I had to leave the rather interesting performance of Yo La Tengo early to be in time for my first show of Moondog Jr. in the Delta-tent (a circustent). I had waited for this moment a long time. I got interested in this band early this year, when they did a session at the Villa 65 radio show. At that time the band was still called SKC Moondog & A Beatband, and I got to know them primarily because of the direct link with dEUS. Apart from guitarplayer/ vocalist Stef, Moondog Jr. consists of a saxofoneplayer (bariton and tenor), a stand up-bass player, a drummer and a multimusician, who played organ, guitar and something which resembled a harmonica. This ensemble produces a unique sort of jazzy music, that is hard to describe precisely. You should listen to the music yourself.

All my high expectations were fulfilled (more than that), because 50 minutes later I was fully impressed. Very quiet and in a haze, I left the tent after the almost tearjerking gig. With respect to musical and emotional qualities, this was the highlight of the festival. Carlens, who seemed to be influenced by God knows what, once again turned out to be a musical genius, not only because of his fabulous and flexible bass- and guitarplaying, but also because of his raw characteristic vocal capabilities, by which he touches the innermost part of your soul directly.

The Moondog Jr.-concert was introduced by Willem Venema (the director of Mojo/Double You Concerts, the organising agency of this festival), who announced that this concerned a premiere. I think he meant that this would be the first Moondog-show in Holland (I know the band did some earlier performances in Belgium). He also told that the debut album would be released on October 16; this date was already noted several weeks in my agenda. Another interesting date is April 24 or May 24 next year, because Moondog Jr. will be support act at the Morphine-show in Rotterdam. I think this is a mistake and this should be October 24, because Morphine will be playing Holland in that period (amongst others in Eindhoven on the 26th).

(Later addition: indeed it should be October 26.)

The performance itself consisted of merely unknown (at least to me) songs. One of the few familiar songs was the impressive and moody TV Song. Unfortunately the beautiful Ice Guitars was not played. During TV Song Stef's great guitar playing abilities became apparent again (cf. the Rotterdam show several months earlier, where he took over Rudy's guitar when he left the stage), because the lower and middle strings of his guitar snapped at once; Stef played on as if nothing happened, although I got the impression that the song did not make it to the end.

The atmosphere in the tent was great; there was an almost complete silence during the entire show. I think everyone was very impressed by the moody sounds.

Moondog Jr. also performed during the special VPRO TV broadcast later on that sunday afternoon. Stef was interviewed and they played two songs, the second of which was TV Song.

Right now, I'm looking forward to their album and the upcoming performances in Holland; I'm almost certain I will attend several of them.