Neil McKenzie - Solo - Cafe Del Mondo, 26.02.2011

Last night was a special occasion. It was my first ever solo gig. I've had lots of opportunities to prove to myself that I can do it, but this was the first time that it was only my name on the bill and I had no one to hide behind.

I swithered as to whether to take the gig or not, but I knew I had enough material, so I went for it in an attempt to take new steps and grow a little.

Cafe Del Mondo is a great little bar on the Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam which itself is full of terraced bars. By day these are full of coffee-ing tourists having a well earned rest on one of the most picturesque squares in Amsterdam. By night the place opens up to a nightlife that is a little more respectable or older than that on Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein. The Proximity to the red light district means there is also a steady traffic of tourists wandering around.

I'd been in the bar before for coffee on a saturday to recharge the batteries during a morning market session, but I'd never been in at night. The bar is quite small as a music venue, but let's call it "intimate". This is good news - I'm not expecting a big crowd.

Karolina and I introduce ourselves to the owner and set up a makeshift stage on the mezzanine level at the back. It creates a lovely homely atmosphere:

I play my first set(see below). The audience are unresponsive but seem pretty happy, The odd person sings along and people slowly trickle in which at least tells me that I'm not scaring punters off. A few times, big groups of English tourists in track suits pass the door and I pray that they don't come in. Luckily they don't.

Before I know it the first set is over, which lets me know that everythings gone fine, the owner is happy and all the equipment works. I am able to relax over a beer and talk to karolina about how it went. By now it's about 10:30 and the night is in full swing for most people. Everyone has had a few more drinks. The rain has started which means we're unlikly to get many new audience members but it also makes the ones we do have less likely to leave.

I kick off the second set, and the crowd are clearly far more responsive. The singing is geting louder and I think they are enjoying the laid back but well known songs that I'm playing. Before I know it the set is over and it's time to go home... All in all - another mountain climbed!!

Here's what I played:

Open Mike @ Mollys - 24th November 2009

Last night we had another Open Mike Night. It started a bit quiet, but got going eventually. Sandra was ill so she wasn’t there and neither were her entourage. Luckily we had a few of the “Shades” down to help us out. Fraser and I started out with a few comfortable classics(Ziggy, Behind Blue eyes, Fat Bottomed Girls) before Marcel came and joined us and belted out Beautiful(Aguilera) and I wanna know what love is(Foreigner). Marcel nailed it as always, which is surprising, because I still have no idea what the foreigner track sounds like outside of the chorus.

Marie came up to the stage next. Many thanks to Marie for showing up, she came straight from the airport and still had her suitcase with her. We took it down a notch and provided the (gradually filling) bar with Alanis Morisette’s rendition of My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas and then Karma Police by Radiohead.

After this I got a rest… Hugh(http://www.myspace.com/icosounds ) came up and as always provided us with his unique beautiful textures on an alternatively tuned guitar.

To inject a little bit of Funk back into the room, we brought Marcel back up to do I want you back, but in the style of KT Tunstall rather than the Jackson 5.

This was followed by Angela, who did Zombie, Sex on Fire and Hit the Road Jack with Fraser and I

After this we brought in the pros. Tom played a few songs with a new guy from Philadelphia called Mike and then they each played some songs on their own. After this another new guy called Allessandro gave us a Classical/Ska/Reggae/Folk set which included an extremely original version of Apache by the Shadows.

To close the show Fraser and I played Fire and Rain, tears in heaven, then brought it up a notch when Angela sang Nobody´s wife by Anouk and then we closed the show with Pokerface by Lady Gaga….

The next Open Mike night will be on the 29th of December. If you are about over the festive period then head on down. It should be a great night, as I will be on holiday and we should be able to prepare some aural delights. 

After this I got a rest… and James and his new flat mate Matthijs gave us a self written instrumental:

Marie came up to the stage next. Many thanks to Marie for showing up, she came straight from the airport and still had her suitcase with her. We took it down a notch and provided the (gradually filling) bar with Alanis Morisette’s rendition of My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas and then Karma Police by Radiohead.

Hugh came up next and as always provided us with his unique beautiful textures on an alternatively tuned guitar.

To inject a little bit of Funk back into the room, we brought Marcel back up to do I want you back, but in the style of KT Tunstall rather than the Jackson 5. This was followed by Angela, who did Zombie, Sex on Fire and Hit the Road Jack with Fraser and I.

After this we brought in the pros. Tom played a few songs with a new guy from Philadelphia called Mike and then they each played some songs on their own. After this another new guy called Allessandro gave us a Classical/Ska/Reggae/Folk set which included an extremely original version of Apache by the Shadows.

To close the show Fraser and I played Fire and Rain, tears in heaven, then brought it up a notch when Angela sang Nobody´s wife by Anouk and then we closed the show with Pokerface by Lady Gaga….

The next Open Mike night will be on the 29th of December. If you are about over the festive period then head on down. It should be a great night, as I will be on holiday and we should be able to prepare some aural delights.