Concert Review: Stuttgart, Germany - June 15, 2002
Tina Märkert:
hi friends,
-back from another wonderful list girls weekend & concert of Chris:
Part one of the "Maedels" meeting (girls meeting) started Friday evening, when Dani from Aachen came to my flat. We spent a nice evening with chatting & red wine. Next morning 7 a.m. we took off to Astrid where Heike H. had arrived the evening before. After a nice breakfast together we started our trip to the south of Germany in Heike's comfortable car. Thanks to Heike's good speed we reached Stuttgart well in time around half past 12 and saw our B&B at once. Several rounds later we finally found a parking space as well. Two more of our girls, Sandra and Diana from Frankfurt, arrived at the same time. Big hello and hugs & kisses. Time for chatting, having a snack, watching photos of our last meetings in November and March, and for Heike to change clothes for about 23 times ;-))) (sorry, couldn't resist*g*) Finally Nugie and Anke arrived, more hugs&kisses, now 'the girls' were complete. We live in different parts of Germany and had been looking forward to our meeting for the past weeks, especially since Anke having a difficult time, it did so good to see each other again. That's why I like CdeB concerts even more than ever before: now it's not only going to the concert, but also, and to me even more important, meeting with really good friends!!! The mailing list has brought together a bunch of girls from all over Germany, who otherwise would have never met. And more friendships have developed with list friends all over the world. I'm so grateful for that!
ok, back to Stuttgart:
Together with Elisabeth who had booked the same hotel, we went to the Schlossplatz (castle yard) where the concert would take place in the evening. There we met several other list friends. Poor Silvia hobbling on crutches, still suffering from a broken leg in April, nevertheless proving "serious fan-hood": nothing can prevent a fan from going to a CdeB concert :-))
The castle yard itself was already closed for public, we couldn't have a look around the stage anymore.
The weather was splendid, indeed it was hot, humid, unbearable. We sat around a water fountain, what a relief to put our feet into the cold water *g*
Everywhere around the town was full of people and noise, eh sorry, german folk music. The 50th anniversary of the association of brass music groups was held in Stuttgart that day. On stages all over the town hundreds (or so it seemed) of folk music events took place. Chris' concert in the evening would be the highlight of the celebration.
We stayed close to the castle yard, but when Chris started his sound check, we couldn't hear much of it, because of surrounding music groups just starting their programmes. Must have been annoying for Chris too I guess. Outside the venue the music came through with such an echo, which made it even more difficult to listen. Even though, we did notice some new tunes (ah!!!) and were therefore very much hoping to be treated with some new songs in the evening.
After a nice dinner together it was time to go to the castle. It was a seated concert. Despite having bought our tickets right after the sale had started, we had not been able to get front row tickets because the first 15 rows were for members of music groups only.
It had been in the press that during the concert Chris would be joined by amateur musicians or/and a choir. Not sure what to expect we waited for Chris to open his concert which was supposed to begin at 8:30 pm. The tickets stated the end for 10:30.
At 8:30 a Rokkoko style costumed choir came on stage and started with some opera ouvertures (or whatever). After that some songs from musicals. 8:55 and still no sign of Chris. Then the organizer entered the stage together with a local politician, an official speech about the music festival followed. The organizer's closing words "May I now make way for...." were wildly applauded by us fans (receiving strange views from the audience around)
Sorry if I sound all too negative, but the programme didn't say a word about this kind of "supporting act" and in my opinion it absolutely didn't fit a Chris de Burgh concert. After that kind of music people might even more expect a slow and quiet (well, boring) show. Because of the stated end 10:30pm we looked anxiously at our watches, calculating the time left for Chris.
Finally (after ages it seemed) Chris started on piano with Carry On. As always I can't remember the exact order of songs. Those with a track list :-) will tell you the songs that followed.
The first part of the concert was - well, "nice". As already feared, the front audience kept very quiet. At first every clapping along the songs brought us strange views. Singing along with Sailing Away brought more strange views. Luckily here and there sat some more fans who knew the songs and did sing and clap as well. We had hoped LIR would finally stir the masses, at least that song they would know! But no, we even felt forced to sing it too LOL (LIR usually not counting as our favourite LOL)
ok, enough complained, after an hour the dancing part started and we were finally allowed to the stage. Wow, now it was "the good old atmosphere" again! Standing in front of Chris, seeing him smile to us, dancing, singing, clapping, great!
That must have triggered the rest of the audience too. Suddenly all were standing and clapping. Turning round, the castle yard looked great. The last part of the concert was really great!!
Worth to mention, he did sing Sailor even without been asked for it! But to our dissappointment he left out many old favourites (i.e. no Spanish train, no High On Emotion, even NO Peaceful Waters at the end!!!) Of course he wouldn't play solo for 3 hours, but with his last solo concerts not less than 2 hours 15, we were dissappointed when he endet after 1 hour 45 min. We blamed the Rokkoko group for that and felt confirmed later when a woman found Chris' concert track list on the stage! It had several songs on it which he didn't play, as well as the words "new songs". Which was even more dissappointing as he didn't play any new song at all :-((( Would have been so great to hear some.
Oh and before I forget, the announced co-operation Chris - Amateur musicians or choir didn't take place in the end. I wonder what we were saved to hear... On the other hand, I would have loved to hear Patricia with Big Band. Could have been a great chance with all these brass bands around. But nevermind, we enjoyed another concert of Chris and are now even more looking forward to the new tour in autumn!!!
After the concert it was still so warm, we found a nice ice-cafe which was still open, with seats outside. Shortly before 12, some of us went quickly back to the hotel, to surprise Dani at midnight with a cake with sparkling lights on top, because June 16th is her birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANI!!!!!!!!!!!
This morning we went around town again, having a last view at the stage, where... ok, others might tell you. With some of us having to drive home 5 hours or more, we had to say goodbye much too soon :-( But it's great to know that we will see each other again at the end of September, when 'the girls gang' will come together for another great Maedels (girls) weekend!!!
take care all,
Tina from Cologne, Germany
- oops, sorry, this got a bit long...