There ' s plenty of mega multinational concerts in the world . But there are way more small events . Personally , I like them more , for their personal touch , their small scale friendliness . Even more , if they are a co-opperation between two groups of people , with totally different musical interests . The local orchestra and the youth club , joined forces to make ROCK GIEL a great event in Gierle , near Antwerp in Belgium . You may know the town and the youth club from SJOCK festival .
PRETTY VISITORS all over the youth club , and even on stage . These youngsters are inspired by ARCTIC MONKEYS , and even without that information , you wouldn ' t be mistaken . Their set starts rather mellow , a bit held back , but after just a few songs , they open up the taps . It seems they didn ' t want to shock the crowd from the get go . Other wise perfectly fitting the style of the music with their hairstyle , the band kicks it up a few notches towards the end of the set , and gets the crowd on their hand . Maybe an oldschool set with most of the slower songs in the beginning , and the more rhythmic ones near the end wasn ' t the best decission , but what they did was solid . Give this band a venue with more PA-capabilities , especially on stage , and it might al sound a bit more solid . More in balance . The problem of every small venue , where the balance between to little and to much is very hard to find , especially in the monitors on stage . For me , the highlight of the set was their version of FLUORESCENT ADOLESCENT . The drum kicks and the guitar were spot on together , and it was the start of the best half of the set for me personally .
With covers from punk legends THE CLASH , THE RUDE BOYS didn ' t steal their name . Punk is known to be “ in your face ”, and without any preservation in the language they use . Rudy can ' t fail , and neither do THE RUDE BOYS . Powerful riffs and a strong drumsection line the crowd up for a strong set . The drummer of the band understands the importance of using a small drumkit to it ' s fullest extend . 1 tom , 1 floortom , a crash and a ride , and at times it seems I ' m watching a DREAMTHEATER show . Funky , spot on and vivid . Like this , he really pulls the rest of the musicians on a higher level . Not that they need that by the way , the technical level of all musicians on stage is pretty amazing . Special mentioning also for the lead guitar . I ' ve never heard a Gibson producing such full bodied , high pitched screams . Usually , I expect a Gibson to sound more muffled . The sound in combination with the guy ' s swift hands , made for some decent acoustic gymnastics . Especially during SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO , his fingerwork was pretty amazing . GUNS OF BRIXTON was another highlight in the RUDE BOYS ’ set . Despite their high technical level , the band still maintained a certain level of rawness and their sound is still unpolished . Maybe this is a result of the wide selection of brands of instruments and amps , maybe it ' s the result of fine-tuned pedals , I don ' t know , an I don ' t care . It worked tonight , and it will work on any stage these guys storm .
Lesson one in journalism : always be prepared . I was prepared for BULS ON PARADE . And still , they caught me by surprise . The fury they bring , storming the stage , is mindblowing . Obviously , tributing RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE , makes you have a wide range of