Progressive rockers HAKEN are set to hit North America next month for a special ‘An Evening With’ tour. Kicking off on February 10th, 2024 in Los Angeles. The band will be performing the entirety of their acclaimed newest album ‘Fauna’, as well as other tracks from across the band’s career. The run of shows will culminate in the 2024 edition of Cruise to the Edge between March 8th-13th (not An Evening With show).
We asked some of the band to tell us about their first and favorite concert experiences. See their responses below:
Ross Jennings
FIRST CONCERT
According to my setlist.fm account, the first concert I attended was ‘Ocean Colour Scene’ at London’s Wembley arena – which is funny because they also happen to be the most recent band I’ve seen live, 25 years later, in my hometown of Bournemouth. In 1998 I was 14 years old, and they would have been promoting their third album ‘Marchin’ Already’ on this tour. I distinctly remember guest vocal appearance from PP Arnold adding a whole dimension to the sound and I also recall being particularly impressed by Oscar Harrison’s drumming and the how epic the closing the song ‘Get Away’ came across live!
FAVORITE CONCERT
The best (or more accurately, the most influential) concert I attended was ‘The Toxic Twin Towers Ball’ only one year later, again at Wembley, but this time at the stadium. This one day extravaganza was headlined by my favourite band ‘Aerosmith’ celebrating the back end of their epic ‘Nine lives’ world tour (and significantly following the big success they had with ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’) The line up also included legendary sets from ‘Lenny Kravitz’, ‘The Stereophonics’, ‘3 Colours Red’ & ’The Black Crowes’. The entire day blew my 15 year old mind and truly set me on my path to wanting to pursue a life in Rock n’ Roll.
Ray Hearne
FIRST CONCERT
The first concert I can remember attending was Rammstein at the London Arena (it had a different name back then though) on the 16th May 2002. Myself, Pete [Jones] and a few friends of ours from school were accompanied by Pete’s dad in what was to be a spectacle I’d never seen before or since! It made a massive impression on my 12 year old self; the lights, the fireworks… the stench! I’ve still not seen Rammstein live since then but the Mutter album will always hold a special place in my heart. Shout out openers American Head Charge and Raging Speedhorn. What a lineup!
FAVORITE CONCERT
There’s too many to mention. I tend to favour small, intimate shows over big arena-type productions. I recently saw Nate Wood play with his Trio Grande at their album release show at The Vortex in London. I was lucky enough to get a front row seat which, in a room that small, feels as if you’re actually sitting in with the band. Nate is like no other drummer I’ve seen or heard. He’s an unhealthy addiction I have no interest in giving up any time soon. Will Vinson (sax/keys) and Gilad Hekselman (guitar) also blew my mind, especially as they, along with Nate, distributed bass duties throughout the set while simultaneously throwing down on their main instruments.
Charlie Griffiths
FIRST CONCERT
My first concert was May 23rd 1990 at Wembley Arena, so the first band I ever saw was Warrior Soul and even though it was a thousand years ago I still clearly remember them starting the set with their backs to the crowd, which confused the heck out of me at first but I soon realised it was a bit. Not all live shows were like that. The main event was Metallica, who were just finishing up their Damaged Justice era, so it was right before they recorded the black album. It was a fantastic setlist consisting of songs from the first four albums and I was in absolute heaven!
FAVORITE CONCERT
Ever since I was a kid Queen were and still are my favourite band. I always wished I could go back to 1975 and see them at my favourite venue Hammersmith Odeon. In 2012 I came as close to that as possible when Queen + Adam Lambert played there in 2012. The show started with a kabuki screen in front the of the stage adorned by the Queen crest, upon which the silhouetto of a cloaked Brian May was backlit. I was immediately transported to 1975 and that moment was the most awesome live experience I’ve ever had!
Catch Haken on tour at any of these dates!
10th February – The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
11th February – House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
13th February – The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT
15th February – Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO
17th February – Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall, Forth Worth, TX
18th February – White Oak Music Hall, Houston, TX
20th February – Delmar Hall, St Louis, MO
21st February – Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH
22nd February – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN
23rd February – The Arcada Theatre, St. Charlies, IL
24th February – St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit, MI
25th February -Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON
27th February – Roxian Theatre, McKees Rocks, PA
28th February – Baltimore Soundtage, Baltimore, MD
29th February – Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
1st March – Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
2nd March – Palladium Times Square, New York, NY
3rd March – The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ
5th March – The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
6th March – Center Stage, Atlanta, GA
