The last time I saw The Gaslight Anthem live, they had just released their breakthrough album “The ’59 Sound”, way back in 2009. After that, I sort of checked their later albums every now and again, but somehow they fell of the radar with my listening habits. 

Last night they played TivoliVredenburg in my hometown Utrecht and I’m glad I bought the tickets way in advance. Their latest album History Books hits the right nerve for me and I listened to their back catalogue the last couple of days. Their New Jersey sound has the right balance between melancholy, nostalgia and Heartland rock for me. 

We had a good view of the stage from the balcony and just enjoyed the whole show. I wasn’t familiar with all the songs which is OK. We had a good spot to just listen, feel the atmosphere and for me, to appreciate how the die-hard fans in the front of the stage really give their all for the band. I totally get this. As a big fan of Pearl Jam, having seen them multiple times over the years here and abroad, I feel for those fans how they soak in the music, get enthousiastic about a rarity that is played and find each other in the common language of the band’s lyrics. 

Yes, I am bad at filming from a distance and editing a video. But you get the idea...

I got the t-shirt, I got the tourposter and I got into the band again. This was a good Saturday for me.