Virgil’s drumming has arguably been at the leading edge for many decades, with his accomplished compositional and orchestration skills also gaining recognition. Never one to seek approval or security, he has maintained an introspective, independent mind, transcending traditional boundaries, always alert to the possibilities beyond the norm.

At the age of 16, Virgil turned pro to enable him to tour and focus on music, and he has since devoted his whole life to his art. The motivation has been his endless and restless pursuit to express himself through his playing.

During his formal years in his homeland Australia, he carved a path in the pop-rock scene culminating in multi platinum success with his band Southern Sons, at the same time pushing progressive and fusion boundaries with Loose Change, and On The Virg.

He has recorded and toured with the likes of Planet X, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Tony MacAlpine, Kiko Loureiro, Bunny Brunel, Scott Henderson, Steve Walsh, and the Virgil Donati Band, amongst many others.

Vicky O’Neon started her musical journey as a 4-year-old playing classical piano in her small hometown in Finland. As a young teenager she got her first drum kit and soon after discovered punk and formed a local all-female punk band. She studied at Drum Tech in London (now called BIMM) from 2010-2013 to receive a BMus (Hons) in Popular Music Performance as a session drummer. After her first year of studies she received the school’s prestigious ‘Top Overall Drummer Award’ which encouraged her to push the boundaries as a drummer. In 2014 she was offered her first high-profile performance opportunity to play with Hans Zimmer for sold out nights at the Hammersmith Apollo. Vicky’s sight reading skills came in handy with Zimmer’s complex arrangements that were all memorised for the concerts. 

Vicky is known for her musicality and immaculate timing, with the ability to reproduce authentic grooves of popular music genres like funk, hiphop, pop, rock, reggae and ska.  One of her specialities is electronic drum programming and she loves to collaborate with other artists and musicians. She is currently playing drums for Anastacia on her ‘I’m Outta Lockdown’ tour 2022-2023.

Van Weesenbeek startte op driejarige leeftijd met drummen op pannen met keukenmaterialen, waarna hij zijn vaders drumset ontdekte. Geïnspireerd door bands als Cream, nam hij drumles. Bij de muziekschool werd Van Weesenbeek drummer van een marching band, waarna hij op 15-jarige leeftijd start met de band Pandaemonium. Andere bands waar Van Weesenbeek speelde waren Downslide en Conspiracy.

Van Weesenbeek heeft zijn Bachelor of Music Arts (BMA) gehaald aan het Rotterdams Conservatorium. Daar ontmoette hij ook Isaac Delahaye die later ook bij God Dethroned kwam. Van Weesenbeek voegde zich in 2003 bij God Dethroned. In 2007 nam hij het drumgedeelte op de cd The Divine Conspiracy van Epica op zich. Later dat jaar op 3 december werd hij fulltime drummer van de symfonische metal band, en nam daarmee de plaats in van ex-drummer Jeroen Simons.

Leuk weetje; in 2007 hebben Herfstfest-oprichter Koen Herfst en Ariën de drumkruk afgewisseld bij Epica!

Winning multiple awards as one of the finest modern drummers to explode on to the scene in 2014, German Anika Nilles is proof that it is never too late to start. She didn’t take up the sticks professionally until she turned 26, but she has never looked back since. “Anikas international notoriety had been earned precisely because of her willingness to commit to traveling down an uncharted, unpaved road. As it turned out, an unprecedented number of us were ready and willing to go along for the ride” (Modern Drummer). Playing with sophistication, style and a musical finesse, she is an inspiration to women the world over in what has been a traditionally male-dominated industry. Boasting over 20 million views on her original songs, she turned out as an initiator of the “modern age” of todays drumming scene. Fierce and determined, she pours over her kit creating melodies through rhythmic complexities that normally sit within other sections of the band.

Working out of Mannheim Germany, Anika spent many years building up her notoriety through live performances and video content which truly connects with her audiences. The intimate solid grooves that surge through her inner spirit are played out on the skins in a way rarely experienced these days. When you think of legendary drummers like Ginger Baker or Bernard Purdie, you get an inkling of the abilities she possesses.

Anika’s sound is a melting pot of influences ranging from modern Jazz, Funk, Rock, Pop, and anything in-between. Her vibrant personality as a performer is etched on her face as she explores every opportunity to build a new narrative from behind the drum riser.