What a Ride: Ayreon 30th Anniversary — An Amazing Flight Through Time

Hey everyone ! I’m still riding that post-show high after the AYREON 30th Anniversary concerts in Tilburg. What an experience. What a celebration. What a challenge.

By now, you’ve probably seen that tickets sold out ridiculously fast. Five sold-out shows not to mention the "rehearsal show" with press & VIP! People came from over 71 countries to be part of it. AYREON flags were flying all over Tilburg, the city became “Ayreon City” for the weekend.

For me, being part of that cast again felt like returning home but stepping into new territory at the same time.

I got to perform live on that 30th Anniversary run alongside a stellar cast : Arjen Lucassen, Anneke van Giersbergen, Marcela Bovio, Irene Jansen, Heather Findlay, Tommy Karevik, Dino Jelusick, Mike Mills, Damian Wilson, Robert Soeterboek and outstanding musicians : Joost van den Broek (keys), Ed Warby (drums), Timo Somers & Ferry Duijsens (guitar), Johan van Stratum (bass), Jeroen Goossens (flute), Ben Mathot (violin), and Jurriaan Westerveld (cello).!!

Balancing the energy across different songs and styles was intense. Listening to Arjen and Joost on stage, connecting with the rest of the cast, hearing the crowd’s reaction being part of these songs that have meant so much to so many people, it was humbling.

For me, Ayreon has always represented what’s possible in music : storytelling, emotion, theatricality, musicians pushing limits. To be invited back and to give something new to fans, that’s a deep honor.

If you were in the audience, or watched, or heard, thank you. I hope when the official live recording comes out, you’ll enjoy hearing it as much as I loved living it.

Maggy