Today, Curry on the east bank of the Brussel-Charleroi Canal, at Chilli Grill (Rue Antoune 172, 1000 Brussel, België), however, this post begins yesterday afternoon at the Zik-Zak music venue in Ittre/Tubize, some 26km further south on the west bank of said canal.
The saga of getting to/from Tubize belongs in Bier-Traveller, the Hector was here to see Pendragon for the third time this year, now on the Warriors of Romance tour. Knowing that I would miss the UK leg of this short European tour because I would be here in België, it was only days before travelling that I realised that Pendragon were playing to the south of Brussel, three days after the end of the originally planned trip.
I arrived at Zik-Zak mid-afternoon, Rog Patterson, support act and backing twelve string guitar, was outside. Jan Vincent Velzco, the current drummer, was helping unload.
Inside Rachel, aka, Mrs. Nick Barrett, was setting out lunch for the troops. We had communicated recently re finding accommodation near the gig. It is good to introduce oneself in context – the last time we spoke was in an elevator aboard ship…
In the queue for the official opening of the doors at 19.30, the Hector was the only person sporting both a Cruise To The Edge t-shirt and hat, so it goes.
Technically proficient, Rog’s half hour spot made me wonder what his material would sound like with a full band.
I accepted that if I was to last the four hours plus, I need a seat and so the photographs would suffer. There are plenty from earlier in the year.
Pendragon took to the stage bang on 20.00 and tore into Back in the Spotlight, the opening track of The World (1991). This album was re-recorded in 2019, and all of it would be played in order this evening. Nick would tell us that this is the album that really got the band going. It sold way more than its predecessors, had it not, the band could have called it a day.
The Voyager is oft played, Shane less so. Prayer may well be the weakest track on the album, but ends strongly. To hear all three parts of Queen of Hearts and the conclusion And We’ll Go Hunting Deer, was special.
Stools were brought on stage so that Pete could abandon his bass and accompany Nick on acoustic guitar for King of The Castle (Not of This World, 2001). This classic was enhanced by the backing vocals of Johanna Stroud and Sally Minnear who have been touring with the band for many years.
This brought a warm reception from a somewhat subdued crowd. Maybe around three hundred, a handful stage left were obviously from England. One chap in the audience was picked out for looking like Steve Rothery (Marillion), it wasn’t him.
Love Over Fear remains Pendragon’s most recent album. The saga of seeing them perform this album in its release in 2020 at Kinross then the subsequent abandonment of the tour is well recorded in these pages.
Eternal Light (Love Over Fear, 2020) from the middle of the album took a bit of getting used to without what comes before.
Kowtow (Kowtow, 1988) which I famously saw toured in an upper room in Glasgow with an audience of about a dozen, had not been played for some time. Nor had Alaska (The Jewel, 1985) which I have probably only heard the first time I saw Pendragon, supporting Marillion, at The Garage, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.
The bringing of the mandolin to the stage could only mean 360 Degrees (Love Over Fear, 2020). A sea shanty, with Johanna accompanying, in fact leading on violin, something markedly different. It was Johanna’s birthday, the mandatory song was duly sung by the audience. Maybe, tonight, every member of the band should have announced their birthday, a difficult room at times.
Nick’s stories between songs were falling flat. As he introduced Explorer of the Infinite (Men Who Climb Mountains, 2014), the lack of reaction in the room suggested that not one of us had been to Switzerland.
Where are we? – asked Nick with reference to the rural setting of Zik-Zak. Having arrived the previous day and finding themselves one hour on foot to the nearest bar, there was no opperchancity to enjoy a Belgian Bier.
With time restrictions in play, the audience were given a choice: Paintbox (The Masquerade Overture, 1996) or Indigo (Pure, 2008). It had to be Indigo, possibly Nick’s finest composition.
Afraid of Everything (Love Over Fear, 2020) brought the set to a close, the extended keyboard section giving Clive Nolan the spotlight.
The encore had to be Breaking The Spell (The Window of Life, 1993), after two and a half hours on stage, Nick was suitably warmed up for this guitar epic. Prog Rock, with minimal improvisation, every song true to the recorded version. Every song, carefully crafted, piano-forte, material too long to be played on the radio, so commercial success, limited. It is how it is.
With my accommodation a mere five hundred metres away, there was no rush to depart after the gig. Another chat with Rachel who let slip that Nick has started writing for the next album What about the book? That’s ongoing. There will be no Pendragon gigs in 2026, to allow the writing and recording.
I had to tell Clive that’s four times I have seen him this year, Arena too, at Kinross. With Nick, I pointed out the miles I have put in to see Pendragon this year. Glasgow had to be squeezed into the conversation, just to ensure we are never forgotten. A high-five with Jan Vincent and the Hector headed out into the darkness.
Seeing Pendragon again was an unexpected bonus, and having failed to have Curry at Chilli Grill last week in Brussel, it was pleasing to find the place open today at 13.30, twenty minutes before their new published times. Shahzad, Mein Host, spotted me taking the exterior photo. The welcome was as warm as ever, my once a year visit. That I was alone was commented upon. Dr. Stan does sneak in the odd visit.
I looked at the Dishes on display, mostly Vegetable Curry of one sort or another?
Cow feet – was mentioned.
Paya – I translated for the second time in a week in a Brussel Curry House.
Paya and Haleem are not for me.
I was assured the Meat was kept in the kitchen, and remember, Mutton at Chilli Grill is Beef.
The menu remains the same as in 2024, same prices, few places can claim this. Mutton Qorma (€12.50) and Mutton Karahi (€12.95) have been my staples at Chilli Grill, time to try something else.
Does your Mutton Vindaloo (€13.50) have Potato?
Apparently not, but Shahzad was happy to add the – aloo. Spice Level was discussed – above medium, not crazy – appears to be my best pitch currently. Plain Rice (€4.00) would accompany.
I took two cans of cola from the fridge, no Fanta.
The other – Brother Alvi – entered at 13.45, bringing in supplies. Once more, the Hector was recognised.
The food arrived after an appropriate wait. As is ever the case, more Rice than a Hector could ever eat, but wastage would be minimal.
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Mutton Vindaloo
Topped with sliced Green Chillies and Coriander, the aroma was powerful, triggering the flow of the juices already. Seven pieces of Potato, and even more of Meat sat in a Shorva-esque Masala. The biggest Sucky Bone ever seen, with Meat attached too, stood out. I would have fun photographing this.
Super-soft Beef, this would require minimal chewing. The texture of the Potato was spot on I wonder if the – aloo – was purloined from another Dish? The Potato had absorbed the Flavours, the Beef not necessarily so. The Spice was hitting the lips already but I was having a major issue with the lack of intensity of Flavour. The Seasoning was way down, this Curry was going to struggle to impress.
The sliced Green Chillies were by this point mixed through the Masala, so no lack of a – kick. With no other Whole Spices seen, I decided that – Pepperiness – was as much as I could identify. In time, a seed dislodged itself, much earlier than the almost compulsory Cumin would do, but this was not Cumin. Still no intense blast of Flavour.
My final photo of – the bone – prompted the caption – well that says it all.
As I approached the counter to pay I heard Shahzad say the words – on the house.
I have to pay for my food – I almost pleaded.
The Bill
€17.50 (£15.18) Drinks on the house.
The Aftermath
Fond farewells, until next year, hopefully.