PLAN NINE

PLAN NINE was founded around 35 years ago by vocalist Robert Soeterboek and Arjen Lucassen (the mastermind behind Ayreon). Back in those days, the duo wrote and recorded a large amount of material, but Plan Nine’s bluesy hard rock sound struggled to survive during the rise of grunge, a period that affected almost every traditional rock band of that era.

A few years ago, Robert and Arjen decided to dust off the old songs and completely re-record them. The result was The Long-Lost Songs, an album that entered the Dutch Album Top 100 at an impressive No. 3.

Following the album’s success, the label asked Robert if he would bring the music to the stage. With Arjen Lucassen focusing entirely on studio work and no longer performing live, Robert assembled a powerful new live line-up to carry the spirit of Plan Nine onto the road.

The band features drummer Koen Herfst (Vandenberg), vocalist Irene Jansen (Ayreon, Star One), vocalist Jane Goulding, guitarist Marcel Singor (Kayak, Ayreon), keyboard player Willem Hoving, guitarist Storm van ‘+ Westeinde, and bassist Joris Lindner.

With around 24 live shows performed in support of The Long-Lost Songs, Plan Nine quickly proved itself to be a formidable live act. The band delivered high-energy performances that left a lasting impression on audiences everywhere they played.

The strong reception of both the album and the live shows has paved the way for the next chapter. A brand-new Plan Nine studio album is scheduled for release in April 2027. Recording sessions are already underway, while new live shows in support of the upcoming release are currently being booked.