Europegig no.35 - December 7th 2017 - Gothenburg

The moment my hands rest on the barrier in front of me, not too far to the left, in front of a stage that is both lower and wider than I remember, is the moment I finally start to feel excited about seeing my all-time favourite band play live again. The last week of unnecessarily stressing the designated driver in order to start from Oslo as early as possibly on the concert day melts away. The half hour of checking into the huge hotel while my heart was counting seconds thinking that the queue would surely be too long to allow me a front row spot now is history. The panic that occured when - after reaching the queue with ten people and waiting with them until the line tripled - the designated entrance was suddenly no longer the designated entrance, and people were actually running to get to the new one - that panic is now a distant memory. 

Lisebergshallen in Gothenburg is bigger than I remember, and I find myself reliving old memories. This was the place I went to the first time I braved seeing Europe outside of Norway, in December 2009. The last time I was here was in 2012 to see my second favourite band Nightwish. And now I'm back for Europe, seeing their final concert this year, touring an album that's still growing on me after nearly 2 months! 

I am next to my friend Bente from Norway, on the other side is Emma from Sweden, a girl I haven't met many times before, but we still give each other hugs. Michaela from Italy takes the spot behind me, and I know she won't be drinking beer and spilling, or push to get a space in the front row. Michaela is a skilled concert-goer. The only thing I "worry" about is that I won't get any recognition from stage now that she is behind me, because the moment the guys look towards where I stand, they will surely see her and give her a wave. I am not jealous, because if there is someone who's earned a token of affection from the guys on stage, it's Michaela - she goes to every show worth going to, and then some! 

After waiting for half an hour the venue has filled up pretty good I think, with my 5 feet I can't see very far behind me. I hear my name behind me to the left. It turns out it's Uffe, a guy I met at my first Europe Fan Meeting, which took place in this very city. We've stayed in touch since then. And next to him is Jarno, which I met at the same fan meet, and whom I have met every time I've been in Liseberghallen since, if memory serves. So good to see their smiling faces waving at me. How cool that they found me, 5-6 rows behind, with lots of tall people blocking me! 

The support band is Blues Pills, and although I shouldn't be, I'm really surprised when their last band member enters the stage and turns out to be a woman! Halfway into the first song I'm completely in awe of her,  she can really sing! Her voice is one thing, the things she does with it is another. She is skilled for sure! It's hard to look away from her, because she is all over the place, interacting with the audience and really rocking out. The rest of the band are a bit more laid back, but they are tight! I'm in front of their guitar player, a sweet guy with lots of hair. He seems shy, but he is interesting to look at. His guitar has this mark that could easily be mistaken for the Europe E. Cool coincidence! During their set I have several moments of what I call music chills; goose bumps all the way to my feet, and chills up and down my spine. At the end of their set I'm jumping a bit up and down. And when they're packing up their equipment, I ask the cute guitar player if I can get the setlist. He picks it carefully off the floor and hands it to me! 

The stage is being transformed for Europe's set, their new and absolutely stunning backdrop comes into place, and I notice the amps are different than I'm used to. There are some cabinets behind Mic that looks really cool. It's nice to finally see them on a big stage again, lots of space for Joey to run and dance on! When all is set up, the lights are prepared. A beautiful blue light on the "Walk the Earth" album cover backdrop makes it that much more mesmerizing, and now I'm almost jumping in excitement and anticipation! 

Now the lights over the crowd is being dimmed, and the room fills with sound. Even though I very specifically told one of my friends in the Europe fold "No Spoilers!", he let slip that one of the newer songs had been performed on one of the other shows with a "new flavour". He doesn't get why I don't want details like that, but I'll try to explain it here, very briefly. Every drop of information that is given does something to my perception of a concert, book or movie. It takes away the possibility of being a blank slate just processing the then and there, and instead my brain works the information into the show. Like for instance when "Walk the Earth" started, and the intro was ... different, my mind went "is this it? Is this what he meant? Or is it another song?" So, for all readers' future reference: every little word you give about the movie you've just seen, the book you've just finished, or a band's tour can potentially alter someone else's perception of the same one. 

'WTE' is just as epic as I expected it to be, and I'm not surprised when it is succeeded by the next track on the album, namely 'The Siege'. The latter isn't my favourite like it is everyone else's, but I was expecting to hear it, and the guys really likes playing it. It is a good song for a live show.

The "pit" is crawling with photographers, and the band really shines. A big stage really suits them! The last song the cameras capture are "Rock the night", and even though I've heard it live at least 34 times before AND promised myself to remain cool in this concert, the presence of photographers mean I have to let loose, to show how devoted us Europefans can be, even those that is not donning a Europe shirt!

Even without a Europe shirt it doesn't take John Levén or Joey very long to spot me. Joey just glances at me, gives me the briefest acknowledgement he has seen me. John smiles, like he does. Good smile on that man. 

"Hole in my pocket" is the first song they play after the photographers are gone. This is one of my favourites from their previous album "Walk the Earth". Back in 2015, I hadn't had time to listen to the album properly before seeing them live. The album came out March 2nd, and I left to go to Glasgow March 5th. Anyway, one of the songs they did back then was "Hole in my pocket". I knew the melody, but to me it made more sense that the second line was "snow in my shoe". I never questioned it. Being Scandinavian like me, surely the band must know how horrible that is. A stone in your shoe is easy to get out, but snow in your shoe? You better have a pair of dry socks in your bag if that is the case. And even if you change your socks, there'll still be a little puddle of water in your shoe still... 

Where was I? Oh yeah, I love this song. So I rock hard. A little extra for a good friend I met in January. Wish I had insisted that he had come along at the point this song is played, 'cause it's one of his favourites. And the band really sounds good tonight. Joey's voice is on form, and he's taking chances!

Next song is Last look at Eden, and the intro sounds superb in this venue. 

My cellphone is a battery eater. Even though I charged it in Thomas' car on the way down to Gøteborg, it's draining fast, and I haven't yet taken out my cellphone to film anything. I want the concert experience of being there, feeling it! But I end up doing what I always do; record a verse and a chorus. And this time it's "Prisoners in paradise". I am reminded of the first time I heard it live; in October 2008. It was the first time Europe did "PIP" since 1992. Hearing it again brings back memories to all the times Europe shook up their setlist. Did something completely new. 2017 Prisoners feels better than the 2008 one. This time I'm not soaking wet after the rain both outside and inside the tent they played in back then. This time I'm warm, and have some space around me. The quality of the cellphone camera is 100 times better too; even if I think it's a bad phone camera, it's aeons better than a mobile phone camera from 2008. 

The crowd is much better too. In 2008 we stood together like what we in Norwegian refer to as "sild i tønne", or "packed like sardines." This gig is really nice. Enough room, and a good crowd.
Only once is there an incident of someone pushing from behind. And the dude who comes to the second row to try to casually start a chummy conversation with someone in the front row he doesn't know while at the same time squeezing past second row, is told very friendly but firmly no.

Now the gems comes pouring out of the bag. "Firebox" - where Joey lets it loose and sings the extra high notes after the guitar solo and I cannot refrain from screaming with glee - "Sign of the times" -  with the ever mesmerizing keyboard intro (except this time it's preceded by a very out of character jaunty tune first) - and Vasastan. My throat is threatening to swell shut again, like so many times before. It is as soulful as ever. I love it when this song fades out, and John Norum keeps playing himself into the intro to "Girl from Lebanon". 

Joey has a tendency to forget lyrics. Especially to the new songs. That's okay. There's so much else he needs to focus on. But when an oldie like Girl from Lebanon comes into play, he can let the words come naturally, and focus instead on other things. I don't know all the lyrics either, but my lips are constantly moving, even when I'm not actively singing along. I don't know what we're singing when he comes towards me, and I really think my mind shortcuts when he lets me know VERY visibly that he knows I'm there. He comes to where I stand, bends down, and sings right into my face. For a LONG time. Or that's how it feels. I don't know whether to meet his gaze and sing, smile, give a thumbs up or what. But after he leaves to go and sing to someone else, I look right and left from confirmation (even though it was pretty clear) that this actually happened. Both Emma and Bente beams at me. I think I squeal and jump up and down. Hopefully none of the band members notices. Oh my god I love it when he does that!

It feels like my mind is never returning to normal. It's like I can't focus on what's happening on stage, because my head is filled with the fact that Joey came to let me know he had seen me. Again. Call me presumptuous, but I have no reason to doubt that he knows me by now. (And remind me I wrote this when I start doubting that it's anything other than dumb luck)

It takes me until the middle of the first verse to realise that the next song is "GTO", one of my favourites from the newest album. Damn you, Tempest! But now my head is in the game again. I never imagined they would play this one live. And here they are, and it works! Even on the album, this song is vocally impressive. Chills are playing elevator with my spine at this point. 

