SHARON From WITHIN TEMPTATION Talks Knotfest, Political Messages & Australia Tour

Interview by Angela Croudace
After nearly three decades, Sharon den Adel, lead vocalist of
Within Temptation, is finally bringing the band to Australia for
the first time! During an interview with HEAVY, Sharon shared her
excitement for performing at Knotfest and reflected on the band’s
long-awaited journey to the land down under.
When asked about the band's lengthy absence from Australia, Sharon
admitted, “There’s no real good excuse except that it was difficult
to fit in and to find the right promoter to bring us over… but
after 30 years, we’re finally coming!” She also discussed the
challenges of long flights, especially with the notorious 24-hour
trip to Australia, stating,"I’m going to try, it’s going to be a
new experiment.”
Sharon is looking forward to more than just playing at Knotfest,
where she’ll share the stage with legendary bands. “It’s like a
candy store,” she says, eager to explore the festival lineup.
A notable part of Within Temptation’s music is their bold political
commentary. Sharon explained that the band felt compelled to
address global issues like the war in Ukraine and the plight of
women in Iran. “We have a platform, and we stand for certain
values… It’s important to talk about these things,” she says,
emphasising that as artists, it's their responsibility to use their
voice for change.
Sharon also opened up about the challenges of being a female
frontwoman in a male-dominated genre. She shared that despite
facing some initial resistance from certain fans, she’s always felt
at home in the metal scene. "I've always felt very at home in the
metal (scene)… I was never separated because I was a woman," Sharon
revealed. She also reflected on the broader impact her presence—and
that of other women—has had on the genre, saying, "The more there
is of us, the more diversity, and it makes the scene more
interesting." Sharon’s perspective highlights how women in metal
have paved the way for future generations, encouraging young female
musicians to carve out their own space in the industry.
With their long-awaited Australian side shows scheduled in Brisbane
and Melbourne, fans can expect to hear not just their iconic
symphonic metal, but a band that's unafraid to speak out on the
world’s pressing issues.Catch Within Temptation at Knotfest and
Monday 3 March - Princess Theatre, Brisbane, Thursday 6 March - Max
Watts, Melbourne.



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