The Gathering's Anneke Van Giersbergen: No Future Plans Beyond Mandylion Anniversary

Anneke Van Giersbergen has confirmed that The Gathering currently has no plans for the future beyond their ongoing celebrations of the 30th anniversary of "Mandylion". Speaking to Paolo Phoenix of Magenta TV at Wacken Open Air, Van Giersbergen explained that maintaining the momentum of a permanent reunion would strip the milestone of its unique impact.

While the band's initial intent was a single show, the overwhelming enthusiasm from fans expanded the 1995 classic's anniversary tour into a year-long run of festivals and club dates. Van Giersberg noted that while she is reliving the intense emotions of the 1990s and finding familiar footing with her former bandmates, the current iteration remains a specific celebration of their history.

We have no plans for the future. We liked it to be special... if we would go on and on and on now, it wouldn't be special anymore.

As it stands, the 2026 tour schedule includes roughly 30 shows across Europe, North America, and South America before concluding in Santiago, Chile. While keyboardist Frank Boeijen has stepped back due to personal circumstances—replaced by Remco Van Zandvoort—the core of the reunion remains a nostalgic journey for fans to experience that "90s vibe" one more time.