After this song, I get a hunch for the next one. Bente agrees to film this one for me, because my phone shows 6% battery. It's "Turn to Dust", perhaps the best song Europe has done since their reunion. It's beautiful. Now my throat is even more swelled up, I'm almost choking, because the emotions brought on by the harmonies. By the end of it, I'm nearly hyperventilating (yep, I'm over exaggerating, but only a little bit.) This song alone was worth going to Gothenburg for!

Hearing "Wasted Time" and "Danger on the Track" again really lets us know that Europe has started mixing things up a bit. I love it! The concert seems to never end. Until it suddenly does, announced by the roaring introduction to "The Final Countdown" Once again I jump up and down after the initial "It's the final countdown" that announces every chorus. Every chorus I'm bouncing even though I'm positively sweating by now. 

When the concert was done, I was smiling and hugging people, which is becoming a tradition after really good shows, apparently. When I find Julia, I tell her that Joey bent down and sang to me. And she said, because she hadn't seen me as she was further along the front row "Oh, I thought it could be you he sang to when he sang 'Carry on, my little one'..."
I think my eyes widened when I either aloud or internally whinnied "Is that what he sang?"

[I will write a separate blog post about the people I met. Friends and band members alike. 
Hopefully (?) it will be shorter than this :) Thank you for reading all the way down to here!]


 


 






 

 



 





 



























 

Europe gig no.34 - August 5th 2017 - Finnsnes

The most epic gigs I have gone to have either been special gigs like Grieghallen (2012) and Circus (2016), or gigs where the journey to get there was filled with epic scenery (like Ålesund 2016), or gigs where I met members of the band. This gig wasn't out-of-the-ordinary-special in terms of the actual gig. That doesn't mean that the band didn't deliver and awesome gig, 'cause they absolutely did. But for me, this gig was special because it had awesome scenery AND meeting with band members combined!

In 2005 I moved away to start University College in Tromsø. My bachelor took 3 years to complete. Those three years were the busiest years on the official forum. To this day, some of the people I chatted with back then still think that I live in Tromsø, 'cause that's where I was when we got to know each other. During my years in Tromsø I went to two fan meets (Gothenburg 2006 and London 2007), and three Europe gigs. This may not sound much. But if you consider the fact that I was a student with student economy AND had a fear of flying, it's pretty impressive. 'Cause every single one of those events I had to fly to.
Anyway, I loved it in Tromsø. I had a great view from my student home window; it's such a lovely town; and the atmosphere is just magical.

When Europe announced they were playing in Brumunddal in June, I was ecstatic!
When they announced they were playing in Kvinesdal 2 weeks after the Brumunddal gig, I was very happy, too! So I was "acting out" on Facebook: "Woohooo, Europe is playing in Norway twice this year! Then said Stein-Vidar: "But Tone Irene, they're coming to Finnsnes in August!" Suddenly Miss 'I-must-go-to-all-Norwegian-Europe-gigs-I-can-manage' was a little bit doubtful... I had a trip to Canada planned as well... this would be expensive...

I had nearly given up the idea of going to Finnsnes. Then May 17th came, the Day of the Constitution here in Norway. I was too exhausted to partake in the celebrations (if you haven't heard of Norway's celebration of May 17th, it's google-time for you!). So instead I sat at home watching a movie from the 60's, featuring my beloved Tromsø. And seeing that movie, I got really homesick... So I started looking for flight tickets, and what do you know; the Norwegian airline company "Norwegian" had cheap flight tickets on Norway's Constitutional Day! Lucky, eh?

I arrived in Tromsø on August 3rd, and was taken to my friend's apartment, my own free Air B'n'B. My friend had business elsewhere that weekend, so after he picked me up at the airport, gave me the keys, took me there and had a brief chat, he was off with his boyfriend. Oh well. I was happy in my own company, in my old town, with the same old view. For my two days in Tromsø, I walked around the city (will insert pictures here!) and met up with a few friends that hasn't moved south, gone on vacation or was otherwise busy.

To get from Tromsø to Finnsnes, the easiest route is to take the speedboat. It takes 1,5 hours. It was a hoot for a girl that loooves mountains. Too bad the windows were not cleaner. But the day was really bright, and I never got bored on the boat. (insert pictures further down)
That 1,5 trip on the boat had taken me from a sunny summer day (which aren't plenty in the northern area) to downpour 5 seconds after coming to the shore in Finnsnes. I almost missed getting off the boat... because no one else was.. so I figured there was a line at the door or something... but of course this boat's final stop was not in Finnsnes! I dread to think where I would have ended up and when I would have happened to take another boat back if I didn't snap out of it when I did!

At the docks I was picked up by Vinjar, whom I hadn't seen since Europe played in Tromsø in 2011, and before that when they played in Lakselv in 2008. He had offered me a couch early on when it became clear that I was going to Finnsnes.

As I briefly mentioned: I went to Canada earlier this summer. I went there for the sole purpose of meeting two friends. Two friends I have known online for 13 years. but that I hadn't met before. Friends I never would have had, had it not been for Europe. My first trip overseas was to meet Europefans. And I got to experience Niagara Falls with them. That experience will forever be one of my most prized memories. (will insert picture here)

I was so fortunate to have a sit-down with John Levén prior to the gig in Finnsnes. I am from the south of Norway (Oslo, at the moment), whereas the friends I was there with was local. Our dialects are vastly different. Levén said he thought it was easier to understand northerners, but I could see he did have a hard time understanding them sometimes. So we talked a bit in english when the confusion was too much. I thought it fitting to tell him in english the story about how I had gone to Canada this summer, to meet my two friends whom I had met on the forum. His comment was that "Europe brings people together!" And they really, really do. I don't think my life would have been half as interesting had it not been for that forum the band started in 2004/2005.

The gig setlist was Standard Summer Tour. In the pouring rain in Kvinesdal in July, the band had left out both Cherokee AND Days of Rock'n'roll, so I wasn't on cloud 9 after that gig (plus, I was soaking wet). In Finnsnes, standing beside Michaela, I was bouncing when Joey came out with the guitar which meant they would do Ready or not, even if it was the third time I heard it that summer. But when Ian started drumming the announcement for Cherokee, I was almost beside myself! After it having been absent for ONE of my gigs... It didn't take much to please me... And then, when Joey came with his guitar into the stage after THAT, I was jumping and yelling and grinning like a kid! I would hear my beloved 'Days' again! Even though the concert took place inside a tent, the sound was good (apart from the fact that I FELT the drums, but apparently, tents are hard, soundwise). The band delivered a very energetic set, and John Levén came to see us and smile as us a bunch of times :)


After the gig my friends and I found the hotel where we had met Levén earlier, and we waited outside the entrance (the bar was closed), to see if we could meet other band members. Norum and Joey arrived, and our modest group of fans approached them to have some pictures with them and maybe autographs. They appeared tired after the gig, but they were still very gracious about talking to us and having pictures with us. I know I have met them in the past. I may not be as starstruck as some of my friends were that night. But I so appreciate to have the chance to see them and talk to them, these guys that have been my heroes for years and years. And it's so nice to be met with a "How are you? Good to see you" from the Northern Guitar Hero. And then a warm hug/embrace (I'm short).

Joey doesn't get physical like that. He's mr. Cool. There's no touching when you have a photo with Joey. But he bent down closer to my hemisphere for the photo. And although he didn't directly acknowledge us having met before, I think he kind of felt he didn't need to. "She knows I remember"... The only real acknowledgement I got from him, which I am still not sure how to interpret, was him asking me a simple question. "Do you live around here?", he said. I replied that no, I didn't. I thought of mentioning that I had been studying in the same county as Finnsnes for 3 years, but I wasn't very expressive that night, apparently... anyway, his reply was "No, I thought you wouldn't be".

It could have been the difference in dialects (I was surrounded by local northerners, as I mentioned). It could have been that he has seen my face in different places all over the country (and out of it). 21 places in the same country to be precise... Maybe he was just acknowledging  me as a familiar face in gigs.

I don't know. But I don't think it was condescending. At least I hope it wasn't. This is after all the guy that started talking swedish to me while in Glasgow... so.... But hey, he took the time and energy to direct a question to me. And cared enough about the answer to make a follow-up comment!
I still smile at the sight of him visibly bending down to take a picture with me :) Such a small, but nice gesture.

