Europe gig no.8 - October 4th 2008 - Kopervik

Kopervik is situated at the island Karmøy, outside Haugesund, a small and not very pretty town... 
It's at the east-west-coast of Norway, and the weather there in fall is NOT NICE... It was raining sideways, as the regular bus took both citizens of Karmøy and other attendants to Oktoberrock to the destination of the concert. I met Atle Miguel there (at the bus, yes), and some friends of him. I had gotten to the island with plane, this time together with Nemi. 

After a long and winding journey with the bus, we had to get out into the rain and the wind, without any umbrellas... or some had them, and some didn't, but there wasn't enough for everyone to be comfy. I had already managed to make a huge hole in my wannabe-converse shoes, so I tried avoiding the water. 

So, we lined up in the cue outside the big circus tent that was the concert arena, in the end people with umbrellas started to cooperate and raise their umbrellas up and over, so that those without could breathe a bit more easily, and dryly for a moment.

So, we found our way to the front row, as usual. I was standing near Nemi, and Atle was a a few spots away. It was 7.30, and there was a local (?) guy playing acoustic guitar and singing. And you know what? His fans was already drunk...way to go, people. Kept yelling "Summer of 69" real loud. RUDE! 

anyway. First band, Ingenting (means Nothing in Norwegian) were pretty good, but I kept looking around me, to avoid the elbows of the hardcore-fan of Ingenting, a guy in his 20s, with a beer in each hand (and yep, he spilled half, jumping up and down, but managed to get more and more drunk anyway) 
Hardcore fans are nice... but not when they're loaded with beer, and armed (sorry for the pun) with fists and elbows.... 

So there was a bit of a yelling fight there, part to him, and part to the guard that just STOOD there...

forgot to write that inside the circus tent it started raining, too...a flap in the ceiling flew some way away, and the cold and wet audience had to get even colder and wetter. 


Nazareth arrived, and the crowd got crowdier. (I'm sorry, I've had 3 hours sleep for the last 3 nights, so my english isn't all that good, and the puns come out even when they're not meant to) 

They 

were

awesome! 

I was really loving their guitarist. He looked like... 😅... he was funny looking, but he played soooo good.. and of course on a Gibson. 

The drunk guy finally got so drunk he had to leave ( 😋) and then a new drunk guy took his place, but he wasn't as rude. The rain stopped, and I could enjoy the gig without even have to waste my energy on standing up. I could just place my feet on the ground, and lean back, and the crowd would be there to support me. It as that tight... But the good effects of that is that you don't feel how cold the rain is making you feel... cause when so many people stand together, they lend warmth to one another. 

The fence was really to high up, so I did have to be a bit cautious, so that my mouth wouldn't smash into it and break all the teeth. 

Then Nazareth was done (some of the guitar solos where just AWESOME, just had to say that once again), and they started readying the stage for Europe. 

The crowd didn't loose up, so I guess there must have been a fellow understanding of "let's stick together so tight, so that we won't have a cold tomorrow" (yes, I'm joking)... 

EUROPE! 

Set list: same as in Lakselv, but Prisoners in paradise replaced Open your heart. 
Yes, they played Prisoners in Paradise. They've never played that one after the reunion. Until now. It was Joey with an acoustic guitar, so I figured I could try to film Carrie on my camera phone. Cause when there's not too much bass, the sound doesn't get too distorted. And then it wasn't Carrie!

The gig was PERFECT. 

And John Levén standing there with a broken foot, and his jeans with tape all over it (looked a bit like "what-would-Macgyver-do"-thinking 😏

No seriously, he was still funny and charming to look at...He pulled out his leg when Joey was intending to go over to Mic 😋 I really love the energy between the guys on stage! 

Yesterdays news didn't include the Joey/Norum-duet, but I never get tired of hearing it anyway! 

Ian was really energetic, beat his slaves - the fellow band members - further, and making less space between the songs, but that was the thing that separated Europe from the others.. The usual ENERGY !

Mic stood a bit too himself, maybe because the stage was too small??? it did look quite normal sized, but it looked like he was a bit on his own. 

