The Beths live with Lande Hekt. Rotterdam, Rotown Saturday 15 July 2023

Saturday 15 July I learned an important lesson: Don't drink too much before going to a show and certainly do not keep continuing drinking during it. What happened to me at least, is that my reception for things to write on was totally blocked. Also, the reception of the music itself became sub-optimal. To say the least.

Something else happened instead and far more than with other shows. My favourite songs of The Beths seem branded into my mainframe. They go round and round and round. One thing I am 100% certain of. The Beths played a great show in a sold out Rotown. The band is as good as its records and matched the New Zealand show that is accessible on You Tube.

New Zealand band The Beths is present on this blog from its first album and has since become one of my favourite young bands. For me that all started with 'I'm Not Getting Exited' somewhere in the lockdown days. From the very first seconds of the, super-energised, guitar intro, I was sold. It was the song I wanted to hear foremost and the band kept the tension going, as it only came towards the end. How far gone I was, was underscored by the fact that I can't remember hearing the guitar solo, that superweird jumping of a cliff kind of solo that somehow, like Roadrunner, lands back on its feet on the cliff. Just being totally happy, that impression remains.

What I did notice, was how tight the band played. Like a machine almost. The interaction between the four was phenomenal. All those little details that are woven into the alternative rocksongs stood out without playing too loud. I did not need my earplugs.

For the rest, I simply do not know more to write, except that The Beths are really, really good and deserve to play larger venues in this country.

Lande Hekt played before The Beths but what can I say? You've got the message. I believe she released a record not that long ago. I promise to give it a try.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order The Beths' records here:

https://thebethsnz.bandcamp.com/music

and Lande Hekt's here:

https://landehekt.bandcamp.com/