Marathon, Patronaat Haarlem, Saturday 8 October 2022

Photo: Wout de Natris

Marathon, to be pronounced in Dutch, is an alternative rock band from Amsterdam. So far the band released one single, 'Age'. In my review I wrote that this single made me very curious about what is to come. Little did I know at the time that the band was about to play in Haarlem during the 'Popronde'.

On a Saturday evening I took the bike out and cycled to Patronaat. For a band with only one single out, there was a very good crowd in the smaller hall of the venue. Including family and friends no doubt but they were right to be there.

A storm took the stage and the three band members must have realised at some point that playing music of and with this intensity is top sport. One has to be fit to perform at this level. Marathon took the stage and the venue as if it plays venues like this for some time. It hasn't. What it shows is that the band is ready to play at this level.

Photo: Wout de Natris

A point of critique is that the songs are more or less uniform. Don't ask me to make many distinctions between the songs. I can't. A song rages and then rages some more and if there were any subtleties, I can't remember because they instantly disappeared in the next storm. The sound is drenched in echo's of all sorts, always. The positive side is the enormous positive energy coming from the stage. Marathon wants to impress and succeeds.

There were some surprises as well. The trio could easily become a four piece and a five piece. Other musicians joined on stage for a cowbell, keyboards or a second guitar. In the final song, speaking of storms and yes, I now clearly remember some dynamics here, the guitar of the singer went into the audience, Someone grab it and played the roof, i.e. the floor of the main hall, off of our hall. Jumping into the audience, okay, but this one was new to me.

Marathon may have to learn a few things for the future but not how to play with enthusiasm, while seemingly effortlessly convince as a band.

Wout de Natris