Oh What a night we had last Saturday night!!! It isn’t always with us gays Party, Party, Party, although this was one great party after all. Even without the Go-Go dancers and sweaty shirtless men, this was something special. Pink In Our Lives does not only give your stories about our LGBT community, but also want to recommend you stuff that you should see or experience. Well this is one of the occasions that, if you get the chance, you have to visit one of this lady her concerts. She is our Gay Icon of the Netherlands: GLENNIS GRACE!!!
After following this Dutch musician and singer Glennis Grace for many years, when she presented Holland for the Eurovision Songfestival with the song “The impossble dream”, she finally gets the deserved International stage and her official debut in Belgium at Casino Kursaal in Ostend. Off course I invited my good friend Christiaan, as him being her number one fan from day one, to enjoy her theater tour. The best way to let you in on this great concert is a review of the show to get you familiar with this amazing singer and lady. This time I asked Christiaan to be one of my guest reporters. After meeting his Queen G. (like we call Glennis Grace, we are gays after all LOL), he was like us so excited that there is no one better to write this review for us.
AND HOW……:
Glennis started the first part of her concert with the song “But when you look at me again”. Nailing the intro from what will become a very open view into the musical and personal life of Glennis. Known for her unbelievable covers from Whitney Houston and other amazing divas, this time they opened the door to Belgium, which also presented her latest in the must buy disk Cover Story.
Glennis switches without any problem between Dutch and English songs talking about the fire at her parents’ house as a kid, her life in Amsterdam and what that meant for her in person. This created in covering Annies song by John Denver, in an acoustic version….. It crawls under your skin and the intimacy on the stage you feel immediately.
Off course Glennis doesn’t forget her personal idol, the woman that helped her finding her voice and gave her the instrument that we love: Whitney Houston. In an extremely breathtaking high note you hear the quality that we came for….One Moment in time…one phrase, holding the top note for seconds long….and boom….we are in tears. Hail Whitney in Heaven. She watches you! Resulting in flabbergasting and uplifting medley from Whitney hits. Asking the audience the dance and get UP from your seats. (Who can sit down on music like this….no one!!!)
The live band NAILS it and the jam session is FABULOUS!!! Amen to the amazing background vocals. Wooot Gurls….!!!! Again, only the best for Glennis. A single song comes up for her father and even for her son Tony. There is a chill in the hall, we see Glennis as the mother as well as the daughter. One hears a sniffing and tears are shed. (Also from me.)
Then the moment of the Dutch song “Afscheid ” (AKA Goodbye in English) and the turning point in her career. Caused by singing in France songs from other fellow musicians, just for fun, for a Dutch TV show….killing and nailing a high note, NOT knowing that THAT moment weeks later it would change her career and life forever. After the broadcasting of this show the social media was OUT of the air for HOURS, everybody spoke about THAT moment …and the rest is history. After that night doors opened and everybody knew Glennis.
Of course we get a version from Goodbye and we love it…the high note KILLING it. A shiver……F*cK this is GOOD!!!!
For the record, a special comment on the amazing and jaw dropping outfit before the interval. Glennis wore a skintight leopard trouser combined with a see though black body top, and killer bootie heels, reaching for the universe.Walking around on them as if they are daywear!
Off course we all get what we come for and the song Royals covered by Glennis, which is doing the charts from Belgium at this moment, one can’t forget. The version on her CD Cover Story is fan-f*&%ingtastic, but live EVEN more. The audience screams out loud and we all sing!!!! The energy is more than HIGH. Amazing vibe! We hail or Queen G, yes the tittle for OUR Queen!
After the interval we see Glennis in a New York Bronx T-shirt pointing at the white sneakers. “Look at my shoes…cool Jeej…!!!” Singing Alicia Keys, New York, what sets the mood immediately.Such freedom, singing and dancing across the stage. Appreciating the gone to soon Aaliyah, with 2 fabulous version of her hits, and of course Rihanna. Men down! With a moment of singing with the audience!
Then a moment of peace in the stage with a song suggested by the new hubby from Glennis, drummer boy Robbert. “Shades of grey.” Intimacy and such beautiful song. And one feels the love between 2 people! <3 Slowly the concert sadly enters his ending with a superb version of Destiny’s Child songs. Dancing and singing at the same time and taking her audience lifting up their butts for the last time! Such a warmth and energy.
Okay I have to end this review….with a few words.
Glennis, you are one of the most talent musicians that is known for her version of fabulous diva’s from ALL over the world. Name them and you sung them! From this time and days gone by. Why are you the best singer from Holland? Do I need to say more…? After singing hours and hours giving a 1000 percentage of energy for her fans and the music….Amen to THAT! One hears always it is you but still, you add vocal colors to a song. That’s making your own!
Cover or not, a good song is a good song…and so true.
Technical, you belt like the best musicians FROM all over the world.
Found with the help from may she R.IP Whitney Houston.
Your Flawless, outstanding, talented, instrumental, toning and seasoning your instrument, when you able to do THAT….Well the stage is yours.
The face follows the words, the eyes tell the story and we know. Heart to heart.
We feel!
You deserve the title and status Queen G, after last night you DO!
Hail Glennis, Hail Queen G. Can I say your (gay) audience loves you! <3
That’s why this review will posted on Pink in our lives, as my friend Lesley Middleton commented on his picture you ARE a Gay Icon in Holland and Belgium!!!
(Reading the comments on ALL the pictures the next morning, that says it all.)
We love you!!!
Thank you again for the heart-warming hug, my heart stopped a thousand and one times and restarted again. You recognizing me, that’s so funny and in the same time special….seeing you more than once in a crowd and now finally meeting you. Wow! Speechless. Being so proud! I always kept believing in you and said…This woman she is must-hear, international star Quality and USA stardom.
You’re my Idol. Forever. Hugs, Christiaan. XXX
Like Christiaan described the evening, it was great, especially by meeting her ourselves afterwards. She was genuine, friendly and fun to meet. She took time for everybody and gave all her best. We wish her good luck with the Theater Tour. An amazing concept and a very good switch after the big halls. If you haven’t bought her CD Cover Story……go for it!!!!
Here is a first impression of how her first concert in Belgium was and it has Christiaan, myself and my hubby embracing Glennis at the end in it ;o) ENJOY!!!
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Big Kiss,
Lesley