DeWolff - 100 Club, London 2nd March, 2023
Set List: New Intro/Night Train/Heart Stopping Kind Of Show/Live Like You/Sugar Moon/Will ‘O The Wisp/Tired Of Loving You/Yes You Do/Double Crossing Man/Nothing’s Changing/Treasure City Moonchild.
Encore: Rosita.
“I said are you ready for the ‘Night Train”, "Yeah!"
“I said are you ready for the ‘Night Train”, "Yeeaaahhhhh!"
From this moment, Pablo Van De Poel, Frontman/Guitarist of this incredible Dutch band has the legendary 100 Club crowd in the palm of his hand.
Ever since Dewolff were thrust into my musical spotlight via ‘Thrust’ their then newly released 2018 album, I have waited for the opportunity to see them. Finally the moment has arrived here at Oxford Street.
During this 5 year wait I have purchased and listened to every album the band has recorded. This experience has been all encompassing for both myself and my son James. Tonight, to say we were ready for the ’Night Train’ would be an understatement. Also, more than ready were both my Wife, Jane and Hollie, James’s Fiancé.
The Set List would prove to be a bit of ‘Love Death & In Between’ (the just released stunning new album) and some prime cuts from previous releases. It would be a night of euphoric music and magical memories, especially for Jane.
She had a brief, thankfully moment, to make some noises via the microphone and then towards the end of the exhilarating performance sat cuddled up on the edge of the stage with Pablo! This moment for Jane began when Pablo spotted her wearing a DeWolff T-shirt that I had designed. I had used the Nonagon images. Pablo was impressed.
OK let’s get back on track, while I still have a train of thought and don’t go completely off the rails. It was simply a blistering psychedelic/blues/soul/rock performance that was watched in awe and amazement by the ‘Wolffpack’. Just how three musicians create such a wonderful vivid aural vibe is beyond my comprehension.
The stage at this historic venue is raised barely a foot off the floor. There is no barrier and no distance between crowd and band. The show begins just after 20.00, there is no support: none are needed. A new intro goes into the already mentioned ‘Night Train’. Immediately we are on track for a show of magnificence. Next up is ‘Heart Stopping Kinda Show’, from the new album, 'Love Death & In Between'.
‘Live Like You’ continues. This song was written for a Skoda car commercial and has been completely DeWolffed for this live outing, Robin Piso’s Hammond organ has been added giving it added depth. The band dip into the past for’ Sugar Moon’ from their 'Roux-Ga-Roux' album, released in 2016 on their own record label, Electrosaurus Records: Let me tell you these guys are no dinosaurs!
It's back to the present for ‘Will O’ The Wisp’. As I look around the room faces are emitting smiles of pure joy. A swift return to the Roux-Ga-Roux period for ‘Tired Of Loving You’ sees some great interplay between Robin and Pablo, not that drummer, Luka is left out as he deftly teases the rhythm’s from his drums. The song builds and builds to whoops of delight, before going off on a tangent in the manner of the legendary Jon Lord!
‘Yes You Do’ gives us a taste of the Wolff Pack album, boy are we hungry! This has a great riff that throbs into your body, forcing you to dance! Oh yes it does! And, oh yes you do!
Now we are Thrust back to 2018, where it all began for me / us. It’s time for ‘Double Crossing Man’ which has a kind of gospel and country uplifting vibe with stunning Hammond and guitar. There's a bit from 'Tascam Tapes' in the shape of ‘Nothing’s Changing’, with shared vocals between brothers Luka and Pablo it pulsates with fun.
‘Treasure City Moon’ proves to be the final song pre-encore. It's another brilliant track with the virtuoso performances dazzling those of us lucky to be part of this momentous evening in London, more solos pour from the stage, leaving you breathless.
Then after rapturous applause the encore begins! It’s only one song, but we don’t feel cheated as is the mind-blowing ‘Rosita’, which is a mere 16 minutes long on 'Love Death & In Between' but here it is now extended to a delightful 45 minutes! I may have exaggerated a bit there!
It is a show stopper to end all show stoppers. It is where Jane sat cuddled up to Pablo! It is where all manner of euphoric moments collided at once. Two hours plus had flashed by, in seemingly the blink of an eye. Now it was time for a brief chat with the group before heading home, WOW!
By Paul 'Rhino' Mace