Further, as far as acknowledgements go, John Levén, when I met him earlier that day, clearly showed he remembered me. I greeted him as I would a long-time absent friend with the phrase "Long time, no see!". His reply was "It wasn't that long, though..." No Levén, it wasn't that long. I saw you play four weeks ago in Kvinesdal. And two weeks before that I saw you in Brumunddal!

"No, but it's been a while since I was able to talk to you!" I said. This brought a smile and agreement from the kind bass player.

I have had dreams where I sit and talk to Levén or Joey or Mic about everyday stuff. Waking up from those dreams, I have gone around smiling for hours. Chatting with Levén before the gig actually fulfilled that dream. I asked him about his summer, and chatted to him as... an equal. Not a man on my own personal pedestal. I even tore myself away from his company to go and order a cider from the bar. He asked what I was having. I asked if he wanted a taste, and when he said yes, I poured some into his glass. Like I would a friend.

We were perhaps 5-6 fans crowding a single band member. I said that if he wanted us to leave, he needed only to say the word. And he replied "nah. this is like my own private meet'n'greet, haha"

Oh, when I saw that it was time to leave in order to get good spots in front of the stage, I told Vinjar I wanted to get going. And so his friends stood up to come with us too. John Levén joked about me being the leader of our group. "Is she the boss of you?"

I. Love. My life.

On Sunday, there was no option for a speedboat. Only for the Express Route/Norwegian Coastal Express. In Norway it's called Hurtigruten. Well, all three are misnomers. 'Cause the word 'Express' or 'Hurtig' (meaning fast) all implies speed. But the coastal express used nearly 3 hours on the same route that takes the speedboat 1,5. But there's a reason all the tourists are travelling with this ship: It gives you the opportunity to experience norwegian nature. You can go out on deck and around the ship on whichever side and floor you like, to get the best view to the fjord and the mountains.
(insert lots of pictures here)


After arriving in Tromsø, I only had to take a bus to the airport, fly for two hours, take the airport express bus from the airport, and a taxi the last trek home.... I was sooo exhausted. But it was definitely THE most worthwhile Europe gig this summer.

Europegig no.32 - June 23rd 2017 - Brumunddal, Norway

Now I've finally come to the point where I have been to more Europegigs than I have celebrated birthdays. How utterly privileged am I, to live in a country that Europe visits every year, at least once!

The name of the festival Europe played at this time is called "Tømmerstock". This name is a play on words on two accounts. Firstly, it plays on the famous festival you all know which is called "Woodstock". Secondly, the Norwegian word 'tømmerstokk' translates to a log. And it is a very satisfying description of  Hedmark county which Brumunddal is a part of. It doesn't have fjords or epic mountain scenery, but it does have woods. Lots and lots of woods. To get to Brumunddal from Oslo, you also spend a lot of the time on the highway driving next to the biggest lake in Norway, namely Mjøsa. So in late June the nature display is that of deep green coniferous woodland, and that of glittering blue lake and sky, complete with round hills.

 Nicked from Kalle who drives Europe's equipment. This is taken from E6, depicting Mjøsa.

I decided to go by my own car this time, to avoid the stress of public transportation from home to my workplace, and then from my workplace to Brumunddal. I'm quite fond of driving, and I know the road very well. It's the same road I took 13 years ago, to see Europe for the very first time. The roads are straighter and better, and I think I am a better driver than I was back then.

It started as a clear day, but the weather forecast had said rain all evening, so I had bought a rain poncho that would cover most of me and my Europe bag during the concert. I had been looking forward to this concert since the announcement in January, and especially to be wearing my latest Europe t-shirt bought in Stockholm in November. I put it on underneath my poncho and my hoodie, just in case the forecast would prove wrong.

Tiny Brumunddal, with less than 9000 residents, was buzzing with cars in the narrow streets. I managed to find a spot to park my car, not knowing if it was far away from the festival area. It turned out it was 200 metres away! I donned my poncho as soon as I got out of the car, the air was already full of rain; a steady drizzle, but not exactly a downpour. After finding the main stage, which was empty of people or crew, I decided to get into the bakery between the smaller stage and the main stage to get warm. Outside the entrance, I met Kalle (who is a member of the crew, driving Europe's equipment all around Europe) and his co-driver Dieter, as well as Magnus and Ove; twin brothers, friends of mine, and Europe fans. We all sat down for coffee and a treat in the cozy bakery. Ove had brought some copies of the self-titled album by 'Hollow Illusion' that he handed out. Hollow Illusion is a two-man band Magnus and Ove plays in. They have been playing at the famous "Whisky A go-go"-club in L.A several times, and toured Iceland, UK and Germany as well as Norway. Check them out, they're on Spotify ;)

When the time neared the start of the festival, us three fans headed for the completely clear area in front of the main stage, where Europe would start playing in 3 hours time. We had learned the news that a crew member had died the night before. For those among you not in the fan base, the impact of this might not seem very clear. Europe has got quite a worldwide base of die-hard fans. Europe is a band with a highly skilled crew, which in turn has their own Facebook page, named "Europe The Crew". The crew has been introduced man by man through Europe's own official page, as well as in their group. So with us faithful concert-goers, the faces and names of the crew members are well known. We watch them get the stage ready, we see them in the sound booth, and we see them running around the edges of the stage during a concert, fixing mics, switching guitars, and generally facilitating a smooth show every time. So when I was told that Mathias was dead, I immediately saw his face in my mind's eye; a very young guy, no more than 40 years old. A guy that you immediately noticed because of his hairdo and open face. I don't think a gig has gone by since 2012 without seeing him standing at the far far right of the stage, following the action intently, waiting for the next task, waiting for some new problem to solve.

I knew that the guys in the band had arrived in Norway, Kalle had told me that, so I didn't worry that the show would get cancelled, but I got a bit preoccupied all the same, when seeing the rest of the crew working, thinking about how they had lost one of their own, a colleague and no doubt a good friend. I was happy that my fellow front row fans was chatty, so I didn't end up in my own head too much.

My friends, Ingri and Lena, finally came as well. Ingri is one of my best friends, she came with me to my second Europe gig in 2004, when I had known her for 2 months, now I've known her almost 13 years! Lena is also a really close friend. We have also been to the same Europe gig, even if we didn't meet during. That was on Sweden Rock Festival in 2013. More fans started to pop up, like my good friends Thomas and Atle, and a couple of girls I meet on different gigs here in Norway. Michaela and Stefania finally came, and we exchanged hugs before the countdown began for real.

I know I'm spoiled, but I actually think 8 months is a long time to wait for a Europe gig. The first few months are okay, you are satisfied with the joys of the latest concerts. Then there's an announcement of a gig you're sure you will be attending (For me, a Europe concert in Norway is something I strive hard to make happen). And from that moment the urge gets a little bit stronger each passing week. I have had a bit of a hard winter, and having had something to look forward to has been a light in the darkness. I know the following song lyrics are probably about drugs, but I normally think about Coca Cola when singing along to it. However, it does apply to going to another concert as well:

"Don't you know it runs deep down in my bones
And I want it now, I need it now"
"I gotta get this of my chest how could you say I was obsessed
Cause I can't conceal a love that's real"
"All I need is another heat yeah
One last fix to keep the blues at bay"

 - "Chemical" by Crashdïet, from their album Generation Wild

The rain had stopped completely at the start of the concert, so I took off my poncho and my hoodie, I knew I would warm up soon enough for the t-shirt to suffice for warmth. My 32nd concert, after a 7 months 15 days break, started with "War of Kings". And it immediately came clear that this was not a time for mourning, for letting go. This was pure professionalism from everyone in the band and the crew. Sure, there was a few technical hiccups during the set, but that happens. I was so elated to finally be back in the middle of front row, in front of my favourite band. I have been to a heap of gigs the past half year, but there's nothing that compares to your absolute favourite band being in your vicinity again, playing to a ready crowd. Later that night, TNT would go on stage, and I don't know if that affected Europe in some way in terms of "We're gonna show the crowd that we're the best band even if we don't have the headliner slot", but they really gave it all, and then some. I have never heard Norum as focused as he was this night. His solos, and the solos from the Kee era sounded pitch perfect down to the last note!

The setlist was a good summer festival one, with some of the new songs, and a lot of the old ones. But I still had a blast at this concert! I can't remember enjoying hearing the ballad "Carrie" live this much EVER. It was just done with so much heart from the band. I am pretty sure that this is not the song they enjoy most... but this time it was done with brilliance through every layer of the band.

