One thing certainly leads to another

In all those years that I know The Fixx, they only played the Netherlands once and that concert I never visited. So I was very eager to see them on this tour, and I can tell you I certainly was not disappointed.

It seems to become a trend to play several sets during an evening. At half past eight the band opened with Deeper And Deeper and from the start the atmosphere and enthusiasm was there, both in the band and in the audience, to turn this evening into a very special one. The band played tide and inspired, and the setlist was well chosen making every number a highlight. Cy Curnin sang very good, Jamie West-Oram's guitar playing was inspiring, the bass of Dan K. Brown was tight and his playing inimitable. Rupert Greenall conjured the most beautiful sounds from his synthesizers and  Adam Wood played tight as well.

For sure the audience was aware that this concert wasn't going to be a trip down memorylane. With the new album Beautifil Friction out for just over a month, the band played seven songs, a third of the set, from this new addition to their impressive discography. The three album openers, single Anyone Else, Just Before Dawn  and Take A Risk followed Deeper And Deeper, which fitted well and showed that The Fixx hasn't lost their writing skills to still create great new wave songs.

Cy explained to the audience that he had cycled through The Hague the night before, and that all went well until he had to ride against the wind.  He also told us that a visit to the Netherlands in the past meant also a visit to the potshop, but nowadays only Rupert Greenall seemed to be the only who liked to visit the coffeshop. After several golden oldies and the new One Follow That Cab they ended their first set with my first introduction to the band in 1982 Stand Or Fall.

After twenty minutes or so The Fixx returned and opened the second set with the beautiful Outside. Some great songs followed in the next hour and to be honest it was over much quicker than expected. In this set the title track and What God? from Beautiful Friction followed, after which Cy explained that by releasing a new album it certainly had led them from one thing to another. The great The Fool, with Rupert Greenall in top form, who extended the song with his playing skills. And before we knew it Saved By Zero closed this set.

After a short break The Fixx returned and played another three steaming songs, with Red Skies in which the audience got a change to sing along. They ended the evening with Secret Seperations and the promise not to wait for another 28 years before returning to the Netherlands.

First Set

 

Deeper And Deeper
Anyone Else
Just Before Dawn
Take A Risk
Yesterday, Today
Less Cities, More Moving People
Reach the Beach
Follow That Cab
Woman On A Train
Stand Or Fall

 

Second Set

 

Outside
How Much Is Enough?
Driven Out
Beautiful Friction
What God?
One Thing Leads to Another
The Fool
Fatal Shore
Saved by Zero

 

Encore:

 

Shaman
Red Skies At Night
Secret Separation