Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL]
Saturday, 2nd May 2026
To be honest, I hadn’t seen them perform live for quite some time, so when the announcement came that they would be playing at Poppodium Boerderij again, I immediately made a note in my calendar. I am referring to the Andy Powell–led version of Wishbone Ash, not the Martin Turner branch, as the old partners are no longer on the warmest of terms. On what began as a beautiful Saturday evening, I joined roughly 400 other devotees in Zoetermeer, all eager for that unmistakable twin‑guitar magic.
At exactly half past eight and greeted with loud applause, the band launched into the delightful pulsing groove of the instrumental Bona Fide, instantly electrifying the room. Blowin’ Free, the iconic song from Argus followed without pause, with founder/bandleader Powell adding a fresh twist to the iconic solo. After a brief greeting, the band moved into Enigma from Bona Fide (2002), its distinctive intro and pentatonic lines giving guitarist Mark Abrahams an early spotlight.
Then the unmistakable opening of The King Will Come fills the room. A song about ‘forthcoming events’, according to Powell, was the first part of the inseparable Argus (1972) trilogy. Warrior follows, again featuring plenty of soloing by Abrahams, before melting seamlessly into Throw Down the Sword, that slow, melodic twin‑guitar blues classic. Errors of My Way, from the 1970 debut, written by Powell at just 19, brought a folky shift. Abrahams’ rock‑god posing, enhanced by the smoke machine, was forgiven… with a smile.
Next was the long instrumental jam F.U.B.B. (Fucked Up Beyond Belief) from their 1974 There’s the Rub album, apparently partly recorded in cold London, partly in warm Miami, and which, according to Powell, was so soaked in inspiration that no lyrics ever materialised. The crowd, already enthusiastic, kicked into a higher gear and the driving 4/4 rocker Mountainside from Illuminations (2012) fitted perfectly into the slot. However it was during the ballad You Rescue Me that singer/guitarist Andy Powell’s vocals were straining. A cup of tea with honey was the saving grace.
Because of those vocal issues, the band swapped the planned Living Proof for In Crisis, featuring a great solo by Andy. Then, after ninety minutes of non-stop playing, the final song of the main set was Jail Bait a ten‑minute showcase of classic Wishbone Ash harmonies and duelling guitars. ‘I wonder why your face no longer shines.’ After a short break, the band returned for the logical encore, the sprawling 15 minute blues jam that was Phoenix. Just under two hours since the first note, the show wrapped up.
Currently in the middle of a mini-tour, Uden (Holland) was the next stop the following evening, before moving on to Belgium, Germany and France.
The sound at De Boerderij was perfect on the evening, although perhaps a tad loud towards the end? But a nice detail was the mix with Abrahams coming from the left side of the PA and Powell from the right, exactly as it should be at a Wishbone Ash concert.
What stood out most was the sheer amount of soloing from Abrahams with Powell ceding much of the lead work to his younger colleague, who delivered impressively. Andy himself seemed content playing the literal and figurative second guitar, although he was far from subdued, his guitar playing/phrasing remains unrivalled as he showed throughout – hats off. On top of that his humour flowed freely, from ‘Don’t mention the war’ to the classic ‘If you can remember the seventies, you weren’t there’ went down a treat with the audience.
Before closing this report mention for excellent new drummer Windsor McGilvray who made a fine debut behind the kit in the Netherlands, contributing backing vocals as well. Finally, old faithful bassist Bob Skeat, with his inseparable baseball cap, played solidly and sang alongside Powell just as he has been doing for nearly thirty years.
Outside, rain hammered down, thunder rolled, and lightning flashed. I drove home grinning with No Easy Road blasting from the MP3 player. A perfect ending to a perfect night.
[Photos courtesy of Karin Huijben (Poppodium Boerderij)]
SETLIST
Bona Fide
Blowin’ Free
Enigma
The King Will Come
Warrior
Throw Down The Sword
Errors Of My Way
F.U.B.B.
Mountainside
You Rescue Me
In Crisis
Jailbait
~ Encore:
Phoenix
MUSICIANS
Andy Powell: Guitar, Vocals
Mark Abrahams: Guitar
Bob Skeat: Bass, Vocals
Windsor McGilvray: Drums, Vocals