I was lucky to have Atle behind me, shielding me from what I later found out was an intense crowd, but poor guy, when I jumped up and down and headbanged and fist-pumped... At one point I nearly knocked his cellphone out of his hands! Probably during Cherokee, or Ready or Not... about that last one... when Joey comes out in the middle of the show with his guitar, I am never polite enough to let him introduce the song, I just bawl "Ready or nooooot!" at the top of my lungs. It's kinda embarrasing, really....

Speaking of embarrasing, I have apparently gotten a bit (understatement) spoiled with some recognition from stage... so at one point I was positively waving at Joey like you do when you see someone you know from far away, to show them that you're here! Joey wasn't far away, yet I stood there with windshield-viper arms and just looked at him really intensely. I got so embarrased at myself when he 'rewarded' this behaviour with the flashiest, heartiest, broadest smile while looking at me! Not in a mocking way, but I was still ashamed for having shown my "craving" so much.

From what I could see and hear of the audience (I always wear earplugs to tune out the noise and focus on the music), they responded very well to Europe.
Rocking beside Magnus and Ove was a real treat, both bands LOVED watching these two guys rocking out! It was so clear! One band member would nudge one of the others, then pointing at Ove or Magnus or both.  I love your passion, boys! Must give both Europe and TNT want to come back here again! Look forward to rocking beside you again!

 From the left: Alex, Joachim, me and Atle, Ove, and Magnus. Photo by S.H Photography, local photographer.

I had totally forgotten about the hovering clouds... so when I felt some drips hitting my skin, I just thought "argh, damn beers!". Then it turned out the wet drops came from the sky. But it was just an occasional drop, no need to put the poncho back on :)

The concert lasted around 80 minutes, so we got a full show, with the band shining all the way through! The Superstitious solo was just PERFECT.

When the show ended and the guys left the stage, I was so full of energy. Exhausted at the same time, but I still managed to jump and sing and shout all the way through TNT's set as well, even if Atle wasn't there to shield me.I went to see TNT on their "Tell No Tales" anniversary shows in Oslo and Drammen in January. Back then I didn't know that many TNT songs. This time I could sing along to almost every song.




 

Europe gig no.13 - Backflash Flashback - Skien, June 5th 2010

I like to think of myself as slightly autistic. Hopefully, autistic people won't find that offensive. I think we all have autistic traits. My autistic trait is a memory for dates. More or less important dates. Birthdays. Not just my parents' birthdays or my friends'. I think I still remember the birthday of 95% of the kids in my year at primary and secondary school. It was a maximum of 30 pupils, but still. I think I know most of the birthdays of the people in my class at upper secondary school as well.

Where am I going with this? Oh yeah, dates. I remember the date, year and place of at least 27 of the 32 concerts I have been to with Europe. So it's easy for my built-in calendar to sort of notify me on those dates, so I can reminisce by reading old blog posts. Luckily, I have been travelling to Europe gigs for nearly 13 years (case in point; it will be 13 years on the 11th....), and I have written about the majority of them. Sadly, some aren't written down. And so, when I went to my blog today, to look for my entry from Skien in 2010, there was nothing there!

So I just want to share the things I actually remember.

This gig was awesome. Firstly, because I went there with two of my closest friends; Eirik and Merete. They were interested enough to go with me, and I was comfortable enough with our trio that I could be my usual intense die-hard-fan without it getting weird for them. I had had my license since 2004, but after my first experience with driving to and from a Europe gig (the very first, I might add), I didn't trust myself to drive there, although it was only a 40 minutes drive from where Eirik lived, and from where our journey started. So I was relieved when Eirik volunteered to drive us. We came to the centre of Skien at least 3 hours prior to the concert, and on the town square, I found more fans, from Norway, Italy and other countries. We were lucky enough to witness the soundcheck as well! But, alas, during the soundcheck, which I enjoyed very much, I really had to use the restroom! The timing sucked! But when nature calls, you gotta answer, right? So, I ran into the shopping centre right next to the town square, and found the ladies' room..

There are things you can check off your "to do"-list that you never knew was on there, and that day I checked off "listening to 'Last Look at Eden' at a Europe soundcheck while sitting on the toilet". It was loud and clear! On the way out of the mall, I noticed some beautiful Europe posters with 'Last Look at Eden'-motif, and asked someone working there whether I could have one... and he obliged! 
(I had that poster on my wall for 5 consecutive years!)

This was my 5th concert during the Last Look at Eden-tour. The first three had been in 2009, and the fourth in February 2010. I remember saying after the fourth gig: "Now I'm satisfied, I won't rush to go to any more Europe gigs for a while..... unless they come to Norway!" And then they announced this gig, and I just went "Yay-ish". I love Europe, but at the time of the fourth gig, I felt that they did the same old set, without shaking anything up too much. So I was thrilled to have them back on my turf, but I was sceptical to the setlist. I hadn't needed to worry, because now they added new songs! And not only did they add new songs, but during one of Mic's intermission solos, they implemented a piece of the motif from "In the hall of the mountain king!" by Edvard Grieg, the famous Norwegian composer. I almost squealed at that, especially because Skien is the birth city of another famous Norwegian name, namely Henrik Ibsen, the playwright. "In the Hall of the Mountain King" is composed by Grieg to the play "Peer Gynt" by Ibsen, so you, I think, can see my fascination. Add that this had been a sunny day in the beginning of June, the best month to be experiencing Norwegian nature of forests, mountains and fjords, and I was the proudest norwegian you ever did see :)

At this point, my 10th concert in Norway, my 13th concert in total, I had not yet managed to catch a plectrum or a drumstick from the men on stage. And part of a fan's experience is the hope to one day do just that. Today was my day. I have told the story sooo many times, so I don't need to have written about it before to remember it. It was after The Final Song, and I had caught John Levén's eye multiple times during the entire gig, and so, during that song, I had mimicked to him, by rubbing my thumb and index finger together, that I would like his plectrum. To anyone else, of course, that gesture means "I'd like some money, please!". After the song ended, he tossed out a bunch of plectrums all willy-nilly. He looked me in the eye and indicated he would toss me one. He tossed, and I tried to catch it, but it missed. Then, I looked back up, and he mimed that he was proffering his non-excisting cleavage. I was packing a little bit of cleavage that day, and a too revealing top (I threw it in the garbage that same summer), so I pushed my uhm, rack up from underneath and looked at him again. He tried again, like a kid trying to get a ping pong ball in one of the holes at the tivoli to win a plushtoy, but the plectrum landed on the ground between the crowd fence and the stage. However; a guard had witnessed this uhm, exchange, and he picked up the plectrum and gave it to me :-)

My friends hadn't been with me all the way at the front row, they had been watching the concert from a bit further back, so I was giggling when telling them that story when I caught up with them.

So; the soundcheck, a poster, some new songs, an excerpt from "Peer Gynt" and a plectrum; it had left me in a funny state. I hadn't been touching alcohol on this concert either, but I was hugging my friends a bit extra that night. And as I was sitting in the back seat going back, I had to laugh at myself; I was sighing and moaning to myself, without no apparent control! I caught myself sighing - as after having ingested a particularly good meal - and then I stopped. 2 more minutes, and a new sigh or moan came. My friends teased me about that. But I don't think I came down from cloud nine for a week after that gig... and my need to see Europe was rejuvenated! I went to my next gig the following July ;) You can read about that in the blogpost from Karlskoga!

 Above: The picture Joey Tempest took of the crowd and posted on the bands' blog. Below: Me with Eirik, sometime after the support act and  before the main course ;)

 




 

Intermission 2 - Not only can I see you, you can see me too!

It's surreal to have a member of a band you've known and loved since you were 14 - as I was in 1999 - greet you by your name, or have another band member change from English to Swedish when he started talking to you (in an english-speaking country, no less). It totally blows my mind. Every time, I might add, because it's happened to me on numerous occasions. Not often enough that I grow tired of it, though.

Anyway, Europe started their official forum back in 2003 or 2004. It was a sandbox for us fan "kids", but the band themselves had access to it whenever they wanted, so I guess they noticed us frequent players back then. I think that's why Mic remembered my name upon seeing me the third time we met. He then greeted me with "Tone Irén!" I squealed inside 😄

For a brief period, when there was less action on the forum, Europe ran their own page here on Blogspot. On this page they shared clips from the studio where they were recording Last Look at Eden, and they shared some things from their life on the road, I especially remember a clip that Europe had filmed of some guys in a car following their tour bus in Central America. The fans in the car were singing along to "Love is not the enemy - LOVE IS NOT THE ENEMYYYY". The last party they formally screamed, they were so psyched to be filmed, I think. I played it 10 times in a row, it made me laugh so hard!

