The Analogues are a Dutch tribute act to the Beatles. Founded in 2014, the Analogues' ambition has been to perform live the Beatles' music from their later studio years, using analogue and period-accurate instrumentation.[1] The Analogues distinguished themselves by performing songs and whole albums live, which the Beatles never played live. While the band does not attempt to look like the Beatles, they have been noted for accurately recreating and reproducing their music and sound.[2]
The Analogues | |
|---|---|
 The Analogues play Parkpop, 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Decca Records |
| Members |
|
| Website | theanalogues |
Touring
editFrom 2015 to 2016, the Analogues went on their first tour both in the Netherlands and abroad, performing the Magical Mystery Tour album.[3]
In 2017, the band toured with a complete performance of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,[4] including a performance at the 17,000-capacity Amsterdam Ziggo Dome on 1 June 2017 to celebrate the album's 50-year anniversary.[5] In June 2017, Dutch public-service broadcaster NTR aired a one-hour documentary on the band's painstaking process of analysing the Beatles' compositions and experimental use of studio equipment, as well as acquiring the proper analogue instruments, in preparation of live rendition of the Sgt. Pepper's album.[6] Before an album can be performed, the multi-layered arrangements are fully written out by the band.[5]
From 2018 to 2019, the Analogues toured the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the UK, playing The Beatles, also known as The White Album.
Recordings
editThe Analogues signed a six-record deal with Universal Music Group for five live-played Beatles albums and one album with original material inspired by the Beatles.[5]
Instruments
editTo sound as close to the original recordings as possible, the Analogues have amassed a collection of musical instruments, such as a black-and-white Rickenbacker guitar similar to John Lennon's, a light blue Fender Stratocaster similar to George Harrison's, and a Höfner 500/1 bass. Musical instruments from India are also used in their performances, including a dilruba, a swarmandal, a tanpura, a tabla and a sitar.[5] Further special instruments include a one-metre-long harmonica for "The Fool on the Hill" and a clavioline for "Baby, You're a Rich Man".[7]
The band's primary analyst is bass guitarist and producer Bart van Poppel. After a thorough analysis of an album's arrangements and consulting Beatles Gear, they find the necessary equipment, such as a 1965 Lowrey Heritage Deluxe organ[5] or one of only thirty known existing mellotrons in a particular series, used in the intro of "Strawberry Fields Forever".[6]
Critical review
editIn 2014, Het Parool reviewed the premiere of the Magical Mystery Tour and described the Analogues' sound as "eerily close" to the Beatles.[2] In 2015, De Volkskrant wrote that the band brought the Beatles' sound back to life "frighteningly well."[7] In 2016, the Eastern Daily Press reviewed a Norwich performance as a "... musical wonder ..." providing a "... truly magical experience".[3]
Personnel
editCurrent members
- Jac Bico – guitar, vocals[1]
- Fred Gehring – drums, vocals[1]
- Felix Maginn – guitars, vocals
- Diederik Nomden – keys, guitar, vocals[1]
- Bart van Poppel – bass, keys, vocals[1] and producer[5]
Former members
- Jan van der Meij – guitar, vocals[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f The Analogues
- ^ a b Van Brummelen, Peter (6 June 2014). "Dure Magical Mystery Tour is waar spektakelstuk (****)" [Expensive Magical Mystery Tour is truly a spectacle (****)] (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Persgroep. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ a b Review: The Analogues’ Magical Mystery Tour at Norwich Theatre Royal - Norfolk News — Eastern Daily Press
- ^ The Analogues Tickets London — The O2 (archived)
- ^ a b c d e f Huffels, Diederik (26 May 2017). "Tot de laatste noot net als The Beatles" [Just like The Beatles, down to the last note] (in Dutch). NRC Handelsblad. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
- ^ a b Beerekamp, Hans (2 June 2017). "Documentaire The Analogues: puzzelen met Beatlesmuziek" [Documentary The Analogues: Making Beatles music puzzles] (in Dutch). NRC Handelsblad. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
- ^ a b Van den Hanenberg, Patrick (9 November 2015). "The Analogues brengen The Beatles beangstigend goed tot leven" [The Analogues bring The Beatles to life frighteningly well] (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Persgroep. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.