VENUE POPPODIUM 013, TILBURG, NETHERLANDS
When the normally reclusive Arjen Lucassen presents in the live arena, it’s usually something pretty spectacular. Six years ago, in this very venue, Prog witnessed Lucassen’s first-ever official Ayreon live shows, entitled Ayreon Universe. No fewer than 16 singers and 11 instrumentalists presented an eye-popping spectacle to packed-out crowds.
However, Ayreon playing live in 2023 isn’t quite as unique as at this venue in 2019. But even so, the sheer scope of ambition and execution of five performances (three evening shows and two matinees) of 2007’s is impressive in the extreme. Add in an Ayreon pop-up shop – the queue for which never seems to dissipate while is in attendance – and the fact that Tilburg resembles some kind of alternate reality in which you reside in Ayreon-ville… Well, it’s quite jaw-dropping.
