After missing out on the main prize twice, Dennis Hendriks still won his big win last night. With his band he won the second edition of the Songfestival Drenthe: Pop in ‘t Plat with the song Never Give Up.
“It’s great that we win. When I was counting the points, I thought for a moment: ‘It won’t happen again’. But apparently our support base this year was larger than that of the competition.”
The title of the song turned out to be almost prophetic. Hendriks previously finished second at the Drèents Liedtiesfestival and also came second last year during the first edition of Songfestival Drenthe: Pop in ‘t Plat.
“Three times is a charm, as it turns out,” Hendriks notes. “Whatever the song says: never give up. We could have said we wouldn’t participate anymore, but we just participated again.”
For three years in a row, the former drummer of Mooi Wark was one of the top candidates to win the Drenthe-language music competition. Initially the Drèents Liedtiesfestival, since last year the Songfestival Drenthe: Pop in ‘t Plat.
But where the man from Assen was trumped by the Roo Brothers last year, there was now a win after an exciting points count. “We were in second place again. Then the points came from the audience: that’s quite a bit. Will it be enough?”
“It’s very cool to say in advance that three times is a charm and we’ll grab that prize,” laughs Hendriks. “But I didn’t assume that in advance and certainly not after seeing those ten songs. There was quite a good level there.”
Hendriks himself is enthusiastic about the rock ‘n roll of Asbest. But according to him, Ilse Scholtens was also a major competitor. “I really thought she was going to win. Her song was fantastic, well composed. Moreover, she is a young girl, she has everything. But apparently our supporter is bigger this year. This is a crowning achievement.”
Hendriks became known as the drummer of Mooi Wark, but also writes music for other artists and performs himself. Last year he broke up with the band, because his personal ambitions no longer fit within the farmer’s rock formation. Songfestival Drenthe: Pop in ‘t Plat turned out to be the restart of his musical career.
“I had to arrange musicians myself to be able to perform last year. That’s how the band was born,” the beaming winner reflects. “From there we continued together. Initially fun for a free Friday evening or Sunday, but we now have forty performances lined up this year.”
That was by no means certain in January. Hendriks: “Then I was scratching my head, there had to be some bookings. Fortunately, they gradually came in. Then you participate again. The fact that we are winning now is very nice. I am very happy with this.”
With the victory, Hendriks not only won the trophy, but also a check for 1,000 euros. He knew immediately afterwards what would happen with that. “I think we’ll go to the pub together.”
Where Songfestival Drenthe: Pop in ‘t Plat with the Broers Roo had a winner from Overijssel last year, there is again a real Drenthe winner with Hendriks. Although the man from Assen adds a small comment, with a wink. “We rehearse in Lankhorst, near Staphorst. That’s also where the Roo Brothers come from. Apparently it’s fertile ground.”