Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL]
Saturday, 7th March 2026
British neo-prog rockers Jadis once again visited the Low Countries, with Zoetermeer’s pop theatre Boerderij serving as the venue of choice. It’s a place singer and bandleader Gary Chandler repeatedly praised during the show, its hospitality and professionalism being key reasons the band keep returning. This mini-tour, consisting of three shows in Southampton, Rüsselsheim, and Zoetermeer, is tied to the expanded 2CD reissue of Across the Water (1994). In effect, it was a promotional tour for a band who released their latest studio album, More Questions Than Answers in 2024, followed by the live album Live Snapshots a year later. After the intermission, Across the Water is performed in full and in sequence; before the break, the audience is treated to an eclectic set of so‑called ‘band favourites’.
Just after 8:30pm, the band kicks off with Sleepwalk, from their 1992 debut album More Than Meets the Eye, over ten minutes of pure neo-prog. What’s immediately noticeable however is the sheer number of mistakes, especially by Chandler himself. His vocals are nothing to write home about either, though he’s frequently rescued by the excellent harmony singing of Martin “Widge” Orford, who is in fine voice. Where in the World is preceded by an ode to the Boerderij venue, after which the power rock punch of Asleep in My Hands is brought to a successful conclusion, thanks in no small part to Orford’s Hammond playing.
Wood Between the Worlds represents the band’s newest material, while In the Dark has been part of the repertoire, ‘known or unknown’, for 32 years. Then comes a genuine surprise: a brand‑new song written during rehearsals for this mini‑tour. Something Else/Moody Brick sounds excellent, buoyed by strong vocals, Christey’s crisp drumming, and Chandler’s expressive guitar work. Martin Orford takes centre stage for Do You Know, the melodic ballad featuring standout bass playing from Andy Marlow and tasteful keyboard work from its composer. After View From Above, the energetic Fading Truth closes the first set. After seventy minutes of continuous playing, a fifteen‑minute break feels well deserved.
As mentioned, the second half is devoted entirely to Across the Water. A few minutes of pre‑recorded opening music set the tone before Touch flows seamlessly into In Isolation. The audience responds enthusiastically, singing and clapping along.
During the intro to Daylight Fades, Chandler showcases his impressive guitar tapping technique, and as the set progresses, his vocals improve noticeably. Everywhere I Turn, played on his trusty “cheap and nasty” guitar (Orford’s words), leads into A Life Is All You Need, sung in a lower key, but delivered with great conviction. The World on Your Side is introduced as a ‘difficult and rarely played’ piece, and it shows. No Sacrifice brings the crowd back into full voice, with Chandler urging the audience to sing along. Bathed in red light, the song marks the end of the main set.
After a brief exit, the band returns for The Beginning and the End. The slow‑tempo ballad needs no introduction; Chandler’s lyrical tapping style once again highlights his strengths as a guitarist. It’s a fitting finale to more than two hours and fifteen minutes of music, and the band gratefully accepts the loud applause.
The affable Chandler is in his element tonight, talking almost nonstop with his trademark English humour. Mentioning never owning a combo, separate hotel rooms for ageing musicians, cheap guitar picks from Amazon, getting older in general, taking a nap, and those damned ‘earphones’ 😉 And yes, the ever‑perspiring frontman clearly struggled at times, something he openly acknowledges. The beginning of the show was, chaotic, his guitar playing, error‑prone as he constantly fiddles with his gear – as he always has. And as mentioned his singing, initially, was pretty mediocre. Yet despite the criticism, he remains oddly endearing. Call it the goodwill factor. His technique may falter, but his musicality and emotional expression shine through. When everything aligns, he’s more than capable of conjuring one lyrical solo after another. And the bond between “Widge” and “Chas” is unmistakable; this is a tight‑knit band that genuinely enjoys playing together.
The often three‑part vocals, anchored by Orford, and his varied keyboard textures are a joy to listen to. Add the solid rhythm tandem of Stephen Christey and, especially, bassist Andy Marlow, and you have all the ingredients for a thoroughly enjoyable evening of progressive rock. Around 150 attendees had a great time; a few seniors were even spotted headbanging in the front row. The sound and lighting were superb, fully worthy of De Boerderij. With video recordings made by John Vis and his team, perhaps this memorable night will resurface in the future.
[Live photos courtesy of Richard Winkel (Poppodium Boerderij)]
SETLIST
Sleepwalk
Where in the World
Asleep in My Hands
Wood Between the Worlds
In the Dark
Something Else/Moody Brick
Do You Know
View From Above
Fading Truth
– Interval –
Touch
In Isolation
Daylight Fades
Everywhere I Turn
A Life Is All You Need
The World on Your Side
No Sacrifice
~ Encore:
The Beginning and the End
MUSICIANS
Gary Chandler – Vocals, Guitar
Martin Orford – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Andy Marlow – Bass, Backing Vocals
Stephen Christey – Drums, Percussion
LINKS
Jadis – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
