Concert information
| Festival | North Sea Jazz Festival |
| Date | 07/11/2025 (also see 07/12/2025 and 07/13/2025) |
| Venue | Ahoy |
| City | Rotterdam |
| Country | The Netherlands |
| Line-up (witnessed) | The Philharmonik, Jordan Rakei, Chaerin Im Trio, Sheila E. and The E-Train featuring Pete Escovedo, Judith Hill, Peter Somuah Group, Omah Lay, Ganavya, Lady Wray, Avishai Cohen Quartet, ANOHNI And The Johnsons, daoud, Mary J. Blige |
Rating
Day 1 of the greatest festival I know.
Today en route to Rotterdam with Zühal and Rachid, where the day struggled to gain its steam.
The first surpise was the Chaerin Im Trio, which played beautiful, ingenious jazz that touched the crowd. After some short visits to a number of artists, including Sheila E. (who had just started A Love Bizarre and introduced her 90 ! year old father to the stage), on my way to Herbie Hancock. Unfortunately, the venue was packed and no more people were allowed in. A pity.
After Omah Lay (who tore the house down, but did nothing for me) and others off to the Avishai Cohen Quartet. The music was beautiful, but a little too subdued for the festival. Perhaps I need to see him play when he’s playing a solo show?
And then there was the moment I had been waiting for, ANOHNI And The Johnsons. For years now, I have been wanting to see ANOHNI (formerly Antony) play live. And the band didn’t disppoint, what a show. That voice cuts through bone and marrow. The fragility was palpable. The combination with the heavy message (the inevitable disappearance of the Great Barrier Reef) made the performance an experience for the ages. Highlights Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child and You Are My Sister were deeply moving. Highlight of the day!
On to daoud, introduced as Ibrahim Maalouf’s naughty little brother, who gave an exciting performance. Luckily, Mary J. Blige’s bad set couldn’t spoil the day’s fun anymore.
| Artist | Seen whole show? | Rating |
| The Philharmonik | No |  |
| Jordan Rakei | No | |
| Chaerin Im Trio | No | |
| Sheila E. and The E-Train featuring Pete Escovedo | No |  |
| Judith Hill | No |  |
| Peter Somuah Group | No | |
| Omah Lay | No |  |
| Ganavya | No | |
| Lady Wray | No | |
| Avishai Cohen Quartet | No | |
| ANOHNI And The Johnsons | Yes |  |
| daoud | No | |
| Mary J. Blige | No | |
Setlist
ANOHNI And The Johnsons
Why Am I Alive Now? / 4 Degrees / Manta Ray / Hopelessness / Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / You Are My Sister / It Must Change / Scapegoat / Cut The World / She Doesn’t Mourn Her Loss / Another World / Hope There’s Someone
Concert ticket
North Sea Jazz Poster Competition 2025
North Sea Jazz Festival 2025 Poster Competition 1st-Prize
