Toontje Lager

On 19 June 2026 Toontje Lager will play at Metropool in Enschede. The band emerged in the late 1970s with the wave of Nederpop and made Dutch-language pop marked by a light, narrative touch, melodic choruses and a sound built on clear guitars and prominent keyboards. Singer Erik Mesie is central, with songs that sketch small scenes from everyday life and relationships.

The debut Erop of eronder (1982) set the tone for that songwriting. A year later came Stiekem gedanst (1983), whose title single grew into their defining anchor. Teken van leven (1984) built on that and added a slightly more reflective hue to their accessible pop. By the mid-1980s the group split and Mesie went solo, but the repertoire continued to circulate through reissues and themed radio programs.

On stage it’s all about that compact songbook: short stories, smooth grooves and choruses that stick. Stiekem gedanst is the point of recognition, alongside album tracks that at the time carried the band through venues and festivals. Expect a set that presents the core of their eighties period—direct and without detours—with songs you’ll effortlessly hum along to after a single listen.