IQ

Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL]
Saturday, 14th December 2024

During the month of December the annual IQ Xmas Bash has become a regular occurrence, a true tradition, which began in the early 2010s. Halfway through tonight’s show, guitarist Mike Holmes reminds his buddy, singer Peter Nicholls that according to him, the neo-proggers, from the United Kingdom, had performed on stage at the Boerderij twenty three times previously – no small feat – and every time it’s a blast and (almost) sold out. Also this evening in Zoetermeer, the latecomers are running pressed for time as looking for a parking spot had delayed the start…

IQ Xmas Bash at Boerderij - December 2024

However, literally and figuratively a warm embrace of the best prog venue in the Netherlands makes up for a lot and the atmosphere is excellent right from the start. Partly due to the music beforehand with, among others, an insane mix of Europe’s Final Countdown and Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. That can only come from the mind of DJ Holmes, hilarious and it didn’t even sound that bad 😉 Shortly after half past eight the four instrumentalists take the stage and immediately go into top gear with Darkest Hour, but the only bass sound are coming from the stage is Paul Cook’s bass drum, bassist Tim Esau’s equipment has let him down. No reason for the band to stop however, the show must go on and so it did. Amused, they watch a hard-working roadie and bassist trying to solve the problem, and they succeed, just before the second song, From the Outside In, is announced.

IQ Xmas Bash at Boerderij - December 2024

After that, the performance unfolds like so many of the British prog-rockers previous appearances, but still there are a few surprises. Definitely not in the setlist, which is largely familiar material is the rarely played song, The Province, from Frequency (2009). This almost fifteen-minute song is a small highlight during the show. And what about the two new songs from the yet to be released studio album, reportedly sometime in the first quarter of 2025. No Dominion is more or less a ballad while Far From Here has a more proggy nature, especially longer and characteristic IQ. ‘Longer is better’ as frontman Nicholls expressed it vividly. Furthermore, a lot of well-known material with an enchanting Guiding Light, dedicated to a recently deceased friend of the band. For the magnificent Road of Bones Holmes switches to a Gibson-like guitar, the rest of the show he’ll play his old faithful Fender Stratocaster. Failsafe is accompanied by a ‘big thank you Boerderij’ in which former manager Arie Verstegen in particular is put in the spotlight.

IQ Xmas Bash at Boerderij - December 2024

The question has long since ceased to be ‘if’ but mainly ‘how’. Of course I’m talking about Mike Holmes’ attire. With those enormous snow-white wings he looks more like a swan than an angel, perhaps more appropriate. His guitar playing is still the fulcrum of the music of the Brits, when he starts one of those iconic, haunting solos something special happens. Holmes sings along note by note, when Nicholls knocks it on the head we no longer have to search for a new vocalist. The voice of the latter lets him down every now and then, he tries to remedy the problem by drinking lots of water. Bassist Tim Esau recovers excellently, the technical problems from the beginning do not affect his playing in any way. Drummer Paul Cook and keyboardist Neil Durant do their work in the background without being conspicuously present.

The encore is something to behold: Subterraenea, sung along loudly, is followed by Headlong which concludes the performance. The sound was perfect this evening, something I have experienced differently in the past. And did I see Rob Aubrey (Big Big Train) behind the front of house mixing desk? The great light show and the striking triptych of video screens contribute extra to the sometimes ominous musical atmosphere.

IQ Xmas Bash at Boerderij - December 2024

The old men (not my words) are still doing well, playing for over two hours and twenty minutes, without a single break. It was once again a big party in Zoetermeer, despite the fact that the Christmas element is increasingly limited to a few red hats and Holmes’ antics during the encore. Sounding like a well-oiled machine, the journey back to the United Kingdom can be made; on Saturday 21 December it’s the turn of the Islington Assembly Hall in London to enjoy the traditional IQ Xmas Bash. Merry Christmas!

[Photos by Ron Ouwehand (Poppodium Boerderij]

SETLIST
The Darkest Hour
From the Outside In
Stay Down
No Dominion
The Province
The Wake
Shallow Bay
Far From Here
Rise
Guiding Light
The Road of Bones
Failsafe
~ Encore:
Subterranea
Headlong

MUSICIANS
Peter Nicholls – Lead Vocals, Percussion
Michael Holmes – Guitars
Neil Durant – Keyboards
Tim Esau – Bass, Bass Pedals, Backing Vocals
Paul Cook – Drums

LINKS
IQ – Website | Facebook | YouTube | X | Instagram