Anyway, around the time that Europe toured with the album "Last look at Eden", Joey often filmed or photographed himself on the stage with the audience behind him. The audience - of course - went quite wild when this happened. I managed to save a picture from the now dead blog, where Joey has captured the audience in Skien, on June 5th 2010. It was so cool to have Joey take a picture of me (of course I mean us), when I had taken a picture of him so many times!
I'm front row, right next to the girl with the red sweater.

Nowadays the forum is dead and gone, but Europe has an official Facebook page, and they're continually working to keep it fresh. In the beginning of October, the band posted on their Facebook page urging fans to share their pictures with band members or with memorabilia. I emailed a photo of myself an John Norum. Almost every Friday, Europe would post one of the pictures submitted by fans, but mine never came. So I figured they didn't want to use mine. Then came New Year's! On December 30th, I woke up quite late, and had so many notifications from friends that posted the same link, to Europe's newest submission.

I had no idea I would feel so honoured and happy to have my picture with John on Europe's own Facebook page. It made my whole day! After work that day, I drove to a friend who lives 1 hour away. I parked my car, turned the engine off to wait for her, we were meeting at IKEA. While waiting, I decided to make a comment under Europe's post. I had felt quite famous that day, with all my Europe friends 'tagging' me in comments or messaging me. So you can imagine I felt quite "famous". And so I decided to tell people.

As you can see, Europe decided to make my day even brighter, by commenting on my comment.


Now it's been a little over two months. And you know what? I got my second picture posted on their page! In addition to Fan Feature Friday, Europe decided to do 'Tattoo Tuesday' I absolutely love my tattoo, I've had it for 9 years now. I loved the fact that they decided to include it, 'cause then I got to show the world of fans my devotion :) Mine is at the top right.

Am I getting anywhere with this intermission? Yes. It's a hard market for the bands these days. But doing things like this, to really honour the fans; I think that makes all the difference. Europe has a really devoted fan base (I think they've had 3 or 4 'Tattoo Tuesday's' now... that alone is saying something) ''

Europe gig no.30 - November 8th 2016 - Stockholm, Sweden (part 2)

The Final Countdown anniversary show - the actual review pt.2

As the last notes of “War of Kings” faded out, so did the lights, and the stage turned dark. Up on the screens a film began, showing 8 album covers, starting with “War of kings”, then going backwards in time. Each depicted album cover had the year of the release sticking to it; “Start from the dark”, it appeared, had been released in 2005... oooops! It continued counting down through "Prisoners in Paradise" and "Out of this world", all the way down to 1986, and the album “The final countdown”.

Once again the screens were black, before an image appeared of an old (ancient) computer with a thick layer of dust. On the ‘enter’-key it said “The final countdown”. The screen on the computer came to life, showing green programming script on a black background: “Final Countdown - Processing”. The rumble had already began, and soon we could hear - what appeared to be clearer than ever before - the synthesizer intro that had hurled these five young men from the Stockholm suburbs into world fame over night 30 years ago. I don’t know if it was the acoustics of the theatre, or the thrill of the moment, but when the prerecorded intro went into the actual live playing, I could hear no distinction. No offense to the live tracks back in ‘86 and ‘87, but the sound of the keyboard onstage always sounded a bit too distinct from the prerecorded one. Not tonight, though... as I said, it could have been the locale, it could have just been wishful thinking, but to me it was perfection.

One impression from watching a clip of this song on YouTube some weeks later: When the pre-recorded intro ended and the "live" part began, you can see that the lighting on the stage and the puff of smoke is very reminiscent of the music video of the song back in 1986. Even if I didn't discover it until afterwards, I think I will let that fact morph into my own memory of how I perceived it at Cirkus as well. It's brilliant! The attention to detail and clear nod to the past!

Another aspect that fueled my thrill of hearing this song this night was the fact that it was just the beginning, not the end! I have had more than a few times of hearing the intro, then choking up, because it signals the end of another great show. But now it would be followed by 9 more songs! I was still in my home-knitted sweater at this point, but even after all those hours of standing on my feet; the song, the occasion, and the happiness kept me off my feet for the biggest part of the song; jumping up and down whenever Joey urged us to.

At one point Joey stooped down to give out a few handshakes, and my disappointment was great when he took first one hand right next to me, then another one, and then he stood back up. It was like a flashback to my second gig (Rockefeller 2004). But just as he did back then, he came back one more time, to take just one more hand in his, and this happened to be mine. Joey has some really big hands on him, my hand felt so small!

I’ve gotten quite used to being recognized from up on stage over the years. Tonight however, I didn’t feel that happening, not even during the handshake. What I noticed instead was a pack of energy-drugged grown men. I am a saxophonist, and I’ve been performing quite a few times. Initially after playing a concert, if anyone asks me how it went, I can’t answer, because my mind is all fuzzy, due to the extreme concentration it takes to perform something as well as rehearsed. In retrospect, I think this was what I saw in Joey that night. He couldn’t have recognized us in the audience if he had tried; all his focus was on performing the concert as perfectly as he could, all the while being hit with the adrenaline only performing for a sold out theatre packed with dedicated fans can produce. I mean, the band must have been halfway to heaven; they had finished half of their set, getting a massive response, and they still had to hold their focus for several songs to go; a few of which they hadn’t performed live in a very long time!

I was however very happy with my hand-holding-moment. When the song started to draw to a close, I remember thinking “which outro are they gonna use? Are they gonna use the one they did at the beginning of the shows in 1986, or the one they used on the reprise of the song at the end of the song?” It turned out, they used neither. It was a quick fade, before starting up “Rock the night”. Now it was definitely time to loose the woolen sweater!

Disclaimer: This part following now wasn't written until 3 months after the shows. I will try to share my impressions as well as I can remember them.

On "Rock the night", the 80's feeling began in full. No, the band didn't change their clothes or pull on wigs; they played the song like it was just another show. This I would've found a bit disappointing had it not been for the fact that the screen now showed clips from the band and the fans from the 80's. It was like watching those VHS-tapes from Stein-Vidar again, or browsing through old magazines featuring Europe. There were big-haired fans wearing timely clothes and make-up, there were pictures big crowds filling huge arenas all over the world.

I have previously written about how being at the front row at a Europe concert is like being at the disco with your friends, all coming out to dance to the song they like best. Except in a Europe show it's all of the songs. Being surrounded by fans during "Rock the night" at this concert was like chilling with my mate Thomas. He was also in the venue tonight, only a bit further back. But the feeling was there; just chilling (and at the same time rocking, 'cause du'uh, no couch to sit on!), sharing the same interest for the magical era. No matter how you twist and turn it, there's no hiding the fact that absolute most of the fans discovered the band Europe in the 80s. Or, if you like me discovered them later, you discovered the band Europe FROM the 80s. 

So, it felt like geeking at the hairdos, the clothes, the different concerts displayed onscreen (even if it was just stills, I bet some fans could pick out a picture naming the country or the year or the venue). Hope that makes sense... 

When "Carrie" began, the pace of the photos on the screen went down to fit the song. And the pictures now showing was another tribute to the fans. In early October, the band had asked fans on their Facebook page to send in their own photos with Europe, with Europe memorabilia, or from concerts in the past. And now some lucky fans got to see their own faces up on the screens, posing with their collection, or sporting Europe clothes, or meeting the band back in the day. I knew a lot of the faces, and enjoyed the pictures. 

I have perchance mentioned a couple of times that Carrie isn't my favourite song. It is, however, a very unique feeling to stand in a venue like Cirkus and sing your heart out at the chorus on special occasions such as this.

Have I mentioned how great the soundscape was? The collaboration between the venue itself and the excellent sound technician was displayed brilliantly on Carrie, as well as the next song

Which was "Danger on the track"! Now the focus was back on the men on stage and the brilliant lights illuminating them. It could have just been a lucky day regarding my hearing, but on this song I came to truly appreciate the job Mic and Ian do on chorusing! It felt so wonderful to have that extra element, fused together with a very prominent and majestic synthesizer, which in turn did not drown out the insistent, prowling guitar.  I loved all of it!! Especially the keyboards on this song. I have heard the song live at least once before; Europe played "Danger" in Lakselv in 2008. But I have never heard it this ... true to its origin. And it worked!

