Guus Meeuwis completely destroyed the Webster Hall in New York on Friday evening. Of course his own well-known songs were heard, but American classics were also included. The singer from Brabant enjoyed it intensely, but the audience who traveled along, people from Brabant in New York and Americans also thought it was ‘amazing’.
It is three o’clock local time when Guus Meeuwis first arrives at the Webster Hall. Only five hours until the start of the concert, and the first fans are already waiting in line.
“I chose this place because Elvis Presley recorded a record here.”
The singer from Brabant arrives with his wife and children in a large SUV. On the facade of the concert hall is written in large letters ‘Guus Meeuwis, Live in New York’. Visibly proud, Meeuwis looks at the text as he walks in. “I’m here”, Meeuwis laughs.
After London and Paris, the singer wants to cross off New York and put it on a T-shirt. And so he started looking for a concert hall in the American city almost four years ago. “They came here with three options, one of which was the Webster Hall. And I chose this place because Elvis Presley recorded a record here.”
While Guus walks through the hall, he looks his eyes wide. “It’s really a thing this is, it’s such a charming room. History and music drip down from the walls.” Guus quickly walks onto the stage, because he can’t wait to hear for the first time how the hall really sounds.
“I am not a Brabanter, but tonight I will sing along with Brabant.”
While Guus does a sound check, eats something and takes a moment of rest, the Dutch are eager to go inside. “I’m looking forward to it, we’ve been looking forward to it for three years,” says Peter from Vijfhuizen. He is dressed as a statue of liberty. “I am not a Brabanter, but tonight I will sing along with Brabant.”
But Meeuwis starts off calmly. At exactly eight o’clock American time, the singer starts with ‘When I saw you’ and then continues with ‘New York, New York.’ And with that, he immediately won over the audience. For two hours it is a Brabant party with the occasional American touch.
And as a surprise, Thomas Acda and Kraantje Pappie had also flown over. “They wanted to come and see anyway. They are friends after all,” says Guus. “If they come, I want to do something with them too.” Both were allowed to do two songs and then enjoy the concert.
Jasper stands in the middle of the room, gazing into his eyes as ‘Cheers’ sounds through the Webster Hall. “I don’t know how he does it, but I just forgot I’m in New York.” Next to him is a woman with her hands in the air: “It’s so romantic here in New York City, the city where anything goes. Great.”
“It feels like I’m back in Brabant.” Hein Tibosch from Berlicum has been away from the Netherlands for ten years, he now lives in Brooklyn. According to him, Guus Meeuwis fits perfectly in New York. “Here, they love culture and a sense of belonging to a group, and they love belonging. And as a Brabanter you belong somewhere.” The former Brabanter is having the time of his life. “He sings the songs I haven’t heard in ten years, then I think ‘YES’. Fantastic.”
“I came up, had to work, that was overwhelming.”
After two hours of blasting Guus Meeuwis is speechless. “I think it was quite okay. It was super cool. Time went so fast today, suddenly it was eight o’clock and I had to get up.” Despite everything that flew by, the singer was still able to enjoy it. “I came up, had to get to work, that was overwhelming and then I found some rest points to enjoy.”
According to Meeuwis, at concerts abroad it feels like he has to bring just that little bit extra. “People have put a lot of effort into coming here.” And that little bit extra has succeeded, according to him. In any case, those who enjoyed it are the security guards at Webster Hall. They watched the party in Brabant in amazement. “I loved the music, we love the people from across the ocean. Thank you.”
On January 1, Omroep Brabant will broadcast a special program about the foreign adventure of Guus Meeuwis. With more about the Webster Hall, people from Brabant in America and images of the concert.
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