Two of Us. Bertolf & Nomden live. Phil, Haarlem Friday 6 March 2026

Photo: WdN-vdB

Bertolf Nomden and Diederik Nomden met  for the first time at a Paul McCartney concert in 2003. Unbeknownst to them their musical lives would interact for the decades ahead culminating in the duo album 'All Good Things' in 2026.

They are touring behind the album as a duo with just a few acoustic guitars, a piano and a few props on stage. In the show they tell stories, anecdotes and explanations of songs. Besides their own songs they play many a Beatle song and then more specifically, Paul McCartney songs. Starting with the song that gave the name to their show, 'Two Of Us'. Somehow the song set the mood for the evening. Not a song that the less than average Beatles fan would know, as it is an album track from the 'Let It Be' album, which is not the band's most favourite with fans.

Slowly bit surely the band started weaving in its own songs into the show. When they started with Beatles songs, I truly wondered whether the duo songs would hold up against all those famous and well-loved songs. That answer is easy to give, yes they do. The two wrote several excellent songs. Where on record I thought some songs to be a little too well-behaved, played live in a duo setting, the songs all came more than just alive. They sparkled and blended in very nicely with the Beatles tracks and Stealer Wheel's 'Star'.

I am not going to give away any of the stories, as that spoils the show should you wish to go there (and you should). I will mention the props: Johan Cruyff and Paul McCartney', certified chairs from 'De Meer and football jerseys. The why and what you can hear from Bertolf and Nomden.

Photo: WdN-vdB

Both are excellent musicians and Bertolf played some very intricate if not virtuoso runs on his guitar. The solo in 'I've Just Seen A Face' was close to mind boggling. Thank you for the reminder by the way. I always think that 'Help!' is not really worthwhile playing and then 'I've Just Seen A Face' comes by. Exceptional musicianship came earlier on for The Beatles than I remember thanks to The Analogues. I sort of stopped listening to what came before.

What Two of Us shows, is that a good musical night out does not take much more that two guitars, a piano and two great voices singing together, while combining it all with great enthusiasm, talent and a love for music.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 P.S. Busstop, Diederik!!!