20 May 2024

4 mins read

Photography: Glenn van den Bosch

Written by: Glenn van den Bosch

what's happening with I Prevail

CONCERT REVIEW: I Prevail Play Biggest Dutch Show To-Date

After more than a year away, I Prevail made a spectacular return to the Netherlands for their most ambitious show yet. The band’s previous visits included two sold-out performances, one at Melkweg with a capacity of 1,500 and another in Tilburg, where they played to 3,000 enthusiastic fans. This time, I Prevail aimed even higher by taking on the prestigious AFAS Live, a venue capable of holding 6,000 people. While the concert did not officially sell out, the venue was packed to the brim, with all areas open and filled with eager fans, underscoring the band’s significant and growing popularity. Before embarking on this massive tour, we had the privilege to catch up with Eric Vanlerberghe to chat about the tour and upcoming I Prevail plans. Read all about it right here.

The European tour faced a significant hurdle just before it began. Brian Burkheiser, one of the band’s two vocalists known for his melodic, clean vocals contributions, was unable to join due to health complications from Eagle Syndrome. Brian shared his struggles via social media, explaining how the condition prevented him from singing on this tour. His absence was undoubtedly felt, and fans across the continent wished him a speedy recovery and hoped for his quick return to the stage.

In light of Brian’s absence, guitarist Dylan Bowman stepped up to fill the void. He took on many of Brian’s vocal duties alongside Eric Vanlerberghe, the other half of the dynamic vocal duo. Dylan’s impressive vocal abilities ensured that the band’s performance remained strong and cohesive, allowing the tour to proceed smoothly despite the setback.

The setlist for the evening leaned heavily on their latest album, TRUE POWER, featuring nine songs from the record. This was complemented by fan favorites from their sophomore album, TRAUMA including Gasoline, Hurricane and Bow Down, who have all garnered more than a hundred million streams since release. Songs from their debut album were notably missing from the night’s performance. This focus on newer material showcased the band’s evolution and current artistic direction.

A highlight of the concert came midway through the set when I Prevail performed their famous cover of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space. This cover, released in 2014, was a pivotal moment in their career, propelling them into the spotlight. The crowd’s reaction confirmed that the song remains a beloved part of their repertoire, demonstrating the band’s ability to connect with audiences through both original songs and unique covers.

To enhance their live performance, I Prevail incorporated a massive screen behind them, adding a visual narrative to their set. The screen displayed imagery that complemented the themes of their lyrics, which often delve into mental health struggles. This multimedia approach added depth to their performance, adding a storytelling aspect to the show. One particularly striking moment was the introduction to the song FWYTYK (Fuck What You Think You Know), where the screen presented the thought-provoking idea that “reality is perception, and perception is reality.”

Witnessing I Prevail’s journey from their early days to their current status as major players in the rock scene has been a privilege. Their rise has been meteoric, and their continued success is well-deserved. The concert at AFAS Live was a testament to their hard work, talent, and connection with their fans. For those who missed the live experience, we offer a glimpse of the night’s visual spectacle in the gallery below.

In summary, I Prevail‘s return to the Netherlands was nothing short of spectacular. Despite the challenges, they delivered an unforgettable performance that highlighted their growth and resilience as a band. Fans left the venue not only entertained and eagerly anticipating the next chapter in I Prevail‘s exciting journey. I Prevail have a few more European shows planned, after which they will tour the USA in the summer. For tickets and dates, check out the band’s website.

I Prevail @ AFAS Live, Amsterdam — #image_title

2 May 2024

6 mins read

Photography:

Written by: Glenn van den Bosch

what's happening with I Prevail

INTERVIEW: European Tour, Lessons Learned & More With I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe

We sat down with Eric Vanlerberghe in anticipation of the upcoming massive European tour to see what he and the band are up to these days, what we can expect from the upcoming tour and more! This May, I Prevail will be playing some of their biggest shows in Europe and the UK. Vanlerberghe shared with us that we can expect a bigger production for these shows, with an LSD-screen setup and a varied setlist. Even though the shows will be of epic proportion, new music-wise we should not expect too much. The band are still riding the wave of their 2022 album TRUE POWER, which saw a great reception and took the band to bigger venues, especially in and around Europe.

The band’s last tour saw I Prevail take on two shows in The Netherlands, one in Melkweg the Max, which sold out with a capacity of 1500 people, as well as a show in Tilburg’s Poppodium 013. This time around, I Prevail will play one massive show in Amsterdam’s AFAS Live, which has a capacity of 6.000 for standing concerts. Luckily for you, there are still tickets available.

