The nice thing about taking a lot of pictures is that you actually capture all the moments in a year well, or at least those moments you find important. In line with my top 10 music post, per month the past year in words and pictures :)
January
My son's first performance with his band "Down to earth", a band with young musicians. As proud as a peacock I stood in the audience watching him play a nice bass line.
February
We have been skiing with our sons for years. Last year, for the first time, both of our sons' girlfriends came along. Of course, we all had to have a drink together in the Apres Ski bar.
We made beautiful memories there, next month we can go again :)
My brother and I played with "De baakse helden", this was a large group of musicians who played together various well-known and lesser-known numbers in an evening-filling program. The nice thing about this was that you played with different musicians, with whom you had never played before. A nice experience.
March
Together with my son and a good friend of ours we went to the concert of John Mayer, in Amsterdam. He was solo and played mainly acoustic, also a great experience and memory.
In Zutphen Cesar Zuiderwijk played (the drummer of the world famous song Radar Love by the Golder Earring). After the show he was in the Foyer to sign drumsticks, I took my chance to take a picture with this legend :)
In March my son also got his first tattoo. The same one I have on my back, the Soulfly logo. Now they really can't ignore it, he's my son :)
April
My wife and I were invited by Danny, one of my best friends. He plays in the backing band of Nick Schilder, Nick is a well-known artist in the Netherlands. He had a duo with Simon Keijzer (Nick & Simon) but has been solo since last year. It is not exactly my taste in music but I think it is great for Danny that he has been given this great opportunity, but totally deserved. He is a great bass player.
I myself played in a project with the Royal Zutphens Male Choir. Their theme was back to the sixties. We were allowed to accompany them with songs from the Beatles, the Mama's and the Papa's etc. A new world for me but very nice to do.
May
In may there wasn't a lot going on (looking at my photo's), But I did have surgery on a spot in my neck. Now I'm a real pirate.
June
This month Kane made a comeback. Kane was very big in the Netherlands in the 90s/2000s. A popular rock band. We went to Kane concerts very often with our old neighbours. So it was obvious that the four of us would go to this concert together. It was an amazing concert.
June was also the month of "As in Hell", together with my son we went to the concert in Utrecht. My friends and brothers didn't want to go, they thought it was a bit too hard metal haha.. The front-man of Volbeat plays guitar in this band, he is a fan of trash metal himself and does this besides Volbeat, just because he likes it.
Looking back, we have visited a lot of cool concerts. We also went to Richie Kotzen in Hengelo Overijssel. He was always on my wish list, and we enjoyed it so much. Of course together with my son and my brother :)
July
Here we made a small boat trip with the in-laws of my oldest son. We sailed to Deventer, over the IJssel, and had a nice meal there. Then we sailed back. It was very cozy and nice to meet each other like that.
My niece works for the same company I work for. When we needed staff and she needed a job, it was easy for me. I introduced her and she still works there and is doing very well. This photo is from the staff party. It was in a castle in Wijk bij Duurstede, nice location and nice people.
The "Zwarte Cross", one of the biggest festivals in Europe. I have written about it before. Normally we always went there to party, this year I worked there for 3 days. They always need a lot of staff but can't fill the vacancies, we are a member of the fan club and there was a call for volunteers. I signed up then and so did my son. It was a lot of fun but next year I won't do it for 3 days anymore, it is very tiring with 12-hour days. So I think I will do two at most.
August
August was all about our summer vacation. We rented a boat and went to the province of Friesland. It was our first time sailing but it was great, so relaxing. Next year we will rent a boat again :)
My employer is a sponsor of the Aston Martin team in formula 1, and Fernando Alonso in particular. That's why we could go to the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort 'for free'. A great experience with a lot of visitors :)
September
My director plays golf at a high level and organizes tournaments for charity through his network. He had also bought a flight himself and asked if I wanted to join with my brothers, of course we did. My oldest son was also allowed to join :) It was a very nice day and a considerable amount was raised.
Isn't he a hunk....lol :P
October was all about work and busyness.... Network replacements and overtime.... Fun and necessary
And of course another great concert, together with my son, brother and my brother's brother in law. Marcus King, we've seen him a few times over the years now and he continues to amaze us, what a great musician and band.....It was one for the books again...
November
Together with my son we went to Sleep Token in AFAS Amsterdam and we were really blown away, really one of the best concerts and surprises that (at least I) have seen in recent years. This band was in one word "unbelievable" .... Everything was right, the music, the mystique, the vibe ... If you get the chance to see them live, I would definitely go.
December
The only video, because I didn't take any pictures here, December 5th. Slip Knot!! Our second time to this great band. They played the entire first album, which took some getting used to for many people. But it was really on fire..
And of course, as a year-end closing, our Christmas dinner. A successful evening with family.
So, this was my year-end review and as you can see, mostly consisting of music and beautiful moments. Still, it's nice to review all that again.
Have a good weekend,
Peter