Next came Ninja, and this song was pure energy. What I have already said about "Danger" can also be said about "Ninja". I loved the cheesy synth-bridge that came right before the guitar solo, and the solo itself was so loyal to its origin.

I always LOVE Cherokee. Regarding authenticity, I wasn't thrilled when they changed the opening of Cherokee (Cherokee old intro vs new ) Least of all because my head couldn't wrap itself around what I had heard. So it left me a bit dazed and confused. But the joy soon took over. Joey vocalizing (as on the recorded version) into the guitar solo which in turn played out perfectly in to the most perfect keyboard solo was ecstacy overload. There's a reason the word musicgasm exists! I forgive you, Europe!

Next came a song that I have a tendency to forget exists. I have heard it live before; I actually heard it on my very first Europe concert (and theirs to, if I ever gave you an opportunity to forget the fact) in 2004. It didn't leave a big impression then. But it certainly did this time. The intro to "Time has come" left me open-mouthed and a bit starry eyed. It certainly didn't hurt that the beautiful lights created a most magical mood. The screens showed images portrayed in the lyrics of the song, and it showed once again that Europe had taken the concert experience to the next level. The magic didn't end until Joey closed with a soulful "Now the time has come.. for me to come back hooome".

True to the order of songs on the album, "Heart of stone" came next, and confirmed once again how many hours of rehearsal the band had put into this show. The chorusing was again pitch perfect, the keys and the strings just went hand in hand like lovers; the bass and the drums was the rhythm of life to us all. I had been looking forward to this particular song since the announcing of the shows back in March, so I can't imagine I stood much still during this song. I had way to much fun! I particularly like the drum "stops" in this song. It's so alive!

Next came a song I knew EVERYONE was very eager to experience. "On the loose" had last been played in 1990. 24 years ago. They really didn't disappoint! It was "taking out your last ounce of energy!"-time. Or, that's what I thought, because I couldn't think of another song from the album. So when "Love Chaser" started, I thought "But... isn't that one on the 'Out of this world' album?" I mixed it up with "More than meets the eye" 😄😅

I think Love Chaser reinstated itself as one of my favourite songs that night. It's a really good song, and it showed a very close-knit quintet back then, who might have grown apart in the early 90s, but are back better than ever in 2016!

And the finale was just as on the "Solna"-gig in 1986, and the "Hammersmith"-gig in 1987... it was the short version of "The song that kicked it all off", from after the guitar solo towards the end, with the time-true outtro.

After the band had left the stage and the lights had been lit again, and we could move more freely around in front of the stage, I approached other fans to let them know what a fantastic time I had had, and to ask them what they had thought. Only trouble was, I couldn't speak. Not for the lack of voice, i think that was very much intact. No, every time I opened my mouth I just laughed. I giggled. I jumped up and down. I hugged people. I fanned the air in front of my face. And I laughed. Thomas later showed me a video clip he filmed some 20 minutes after the show ended, where I had gotten my speech back, and you can hear his voice asking the people around him what they thought, huh? All of War of Kings, and all of The final countdown?", and there's me, looking into the camera, able to say "All of... all of... wooh!" 

Europe gig no.30 - November 8th 2016 - Stockholm, Sweden (Part 1)

The venue “Cirkus på Kungliga Djurgården” is a beautiful theatre that can host a crowd of 1700 people. Europe’s show had been sold out for a month before the concert, so 1700 excited people were gathering excitedly in front of the stage or in the seats in the surrounding gallery. I was one of the 20 or so people that had a number on the back of their hands due to excessive queuing since early that morning, and were walking calmly into the venue to get to the front row. I was joined by my Norwegian friend Atle, who placed himself behind me, and would keep me safe from the potential mosh pit. I was standing Norum-side (that is right side of the stage to those who don’t know Europe very well), almost directly in front of this eminent guitar player. 

Up in the vaulted circular ceiling above, there was a spectacular chandelier (or so it said in the Swedish review I’ve read) used for the production of "Phantom of the Opera" which was also running in this theatre. Not tonight though; tonight was a premiére night for a concert special that had been planned for over a year. 

Back in 1998/1999, as the internet came into people’s everyday lives; through a mix-tape, Europe came into mine. Through signing the guestbook of an online Europe fan page, I got in touch with Stein-Vidar, the webmaster of said fan page. As we were both from Norway - nearly 2000 km from each other, but still - we got talking. Stein, as a devote collector for many years, owned a lot of Europe stuff, like music videos, live shows etc. Lucky as I had been to find this friend, I felt even luckier when he sent me two whole VHS tapes filled with Europe. Then I got to see the band as well as listen to them. There were music videos, the Hammersmith show from ‘87, the Viña del Mar show from 1990 and other treats. And so, through listening to and watching Europe, I became a fan of the 80s. I have now watched the aforementioned recorded Europe concerts countless times, and through the ages, I can say that I have always dreamed of being at one of their concerts from the 80s. So naturally, I was very eager to know how they were gonna take us back to the year it all began... 

The stage wasn’t the biggest one, but it had room for all of our guys; the walls on the back of the stage had two big screens, one on each side. There were no other on-stage decorations; normally Europe has decorations from the album they’re touring for. However; in the upper left and right corners “outside” the stage, there were some theatre decór; a sort of figurehead used on a ship (read; naked woman with curves), and a winged, bare-chested man beside her. It was all very theathrical, and didn’t really give the vibe of a sold-out ice-hockey stadium from 1986. But standing here, knowing that Europe filmed the music video for their “Prisoners in Paradise”-single “I’ll cry for you” on these very premises, certainly gave me a feeling of experiencing some authentic Europe history, both from 1991 and 2016.

After 29 gigs, I have seen some very good support bands, some less worthwhile, and some downright forgettable ones. Warming up for Europe tonight was ‘Tax the heat’. They were really great, and I couldn’t help but dance, smile and shake, but that is all I’m going to say about them, ‘cause Europe deserve some undivided attention for this particular show. 

It was nearly 9:p.m, the stage was set up for our kings, the light went down, and something was happening on the screens: Text announced that this night, Europe would take us back to where it all began, to experience the emotions and the songs. “... But first .... Only for you ... The whole experience of War of Kings”

I remember being shocked. Neither in a positive nor in a negative way, just shocked. Truth be told; it was a bit anticlimactic; the way Europe had done it. By building up expectations and emotions, and *bam*, suddenly slamming this new information in our faces. I could already feel tension within at those two first words “...but first...” I had of course known before the concert that Europe had some surprises for us; they had promised to play some never-played songs from their recent albums ... But it wasn’t albumS. It was one album.... The setlist was already there: First “War of Kings”, THEN the full “Final Countdown”. After the intial shock settled, my mind got to work: “I’m gonna hear ‘Angels with broken hearts’! And... oh... ‘Light it up’....” So, my confusion and, let’s face it, my tiny sense of betrayal, had to make way for the growing sense of excitement and joy! Two whole albums live! Wow! 

And “wow” it was. From the first song, an album track I had really enjoyed from the first time I heard it; “Hole in my pocket” took it away. It became apparent at the very first notes that the screens had not been there for simple announcement; they were now showing a city from a helicopters point of view. The next song was “Second Day”, and the lights on the stage just worked so brilliantly with the images shown up on the screens. I really believe I wasn’t the only one marvelling at how this was an entirely new Europe concert experience. I had maybe half a minute here and there where I forgot to pay attention to the musicians on the stage, because I was following the brilliant screenplay and the fantastic lights. “Praise you” (fantastic imagery on the screens) and “Nothing to ya” (brilliant livesong!) then followed; both of which I have heard live before. 

Then there was a keyboard intermezzo. A nice solo from our man on the keyboard, Mic. It wasn’t long however, before the intro melted into the first never-before-played song “California 405”. It was as good hearing it live as I imagined back in the spring of 2015! The vibe of the song is so chill, it just makes you want to groove.

The band members onstage this night was hard at work, presenting to the audience song they had never before performed live. They spent nearly all their energy and stage presence on playing the songs correctly, following each other through the verses, bridges and choruses. There wasn’t much energy left to simply let go and flirt with the audience. And I simply loved them even more for it. These guys are so serious about their work! Still, even though they spent a lot of energy trying (and overall succeeding) to get it perfect, they managed to look towards the crowd now and then.

When “Angels with broken hearts” came, I stood mesmerized, just enjoying the mellow men onstage performing the song ever so soulfully. I know this song like the back of my own hand, so I noticed some less-than-perfect passages in the beginning, but they all came back to perfection in the next verse, so I was over the moon. Again, the screens were complementing the stage performance very nicely.

