The Gathering, the Dutch atmospheric metal and alternative rock band from Oss, comes to the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv on September 22, 2026. The band is one of the key figures of the gothic and dark wave genres of the nineties and one of the most recognisable names of the Dutch metal scene.

The band has been active since 1989 and became a major influence on the genre with the 1995 album Mandylion - one of the first albums in the gothic metal genre dominated by a female vocalist. Long-time lead singer Anneke van Giersbergen left the band in 2007 after 13 years and was replaced by Silje Wergeland. With 13 studio albums and an estimated 1 million records sold, the band has been a major influence on groups like Within Temptation and Nightwish.

The setlist covers material from Mandylion, Nighttime Birds, How to Measure a Planet? and material from the latest albums. The style now sits between atmospheric rock and post-metal, with strong trip-hop and ambient influences. The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, with a capacity of 3,500, is one of the loveliest summer stages in Bulgaria.

Tickets are available through eventim.bg at 90 leva. The concert starts at 20:00 on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. For Macedonian fans of gothic metal and atmospheric music, this is one of the key dates in the neighbourhood.