Concert Review: Salem, Germany - August 21, 2010
Michaela K.:
Hi, I´m just back from my journey to the Lake Constance and I took the time I spent in the train to write a review about the concert in Salem. The first part of the journey I went by train and then an other fan was so kind to take me with her in her car. After some traffic jam we finally arrived at Salem in the early afternoon. Originally we planned to go to my driver´s hotel first. But on our way we passed the Schloss (castle) and so decided to stop and have a look if other community members already arrived. Of course they did. We said hello to each other and soon somebody noticed that there was one of the entrances to the garden opened, so we could enter the later concert venue. And just as we arrived Chris was also there!! Timing is everything! Chris started to sing some lines (didn´t know the song but seemed to be a cover), his assistant told us to sit in the back rows and we were glad to have the chance to watch and listen. But soon the local security guys came and told us to leave the venue. Chris obviously noticed that and said “Sit down ladies, it´s OK.”. Ooooh, we were so happy and thankful! And we sat down now right in the middle, in row 5 or 6 perhaps. He rehearsed few songs that weren´t played last year and even two new songs of the upcoming Moonfleet album (and to one of them he told us, that we have just seen the very first performance). At one point a lady with a dog walked along right in front of the stage. She didn´t spend attention to Chris or anybody else. Seemed like this was her daily way to walk the dog and she was not willing to change it for any reason. Chris sang right in the middle of his song “woof woof”, we all laughed, but she walked on. Then he sang “Where have all the flowers gone”, one of my Footsteps favourites. I have always hoped that he will sing it during the Footsteps tour. It turned out, that he did not in the evening. But to have heard it only at the ”intimate” soundcheck makes it even more special for me. While he went through the empty rows for a walkabout he sang “Africa”. Another of our friends arrived, came across his way and got a kiss straight away (not that I´m jealous… .) After that Chris disappeared and we went to the Biergarten, very thirsty. It was a very hot day and the sun burned strong on our backs while listening to the soundcheck. But Chris had worn a thick longsleeved denim shirt and t-shirt under it!!! Long time to wait, lot of chatting and finally the concert started. What they have sold to me as “middle aisle” turned out as a seat at the very right side of the stage. At least it gave me the chance to stand up during the concert and join some people who stand at the side and danced from the beginning. Compared to last year the setlist was a little different, but all the songs which were added would have not been on my personal “wishlist”. And Chris played none of the typical classics Borderline-Peaceful Waters-Spaceman. There was even no piano at the stage and that was really missing. Ah, I have to correct myself, of course he played “Revolution” which is on my all-time-wishlist, I have heard this one often, but will never get enough. And I was very happy now to sit at the side and could jump off my seat and dance. After that was a break and then followed “Moonlight and Vodka” which has been my last year´s favourite. But this time there was no “acting” before and no waiter and even worse, there was no piano!! Next to me, beside the seats, gathered more and more people and now they began to push towards the front. All in all “Moonlight and Vodka” was completely ruined for me. Then I left my seat again, just to avoid that I´ll have too much people in front of me when the dancing part and the run to the stage will start. Chris was solo on stage then and asked for requests. (The Lady next to me shouted for “Lady in Red”, arrrgh, wouldn´t he play anyway?….). Chris sang “The Same Sun” and in the middle of the song he stopped and said that he couldn´t remember the lyrics. Then he came down to the fans who had requested the song and let them sing the end of it. The security seemed to be unsure what to do with all the people who went on to push forward. Suddenly much earlier than expected a security guy (seemed he had just collected an OK for that) gave a hand signal like “come to the front”. I was quick enough to get a place in second line and directly at the stairs. Oh, and all around me well known faces. Hey, where were the people who have started all that pushing to the front? We have left them behind us. Well, years of practicing must be good for something. Right away started a great party, all the time clapping and singing and all around happy faces. And I forgot immediately that I have been a little bit disaffected at some points. Despite the crowd in front of the stage Chris came down and went through the audience while he sang Lady in Red. He returned with a big mark of lipstick at his cheek. Everybody noticed except him. Then followed “Africa” (always much appreciated) and then he did the second one of his new songs. This one is so catchy, even if you have never heard it before, it seems so familiar after a few lines. The people sang along and clapped during the whole song, even in the back rows. Not bad for a first performance (ha, the real first performance we had in the afternoon…). Chris ended the concert with the usual songs, shook hands, went again into the audience and then left us behind, bewitched, stirred up, exhausted and very happy. I stayed for two more days at the Lake Constance, got an invitation for an overnight stay and a trip to the “Rheinfall” from a fan and another fan guided me through Constance. I wonder if Chris knows which exceptional fans he has. At least we know which exceptional idol we have. ; )