written about how wonderful the Paradiso is in a previous blog entry when I saw Epica earlier this year. It is truly a unique atnosphere and setting.


Absolutely fantastic performance and a brilliant but tiring day- next stop Amsterdam.






I really like the comic strip theme that the whole 'Unforgiving' concept is based upon. This actually the 5th studio album and was released in March 2011, alongside both a comic book series and a series of short films that together make a story. The whole show is based on this with a stunning light show and video screens.



The venue at Tilburg is tiered with steps so no problem getting a good view. So we moved back to the middle by the mixing desk with a convenient barrier to lean on - Perfect.
Before WT we had the support band 'Guild of Stags' who play old school Rock n Roll in the Led Zepellin style. Lead singer Michael Devlin clearly influenced in a big way by Robert Plant and not Noddy Holder as he told me outside the Paradiso. They are actually an English band and went down really well. Have to say I was impressed especially when they covered the LZ classic Heartbreaker. Definitely a band to look out for.

Within Temptation Fans Day - 013 Tilburg

Set List from Fans Day
  • Shot in the dark
  • In the middle of the night
  • Faster
  • Fire & Ice
  • Sinead
  • Jillian
  • Murder
  • Forgiven
  • Truth beneath the rose




Ruud Jolie


Highlight of the day was without a doubt the mini set that was performed just for the fans. We were treated to a sneak preview of some of the new songs and a couple of old favourites that wouldn't be in the full set.



Sharon in thoughtful mood......


The day started off with a question and answer session with the band which was all very lighthearted.



Great to be back in Holland again for the WT fans day which this time has moved to Tilburg. Tilburg is located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant and is know as the wool capital of The Netherlands. Definitely a lively place and I struggled to get much sleep on the Saturday with the constant noise from the square until 6 AM.

Sunday 4 September 2011

Nightwish 'The Islanders' Gathering

'The Evil Wench' & 'Tricky'


Iona and Alexia

At long last I managed to catch up With Tom Livermore who i'm sure has been avoiding me in the past? He also knows a good cake when he sees one.


The 'Cakemaker' Roz.


Thanks to Roz who baked the splendid 'Islanders' cake which I can confirm was very tasty.


As well as an update on all things Nightwish there was also a rather tricky quiz. Despite my best efforts I failed to make the frame and realised just how much I don't know!. The winners are pictured below.


Carol and Alex.




Good to travel down to the Pipeline Bar near Liverpool St Station in london for the inaugral 'Islanders' gathering.
For those who may not know the 'Islanders' is the British Isles Nightwish fanclub and organised by Alex Deas and Carol Walker. The name is taken from the Nightwish song 'The Islander' from 'Dark Passion Play'. a song highly influenced by folk music rather than the symphonic power metal usually played, and uses only acoustic guitars, rather than electric. So ties in nicely with the 'British Isles' based theme. I really wish i'd thought of that one!

Knee Arthroscopy

  Hopefully It's going to be third time lucky with the twice cancelled Knee Op. Previously Covid and Doctors Strikes have conspired top ...