Madrugada, 20/11/05 – Patronaat, Haarlem

“I went down and worked my way to the front. Robert Burås or as I called him, the big red head guitarist, made himself comfortable throughout the gig, smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer. He was quite something to look at. ”

“I went down and worked my way to the front. Robert Burås or as I called him, the big red head guitarist, made himself comfortable throughout the gig, smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer. He was quite something to look at. “

 


Madrugada, 20/11/05 – Patronaat, Haarlem


 


When I was first introduced to the music of Madrugada I was immediately smitten. I bought their first album Industrial Silence and this album was the main reason for me to come to the concert on this particular Sunday night.


 


But first, let me tell you about Madrugada. This musical trio was formed in 1995. In 1999 they closed a deal with Virgin Records and released their debut album in 2000. Vocalist Sivert Høyem, guitarist Robert Burås and bassist Frode Jacobsen were very optimistic about their music. “Before we knew anything about the record industry, we thought we were going to sell millions of albums. We knew we were that good.” Says Høyem.


 


On the 20th of November Madrugada played at the Patronaat in Haarlem. In Holland to play three gigs, the previous night they had headlined at the Effenaar in Eindhoven and the next night they were scheduled for the Vera in Groningen. As opening act they brought Tim Scott McConnell with them who was really pleased to go on tour with them. Unfortunately I missed most of his performance while trying to find a parking place outside and getting myself a drink. (Nowt new – ed)


 


Madrugada came on stage around 21.50 and started with Stories From The Street. Followed by On Your Side and Running Out Of Time. The next song they played was Vocal, one of my favourites and also the opening song on Industrial Silence. Høyem sort of mixed up his lines in the beginning but it was hardly noticeable.


 


At the start of the gig I was up on the balcony of the new Patronaat, which, incidentally, has a great view of the stage. But it lacked atmosphere so I went down and worked my way to the front. Robert Burås or as I called him, the big red head guitarist, made himself comfortable throughout the gig, smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer. He was quite something to look at. Not to mention Sivert Høyem, with his strong characteristic voice and charismatic looks he pretty much blew me away.


 


The setting of the stage wasn’t really special but still beautiful. In the background they had a big velvet curtain which, due to the lighting, changed colour throughout the gig. Of course it went blue during A Strange Colour Blue, which was one of the best songs that evening. The lights were dimmed and Høyem grabbed a flashlight and put the audience in the spot while building up the tempo and the volume. Black Mambo also had me impressed.


 


After one hour and fifteen minutes they went back stage and left the eight hundred people in the audience screaming for more. When they came back for their encore a guy in the crowd shouted ‘please go home’. I guess he was the only one who wasn’t too pleased with their performance (or drunk – ed). For their encore they treated us to Kids, Mother of Earth, Hold On To You and they closed with a by the audience very appreciated Sail Away.


 


Apparently they couldn’t get enough of us Dutch people because they came back for a third time sing their final song Slow Builder and leave it at that. It was a successful evening and also kind of a special one. Madrugada played You Better Leave, which has never been recorded and was only played for the first time this evening.


 


Words: Annemieke Koomen.