What they did during “Days of Rock’n’Roll” was the first of many tributes to their fans. They were performing the song onstage, while the screens showed the music video of that song; filmed in Manchester and Wolverhampton during their "War of Kings" UK-tour in March 2015. I could just imagine the joy of those in tonight’s crowd who had been there on those shows. It was fun seeing them up on the screens, knowing they were somewhere in the front row this night as well! I was also paying close attention while John Norum performed his guitar solo perfectly, in perfect sync with his music video self. Absolutely iron-clad genious! 

I had not thought that this show would give me new favourite songs; certainly not from “War of Kings”! But that’s exactly what happened when Mic introduced the next song. I go to a different, happier place whenever he starts flirting with those oriental scales; the minor fall; the major lift. I almost expected No Stone Unturned. The same materials are used in that song. But no, this was proving to be “Children of the mind”. With fantastic lights as always, this was yet an out-of-this-worldly music experience like “Angels” had been. 

John Norum took very good care of my “happy place”-feeling when he took it all the way down on “Vasastan”. He never ceases to amaze me; the way he can stand in front of a sold-out crowd of 2000 or 5000 people, and caress his strings so tenderly that his notes hits each heartstring soft and contently. My only wish is that he stops using this particular song to beckon the audience for the roaring approval that we so willingly give. 

When the next song came, I was sure it was another song that I had heard them play live many times before. It took me quite a while to realise the reason this song was so familiar to me, is because I had played it so many times at home. So my joy of hearing “Light it up” came a little slower than the other people in the crowd; I was too busy having a really good time. After the first full verse and chorus, I started getting psyched to hear the bridge. It’s the bridge of all bridges; when Mic reigns for a couple of bars with a little input from Norum, before Norum delves into his solo. Those few bars, with Mic on the keys and Ian beating the rhythm; that is a proper build-up to ecstacy! It is as musically sexy as it gets! However; John was a little premature in his solo in Stockholm, and Joey took some of the magic away by choosing that time to announce “Go Johnnie!”. Luckily, I got to experience the show in London as well, a few and here is a little video from that magic happening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mOPV7MkAww

Anyway; back to the Cirkus: They rounded off the “War of Kings” set with the majestic title track; the screens once again showing the accompanying music video. The crowd was happy, the band was happy, and then it was all set for the second act; “The final countdown”.

To be continued in part 2.

Europe gig no.29 - August 20th 2016 - Ålesund, Norway

My story starts Friday 19th August at Oslo Central Station at 09.30. My train leaves in 4 minutes, I’ve just been walking around the station gathering supplies, so now I’m stocked up on coffee, Coca Cola, a bottled smoothie, a really nice club sandwich and some chocolate for my train ride to Åndalsnes, then bus to Ålesund. My Facebook status reads 

"(…) it's Joey's birthday and also the day before my 29th concert. I've already started my trip towards Ålesund. Looks like a clear day so the scenery should be epic.» I’ve got a new book from an author I really like, so the 7.5 hours ride should go pretty smoothly."

 

When leaving Oslo, it’s just the city, and then a few tunnels till you’re at Oslo Airport, and it takes a few hours for the real sights to appear, but I’m keeping myself entertained, with music and my book, and a little bit of social media on my phone. I should probably save the battery more, cause it’s a long trip, and my new phone is a battery eater, but I’m in control.. I can stop whenever I want …. Finally I’m able to put away my phone, the landscape outside the window is now more countryside. The grass and the trees are still summer green, there’s only some occasional auburn seasoning of the treetops here and there to tell you that autumn is waiting. I’m passing rivers and streams which are oh so merry and blue. Occasionally I see a cottage with thick, green grass instead of roof tiles, it’s a fairytale landscape, but nothing compared to what’s coming! I’m finding it hard to keep my face passive, I’m actually sitting there half smilin’ although the concert is not ‘till tomorrow, even though I’ve been up since half past six! 

In some of the rivers there are boulders with moss on top of them. This suddenly reminds me of the love trolls from Frozen. That movie has some clear hints to Scandinavia and our folklore, and the «trolls-turning-to-stone-in-the-sun» is one of them. So now I can’t even look at a rock in a stream without thinking about trolls … I can be such a national-romantic cliché-loving person sometimes. Have I mentioned I love the country I live in? I am truly grateful to Europe for having played at some genuinely remote places in this vast country. 4 hours in, I’m looking at my phone, it has lost half it’s battery power by now, and I remind myself that I shouldn’t use it too much; my student ID is on there, and without it, I cannot hope to get a reduction in the bus ticket fee. As usual my funding isn’t great. 

You know what it’s like with long rides, though… You just wanna check Facebook one more time, you want to take a picture here, and listen to a song, and end up listening to the whole album. The battery is showing it’s critically low, so I make a decision to put it away. The pictures I want to take for this review (which I have already started writing in my head, in english) I’ve already taken! I was in this particular area for 4 days in July with my girlfriend and her family, experiencing the best of Norway’s spectacular scenery, even bathing in the green rivers filled with glacier water! Now the mountains are wilder-looking, one of the bridges we’re passing is … words elude me on this one, see for yourselves:

And now I see the mountains of Åndalsnes. I know I said I had taken lots of pictures in July but I just… can’t … help … it … just … one … more …. «Oh, the view is even better here» *click*. Battery power 2% … I might still yet make it. The last half an hour before the train arrives in Åndalsnes must be THE reason why so many tourists come here every year.  When arriving in Åndalsnes I’m experiencing the same sensation as the first time I came here: dizziness, nausea and butterflies in my stomach. It’s like car sickness mixed with anticipation, but I’m not car sick, I’m just totally overwhelmed and in love with the mountains. They make me feel so small and insignificant. As you might have guessed; when I’m boarding the bus to Ålesund, my battery is all out, and I have no physical student card to show the bus driver, so I have to pay the full adult ticket, costing me 100 NOK more than I planned for. But it was worth it. 

I was never a big fan of Geography when I was in school. Memorizing the names of the deepest oceans, the longest rivers, the widest lakes or the biggest fjords was not in my interest at the time. I grew up near a lake called Holsfjorden, connected to Tyrifjorden, so all my life I thought a fjord was a lake, and that a lake was a fjord. I learned the error of this some time last year, but while on the bus from Åndalsnes I really realize for the first time what makes a fjord so intriguing to people from other countries. I ask the couple in front of me who sound like they’re from abroad if they know the name of the fjord we have been driving next to for nearly an hour now, and they give me a map that tells me it’s Romsdalsfjorden. 

 A new pop culture reference slams into my head; Slartibartfast. He is a character in Douglas Adams’ book series «A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy». Slartibartfast is a «designer of planets. His favourite part of the job is creating coastlines, the most notable of which are the fjords found on the coast of Norway on planet Earth, for which he won an award.» 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slartibartfast 

 I can’t really say what it is about fjords that suddenly is so mesmerizing to me. Maybe this is about size too… The mountains and islands seems to go straight down into the body of water, the bus is driving through tunnels and over bridges, and the water outside of the bus is the same fjord that you have been driving by for almost 2 hours, you expect the next big turn to show you the ocean, but then it’s another mountain in the distance. It’s just epic! My kind host HK meets me at the bus station near Ålesund, and we go out with friends that night, before going back to his house where I get the guest room.

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Through my years travelling in, with and to see Europe, I’ve experienced some fantastic hospitality. This time is no exception. I have acquired a lot of friends and acquiantances through all my years studying, going to concerts and parties. I can’t really say I know exactly where everyone lives. So a month before the gig I made a shout out to my friends and acquaintances of Facebook asking if there was someone who could offer me a sofa for a few nights in or near Ålesund. A relatively new acquaintance, Hans Kato, heeded my call. He even told me he made some really mean breakfasts. 

A couple of days before my departure to Ålesund, he contacted me to ask what I’d like to eat, offering quite a range of choices for breakfast. This was also one of the reasons I was smiling on the journey to Ålesund; I was looking forward to all of it, not just the music!

So, when I get up all rested on Saturday morning I take a shower, and the unmistakable sounds of breakfast-making comes from the kitchen, accompanied by a delicious smell. Hans Kato serves me Morrocan omelet; fried eggs with garlic, chili and ginger, with red onion and sweet cherry tomatoes; it’s the most perfect start to a concert day, all full of proteins and vitamins. The recipe may sound hot, but it is actually very balanced; sweet and seasoned all in one. 

