Still cool as ice after almost three decades of rocking, The Pretenders took the Netherlands by storm on Sunday, powering through a blistering set of their classic hits.
Over 200,000 people came together in The Hague's Zuiderpark for Parkpop, one of Europe's largest free concerts. There was a sizable American contingent of musicians playing to a raucous crowd of mostly Dutch nationals.
Ed Kowalcysk, frontman for the 90's icon Live, enthralled the crowd just minutes before, one stage over.
Welter Wasilev, 37, made the trip from Rotterdam to see his rock idol Chrissie Hynde perform "Brass in Pocket" and
"I'll Stand By You."
"This is the best event in my country...this year it is even better because Chrissie came to Holland," said Wasilev, admitting that he comes "also for the french fries and girls."
The Pretenders, who triumphed in London at the famous Hyde Park Hard Rock Calling, were once again in fine form, despite playing the night before. The group will barnstorm Europe for few more weeks before jumping back across the pond to kick of a North America tour in Canada August 4.
The Pretenders had a tough act to follow at Parkpop, as the Dana Fuchs Band were a diesel mack truck cutting across two lanes on the blues highway.
Sounding equal parts Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt, Fuchs is very popular in Holland. She graciously thanked the sun-drenched crowd before ripping into a jaw-dropping performance of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter."
"Do you or don't you want me to love you?," she screamed to Holland, evoking John Lennon at his snarly best. Judging by the standing ovation at the end of her set, Holland wants her to love them back.
Live's Kowalcysk played a acoustic set of familiar anthems, including the gut-renching "Lightning Crashes," a top 20 hit for the band a decade ago. Peace and love filled the air for the spiritual Kowalcysk, who's new age vibe kept the massive throng of watchers swaying.
Robbie Williams, The Bangles, Beth Hart, Kim Wilde, and Kelis are recent Parkpop vets.
Last year Parkpop welcomed Kula Shaker, Sheryl Crow and Orishas.
Parkpop has grown from one stage and a few thousand visitors in to a mega event with three stages, hundreds and thousands of visitors and a variety of activities in the centre of The Hague.
The Parkpop festival is held annually on the last Sunday of June.
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