The Amare was already heaving when I got there, bodies pressed into every corner, faces marked by that peculiar glow that comes with anticipation. There was no room, not really, so I stood in the hallway for their first few songs, catching glimpses of the stage through the open door. The crowd-pullers, of course, were The Dire Straits Experience. From the moment the band took the stage, the energy shifted. It was Chris White, saxophone in hand, looking every bit the part of a man who had lived these songs. He was joined by musicians, Terence Reis, Richard Barrett, John Maul, Michael Bramwell, YoYo Buys, and Luke Naimi, who had learned to exude an eery likeness to the original Dire Straits band mates. The frontman, Terence Weis, in particular, was a shadow of Knopfler, not quite his twin, but close enough . . . from what I’ve been told.
See, I wasn’t alive during the heyday of Dire Straits. I didn’t get to experience those first electric moments when Sultans of Swing echoed from radios or when Money for Nothing blasted through car speakers, the sound of the 80s in full swing. But as I stood surrounded by people who were there, I couldn’t help but wish I had been, too. It was something in the way they reacted to the music – every note seemed to pull an almost primal roar from the crowd.
The band played crowd favourites such as Romeo and Juliet and Walk of Life. Their attention to detail in replicating the nuances of the original recordings is impressive, but they also infuse the songs with their own energy, making the performance feel both authentic and alive, making you feel like you’re at a vintage arena show.
The Dire Straits Experience is not just a tribute act; it’s a living, breathing homage to a legendary band. The ensemble of accomplished musicians delivers an electrifying performance that captures the spirit, technical precision, and emotional depth of Dire Straits’ music. In my mind, it was as if I had stepped outside the crowd and into something timeless. I watched the show unfold with a distant understanding of someone who had missed the original but was now seeing it through the eyes of those who had lived it.
Whether you’re reliving memories or discovering Dire Straits’ music for the first time, their performance is a reminder of the power of great song writing and exceptional musicianship. Highly recommended for any music lover. Eva Lakeman at Amare in The Hague 20th November 2024
