Anneke van Giersbergen Reflects on the Overwhelming Success of THE GATHERING's 'Mandylion' Reunion

Anneke van Giersbergen has expressed her delight at the overwhelming public response to THE GATHERING's 'Mandylion' 30th-anniversary tour. Speaking with Michał Choiński of Poland's Mystic Festival, the vocalist admitted that while they hoped for a successful celebration, the sheer scale of the demand caught them off guard. When the first two shows were announced, tickets vanished in under a minute, leading to a flurry of frantic messages and a server crash. This sparked a wave of interest that saw the band land a year of festival dates and club shows to mark the milestone.

Despite the reunion, van Giersbergen remains clear about the project's scope. The band is strictly celebrating the 'Mandylion' era, and she insists that there are no plans for a permanent reunion beyond this specific year of celebration. "We do this one year of 'Mandylion' shows. We end it in a wonderful way. And for the rest, we have no plans together," she explained, noting that the current tour allows the band to enjoy the same camaraderie and jokes without the pressure of a record label's demands.

We hoped it, but we didn't expect it. It's so nice to have the same vibe.

Reflecting on her 2007 departure, van Giersberg acknowledged the initial friction caused by her exit, noting that the band members were not happy at the time. However, she credits time with healing those wounds, resulting in a deep mutual respect. The 'Mandylion' lineup will continue its tour through 2026, including a London date at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on May 19. Due to personal circumstances, keyboardist Frank Boeijen is being replaced by Remco Van Zandvoort for the tour.