Concert Review: Mainz, Germany - September 5, 2010
Chris Raymond:
My husband and I had travelled to Mainz the previous day and were staying in the Schwan Hotel very close to the Domplatz. We’d seen the stage, equipment and chairs all put in place. The square remained open when Chris arrived for the sound check so the people present enjoyed a ‘mini concert’ of four songs. C de B sang Africa as he did the practice walkabout, greeting people, even ducking under the cordon as he went! Before returning to the stage he sat in an audience seat waving to the Boys in the Band which was really funny. Puff the Magic Dragon was an unusual song to end the sound check. When we arrived for the concert that evening we met up with and chatted to several fans before taking our seats. Around 19.00 there were wisps of ‘smoke’ from the back of the stage and soon the intermittent sounds of weird music. I just couldn’t help the (little) scream that came out - those adjacent to me really laughed! Then there was very loud bizarre music, the boys appeared and the introduction to Last Night could be recognised. When Chris stepped onto the stage there was tremendous applause! C de B looked up to the sky ‘praying’ thank you for the good weather. He was taking stock and even mindful of the people in the buildings who’d enjoy a free concert! During introductions he said that we had a good deal as there would be free beer and strippers! The special effects/lightshow complimented the tracks but the daylight reduced the impact of the lightshow until darkness fell. Masses of flowers were presented to Chris who suggested that we might like to buy some during the interval! There were, “Oooohs and Aaaahs” from the crowd as some bouquets were really gorgeous. Three young men who had come from Perth, Western Australia for the show were welcomed by Chris. Chat included the weather - variable during the tour but ending in glorious sunshine - plus his ‘gold standard’ tip of how/where to find girls! (By the Damentoiletten!) Chris introduced Sailing Away by making drum noises which open the track. The swaying part is always much fun! The Long And Winding Road and Without You were fantastic in my book. Red lights bathed the stage for Lebanese Night and afterwards a woman took a young child to the stage to give a single (very wilted!) white rose to Chris. He said that this child represented a new generation of fans and that he might have to continue singing until he was very old! He stooped over and launched into T.L.I.R. – his voice really trembling! Everyone roared and applauded like crazy! “Wake up boys!” and C de B proceeded to howl and tell a long story about a wolf in the Dom before they got down to starting The Revolution trilogy. Tony was ‘knocking’ on the drums and I banged my shoe on my chair though the running feet were a lost cause on the cobbles! This completed the first part of the gig. Strains from Moonlight & Vodka kicked off the second part but Chris broke off to introduce the boys in the Band and to thank all the crew members, many by name, as it was the last show of the tour. Tony’s son was introduced – obviously an important member of the crew and we saw him in the wings making faces at his Dad and later swaying with a light stick. So… What do they drink in Russia?! This was the prompt for vodka to be brought on stage by a ‘waiter’. Al spat his drink out which was so funny! Eventually they played a very jazzed up M &V ! We then heard that the new album would soon be out and People Of The World was introduced. We got goose bumps when everyone stood up and Chris and the boys waited a very long time at the end until the applause faded. It was just incredible - very special. Next a short solo slot but it was very strange not to have a piano or Borderline. After the third song someone moved and in a split second everyone rushed forward! Chris laughed as we’d all got it wrong – he was slotting in Those Were The Days before T.L.I.R.! Fans were now so squashed up that we expected the walkabout to be abandoned but to everyone’s delight C de B set off into the crowd. For those of us near the front it was a little disconcerting as unpleasant odours from the drains wafted up from beneath the stage! It was really smelly! Almost the last lap but first one more new song, Everywhere I Go (which had been done live on T.V. from Mainz that morning). Most fans had already heard snippets of this catchy number on Amazon. The familiar end of concert repertoire now came fast and furious. All too soon The Snows Of New York commenced and we held hands and swayed… Footsteps was the last song. The chief bodyguard sat on the steps ready to escort Chris on his final ‘bath’ in the audience. C de B stood on a chair to give a final wave from the floor before he went back up the steps and off the stage … The boys played it out. The concert and tour were over. We gathered our belongings and joined many people from the Community at The Figaro Café. It was great catching up with fans from several countries. My husband and I retired around midnight but many stayed on and we heard that some fans got up on the stage later to sing Patricia amongst other songs!! Hope that you all enjoyed that ! I did! Bye,