As an early harbinger of the approaching Yuletide festivities, Amsterdam's December home-town gigs have become as ubiquitous as the (heaven knows why) keen anticipation of the John Lewis advert and the Christmas Radio Times.
Another welcome tradition of these gigs has been the inclusion on the bill of local musical legends. In past years Rain and The Tambourines have played, this year it's Digsy's band The Sums, who show the indie landfill chancers what good songs really sound like. Drawing from the recently released Start At The Finish, The Sums reel off a set that is awash with melodically lyrical songs that deserve to be heard by a much wider audience and Digsy should be not just known for being the subject of an Oasis song. Bass player Chris Mullin announces "We have been The Sums", Digsy looks horrified: " We still ARE The Sums. Exactly.
Our host for the evening is the legendary Mikey. Ostensibly, he is Ian Prowse's guitar roadie, but is also credited with 'vibes'. What this seems to entail is cavorting around the stage, arms and legs flailing in a display that makes Bez seem like Rudolf Nureyev. He wonders on-stage and turns open-armed to the giant backdrop that is a photo of Prowse with the Mersey behind him, carrying a guitar case and looking for all the world like he has just strolled across the river!
It takes a while for the whole band to shuffle onto the stage, there are fourteen of them tonight. They are soon into their considerable stride with a storming God & Man, which segues into Taking On The World. The latter song is a useful touchstone for Prowse's songs, as one recurring theme is that of defiance.
If there is a leitmotif running through the songs of Ian Prowse, it is a commitment to rail against injustice. It also permeates the songs he chooses to cover. A prime example is Alun Parry's My Name Is Dessie Warren from Prowse's album Companeros, a song that has Warren holding on to his identity by asserting his name when asked by a prison guard for his number. Parry is on hand to sing a verse or two, arm raised, fist clenched, it's a spine-tingling moment. Prior to that was another case in point, Phil Jones' Johnny and Marie is a cry of defiance, as Marie exhorts her husband to show the world his worth.
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Name and Number sees the trio of Celtic soul sisters, namely Anastasia and Laura playing fiddle and Helen on accordion, given full reign to lead us through a coda of joyful jiggery pokery. As ever, Home is a highlight, a wistful, swaying sing-along that could bring a tear to the hardest of hearts.
To complement Joe's Kiss, we are treated to an energetic cover of London Calling. Nearly 25 years old, Raid The Palace has acquired new significance, with the news that the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace will go ahead at the cost of the tax payer. Prowse castigates the decision as he gestures towards the huge NHS logo that has become the backdrop: "I can think of better ways to spend £369 million".
In the light of the Hillsborough verdicts being overturned, Does This Train Stop On Merseyside? seems even more poignant than ever. It has become a homage to those campaigners that persisted because they knew they were right. Mikey peels off his top to reveal a JFT96 t shirt. He stands stock-still gazing into the middle distance.
Brian Nash, of Frankie Goes To Hollywood appears and leads the ensemble through a touching and wistful The Power Of Love to wild acclaim. It was the perfect way to finish.It wasn't supposed to be the end, more was to follow, but the house lights went up and Amsterdam were ushered off a stage that could barely accommodate them all.
It was a evening to give heart to those who refuse to give way to the rising tide of hatred and intolerance.
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