Seven moments that stood out at Hang Youth in Vera: anarchism and anti-capitalism with a high sing-along content | review ★★★☆☆

1 mystery guest

Hang Youth is anarchist and anti-capitalist. IT CANNOT HANG YOUTH LEFT ENOUGH. Hang Youth is good. That means no supporting act, but a mystery guest, or speakers. First Joop, chaplain in the earthquake area. Then three Extinction Rebellion representatives. The VERA audience doesn’t care, talks loudly through it and shouts ‘Play’, because that’s what she came for.

2 Young audience

Not so long ago that VERA audience was dismissed as ‘old, white men’. Hang Youth attracts a considerably younger audience, who from the first song, SHELL IS A GREAT BUSINESS (IF YOU MAY BELIEVE THE WEBSITE), are singing and – jumping along loudly. The moshpit extends to the bar.

3 Songs? statements?

Most of Hang Youth’s songs are less than a minute long and only have one gear, the highest. You can hardly call it songs. They are statements in which the text often does not go further than the title. Like in FUCK SPOTIFY, BUT PLEASE DON’T TAKE US OFF. It’s said in ten seconds.

4 A touch of humor

Hang Youth’s lyrics are socially critical and quite humorous. Singer Abel van Gijlswijk also calls himself a stand-up comedian and could be seen in the Stadsschouwburg in November with a solo performance. Tonight, wearing two ponytails and dark sunglasses, the Asterdammer goes wrong in the beginning. “A bit far, isn’t it, Groningen?”

5 All themes addressed

Housing crisis, climate crisis, racism, nitrogen crisis, inflation, VVD, sex workers, the tobacco industry and anti-capitalism. There is hardly any social theme that remains unsung. Preferably in combination with the KK word, which is written in six large letters on one of the five flags on the podium. Even in a rare love song, YOU ARE KKBEAUTIFUL.

6 Ready within the hour

After 56 minutes it’s done. That includes the two banging sing-alongs in the encore, PUT THE ZUIDAS IN THE ASH and THE TAX SERVICE. No less than 49 songs have been rushed through. Two of them had a break, in WHY IS EVERYTHING SO KK EXPENSIVE guitarist Kaj Bos even gets to exhaust himself in a splitting guitar solo. Afterwards, the McDonald’s feeling remains. It was good for a while, but you’ll be hungry again soon.

7 Sell T-shirts afterwards

Afterwards, the four band members are immediately at the merchandise stand. Hang Youth T-shirts and sweaters go for 25 and 35 euros. Anti-capitalism is nice, but it has to put food on the table.