Concert Review: Mainz, Germany - July 6, 2003
Sandra Pleyer:
We arrived around 5 p.m., the weather was so beautiful, the sun was shining. The tent where the concert took place was in a big park and so we laid down in the grass and just enjoyed the sun. Diana was getting a little bit nervous, as we didn't have tickets right now. So we went to the ticket counter, but it wasn't open at this time. But we were lucky and got two tickets from people who were already there and had to sell some tickets. So we got one ticket for half price and one for regular price. :-) Not too bad. Meanwhile the sound check had started and we went to a place where it was very quiet and where we could listen to the rest the sound check it very well. I enjoyed it, lying in the grass again with the sun in the sky. :-) And I was so pleased that he played "Last night" because I like this song very much. Unfortunately he didn't play it during the concert. I liked the sorrounding of the venue. There were tables,chairs and benches in front of the tent, comfortable atmosphere. There we met some other list members and then it was time to get into the tent. It was like a circus tent, it was very hot inside and the air was not very fresh. Diana and I had seats in different blocks. But we decided to stay to together, as I had my seat in an area which wasn't numbered and there were still empty seats. It was a little bit at the side but with a good view to the stage. The concert wasn't sold out, although only about 2000 people fit into the tent. With 5 minutes delay the concert started. After the first few chords of "Here is your paradise" applause for Chris. That was a positive sign for me, that the audience seemed to be a good one. :-) And indeed it was a very good atmosphere. I had the impression that there was more applause than in Siegen. After the first few songs, we stood up and enjoyed the concert standing at the side of the stage (there was much space, so we didn't disturb anyone). And I have to say that it's much better to stand than to sit. Even during the quiet songs. This way I can enjoy the music much more. The set list was nearly the same as in Siegen. "Missing you" was quite at the end. During the enocores he additionally played "American Pie". During the part with the new songs he played "Snow is falling". Chris was quite talkative. For me he was in an even better mood than the day before, but that's just my impression. He told us that he had been walking along the Main (obviously he wanted to fool us, because in Mainz is the river Rhein and not the Main) during the day and enjoyed it a lot. After "Saint Peters Gate" he let us start with the refrain a second time because the first time we weren't loud enough. When he wanted to start with "Natasha Dance" he stopped and looked in the dark air. He told us that he had talked with the flight control and that during the concerts no planes would fly over the venue. Okay, that didn't work. ;-) Later during the concerts (I think it was at the beginning of "Living in the world") Diana, Claudia and I started to run to the stage, which was very low today and where was just about 1,50 m between stage and first row. Without success: The security forced us to go back, as long as the first rows didn't stand up. We had some discussions with him, but didn't succeed. But at least we were closer now and had a very good view. Meanwhile many, many people were standing, only the first two or three rows stayed in their seats. But finally during the encores we could get the stage and with the low stage it was so fantastic. Wow! :-) But then the concert was over. Having again a drink with some list members outside the tent was the happy end of a wonderful weekend. :-) Sandra