The audience could've been better... the drunks aside, people were kind of... failing to respond to the guys on stage. I would have expected more jumping... but after standing and taking it easy for the two first bands, at last I was jumping and dancing and trying to get my hair bigger again (totally wet and deflated by the previous rain) 

The lighting was brilliant, as usual! 
Sound was very good, too! I love being able to hear the nuances in the music! 

Oh yeah, and on rock the night, Joey sang "from my head, down to my toes"... Well, THAT would've been the perfect moment for John L to put his toes up on the monitor, like he'd been doing a minute before

I briefly met the guys at the hotel. Got to show them my tattoo, in a kind of childish "look-at-me-I-want-your-attention" kind of manner, but lack of social skills aside: they (Joey and John L) did look at it! Yay. And also said I should show it to Ian (who has a similar tattoo, but he wasn't around, so I didn't meet him)

Also, I had signs of recognitions from 4 of the band members.. that was so cool. 

John Norum quote:
"I recognise you!" (as the first thing he said when he saw me) (thankfully it was with a smile, not with a "oh...she again" -tone)
I responded with "oh yeah? from the audience, then?"
"No, we've met before... Was it Rockefeller?"


Mic Michaeli quote:
Tone Irén! (followed by a hug) 

Joey Tempest quote, when I asked if I could have a picture with him:
But you already have one? (Well yes I do, it was taken in 2006, two years before this...)


So I got another picture...

John Levén quote:
Nemi said: "You should write something about his broken leg in the forum"
And then he filled in with: "Yeah, you're the only one in the forum these days!" 
Guess they know who is who.


Thanks guys, you really made my day and night! 
The final countdown ended at around 1.20 a.m, so I guess it was a 1h 50min gig

Europe gig no.7 - July 12th 2008 - Lakselv

Finnmark... the northernmost county in Norway. Homeland of the mosquitos. Fly-sized mosquitos!! And the land of the midnight sun. The mountains stood tall and steady around the valley called Lakselv (meaning Salmon River) 

The people in Finnmark loves a good party, so everyone, from the age of... young ones, to the age of grandmothers and grandfathers were present. Some had travelled far... actually, most had travelled far. All of Northern-Norway, including the counties Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, are stretching a good distance between the cities. Not that you find very large cities in Finnmark. Mostly you'll find reindeer, mountains, large uninhabitated areas, and rivers and lakes and, well.. NATURE. 

I flew from Oslo on friday, to Alta, cause there was no direct route to Lakselv. that took me 1h 50 minutes... then, the next day, I had to fly to Lakselv as well, cause there was no express buses on saturday. (ALL other days, but saturday) So I flew. From Alta airport, an airport with the total number of 3 gates. 

I arrived in Lakselv some15 minutes later, after flying over one of the big, long, but flat-on-top mountains, then tipping down in the valley, circling over the festival area, then arriving at the airport (an airport with the total number of 2 gates!) This was my first trip with one of those tiny planes. 36 seats. Now, I have been known to have a tiny fear of planes. So naturally, I sit near the exits. This time, a stewardess approached me, to ask me if I knew how to open it, in case of emergency? 

I think I would have panicked right then and there, if it wasn't for the three previous nights of very little sleep. So I took it rather calmly. The propels started to rotate right outside my window, and brought me safely, and quite comfortably, to Lakselv. 

After fetching my luggage I headed for the exit, and was met by a biiiig poster saying Midnattsrocken, and Europe, and then the other bands playing there. Next to it stood a reindeer. 

Not a live one, but still a reindeer...  

3 guys picked me up at the airport, one of them a Europefan I've met a couple of months ago, who lives in Troms, where I lived for the last three years. He had brought two buddies, and they were all there just to see Europe. 

I met up with Silje, and she was just as I'd thought she'd be! wicked cool!!! Poor girl, she uttered at least twice "you're mad!" 
And by all means, we are. But I think her first meeting with other Europefans didn't go down too bad  

The hospitality of Finnmark is really warming. At least when you meet the right people. I was looking at the prospect of spending the night at Alta airport (closes at 00.30), but ended up in a really nice room, rented out by a nice lady who PICKED ME UP at the airport, and drove me back! saved me a lot of money for taxi! 

