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04/04/04 - HALLENSTADION, ZURICH Review
by Steven Stanley: The morning of Saturday the 3rd dawned...we didn't set our alarms for early doors because we made a consious decision the night before not to do Grindelwald...if we had have got up early we would have got tempted and gone! Instead we had a nice day in Zurich and went shopping etc and ate at a nice restaurant....I believe we may have also had a few beers like the night before! Claire phoned me up from the gig up the mountain and we heard we few songs midday which we were a bit gutted about but we couldn't wait for the Zurich show! During the day Adrian bought some girls shoes which he wore for the rest of the tour and also saw a nun in the train station walking briskly with a fag in one hand and bottle of whiskey in the other...when he ran like lightening after her for a picture she hid the whiskey and the fag lol! (See below!)
We later heard that Bryan had met some of the clan up the mountain too which was cool. Later on that night the trucks started rolling into the Hallenstadion...the BA show was now only hours away. We went to bed at 2am ready for queing EARLY the next day...... Sunday the 4th.....gig day. By 7am I believe myself and Adrian were already at the gates sat down queing. Soon enough our mate Claire was there also. Adrian decided to go and get Joanne from the hotel and then all the rest of our British compatriots followed from up the mountain! Tiz the German girl also queued with us. The hours passed by and we amused ourselves by walking around the venue a few times just for fun and writing on our HUGE English flag Adrian nicked from the Ark Royal! It had slogans including 'TINA wants a POKE in STOKE! Extra security???' among other things!......
It must be noted also that Mave and Tina ate the majority of Adrian's 'Red Bull Vodka Truffles' lmao. Myself and Adrian went around the back when we knew the band would arrive and saw Mickey. At the same time we met Keith and I got a photo with him. Later on during the day I was physically throwing up round the back and wasn't feeling very well at all. I felt that bad I was considering going back to the hotel and skipping the gig...I grinned and beared it though and felt better once I got inside. The doors opened on time (after we had BA soundchecking 'Let's Make A Night To Remember'!) but our gate wasn't opened when all the others were....because they had heard our English accents and gave Germans priority. An experience many an English fan has had in Europe...disgraceful. My door was locked when I tried it but luckily Adrian's wasnt and those who could (including myself) didn't wait to be invited in and just stormed the security. I ran past them all and got first row without even having my ticket stub ripped off...if they want to play games, play it your way ;) Inside the venue we were left sat down for ages until the support act...during this time I was having a good laugh with Stephen (Andrea's brother) reading the 'turd twister' instruction book Tina (who else!!!) had brought with her! Support band 'The Dadas' were a Swiss/German band, they were ok I guess.
BA came onstage at 9pm and kicked off with what we all hoped he would....'There Will Never Be Another Tonight', Adrian was exstatic as he hadn't heard the song since '97. Not only did BA play it, he played it well...very well :) 18, Let's Make A Night To Remember and Can't Stop followed and then came 'Back To You'....always a crowd pleaser! Of course we got the bounce going on this little number! BA saw the massive flag we had draped over the barrier and ran off when he saw the slogan about Tina...Keith also laughed at it! The flag also mentioned that Keith owed Adrian a guitar...so Keith pretended to give Ade his guitar then pulled it back at the last minute....like ripping his heart out bless him lol. The WYG girl was from Bern which got a few boo's from the Zurich crowd! Main surprise in the setlist was 'Heat Of The Night' which I was lucky enough to also hear on my last show in the states a few months ago over New Years. An excellent version of 'Depend On Me' ended the gig. By the end of the show I was really dehydrated and ended up going outside to spend 20 zillion swiss francs on liquids....they had no booze left though....Mave and Tina were gutted lol! We headed straight round the back anyway where I had met Keith earlier and soon enough BA came out and he stopped in his silver merc for autographs and photos. He was also interested in Andrea's 'Bristols' but thats another story lmao! I got a ticket signed for my friend Claire and just said a quick hello. Before we knew it he was gone...Zurich was a damn good day. Setlist: For many of the UK baddies the gigs were over and done. For us though the tour had only just begun. We went back to 'The Sternen Hotel' for a bit where they were all staying to say goodbye and talk about the gig....while having a bit of Southern Comfort lol. Below in the picture are: Adrian (front) then from left to right...me, Jess, Chris, Joanne, Andrea, Stephen and Helen. Tina and Mave were in bed!
Below: Adrian and I read the troubleshooting section in the 'turd twister' manual! (picture by Chris Goulding...ta Chris!)
