De band kreeg grote bekendheid door hun succesvolle deelname aan het tv-programma ‘The Tribute - Battle of the Bands’, waar zij bij jury en publiek hoge ogen gooiden met hun krachtige en emotioneel beladen vertolkingen van Bowie’s grote hits. Daarbij komt frontman Rias Baarda wat betreft stemgeluid en stage presence af en toe griezelig dichtbij David Bowie, “alsof hij er weer is...”.

En dat bleef ook een aantal zeer bijzondere mensen niet onopgemerkt… Onlangs kwamen hem de complimenten toe van enkele muzikanten uit Bowie’s entourage, zoals Ava Cherry, Carmine Rojas en Mike Garson!

Ava Cherry (ex-geliefde en voormalig backing vocaliste David Bowie): “I really enjoyed him… I think he has the chance to be something great… he has some tones very much like David… his energy… he really loves singing Bowie songs and being what that is… I really like him and I think he has the chance of coming up and what I heard is really wonderful.”

Carmine Rojas (voormalig bassist David Bowie): “ They're actually pretty good I like it with the horns… a good drummer too!”

Mike Garson (voormalig pianist David Bowie): “He’s good, nice feel! Loves the music.”

Verwacht een prachtige reis door Bowie’s oeuvre. Van de welbekende classics tot de parels uit de diepzee, dit alles omlijst door de prachtigste anekdotes. Een absolute must-see, voor de verstokte Bowie fan maar ook zeker voor de absolute beginner. 

English version below:

Starman is the nine-member David Bowie tribute band from the Southern Netherlands. After they were founded in 2019, Starman quickly captured the hearts of the audience with their sincere tribute to the work of one of the greatest artists the world has ever known. 

The band owe their reputation to their successful participation in the Dutch TV show ‘The Tribute – Battle of the Bands,’ where they impressed both the judges and the audience with their powerful and emotional rendition of Bowie’s major hits. Lead singer Rias Baarda occasionally resembled David Bowie in terms of vocals and stage presence. “It felt like David Bowie was back again…”

This was also noticed by some very special persons. Recently, he was praised by several musicians from Bowie’s band, like Ava Cherry, Carmine Rojas, and Mike Garson!

Ava Cherry (ex-lover and former backing vocalist of David Bowie): “I really enjoyed him… I think he has the chance to be something great… he has some tones very much like David… his energy… he really loves singing Bowie songs and being what that is… I really like him and I think he has the chance of coming up and what I heard is really wonderful.”

Carmine Rojas (former bass player of David Bowie): “They're actually pretty good I like it with the horns… a good drummer too!”

Let yourself be taken on a beautiful journey through Bowie’s repertoire. From the well-known classics to the hidden gems, all accompanied by the most wonderful stories. An absolute must-see. Both for the die-hard Bowie fans and the absolute beginners.