Even when there’s no new music to be revealed yet on these shows, Eric Vanlerberghe did share with us that there’s new music in the works. When asked about their creative process, Vanlerberghe laid out the foundation of their songwriting process, sharing that it’s a collaborative effort. On some occasions, band members would come with a riff, a melody or a lyric, but I Prevail do their best work when they are all in the room together, writing their songs as a collective.

We then asked Vanlerberghe about the division of lyrics, drawing the comparison with Dance Gavin Dance, who also have 2 vocalists. When we chatted with former DGD vocalist Tilian Pearson, he shared that each vocalist writes their own lyrics, which makes the division easier, but with I Prevail that works a little different. As the band usually write their stuff as a collective, the division of lyrics is also a collaborative effort, but one, Vanlerberghe ensures us, that always goes smoothly.

It is crazy to realise that it has already been 10 years since I Prevail burst onto the scene with their infamous cover of Taylor Swift‘s Blank Space. We took advantage of this anniversary by asking Eric Vanlerberghe some of the biggest lessons he’s learned being in a band for so long. The answer Vanlerberghe gave us is quite insightful and can honestly be of use for many people in all walks of life. He shared with us that throughout the years, he’s learned to be more flexible and agile when it comes to planning, touring and just life in general. Life on the road, or life as a musician in general is not one for the weak, but being able to adapt to all the ad-hoc changes, the different people and stakeholders is a mindset that has proven useful to Vanlerberghe.

If you are a fan of I Prevail, you know their lyrical content is filled with uplifting messages, but also discovers the darker themes of life, mental health being one of them. Songs like Deep End would be a stellar example of that, a song that has resonated with millions of people since its release. We asked Vanlerberghe whether they also draw inspiration from current world events, politically or socially. He shared with us that even though it can sometimes seep in, I Prevail try to refrain from making political statements and themes in their music. While they are aware of the state of the world, other themes are more important to them when it comes to writing their music. Not all music has to be political!

To re-visit the earlier anniversary of 10 years of being on the scene, we also asked Eric Vanlerberghe how he has experienced being in a band and how he feels about the ever-changing scene we’re all so fond of from the perspective of being a band. Herein, Eric Vanlerberghe shares another insight that can be valuable to all. Over the years, Eric Vanlerberghe has learned to stay true to himself and the people closest to him. If you’re making waves as a band, there’s always going to be someone who wants to get involved, whether that be managers, labels, or ‘suits’ as the creatives tend to say. It’s important to stay true to yourself, your art and the people you make that art with. In I Prevail’s case, staying true to themselves has paid off in a major way, as the band currently has more than 4.5 million listeners a month via Spotify alone, making them one of the bigger names in the rock and metal sphere.

For our last question, we shared Vanlerberghe a story of our interview with Escape The Fate drummer Robert Ortiz, which occurred in 2017. After their current tour in Europe, Escape The Fate were slated to appear as a support act for I Prevail on their massive US tour. We asked Ortiz if it was hard to open for a band that has been around way shorter than Escape The Fate has. Robert Ortiz responded by sharing his admiration for I Prevail’s music, as well as their work ethic and their business savviness. We asked Vanlerberghe about said business savviness. Vanlerberghe shared that being great musicians will only get you so far. To make a musical act into a sustainable business model, one needs to approach the band as a business in addition to appreciating the art. I Prevail are a very hands-on band, artwise but also business-wise. In recent years, I Prevail have done a giveaway with a custom-made I Prevail PS5 bundle when they were still limited and they have an Inner Circle supporters system in which fans can get exclusive I Prevail opportunities and items.

Starting May 10th, I Prevail will be playing some of their biggest European shows, with a stop in Amsterdam on the 19th of May, for which tickets are still available, but we suggest you be quick about your purchase! In addition, we would like to apologise for the different format of the interview for this chat. Unfortunately, due to technical issues, the recording of our chat didn’t include audio and we didn’t find out until a week after the chat like the amateurs we are. Stream TRUE POWER below to get ready for the upcoming tour and let us know if you are going to any of the announced shows!

11 January 2024

1 min read

Photography: Nylo de Meijer

Written by: Eva van den Bosch

what's happening with I Prevail

GIVEAWAY: Win Tickets For I Prevail In AFAS Live, Amsterdam

On the 19th of May, I Prevail will be performing in AFAS Live, Amsterdam featuring Set It Off and Kid Bookie.

We are giving away 1×2 tickets for this incredible show! You might be wondering, how can I win these tickets?

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* You can enter the giveaway until the end of January 18th.
* Winners will get notified on January 19th. After being notified, you’ll have 24 hours to respond. Unfortunately, if we don’t have a response within 24 hours, we’ll have to pick a new winner.
Don’t want to miss the I Prevail show no matter what? Luckily there are still tickets available. Get your tickets right here & we’ll see you there!

