In November 2023, Dutch alternative metal outfit DEAR MOTHER made their live debut in Finland as a support act for STAM1NA. We were so impressed by their performance that when it was announced that the Finnish alternative metal act LUNA KILLS would support them during three dates of their mini-Dutch tour, the universe pretty much decided for us that it was time to catch a flight and see what the buzz was all about in the Netherlands. We decided to attend the show on April 18th, 2024, at Oefenbunker in Landgraaf.
While in Finland, LUNA KILLS have become quite the staple in the local scene, the Netherlands was uncharted territory for them. In my experience as a Belgian, people in these corners of the world tend to attend the support act’s show, so it wasn’t a surprise that many people had decided to tune in early and come to see the show. This night’s performance wasn’t sold out, and Oefenbunker in Landgraaf isn’t a particularly large venue, resulting in a very intimate atmosphere.
Unfortunately, there was a bit of miscommunication online, where the event on Facebook and on the venue’s web pages said that the show would start at 21:00 rather than the 20:30 that was mentioned inside the venue. After having notified this to the crew, the DEAR MOTHER team agreed that LUNA KILLS could start their set at 20:45 instead to make sure nobody was late for the show to start.
In comparison to their recent headlining show at Tiivistämö, LUNA KILLS only had a 30-minute support slot this time around, so they had to trim a little bit in the setlist, but they made sure to choose a good amount of songs to introduce the band to the Dutch audience. The band started their set with their latest single, “we were born to die,” which instantly showed the audience what the band is made of.
Altogether, they performed 7 dynamic songs, including hits like “super sick,” “deep cuts,” and “BULLET.” Additionally, they introduced some unreleased songs into the setlist, among which “Slay Ur Enemies” became an instant hit when I first heard it in December. They also the emotionally charged “Fever Dream,” which primarily showcases Lotta‘s incredible, emotional vocals and provided a brief respite from the intensity of the show. The setlist, in general, worked very well and made for an interesting arc for the show. While the crowd was still a little shy at the beginning, by the end of the evening, vocalist Lotta Ruutiainen made every single person there jump. In general, it seemed like the audience totally embraced the Finnish band, and I’m quite positive that they will once again gain some new fans in the process.
After the audience was properly warmed up, it was time for DEAR MOTHER to start their performance. The band’s tour was dedicated to their newly released EP, “Necessary Darkness,” which hit shelves during this tour on April 19th, 2024. It was no surprise that the band kicked off with a brand new song, “Threads,” which proved to be an incredible opener brimming with energy. Since their previous show in Finland featured TEXTURES‘ Daniël de Jongh as a guest vocalist, standing in for DEAR MOTHER‘s David Pear, it was my first time witnessing the band with their actual frontman, who not only proved to be an incredible showman but also an amazing (and extremely versatile) singer.
The show maintained its momentum with “Unbreakable,” another standout from the EP, followed by the mid-paced “Fade In” from their debut album, “Bulletproof,” which incorporates plenty of electronic elements. “Means To No War,” a melodic track, seamlessly followed suit. The tempo then eased down a bit with the emotionally charged “Satellite,” during which David Pear‘s dynamic performance even saw him drop to the floor in an attempt to explore every little inch of the stage. “Wildfire,” another track from the latest EP, followed suit, its slower pace complementing the preceding song and keeping the emotive atmosphere alive. “A Soul for Hire,” a departure from their usual style, offered a different vibe and proved to be an excellent addition to the live set, particularly since it hadn’t been included in their Finnish show. As this track was a personal highlight from their debut album, experiencing it live was particularly great since it added a little diversity to the setlist.
Merel picked up an acoustic guitar, and she and David relocated to an ego riser at the edge of the stage, while the rest of the band relaxed at the back. The duo then delivered the acoustic rendition of “Palace.” Despite a minor mistake during the performance, which prompted a lighthearted banter between the two, the intimate atmosphere of the venue lent itself well to the moment, though it was a shame to see so many phones pointed at them instead of flashlights, in my opinion.
As the end of the show approached, one of the standout moments was “12 Years in Exile.” Since “Necessary Darkness” had only been released one day after the show, I hadn’t yet heard “Delusion,” making its inclusion in the setlist particularly enjoyable, cementing the EP as one that’s filled with quality tracks from start to finish. The set concluded with “Symbiose,” with the band opting not to include any encores.
Overall, DEAR MOTHER showcased the professionalism of seasoned performers, with their energy levels remaining high and engaging throughout the performance. Despite personal challenges faced by the band in 2023, reflected in the themes of “Necessary Darkness,” it was heartening to see everyone in the band exude joy and positivity from start to finish, smiling throughout most of the set. From drummer Ruben Israel dynamic playing style, bass player Desmond Kuijk’s high jumps, and guitarist Merel Bechtold‘s playful interactions with the front row to guitarist Ferry Duijsens‘ relaxed guitar playing and vocalist David Pear‘s witty banter between songs and heartfelt delivery, DEAR MOTHER prove themselves to be one of the most promising live acts on the rise. Be prepared for them!
Article and photos by Laureline Tilkin
Setlist
- Threads
- Unbreakable
- Fade In
- Means To No War
- Satellite
- Wildfire
- A Soul for Hire
- Palace
- The Ones Below
- Invincible
- 12 Years In Exile
- Delusion
- Symbiose
