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Alrighty, since my last review was about my birthday
party, here we go with another birthday report:
This time it's Ian's. We're talking Ian Gillan's birthday party, the
gig in Bonn. And what a party that was !!
The venue was *way* too small, therefore sold out in no time. Still,
hundreds of fans showed up, trying to get tickets, but failed. So they decided
to stay outside and party there. Lots of people brought chairs and blankets
and picnic baskets and sat outside the venue listening and enjoying the concert
in the only way they could. Good for them!
The place was a bad pick for a Rock concert of a band as big as Deep
Purple. It was the space between two museums, trees all over the place, even
in the middle where the audience stood were some walls. |
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| The little space they had was, in addition, also used
for the stands. So, about 50 percent of the audience there couldn't even
see the stage, nevermind the guys up there because of stands and trees in
their view. The nice (but partial) roof construction couldn't make up for
that, we didn't need it because *surprise, surprise* it did NOT rain....
But all that did not prevent us from partying!!! It was a great crowd,
one of the best I've ever been in. The serious fans, of course, knew it was
Ian's birthday and they had posters prepared to hold up. The audience was
wild from the very first second on when they hit the stage. BTW: AprilDAZE
was warming up again, but, although the rumor mill had it that he'd be there
again, Chapman was not on the bill.
Well, we were trying hard to sing "happy birthday" to Ian, but he barely
gave us a chance 'cause he rushed from song to song, with no breaks in between.
At one point we started it anyway, but I doubt he heard it. But the crowd
really celebrated his day, mega-applause after each song, and I had the
impression the guys had a blast of a good time up there as well. They could
barely stop themselves from smiling all the time. And that despite the trouble
they'd been through before the gig. On the way to Bonn there was a fatal
accident on the Autobahn. Everybody was stuck in the jam for four entire
hours, nothing moved, including some band members. I heard that some fans
in the mess recognized them and went over to their cars for autographs.....
Well, they just made it on time for the gig, I'm not sure about the others,
but I know for definite that at least Paicey was there at the *last* minute,
out of the car, on stage and played. Wow !!
The performance was perfect, and I think I'm right with my impression
and can say that the fire from the audience really jumped over to the band
and the other way round. This show had an immense fun-factor on each
side.
I can't offer too many pics from that gig, my position wasn't that great
and there was always some head or hand in front of my lens. Anway, here are
some decent ones: |
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My bottom line about this gig:
It was one big party, the audience was celebrating the b-day, although
half of them couldn't see squat. I hope Ian enjoyed it as well. Jon was
officially announced back for this gig, but even the fact that he was *not*
there wasn't responded to in any awful way by the crowd. Very nice of
them.
Whoever picked that venue didn't know what he was doing there! They
could have easily sold 2000 more tickets if they'd had some decent space.
For the "overpacked factor", of course the logistics didn't work out either.
And it was a hassle to move around in this crowd. Bad pick, but everybody
was making the best of it. Even the fans who couldn't get in stayed there
and partied outside. As a matter of fact, they were the lucky ones; sure,
they could only hear the show, but at least the didn't have to pay for not
seeing, unlike others.... |
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| After all, a wonderful day, with a great show, lots of
fun and one of the best audiences, IMHO.
After the show the guys proved one more time what *great* guys they
are and what their fans mean to them. Although they were in a big rush (there
was a boat waiting for Ian's b-day party. A fan who is a "bit" wealthier
than most of us, rented it and they were cruising on the river Rhein and
celebrating) they nevertheless came out and talked to the fans. And there
was a whole bunch outside on the street behind a bush border as well, not
just the backstage party. Anyway, Rog, Steve and even the man of the day
made time to satisfy even the last autograph-/ photo wish of the fans
outside (you should have seen the security sweating out blood and tears about
that :-)) although poor Willie had to rush them big time. What great people
they are! Lots of those upcoming wannabes with their little attitudes can
learn from them what it is that makes a real star.... |
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