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«A ROCK AND A HARD
PLACE….» |
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The 69 Eyes, Within Temptation, Gasometer, Vienna, 03.10.2007
Some
of you will recognize this headline as The Sister Of Mercy song, others
will find some deeper meaning. But in any case,
my intention
isn't to force you to find some deeper meaning or to fascinate someone with how
good I know the discography of one of the best British bands ever, but to
approach the atmosphere that ticked my visit to Vienna for one simple reason: The
69 Eyes on tour together with Within Temptation, and their concert on 3rd
October in Vienna's Gasometer. A
bit more than 2 months after their first show in Croatia, The 69 Eyes were close
again and the planning of two days long stay in the beautiful Austrian
metropolis could start. Partly because of the date (the concert was on Wednesday so it
was necessary to use some skills to “escape” the business and other
obligations at home), partly because of some events after the arrival in Vienna
turned one of the most beautiful cities in Europe to a city of perfect
nightmare. Although after the arrival in the city it seemed everything will go according
to the plan, because walking through the city’s heart on the way to the hotel,
window-shopping and everything inside of them gave hope in every sense, the
fortune soon changed the cards. After our arrival to the hotel, three hours
passed until we finally managed to get a room, meanwhile the interview was
also canceled because the band had some trouble on the road, and when I finally
entered my room, instead of a short sleep that was “eaten” by waiting in the
lobby, now showering was “eaten” by cold water… if something can piss me
off – the fact there isn’t hot water in the hotel room can!
After all this what followed was 20 minutes long waiting in line when
I tried to buy a ticket for the U-bahn because, of course, the machines take coins
or paper money in value of 5 or 10 Euros and I, of course, had only 20
Euros note and not enough coins to buy a ticket. The result of this was that I was
almost late to pick up my press accreditation and photo pass and to get the
directions called “the rules of taking photos”. Well OK, after all this
the concert could start!
Although Gasometer wasn't overloaded with fans, probably because an even for
Austrian standard too costly ticket price, 30 minutes before The 69 Eyes came to the
stage fans were impatiently waiting in the first rows. This time I missed this
lovely part of being on the concert, because the rules in Gasometer are
something I’ve never seen before in my, now I can say, pretty long practice,
and no matter how much it seems charming in the beginning that with a photo pass
you also get your personal guard, I had to admit after a while I didn’t feel
actually comfortable with connotation “photographer = criminal” that just
appear in your mind when you stand in the photo pit surrounded with not so friendly security gazes.
And then finally – “Cry Little Sister”… My heart jumped at the first note,
on the second one The 69 Eyes were on the stage! Everything what was happening
only an hour-two earlier now belonged to some other world! Because they are the
support band on this tour, The 69 Eyes played a shorter set, but it was enough
for the audience to be taken by the atmosphere and the feeling that can be
brought only by The 69 Eyes! After the songs “Framed In Blood”, “Never Say Die”
and “Dance d’Amour” the band played, for the first time live in Vienna, just
released single “Ghost”. Do I need to mention that one of the
security guys (after he gave me that hard look that, if it weren’t for the
“Ghost”, the blood in my veins would freeze) almost didn't let me go back in the
audience by “shortcut” instead of get in/out of the hall system? But when
Jyrki started to sing: “I’ve been around in the runaway places / I’ve seen
them all where the angels bleed…” everything else was unimportant. Except the
feeling that was taking my body and that was more than great because
“Ghost”, even without Apocalyptica on the stage, sounds almost unreal and
powerful! The 69 Eyes closed their flawless set with “Brandon Lee” and
“Lost Boys” and left the audience ready for Within Temptation.
And then in a break when the stage was being prepared for the Dutch,
more surprises. First I was asked to delete all photos that I took from the
audience, now I have to emphasize this – as The 69 Eyes
fan, not journalist with a photo pass, because it wasn’t allowed, despite the
fact that before the concert we were told it’s not allowed to take photos of
Within Temptation after they are done with their third song…. Yes exactly,
that is Within Temptation and here it was about The 69 Eyes!!!! Epilogue: few
photos were deleted (of course, not all!!!!) and we were ready for the Within
Temptation adventure.
Because
of
the fact I had the chance to see this band alive before and I wasn't impressed
by their show, I entered the hall with not that much enthusiasm. But Within
Temptation is a band with energy and a concrete message that is followed by the
audience and that's why they deserve to enjoy the status of a known and
appreciated band. Their music is good, the show is maybe impressive to those who
really like the band, but in spite of all this, the concert after a while bucks
under a burden of monotony, because the band simply doesn’t animate the audience
for an adequate reaction. Very strict rules in Gasometer may have helped this
last, inadequate audience reaction, which forbade fans for example
standing aside instead in the crowd or peacefully watching the concert from the
stairs behind the last row. And no matter how the bands on stage gave their
best and showed the respect to their fans, the organizer should keep on their
minds that fans (some of them travelling for hours to be on the show) came
to enjoy the music and have fun and not to think where they can or can't stand
or put their empty glasses. However,
The 69 Eyes is the band that for a good reason takes the title of the best
Finnish live band, Within Temptation also for a good reason enjoy their cult
status and despite the fact Sharon’s impressive vocals after a while
become boring, her presence on the stage with impressive set and songs like
«The Silent Force», «Mother Earth» or mega-hit «Ice Queen» is something
worth to be experienced. The
morning after impressions were a bit brighter and when our Angels Rising
team met, this time with a bit reduced number of people, in the city center
where everything started at the end of March, we looked at each other and
understood without a single word – this feeling lives!!! “Eclipse
shines above Biggest
thanks to: Jyrki, Bazie, Timo, Archzie & Jussi!!! *love* Special
thanks to: Isabel & Halbe Miete Management &
Matzi Lahni for understanding!
Report
& photo: Ivy |
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