Tim Akkerman & The Ivy League is the Den Haag-based rock band fronted by singer, guitarist and songwriter Tim Akkerman, who led Di-rect from 1999 to 2009. Since the album 'The Journey' (2014) he has worked closely with a tight-knit lineup: Evert Zeevalkink (guitar/production), Sander Kalmeijer (bass), Willem van der Krabben (drums) and Stef de Hond (keys). Five studio albums and a reputation for powerful live shows have made them a fixture on the Dutch music circuit, drawing comparisons to Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam.
The fifth studio album 'Are We Strong Enough?' was released on September 4, 2026 on Akkermans' own label TA Music, as the conclusion of a personal trilogy together with his biography and the podcast 'TimBoekToe'.
To mark the new album, Tim Akkerman & The Ivy League will tour Dutch pop venues at the end of 2026, including a show at Paard in Den Haag on December 9.
On April 14, 2025, Akkermans' biography 'Hold Your Fire - From Negotiable Hothead to Musician in Balance' was released, published by Uitgeverij Flinterhin.
The single 'Hold Your Fire' was released on March 7, 2025 and entered the TIP 40.
In spring 2025, the band did a club tour through Dutch pop venues, including TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, Mezz in Breda, Effenaar in Eindhoven and Paard in Den Haag.
Tim Akkerman presents his new album 'Are We Strong Enough?' with his band The Ivy League.
Tim Akkerman, former frontman of DI-DIRECT, performs with his band The Ivy League. An evening of rock featuring songs from his solo albums and the new work 'Are We Strong Enough?'.