At a time when the world was distancing itself and shared musical experiences had almost come to a standstill, Dutch band HAEVN decided to take an extraordinary step. With the concert film Up Close, they created a cinematic work that goes far beyond the scope of a classic live recording. It became a moment of connection—between the musicians, the film crew, and a global audience that suddenly had to rely on digital encounters.
At this point, HAEVN already had more than 250 million streams and a platinum-certified debut album under their belt. The band, known for their atmospheric soundscapes somewhere between indie pop, cinematic sound, and orchestral depth, faced the same challenge as countless artists worldwide: no audience. No tour bus. No shared heartbeat in the hall. And that’s precisely why they decided to turn this moment into an opportunity—an artistic document that focuses on the emotional power of music.
A special place for special times
Up Close was recorded at the historic De Vereeniging theater in Nijmegen—a venue whose architecture and acoustics have always served as a stage for powerful emotions. Directed by Robin Piree and with cinematographer Kevin Kimman, the film deliberately captures the intimacy and fragility of this time. The musicians did not perform on a raised stage as usual, but positioned themselves in the middle of the hall. This unusual approach allowed for more flexible and immediate camera work, giving the viewer the feeling of moving freely among the musicians.
HAEVN was accompanied by a nine-piece string ensemble and the G-Roots Gospel Choir. Together, they created a soundscape in which every detail—a breath, a finger on a string, a delicate echo in the room—could be felt. The arrangements reinforced the film’s central theme: connection. At a time when human contact was strictly regulated, this concert became an expression of shared hope and artistic resilience.
Music as dialogue—even without applause
The band—Marijn van der Meer (vocals, guitar), Jorrit Kleijnen (piano, keyboards), Bram Doreleijers (guitar), Mart Jeninga (bass), and David Broeders (drums)—chose the songs for Up Close with the utmost care. The focus was on pieces that open up emotionally, create space and are timeless in their message.
Due to the strict pandemic restrictions, there was hardly any time for rehearsals—and there was no applause, no heckling, no immediate feedback from the audience. But it was precisely this circumstance that transformed the concert into an almost meditative encounter. The silence between songs did not become a deficiency, but rather a space in which the music was allowed to linger. A space in which HAEVN could concentrate fully on their interplay, without pressure to perform, without distraction.
The result was a musical dialogue in which the musicians carried each other, in which every note was deliberately placed and every emotion could be experienced unfiltered. “Up Close” is not simply a concert without an audience—it is a concert that makes the absence of the audience part of its story.
A cinematic experience of connectedness
The camera work is a central component of the film. Different perspectives—close, intense, almost physical—allow the viewer to see details that would otherwise remain hidden: the tension in a finger, the interplay of a wind or string arrangement, the moment when a voice breaks or a smile appears between musicians. This closeness gives the concert film an emotional intensity that would hardly have been possible in a classical concert hall.
Up Close shows the power of music in times of crisis: as comfort. As refuge. As a point of connection, even when physical proximity is impossible. The film became a globally accessible experience and thus a sign of gratitude—not only for the fans, but also for the band itself, which redefined itself in a moment of uncertainty.
Dolby Atmos – the final refinement
The newly created Dolby Atmos mix takes the work to a whole new level. The immersive soundscape makes the title Up Close an acoustic reality. The listener is not in front of the music, but in the middle of it: surrounded by layers of strings, embedded in the warm sounds of the choir, carried by the band’s often cinematic melodies.
This spatial sound is not mere showmanship, but a conscious invitation to intimacy. An immersion in a world of sound that touches, envelops, and sometimes even gives the impression of sitting in the hall itself—surrounded by musicians who dare to share their art in a moment of deep vulnerability.
A film that stays with you
At its core, Up Close is a document of solidarity. It shows how art builds bridges when the world threatens to drift apart. Thanks to its intimate staging and emotional honesty, it is a work that carries significance far beyond the pandemic.
The film is an invitation—to everyone who wants to not only hear music, but feel it. An invitation to join HAEVN in remembering those difficult, but also connecting moments when music was perhaps more important than ever before.
HAEVN - UP CLOSE
Blu-ray video in digipak. Incl. 24-page booklet
- 2.0 STEREO 24BIT / 48KHZ
- 5.1 DTS-HD MA 24BIT / 28KHZ
- DOLBY ATMOS
- BINAURAL HEADPHONE MIX
