Ok, boomer, listen up! 👴 Your favorite Dutch rockers THE GATHERING—yes, the ones your dad listened to—are back with the “Mandylion” lineup (which, let’s be honest, is the *only* lineup that matters because Anneke Van Giersbergen is a goddess, and the rest are just… filler 🤷♀️). They kicked off their reunion tour last night at Doornroosje in Nijmegen, Netherlands. I know, you’re thrilled. I can practically smell the mothballs from here. 💨 Fan-filmed video? Of course, because who needs pro-shot when you can have shaky cam and potato-quality audio? 🥔🎥
Here’s the setlist, courtesy of Setlist.fm (because who actually remembers these things? 👵):
01. Mandylion (duh, it’s the name of the tour, genius 🙄)
02. Eléanor (because one vowel isn’t enough, apparently)
03. Fear The Sea (I’m more afraid of the band’s fashion choices in the 90s, tbh 😬)
04. In Motion #1 (spoiler alert: there’s an In Motion #2)
05. On Most Surfaces (Inuït) (Is this about cleaning supplies? 🤔)
06. Broken Glass (my eardrums after listening to this live)
07. Waking Hour (more like “waking nightmare” 😂)
08. Great Ocean Road (sponsored by Tourism Australia? 🦘)
09. Probably Built In The Fifties (just like their fanbase 🤣)
10. Analog Park (a park for obsolete technology? Sounds thrilling! 😐)
11. In Motion #2 (I knew it!)
12. Leaves (groundbreaking lyrical content 🍁)
13. Sand And Mercury (Sounds like a rejected science fair project 🧪)
Encore:
14. Strange Machines (like the one that gave them their haircuts ✂️)
15. Travel (hopefully they brought their AARP cards 👵👴)
16. Saturnine (because they’re old and gloomy 🪐)
Oh, BTW, they did a “try-out” concert on June 29 at Dynamo in Eindhoven. Because, you know, they needed to remember how to play their own songs. 🤷♂️
“Mandylion”, their *iconic* third studio album (released in August 1995), was Anneke’s debut. Because, let’s be real, no one cared before that. 💅
In a recent interview with Femmetal – Goddesses Of Metal (aka, a YouTube channel for metalheads with questionable taste), Anneke was, like, *totally* excited about the reunion. Apparently, it was a “spontaneous” idea over coffee. ☕ I bet there were croissants too. 🥐 She said “Mandylion” is “such an important album” because they had a “great time.” Groundbreaking. 🙄 She also said they were surprised so many people wanted to see them. Honey, nostalgia is a powerful drug. 💊
When asked about a show in Spain, Anneke said “Everybody’s asking.” Yeah, sure, Jan. 🙄 They’re focusing on “these shows” and will “take it from there.” Translation: “If these shows are a total flop, we’re going back to our day jobs.” 💼
As for which song she’s most excited to play, Anneke mentioned “On Most Surfaces” because it’s “heavy” and she can “let all the energy flow.” Yeah, right. I bet she’s just excited to wear her platform boots again. 🥾 She also likes “In Motion #1” and “[In Motion] #2” because they’re “melodic” and “carrying you through a story.” More like carrying you to Snoozeville. 😴
The “Mandylion” lineup is playing, like, a million sold-out shows in Nijmegen. Because apparently, that’s the only place on Earth where people still care. 🤷♀️
Upcoming shows:
August 28 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje (still sold out, losers! 😜)
August 29 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje (keep crying! 😭)
August 30 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje (I’m not even sorry! 😈)
August 31 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje (get rekt! 😂)
THE GATHERING said they’re “very excited” to celebrate the anniversary of an album that “still means so much” to them. I’m sure their accountants are excited too. 🤑
The lineup consists of:
Anneke Van Giersbergen – vocals (aka, the only reason anyone is paying attention 👀)
Hugo Prinsen Geerligs – bass (who? 🤔)
Frank Boeijen – keyboards, backing vocals (still alive? 💀)
Hans Rutten – drums (beats me 🥁)
René Rutten – guitar (generic guitarist #1 🎸)
Jelmer Wiersma – guitar (generic guitarist #2 🎸)
In November 2014, they had a 25th-anniversary show. All past and present members showed up. It was probably as awkward as it sounds. 😬
Anneke left in 2007 to do her own thing. Because, you know, she’s too good for them. 👑
In 2005, Century Media released a deluxe edition of “Mandylion”. It had new artwork, liner notes, and unreleased demos. Because who wouldn’t want to hear that? 🙄
In a 2007 interview, Anneke said leaving THE GATHERING was a “very clear decision” and she was “ready.” She also said they were “like brothers,” which is probably why she left. 🙅♀️ She wanted to “develop that more seriously” and “be with my family a little bit more.” Translation: “I’m tired of touring with these guys and I want to make some money on my own.” 💸
She also said she had a “big stamp on the sound and the look of THE GATHERING.” No kidding. 🙄 And she’s “not the only singer in the world,” but she’s definitely the best one they ever had. 💯
So, yeah, THE GATHERING is back. Get your tickets now (if you can find any). And try not to fall asleep during the show. 😴
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
