Having seen the setlists from Groningen & Eindhoven, my hopes for Amsterdam were high, but safer options were ultimately chosen on the night. I had a nice chat with a member of Team BF before the show and was advised that no setlists would be given to fans (indeed the crew later tore them to shreds in front of outstretched arms!), as it was still a work in progress this early in the tour. I'm still unsure what is achieved by depriving fans of these souvenirs, but there you go...
I was told that there had been some changes since Eindhoven, but not that this entailed the omission of seldom played songs such as Flesh + Blood, Running Wild & Prairie Rose. In their place came more familiar Roxy fayre, whereas many of us ageing tourists yearn for BF's solo back catalogue to be mined for forgotten (at least in live terms) treasures.
Dream Home was a brave, if unusual, choice as an opener (just as it had been at the Hall Of Fame ceremony), but it was very well received, as was OOTB, although Marina's solo was the first indication that the sound levels would be inconsistent throughout the set.
The momentum was lost a bit during The Space Between & The 39 Steps, which suggests that the running order might bear further review. Slave is becoming a little over familiar, but Tom Thumb increased the pulse rate nicely, only for the next handful of songs to return it to a more sedate pace (although I must admit to having a soft spot for To Turn You On).
I'd love more songs from IYM to be included, but BF apparently doesn't share my passion for that album, despite Tokyo Joe getting a good reception as the lead in to the "greatest hits" home lap. Hidden among them was Can't Let Go (my love for IYM applies almost equally to TBSB, but only one song from each is slim pickings from that era) and a rousing Hard Rain; these two were my personal highlights.
I was near one end of the second row, directly in front of Fonzi (who is close to indispensable in supporting the lead vocal) & Tawatha (not Hannah, as misidentified by one Dutch reviewer), both of whom were on fine form, yet a friend in the middle of the front row struggled to hear them or BF.
I had a few problems hearing some of Marina & Spedding's work (they were on the other far side of the stage), while bass and drums were perhaps a little too loud. All of which may prove particularly sad, as some audio recording was in progress; how it sounded to the band or at the sound desk, I don't know, but perhaps it can be remedied at the mixing stage, if there are ever plans to release it.
So, the setlist was rather safe and the sound less than perfect (although far from the disaster portrayed by some on social media), but the audience was very happy and responsive, while BF was generally smiling and relaxed (both during the show and afterwards, as he signed autographs near the stage door). He looks well, if a little thinner this year.
New guitarist Tom Vanstiphout, whom friends had described as a bit nervous during the earlier shows, had a great night, even if it meant less Spedding than last year (not that it seemed to bother CS, who always serves the music above all else). Time will tell, but I think TV could prove to be a worthy successor to Ollie & Quist.
As is often the case, the loudest reception was reserved for Jorja, who does a fine job of recreating Andy's solos; she has become a key member of the band and is consistently good, but let's not confuse fine playing with the creativity and innovation of Mr Mackay which first gave those songs life.
All in all a fun night catching up with Dutch & Belgian friends in a really good concert atmosphere, but I'll still be hoping for some further setlist experiments and revisions before and at the Royal Albert Hall. Here's hoping...