Prague Gets Lost in The Vices’ Indie Magic at Rock CaféThe Vices
For the fourth time, Dutch indie rockers The Vices brought their electrifying charm to Prague, this time turning the Rock Café into a space of buzzing guitars, raw emotion, and euphoric energy. The Groningen-based band, known for their ability to shift seamlessly between energetic indie tracks and introspective ballads, proved once again why they’ve built such a loyal following; even far from home.
Local Support from Cold Meat Party
The night kicked off with a powerful set by local band Cold Meat Party, whose incredible guitar work and infectious stage presence set the perfect tone for the evening. As their set progressed, the venue began to fill up with eager fans. People gradually came closer to the stage, as the music pulled them in. There was already a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air.
New Albums and Experiences
When The Vices finally took the stage, they wasted no time diving into the title track of their newest album Before It Might Be Gone. The crowd was instantly moving, and throughout the night, the band leaned heavily into their new material. Frontman Floris van Luijtelaar expressed heartfelt gratitude to their producer, who, he shared, challenged them to scale back and embrace a quiter sound. That decision paid off, resulting in a more textured and big sound that translated beautifully live.
The Vices Synergy on Stage
The chemistry between the band members was undeniable. Bassist Simon Bleeker, guitarist/keyboardist Jonathan Kruizenga, and drummer Mathijs Louwsma brought not just technical skill but visible joy to the stage—bouncing off each other’s energy, grinning during solos, and clearly enjoying the ride. A particularly captivating moment featured Floris using a loop station with two microphones, layering his voice to create the warm, rich soundscapes The Vices are known for, especially during tracks like For My Mind, a clear crowd favorite.
But it was Still They Might Not Like It, the final track of the album, that delivered the most mesmerizing moment of the night. The room fell into a silence as the vocals and slow instrumental buildup unfolded. The audience swayed as one, entirely immersed in the moment. When the band exited the stage, they left behind a silence so charged it felt like part of the set.
Soft Notes and Roaring Guitar Solos
Of course, the night wasn’t over. The crowd cheered, demanding an encore, and Floris returned solo under a wash of blue light and fog to perform Fooled Away from their 2023 album Unknown Affairs. It was a moment of stripped-down vulnerability, his voice and electric guitar filling the room with emotion. As the rest of the band rejoined him, they closed the night with two upbeat tracks—Before Your Birth and Strange Again—delivering soaring guitar solos and infectious energy that had the crowd completely engaged.
The Vices delivered an experience that danced between joy and introspection, chaos and calm. The authenticity of their performance and pure joy on stage are amazing to watch and translate over to the crowd. Whether it was your first time seeing them or your fourth, the night at Rock Café felt like something special and something you’ll remember long after the lights go up.