Hans Kato isn’t that into Europe, he isn’t going to the concert, but almost by mistake I discover that we share a common interest for Nightwish, so we spend some hours listening to, goofing over and really appreciate some fine Nightwish-songs while I am going to and from the mirror in the hallway to the sofa in the living room trying to get the make-up just right! I am relaxed, not stressing about going to the venue really early to maybe catch the sound of soundcheck. I still ride on a wave of energy; this time provided by Nightwish music that I haven’t listened to in a while. Safe to say, HK isn’t just an aquaintance anymore, I can honestly say we’ve become friends. 

My newfound friend drives me to Ålesund (it takes a little while by car and a 15 minute ferry ride to get there), and drops me of an hour before the festival opens for the day, I’m gonna catch some Pokemóns while waiting, exploring a new city and just get to walk a bit, in the hot sun. Caught myself a Pikachu and a lot of Magikarps. Yes, I know; I’m 30 years old, and cell phone games aren’t cool when you’re 30. So maybe I should’ve kept it out of the review? Nah, I like it, it’s fun, and you wasn’t expecting to read it. So there :P

I eat a sandwich and a couple of carrots before entering the big Color Line Stadium where Europe is due at 21.20 p.m. My first impression of the stages (there are two) are that they are a bit small, you can’t even tell if the one is bigger than the other, so how do I know where Europe will appear? Oh right, look after clues. Clue number one: I spot an Italian girl sitting on the ground with her back to the fence in front of one of the stages where a band is currently playing. Impersonating Sherlock it wouldn’t take me long to deduce by the fact that she’s sitting there reading a book, that she’s not here for the current band. By the amount of stuff she’s brought, one could deduce that she is experienced at going to festivals and waiting for a long time in order to secure a good spot. Her warm clothes also shows that she’s used to a warmer climate.

I didn’t deduce any of that; I know she’s Italian ‘cause it’s a girl I know; Valerie. I have only ever met Valerie while in Norway. But still, I have met her more than three times. Not for a long time now though! I sit next to her, also ignoring the band on stage, and we catch up a bit. Looking around inside the stadium I see balloons in different colours on the various sides of the stadium. One has «WC» on it, and is hovering in a direct line over the signs to the toilets. Another balloon shows where the exit is. Smart, for when the stadium will be filled with people, already there are people sitting in the seats around the stadium. Having some experience with Europe playing in Norway, I am not really expecting a full stadium, but judging by the flow of people passing when I was eating my lunch, it should fill up quite good. 

Looking around further, there’s also a big banner there advertising Burn, the energy drink. The slogan reads «Light it up». I smile to myself; this is one of the songs on the most current Europe album; War of Kings. I see more people I know, funnily enough they are all from not Norway. Michaela, like Valerie, has travelled from Italy, and Kelly has come from Glasgow. Through them I meet Cindy who is also Italian. 

The only artist I want to mention before Europe hits the stage is Ina Wroldsen, a norwegian singer. Her voice is so clear, and she certainly know how to use it! Her next to last song is Space Oddity by David Bowie. Only its' several keys higher than anyone has ever sung it before, I think. And still she manage to sing beautifully! Check her out sometime, if you get the chance! 

After Ina and her band (a dj, a keyboardplayer, a guitarist and a drummer) leaves the stage, the crowd is thinning again, to check out the band playing on the other stage. I decide to find a toilet, just in case. I ask Kelly and Michaela to save my spot. They pledge to try. When I get back, I find there are quite a crowd in front of the stage, but I still get a spot … right in front of Joey’s white mic stand. And I mean RIGHT in front of it! Suddenly the stage doesn’t seem so small. It’s perfect height, the front row fence is set 5-6 metres away from the stage. Close to the stage, maybe half a metre out, there’s a row of tall amps. Not as tall as the stage, but tall enough. In front of those are another row of amps, half the height of the big ones. Pay attention; This will become important later ... Our band enters the stage, and although small, the stage is not cramped. The band has space to move around. The first three songs is as always all about the press. The photographers are all over the band members. But I feel that at this concert, the press is also very intent on capturing the audience, I even catch some photographers trying to get my crazed (but well groomed for once) face on their cameras. So I might have been a little extra crazy, trying to represent my band as best as I could in terms of devotion. I think I succeeded. 

I told you I didn’t think the stadium would fill up. It does. People everywhere! Of course this cause for a bit of drama, people getting shoved into other people, creating uncertainty in the front rows now and then. But I get to keep my focus on the band. I didn’t tell you, but there are big screens on either side of the stage, so that the people watching from the seats and further back can also see the artists performing. Europe is being filmed from down on the ground in front of the stage and on the actual stage. The overlapping between cameras is smooth, and the camera men manage to not not take the focus off the concert. But poor guys … when Joey jumps down on one of the aforementioned hig amps, further down on the lower amp, and then onto the ground in front of the audience…. He is reaching out to the audience, running from one side to the other, and I can almost feel the confusion and frustration coming from the camera men «Now what do I do??» What becomes more and more apparent while Joey is down right in front of us, however, is the question: «How does he get up again? There’s more than two steps up from the highest amp to the stage, AND there’s a half a metre gap between those two!» It seems to me that Joey is working these same questions, cause he is taking his time down on the ground with us. 

He goes back up on one of the smaller amps, sings a little bit there. Then he goes onto one of the bigger amps, and it takes me a bit longer to realize that the security guys have also been working on the problem. The solution to the confusion is provided by one of the security guys, he lends his shoulder (!) to Joey as the missing step between the tallest amp and the stage. 

Speaking of security guys... For those of you that have attended one or more Europe gigs the past 4 years, you may have noticed parts of the entertainment routine Europe does. One is John Norum stopping to play a phrase, then putting his hand behind is ear and looking encouraging out into the audience, as if to say “so, do you think I’m good? I wanna hear ya!” Joey has a call and response-thing during Rock the night (I’ll come back to that in a second), and he has this thing where he lowers his microphone beside one of the security guys, maybe this time they will actually sing into it? Well, today’s victim is with his back to the stage, looking out into the crowd to make sure things go smoothly. Michaela is trying to mimick to him that he has a microphone beside his head now. He is smiling, and giving her a thumbs up or something. I take part in the mimicking and pointing, so he understands there’s something going on at his side.... The look of this guy when he very visibly jumps with surprise is just hilarious! Thank you Joey, that was priceless!

This is my concert no.29. At one point, no at several points, it takes me back to my 14th concert, at Karlskoga in Sweden. The post reads: “The sound was clear. But let me tell you, this was a bit of hard audience in a way I've never seen before. If the band waited too long between the songs, they would start, almost synchronized, to hum this tune (...)” Back to the present: Hello again, “Seven Nation Army” by “The white stripes”. I had heard it sung several times during the concerts of the previous bands, and in the breaks between. Europe had been spared... until “Rock the night”, that is (and that song came as number 3 in the set, so...) I notice Joey is whispering into John Levéns ear right before John Norum lets go of his guitar. Then Levén proffers four descending notes on the bass. It doesn’t take the crowd half a wink to catch onto it “Oooh oh oh oh oooooo oooo!”. That’s the only thing I’m less happy about during this gig. 

Anyway; like in Karlskoga 6 years ago, the sound is so clear, the lighting is as always perfect! It has just been 7 weeks since I last saw Europe live, so the set list hasn’t changed that much, except they played “Cherokee”! I haven’t heard that song live in 3 years, so when I hear Ian taking it away, I can feel my tonsils vibrating as I yell “Jaaaaaaaa!”. 

Speaking of Norwegian words, Joey has a tendency to pick up the local expressions. Like for instance he’s saying “Tusen takk!” (Norwegian) Instead of “Tack så mycket!” (Swedish). The norwegian word he is testing today is “Stas!”, which can be translated to something like “Grand!”. He is a talented entertainer for sure. 

Europe is offering the perfect ending to a good show when they do “Cherokee”, followed by “Days of rock’n’roll”, and concludes with “The Final Countdown”. Three amazing songs, I think the crowd really has had a good time. 

Epilogue: Hans Kato picked me up in town an hour after the concert had ended, and made me a really late dinner. While he was making food, I decided to go online to see if the local newspaper had written anything about Europe before the concert. The first thing I saw after the page was done loading was a picture of me and Valerie. We were interviewed by a couple of young women at the concert, and I had thought they were junior reporters doing something from the festival or something, but it turned out they were actually from the biggest local newspaper. 

http://www.smp.no/kultur/2016/08/20/Europe-trekker-n%C3%A6r-og-fjern-til-%C3%85lesund-13214795.ece

The next day HK served american pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and blueberry jam, before driving me to the bus stop where the bus was going to take me back to Åndalsnes.