And the people I lived with in Lakselv, they couldn't meet me, cause they were working at the festival, so they just told me where the key was, my bed was made, and I could just come and go as I pleased. THANKS Unicorn. 

I like to think that Unicorn is the reason this ever happened at all. I mean, her boyfriend is the booking manager for the festival. She took him to a Europe gig in 2004, and voila, Europe played in Lakselv!

So, the festival began. I won't mention the other bands, cause I know you're not interested, plus you've probably never heard of any of the others. The important thing was that these other bands and artists, was the reason so many people came. Of course, Europe was the main one. At least that's what I think. 

Me, Silje and Vinjar (the fan from Troms) sat around a table with two of the other friends of Vinjar, and then suddenly, there was Stein-Vidar. I had been unable to reach him on his cellphone all day. The festival area was full of people. Some drunk, some not, some young, some old... all with good mood and high expectations. At least for the 4 hardcore-fans  A 5th fan, my hostess Unicorn, came just when the clock was around 23.15, because then the previous band was finished, and the crowd before the stage had gone to get more to drink, or watch the band at the smaller stage. 

Ok, NOW....after the waiting, the band arrived together, and I the intro-thing was really interesting. I can't remember exactly why, cause I'm so tired  But it was different than my last concert with them. 
Love is not the enemy started and we all started rocking. 
It's amazing how drunk I appeared to be. 
I had had nothing to drink, not alcohol, and very little other beverages. But I yelled, and jumped, and screamed... 
It sounds familiar, doesn't it? 

When I heard the intro to Ready or not, I just went JAAAAAAAA!!! 
I L O V E D it! 
And I think Sign of the times followed afterwards... another JAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! jAAAAHAHAHAHA! and more jumping

The band had a few technical problems during the gig. So Joey's energy was a bit focused on getting the crew and the sound guys to fix things while they were playing. I saw John Norum change guitars 3 times during a song, not looking very happy... but John, you still rocked me to the floor! 

Ian had a little technical problem as well... during one of the songs, me and Silje both noticed one of Ian's sticks flying through the air and land a bit farther of... poor Ian, he continued to pound with the stick he had left, which was a really nice and funny memory, but it must have been a bit of irritation. I don't know how, but suddenly he had both sticks again... 

John Levén looked like he always does. Handsome, paying attention to the public, and in total control of his bass. But at one point, a bottle of water came flying all the way to the stage, landing beside him (plastic bottle)... He looked to where it had come from, looked very sincere, and shook his head... 

I was really irritated about this. 

But you know, the show went on.

I was totally in awe about what Joey did vocally on Yesterdays News... I know John Norum was supposed to be the king of Midnattsrocken, but what Joey sang, for him to follow up on... it was just.. 

WOOOOAAAAAH! 

..... 

You know how Joey always has his sunglasses on during gigs? 
He didn't this time. 
Until around one hour after the gig started. 

why? 

Cause he needed them. The clouds shifted, and the spotlights had competition. Joey went, during one of his breaks, behind the stage, and fetched a camera, to take pictures of the crowd. I hope he got the midnight sun as well! 

Open your heart blew me awaaaaaay!!! It was magic!

The crowd was huge, and like always, drunk retards were present. I don't mean it as bad as it sounds, but I get a bit mad when they scream for The final countdown after 7 songs. I had wisely put in a pair of earplugs, so I could hear the people nearest, the band, and mostly my own voice screaming and singing and laughing like a kid on a swing, every time a new and unexpected song was announced, or when I particularly enjoyed John's solos or Mic's brilliance or Joeys amazing ad-libs

The final countdown started, and as usual, the crowd tightened. I was still in front row (surprisingly little fighting this time, actually), and one of the guards mouthed "you okay?" I just nodded and smiled, and thought to myself "I've done this before, you see, I know what to expect" 


When the gig ended and the pressure lifted, and I started walking towards the exit, I couldn't help being a little dizzy, and off balance. So I guess my body had gotten used to being held up by the pressure of others. Suddenly the support was gone, you know. 
So I walked a little drunkenly toward the never-setting sun, feeling exhausted, but not at all tired (who's tired when the sun is shining, even if it's 2 a.m?) 

This picture is taken well after midnight (Europe started around midnight, and were done around 2 am)