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)
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