Live Review: Alphabeat

It’s the European Championship, which means football madness in the Netherlands. Especially when the Dutch are playing, everything is put on hold. When we arrive at the Leidseplein, one of Amsterdam’s square’s where pubs are located back to back, the match is about to start. Everything is covered in orange, and intoxicated people are jumping about excitedly. All the bars have been equipped with television screens and sound systems, so everyone can see what their beloved team is doing. We’re here for a completely different reason. Just behind all the bars and the madness lies the Melkweg, one of our favourite venues, and we’re headed there to see Alphabeat.

Football madness has also hit the Melkweg. You can watch the game in the lobby and there is no support act, so you don’t have to miss any more of the game than necessary. Neither of us care for football, yes those people do exist! We’re just here to see the band. Danish band Alphabeat are currently hot in Europe. Their extremely infectious song Fascination is high up in the charts in several countries. The five boys (3 of whom are called Anders) and one girl share a house in London.

The 800 capacity ‘old’ part of the venue is not entirely sold out, but still full. We can easily walk up to the front row at the side of the stage, right next to dozens of teenage girls, gawking at and drooling over the obviously gay male singer. Singers Anders and Trine are extremely well attuned to each other, hooking up to the other’s improvisations immediately, completing their sentences and matching their dance moves. Their voices are perfect together and especially Trine sounds much better than on cd. Her range is extensive, from very high to soulfully low. Bass-Anders shows off his skills, giving the songs a funky edge you don’t hear on the album.

All band members are playing with a huge grin plastered across their faces. They have every reason to smile. Not just because their music is so happy, but because they are doing so well. The chemistry they have together and the fun they have on stage is great to watch. During the encore, Fascination is played as the final song. Two girls climb onto stage and start dancing. Security wants them to leave, but sing-Anders tells them to back off and leave the girls on there. They ask if a friend can come up as well and only a minute later the entire stage is filled with people, dancing their butts off. Everyone is happy, Alphabeat is amazing!

Verdict: Fun, fun, fun! That's the only correct way to describe Alphabeat.

Imre