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Cellar Twins at home, freinds at work !

-- Cellar Twins and freinds at the Belvedere Namur --

10/06/2023
David Hardy

[INTRODUCTION]

This Friday, October 6, at the Belvédère in Namur was a big concert ... or a tiny festival, depending on whether you see the glass as half empty or half full. In fact, the Cellar Twins weren't content with just doing a little showcase at home, they also invited a few friends along ... and so, four bands for the price of 4 pints of beer regaled us from 7pm for 4 hours! ... In other words, for the alms of 12.5 euros, you weren't robbed! I was there, and so I'm giving you some feedback, deliberately (or not) completely biased! If you don't like my writing, look elsewhere, I'll start!

Le Belvédère, the venue, the organization.
I'd been to Le Belvédère before, and was happy to return. Let's be honest, there's only three things to complain about: 1) no organized parking (but it's free), it's the principle of: "where there's room you put yourself, as long as you don't bother anyone, that's fine!" on the other hand, as it's a bit deserted, it never bothers anyone. Another negative point: 2) when you're at the top and haven't eaten, well, you're good to go back to the city (take the car automatically) and go back up afterwards. Finally 3) Accessible by car, ... or electric bike, but on foot it's just a bit crazy. Apart from these shortcomings, it's a small venue on a human scale. A small stage, a large "n" shaped bar and an intermediate room for chilling out between two bands. Add to that the smoking area at the back, with a view of the city below, and you've got a top-notch venue!
Organization was top-notch! One person was assigned to security (you never know)... the poor guy must have been bored out of his mind, because there were no outbursts (one guy got annoyed on his own, but apart from that, nothing much!), at the entrance there was a sandwich stand, which was great, because as I said, if you don't, you'll have to get back in the car and drive into town, then there was the checkout, where we were greeted by the band in person, all smiles, and here we were in the hall. The token system as usual, the top card, ... what more could you ask for? Importantly and surprisingly, ALL concerts started on time! At 7 p.m. the first band started, at 11 p.m. the last one finished, ... it's hard to believe that the organization was done with an iron fist and a metal glove! ... but really, nothing to complain about! ... One more thing, which is very close to my heart, the "shadow people" sound and light show was top-notch! A real treat! Which, let's be honest, isn't always the case, especially with opening acts, who are often neglected by sound engineers, but that wasn't the case here! Hats off to them!
It all went very smoothly, the audience was of all ages, it was good-natured, and I think the people present really enjoyed themselves and had a good time.

[THE BLACKSUMMER]

The first band was The Blacksummer.
Thank you Elodie (Cellar Twins) for allowing me to get my hands on their work, because on the internet, let's just say, it's not easy. So... what can I say about this young band? They're a bunch of youngsters whose leader, for once, isn't the singer but the rhythm guitarist! ... why not! A youngster who reminded me a little of Kurt Kobain ... but then, he's right-handed! Well, you know what? I liked it! Let's face it, they've still got a long way to go, to find something specific to them, avoid a few long stretches, beef up their vocals a bit, gain some confidence (eh, lead guitar! I saw you!) and, above all, work on their stage act. But come on, let's be honest, it was a really great opening act, and I really urge you to invite them to come up to the next level, because they're worth it!


[BEYOND HORIZONS]


Next up was Beyond Horizons, who as everyone knows had already won my heart some time ago. A show where overalls with the band's logo were de rigueur, and ... we're not going to lie, I fucking loved it! You get the feeling that... there's not much missing. I was a bit worried that stage acting wouldn't be their thing, I thought they'd be a bit shy or something, but no, in fact, they're really very good on stage, led by Max, who would almost have to be on Xanax to keep up in everyday life, he's such a dynamo! At birth, he traded cm for energy and a certain charisma! As far as music is concerned, they've made a good little tour d'horizon (if I may be so bold as to call it a pun) ... from the most recent to the oldest, and with hindsight it's becoming clearer and clearer what their style is, Beyond horizons" and, yes, there's something about it! Note that their latest EP, "Dream Reality", is also available in physical form, but you can always test the goods on Spotify! One criticism? ... well, if I really had to find one, heuuu, I'm not a fan of sugar-and-glossy ballads, but that's okay! I don't blame you!


[CHAOSBAY]

With ChaosBay, we're in the thick of it! In the well-professional category, they put on a show that's so well-rehearsed, in fact, that it makes you wonder what they're doing in such a small venue! What can I say? ... What I like: it's top-notch, they've mastered every area, the stage holds no secrets for them, the show was much more than we paid for it, I didn't notice any false notes, no really, it's top-notch and I encourage you to go and see what our Teutonic cousins are up to! ... Then there's the criticism that the vocals are a little neutral. By which I mean: it's a voice which, in addition to its metal capabilities, is quite capable of making a singer who wants to go to Eurovision break a sweat! It's just too perfect! You've got a guy who's a contraction of an 80s-style singer in the style of Simon Le Bon and a good metal guy like Joseph Duplantier (only higher pitched)... Insane! On the negative side, I'd say they're a little unappealing because they're very smooth and flawless. On the positive side, I'd say the same thing, in reverse! A quick note to the guitarist who was to the right of the singer, i.e. on the left side of the audience: "Man, do you ever stay in the same spot for 30 seconds without moving! Other than that, everything's fine :D


[CELLAR TWINS]

Finally, the kings of the evening: "Cellar Twins", as I would call the masters of the house! You'd think they could have played in slippers and no one would have been shocked! Well, what can I say? Elodie as Harley Queen, that's all there is to it! As for the rest, the weird thing is that they're exactly what you'd expect! At ease, but I'd like to say almost too much so. I also noticed that they were able to make people appear all at once, just for them! Because the number of spectators, present just for them, appeared all at once! They must have a hidden superpower! Or backstage cages? I don't know, but something's up! Maybe people really like it? (In answer to the question asked during the concert).  




[CONCLUSION]

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All in all, a sold-out concert that went really well. Impeccable sound, top-notch build-up, good-natured atmosphere, precise timing, plenty to eat and drink in a good mood, all this with bands who are really talented and of different levels, discovery, international, a real intensity,... what more could you ask for?
I'm also posting the bands' FB pages so you can follow, listen and support them!

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