Opening act Guess Who’s Late showcases promising young talent.
Meryn Bevelander: thinking big, playing big
Sometimes, as an artist, you have to dare to think big. And when it turns out the way it did this evening at the Heyhoef in Tilburg, you can only have immense respect for what Meryn Bevelander delivers.
Twelve years ago, he first took the stage here as an 11-year-old boy, alongside Gerrit Veldman. Now, twelve years later, he is the main man himself—the leader driving his XXL band to great heights.
Meryn Bevelander, the Bonamassa of the Low Countries
Hailing from Nijmegen, Meryn Bevelander has for some time been demonstrating that he belongs to the new generation of Dutch blues guitarists.
With accolades such as a Young Talent Blues Award under his belt and a power trio featuring his brother Florian on drums and Kevin Clerence on bass, he has laid a solid foundation for this XXL show.
It is no secret that Meryn has taken a close look at Joe Bonamassa; the setup of the evening evokes the grandeur of Bonamassa’s large-scale band shows.
Yet it is primarily the way Bevelander translates his own music to a larger stage that impresses. The addition of keyboards, trumpet, saxophone, and backing vocals lends his songs extra depth, color, and power.
Combined with his varied and compelling guitar work, the result is a sound that frequently calls to mind major blues-rock shows. It quickly became clear that the audience appreciated this style.
Tracks such as the uptempo, funky “Taking Your Chances” and “What Should I Do” receive a massive boost thanks to the expanded lineup. The instrumental “Shuffle in A” also provides a moment where the band members have ample opportunity to showcase their musical talents.
In doing so, Bevelander proves himself to be not only a gifted guitarist but also a bandleader who knows exactly when to give others space and when to firmly take the reins.
The show then gradually builds toward an impressive climax, featuring—among other tracks—Gary Moore’s “Walking by Myself,” a particularly apt choice here.
The uptempo nature of the music gives Bevelander plenty of room to really pull out all the stops. But the real fireworks arrive with the thirty-plus-minute rendition of Joe Bonamassa’s “The Ballad of John Henry.”
This is where everything that makes playing with an XXL band so special comes together. The joy of playing radiates from the stage, the musicianship is undeniable, and soaring guitar solos ring out across the venue.
It is not merely a display of musical prowess, but above all a collective celebration where band and audience visibly connect.
During the encore—Sonny Boy Williamson II’s “Help Me”—the rhythm section also receives the recognition it deserves. Florian Bevelander and Kevin Clerence serve as the band’s engine, demonstrating just how vital a strong rhythm section is for a guitarist who wants the space to shine.
Their playing is steady and expressive, but above all, indispensable to the evening’s sound and dynamics.
The Meryn Bevelander XXL band consists of:
Meryn Bevelander – Guitar & Vocals
Florian Bevelander – Drums
Kevin Clerence – Bass
Sander Poleij – Keyboards
Milan van Munster – Trumpet
Steven Dietvorst – Saxophone
Berber Dietvorst – Backing Vocals
Maaike Meulendijks – Backing Vocals
Young talent as the opening act
Before this electrifying show, the stage belongs to the Tilburg-based band Guess Who’s Late. It is wonderful to see such enthusiasm among the youngest generation of musicians to take the stage.
Maud, the drummer—only 14 years old—certainly knows how to hit those cymbals with gusto and isn’t intimidated by the large stage. Bassist David, the oldest member of the band at 17, demonstrates that a physical disability doesn’t stop him from laying down a solid groove.
The front duo consists of Floris (16), a remarkable guitar virtuoso, and Sam (15), a natural-born entertainer who combines guitar playing with vocals. With covers of songs by The Beatles, Dire Straits, and The Blues Brothers, among others, they manage to get the crowd moving early in the evening.
Perhaps that is the best part of an evening like this: young musicians visibly enjoying themselves on stage while simultaneously showcasing the wealth of talent out there.
