The Doors Alive live at the Hub, Plymouth – 09/09/2017
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| Mike Griffioen as Jim Morrison (Pic: Marielle Newton) |
There’s something about the Doors
that, above all other bands, makes people want to travel back through time and
be part of the experience of one of their live shows. Even the Beatles don’t
command the same level of mysticism and they have plenty of copy-cats so it’s
lucky that we have a band like the Doors Alive around to bring the past to life
– let’s face it, if you actually had a time machine you’d be doing a tour of
North Korean and American maternity wards to change the current nightmare we’re
living in.
Now, sure, there’s a passing
physical resemblance to Jim Morrison in Dutch frontman Mike Griffioen which
definitely helps with the aesthetic but before I’ve even laid eyes on the band
you can hear those trademark velvety smooth vocals drifting out from the stage.
Like a devilish siren call that lures you in, Mr Mojo Risin’ doesn’t waiver
from that unique and singular voice that has been singing out through the ages
ad across the generations.
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| The Doors Alive @ The Hub, Plymouth (Pic: Marielle Newton) |
This isn’t just about the frontman
though, is it? There are moments during the performance where the vocalist
leaves the stage and just allows the guitars, drums and keyboards to go on a
wander. That Jazz influence meanders as you might expect, the psyche influence
weaves through like smoke in a crowded room and then you hear those moments,
those notes that would later go on to influence the dawn of dance music in
generations to come.
I specifically haven’t mentioned
the songs as if you don’t know the Doors then it won’t matter and if you do,
well, you just need to imagine your ideal set and that’s all you need to know.
A packed venue of mixed ages and experiences responded with love, adoration and
gratitude that these four men were able to bring the Doors back to life for a
couple of hours. Whether you love the Doors or just know a tune or two, I can’t
recommend highly enough the experience of standing in a room of people all
swaying to the rhythmic Manzarek keys work and hypnotic tones that are core to
the band legend. It’s semi spiritual and there were some big smiles leaving
the venue so I’d say that was a job well done.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/thedoorsalive/
Photographs by Marielle Newton - http://www.mariellephotography.co.uk/