Dutch singer-songwriter Roel van Velzen is embarking on a unique theatrical tour celebrating the music of The Beatles, he announced Thursday on Radio Veronica’s “Ekdom in de ochtend.”
The show, titled “The Music and Wonders of the Beatles,” is a long-held dream for van Velzen, who says, “Ze zitten in mijn DNA” – “They are in my DNA.” The tour will feature van Velzen alongside musicians Ruben Hein and Daria van den Bercken, a trio who first connected during a television program and discovered a shared passion for the iconic British band.
The production promises a fresh take on The Beatles’ catalog, exploring how other musical styles and eras influenced their operate. Performances will include reimagined versions of classic songs, such as envisioning “Blackbird” written a century earlier and examining the impact of composers like Prokofjev on tracks like “Penny Lane.”
Van Velzen described the project as a deeply personal endeavor, adding that he’s gaining new appreciation for The Beatles through the perspectives of his collaborators – Daria, with her classical background, and Ruben, with his jazz sensibilities. The announcement comes as reinterpretations of pop classics gain traction, with artists increasingly drawing connections between genres and historical periods to revitalize familiar material.
The tour kicks off in May and runs through mid-August, culminating in a performance at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on August 18. The premiere will be held on May 21 at Theater de Speeldoos in Baarn. More details about the tour and showtimes can be found on van Velzen’s website.
This isn’t van Velzen’s first tribute to The Beatles; he previously performed during a 2019 commemoration of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-In for Peace in Amsterdam, marking the 50th anniversary of the event. Shownieuws reports that the performance highlights van Velzen’s longstanding connection to the band’s music.
The Telegraaf also covered the announcement on Facebook.
