Soundz rating: 8.5/10
The Night Flight Orchestra—who doesn’t know them?
Is this a “hobby band” or should we see it as a full-time band with seven albums under their belt? In honor of their seventh album, Give Us the Moon, a concert tour kicked off at 013, just one day before the album’s release.
Text and photos: Peter van den Enden
But what kind of music does The Night Flight Orchestra play, you might ask as you start reading this review… They deliver a mix of ‘70s and ‘80s rock, with a touch of disco and pop.
And why would anyone call them a hobby band? Because all the members come from well-established death metal bands!
The concert itself
From the moment this Swedish band stepped onto the stage of the smaller venue, Next, it was clear that they were eager to perform. The energy radiated from the stage.
Vocalist Björn Strid was in excellent form. Guitarists Rasmus Ehrnborn and Sebastian Forslund, keyboardist John Lönnmyr, and the solid rhythm section of Jonas Källsbäck and Sharlee D’Angelo created a well-balanced sound. And let’s not forget the stewardesses of the backing vocals, Åsa Lundman and Anna Brygård. Not only were they entertaining to watch as part of the act, but these ladies also had impressive voices.
Björn’s charisma kept the audience engaged throughout the concert. Honestly, I’ve never been to a rock show where the crowd danced, sang, and jumped enthusiastically from start to finish.
Night Flight Orchestra setlist
The setlist was a well-crafted mix of old and new material. The band knows exactly which classics fans want to hear, which resulted in an excited audience. But the new tracks from their latest album were also well received.
One of the evening’s highlights was “Burn for You”, where the band fully showcased their musical versatility and energetic performance with a keyboard and guitar solo. A fantastic, up-tempo track.
Of course, the classic “West Ruth Ave” couldn’t be left out. What an incredible rock/pop song with a hint of disco! Even the typically reserved Dutch crowd couldn’t resist a little preview of the upcoming carnival season, forming a spontaneous polonaise.
What a way to end the night!
My conclusion
This is not a hobby band. As far as I’m concerned, this flight can keep soaring for a long time.
