Exactly twenty years after You Me at Six came together, the band will officially call it quits on April 4. But before that moment arrives, they’re embarking on a triumphant journey with their world tour, The Final Nights of Six. The Netherlands even secured two spots on the tour poster, with both the Effenaar and the Melkweg being graced by a visit from the British rockers. We were there on December 4, when they took to the Dutch stage for the final time.
Text and photos by Sanne de Vos
Celebrating Life
What can you expect from a band that has decided to stop at their peak after twenty years? Certainly not lengthy sentimental speeches or long breaks between songs. The band made it clear this concert wasn’t a time to mourn but a moment to celebrate life together.
Frontman Josh Franceschi showed no shortage of energy, and the audience reciprocated in full force. By the fourth song, Save It for the Bedroom, the first crowdsurfer was already floating over the crowd. It didn’t take long before the first mosh pit formed during the bridge of Fresh Start Fever. Lived a Lie was aptly nicknamed “the crowdsurf song,” as dozens of fans surfed over the crowd to shake hands with Josh. And all this happened before the second half of the set, which the band refers to as “the mosh pit.”
A brief moment of calm came when Josh and guitarist Max performed an acoustic rendition of Liquid Confidence (Nothing to Lose), followed by Take on the World. For the latter, the stage lights dimmed, and the band was illuminated entirely by a sea of lights from the audience.
Many British You Me at Six Fans
The sold-out Max venue was a milestone for You Me at Six—a place they had never performed at during their long career but were proud to finish at. The packed house was partially due to the large number of British fans in the crowd, a fact the band also acknowledged. Even so, hands went up when Josh asked who was seeing the band for the first time that night. “You’re fucking late,” he joked with a laugh.
You Me at Six managed to satisfy both new and old fans with a varied setlist featuring tracks from every album, exactly what you’d hope for in a farewell concert.
It may not have felt like a heavy-hearted goodbye, but it was evident that the band savored every moment of their final performance on Dutch soil. Throughout the evening, Josh made frequent eye contact with the crowd, as if trying to memorize every face. Still, a touch of emotion was inevitable during such a momentous occasion. “We will always be your band,” Josh assured the fans with heartfelt sincerity.
