The release of a new Steve Thorne album always gives me ambivalent feelings: on the one hand, there is this great music and on the other hand those gloomy, depressing lyrics. This contradiction actually characterises the entire oeuvre of the…
View More Steve Thorne – Malice in PlunderlandAuthor: Alex Driessen
Big Big Train
Cadogan Hall, London Wednesday, 13th September 2023 As previously announced, a report on the last performance in a series of sixteen shows that would take British band Big Big Train (BBT) through nine countries, under the moniker ‘The Journey Continues’.…
View More Big Big TrainTon Scherpenzeel – Kayak
With a ‘new’ solo album, Virgin Grounds, due for release, TPA’s Alex Driessen welcomed the opportunity to speak to the maestro himself, Ton Scherpenzeel. The keyboardist and composer is leader and kingpin of the legendary Dutch progressive rock band Kayak,…
View More Ton Scherpenzeel – KayakTon Scherpenzeel – Virgin Grounds
Virgin Grounds, the ‘new’ album by Ton Scherpenzeel, best known for his work with Kayak, is an enhanced reissue of an instrumental album originally composed for a Dutch television series, Conquer the Arctic (1991). At the time, it was released…
View More Ton Scherpenzeel – Virgin GroundsMichael Whiteman – I Am The Manic Whale
I Am The Manic Whale lynchpin songwriter and frontman Michael Whiteman talks to TPS’s Alex Driessen about the history of the band, the writing process and the strong element of storytelling in the band’s music. Some time ago, I accidentally…
View More Michael Whiteman – I Am The Manic WhaleBig Big Train / Dim Gray
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Saturday, 26th August 2023 The Journey Continues Tour 2023 will take Big Big Train (BBT) through a number of countries in mainland Europe, starting and ending on their beloved island. In September 2022, De Boerderij had…
View More Big Big Train / Dim GrayLegacy Pilots – Helix
Every time I see the band name Legacy Pilots I can’t help but think of the movie Space Cowboys. As a reminder, it’s an American adventure film from 2000, directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, with a star cast consisting…
View More Legacy Pilots – HelixSteve Lukather – Bridges
Two years after the release of I’ve Found the Sun Again, Steve Lukather’s ninth solo studio album, Bridges, is here. The new album has been given a more than appropriate title; the guitarist/singer/songwriter sees it as a bridge between his…
View More Steve Lukather – BridgesJon Anderson & the Paul Green Rock Academy
Stadstheater, Zoetermeer Wednesday, 12th July 2023 Legendary singer Jon Anderson visits the Netherlands, something you simply can’t ignore as a true Yes fan. It’s been a long time since Anderson visited our country; I had to look it up and…
View More Jon Anderson & the Paul Green Rock AcademyThe Flower Kings
Cacaofabriek, Helmond, The Netherlands Saturday, 13th May 2022 A special performance by The Flower Kings (TFK), that’s what was announced some time ago. Under the moniker ‘King For A Day’ (reference to Gentle Giant?) a limited number of shows were…
View More The Flower Kings