26 May 2023

3 mins read

Photography:

Written by: Eva van den Bosch

what's happening with I Prevail

I Prevail Release Stripped-Down Version Of Deep End

I Prevail, the popular rock band known for their powerful sound, has just delighted fans with a stripped-down version of their hit single Deep End. Originally featured on their 2022 album, True Power, this reimagined rendition showcases a different side of the band’s musical prowess.

The updated recording takes a departure from the heavier instrumentation and instead embraces a more intimate and introspective approach. Driven by a captivating piano melody accompanied by acoustic guitars and a subtle drum pad, the stripped-down version of Deep End offers a fresh perspective on the song’s emotional depth.

Reflecting on the track, I Prevail share their personal connection to it, stating, “‘Deep End‘ felt special from the day we wrote it. Being one of the most introspective tracks on the record, it became a reflection on an attempt to stop battling certain things about yourself and instead learning to accept them as a part of who you are. There’s a peace to be found in that.”

The band members express their pride in the evolution of their softer side through this rendition, highlighting how it allowed them to explore different musical textures while retaining the essence of the original song. It showcases their versatility as musicians and their commitment to delivering impactful music.

Fans can now enjoy the performance video of Deep End (Stripped) on YouTube, immersing themselves in the raw and intimate atmosphere created by the band’s captivating performance. Additionally, for those craving a live experience, I Prevail have also released a live version of Deep End” from their London show earlier this year. The live rendition captures the energy and passion of their onstage presence, offering fans a taste of their electrifying performances.

The original version of Deep End has been making waves on the charts, currently sitting in the top 10 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Its success speaks to the band’s ability to connect with audiences through their powerful lyrics and captivating sound.

For I Prevail, the release of this stripped-down version of Deep End marks another milestone in their musical journey. It showcases their growth as artists and their willingness to explore new sonic territories. Fans and music enthusiasts alike can look forward to experiencing the band’s evolution as they continue to make their mark in the rock music scene.

So, whether you’re a dedicated fan or a newcomer to I Prevail‘s music, be sure to check out the mesmerizing stripped-down rendition of Deep End below and immerse yourself in the emotional journey it offers.

16 March 2023

3 mins read

Photography: Eva van den Bosch

Written by: Glenn van den Bosch

what's happening with I Prevail

CONCERT REVIEW: I Prevail Play Two Massive Sold Out Shows In The Netherlands On Their First Visit

Back in 2019, I Prevail played a select amount of dates and festivals in Europe, among which the first-ever show in Germany at Rock Am Ring, where they amassed an absolutely huge audience while not even playing the mainstage. It was already very likely at that point that I Prevail would continue on the path they were on to become one of the biggest bands in the scene. Fast words 3,5 years and a pandemic later, and the band finally returned to Europe to take on a lot of countries for the first time, and that includes The Netherlands.

The band managed to sell out not one, but two shows in the country, the first one being in Melkweg the Max, with a capacity of 1500. If that was not impressive enough for their first show in The Netherlands, I Prevail also managed to sell out Poppodium 013 in Tilburg, which can hold up to 3000 fans. Eager to check the band’s performance again after chatting with them minutes after they came off stage in Germany in 2019, we got to see and photograph I Prevail in both Amsterdam and Tilburg.

While originally the TRAUMA tour, I Prevail have released their third full-length TRUE POWER in 2022, which resulted in a mixed setlist which heavily featured both albums. On the Tilburg show, the band played 1 additional song in comparison to the Amsterdam show, and played a total of 15 songs, with 7 of those songs being from TRUE POWER and 5 from TRAUMA. The rest was filled with fan-favourites Come And Get It and Scars from the band’s debut album and the song from ILLENIUM they were featured on Feel Something.

From start to finish, I Prevail delivered an amazing show that showcased their incredible talent and energy. Eric Vanlerberghe and Brian Burkheiser, the band’s dynamic vocal duo, was an absolute powerhouse on stage, delivering vocals that effortlessly alternated between singing and aggressive screaming. His energy was infectious and the crowd was fully engaged throughout the entire performance. From start to finish, I Prevail’s performance was contagiously energetic. The band was ecstatic to finally be playing headliner shows in Europe, and the fans in the audience were very clearly elated to see the band finally perform in The Netherlands. Both shows were a celebration and we feel so fortunate to have witnessed them both.

The band’s talent, passion, and showmanship were all on full display, and it was clear that they had poured their hearts and souls into their performance, as they do their music. It’s no coincidence I Prevail have grown to become one of the biggest bands in the scene in a matter of years, and we are excited to see what will be next for the band. Check out photos from the band’s Amsterdam and Tilburg show below and make sure to catch I Prevail on the road if the opportunity presents itself.