Sunday, 7 December 2025 saw our first gig with a complete band. The venue was the central hall at Tivoli, Utrecht, which is one of the best-known venue complexes in the Netherlands.
It was an amazing opportunity for a new act performing original material. We made good use of the venue's backline and sound system, including an upright piano and a fully mic'ed up drum kit. The show had been publicised in the central hall and on Tivoli's calendar of events. A good number of people coming out of theatres where they had seen bands including Bløf and Marillion stopped to watch us.
How we got the gig was through Tivoli's open stage programme. Throughout the year, they put out calls for artists who want to perform there. There are a couple of performances every week; some of them in the afternoon, some late in the evening, the so-called After-shows, which we did.
The musicians accompanying me were:
- Jack Buckley (guitar);
- Jeremy Miller (guitar, piano, accordion, backing vocals);
- Ruben Cornelissen (bass guitar, backing vocals);
- Tjebbe Borggreve (drums, backing vocals).
I can recommend contacting the open stage if you are in a band wanting to play more serious gigs. What is worth bearing in mind:
- a roll-up banner with a QR code works well for passers-by who have not heard of you before but who like your music well enough to wonder who you are;
- a videographer with multiple cameras can get you some good YouTube videos;
- getting your own fans to attend may be difficult when they don't live in Utrecht and the show is late, like ours was.
All of the above meant that the show was an investment, and the outcome is still uncertain. However, I am looking forward to some good video footage appearing soon!