Review
by Chris Goulding: You would
have thought that with no sleep for several days I would have slept like a log
but it wasn’t to be. I suppose my head was all of a spin of what had happened
the previous day and the worry of the day to come. So I was awake before my 5am
alarm call and rolled out of bed (well I couldn’t actually roll as I was
several feet up a very tall bunk bed but you know what I mean I’m sure).
Hubby and I quietly dressed as the others –Teen, Mave and the other Chris,
were catching a later train. We crept around like mice trying not to wake the
sleepers. It was still dark as he headed off out of the mountains so we missed the impressive views. But a little later we all saw a sight that I’m sure will stay with us all for ever. Part of the journey takes you round a huge lake and the sun was just rising over the mountains and the colours were absolutely breath taking especially when reflected in the water. Cameras clicked away as it was a sight that just had to be captured. We changed trains and said our goodbyes to Bob and boarded the double decked train to take us to Zurich. God they sure like checking your ticket on Swiss trains! Mine looked like a moth had eaten it with the amount of times it was clipped. We eventually arrived at about 9am and staggered (I’m sure my bag was putting on the weight I was loosing!) to the next station that was nearest to the stadium. Ad and Steve had already phoned to say that they were standing outside the venue and that no one was yet queuing with them so we knew we didn’t need to rush. We couldn’t check into our hotel to relieve ourselves of our gear so we sought out the tram as there was no way we could watch poor Jess stagger with her bag anymore. As we waited for its arrival Tiz come along. She had recognised the English accents so she said (I recon she smelt of the Malteezers I had in my bag for her but she won’t admit it) – Heck! was we making that much racket! We got on the tram and realised that we should have got a ticket from the machine by the stop WHOOPS! So like very honest citizens we jumped off the next stop and walked the rest of the way. Ad, Joey & Steve were happily queuing when we eventually arrived. The place began to look like an airport terminal with all our bags everywhere. I went for a tour of all the possible Bryan escape routes with Ad and realised that there was several. The tour bus from the snow gig was parked up in the compound with its usual satellite TV dish connected up. I’m sure that’s all they do all day – watch the telly. A couple of hours later –
don’t know how long really as time was a blur by then – several went
the half mile to the hotel to see if they could dump off some bags and at least
try and wash and look human for the gig to follow. The queue started to get a
bit larger by this stage as more hardened fans arrived. I think they were a bit
bemused by all these Brits sprawled out everywhere all in different states of
decay!. We found the local Pizza place and all sat scoffing away. The boxes then
came in very handy to sit on as that concrete was dam cold! Tiz was well into
her Malteezers by this point – I think she regretted it later as 15 bags
is enough for the most hardened chocolate eater! Topic of discussion was mainly
where to hide our cameras as the signs told us they weren’t allowed. Down
the back of jeans was the favoured place but I decided that I’d try and stow
mine as a 3rd boob. We knew that they were possibly going to check pockets and
bags so it was best not to go in bulging like the Michelin man either! RIGHT THIS IS THE MOANING BIT SO FORGIVE MY RANTING FOR A WHILE – I’ll tell you when I’m finished. Eventually
it was time to stand more closely to the gates. Why the heck peeps on the continent
don’t form an orderly queue like us brits is beyond me as it surely must
be easier to not only check tickets etc but to prevent the dangerous surge that
then ensued. The security head came along and unlocked all of the gates but didn’t open them. He then went to a central control panel and opened up all the gates apart from the 2 us Brits were standing at. People flooded into the building from all sides (including ones that had only arrived a few moments ago) whilst we stood there like lemons unable to do a dam thing. Ad managed to open the gate and a few of us got in. Once they noticed this the security slammed the gate shut with poor Teens foot under it. He pushed her back by her face – a nice welcome to Hallenstadium don’t you think?? Meanwhile I was running like the clappers with Steve pulling me along with him shouting encouragement. We ignored a security guy trying to stop us running down the ramp into the arena and we pelted for the barrier. It was a very wide stage and I got the very far corner right under the mic that BA uses. Security then told me to sit. SIT ??? What on earth for?? We had to sit with our backs to the stage well away from the barrier for some weird reason. We weren’t allowed to save a place so I spread my arse as much as possible as I knew that not all of us brits had got into the arena yet. Chris came running in and I beckoned to him to come squeeze in. Sitting there was reminiscent of school days as you weren’t allowed to stand. Surprised we didn’t have to put our hands on our head too or to chant the 5 times table – it was just plain stupid. One time when I stood security told me to sit down – I think he understood that I had a numb arse by my gesticulations even if he didn’t speak English. Then all of a sudden there was this loud noise as everyone rose to their feet and dashed for the front. Peeps were all over each other like one big rugby scrum. I’ve never seen anything so stupid in my life. Why the heck we couldn’t have remained standing at the barrier as we arrived is beyond me. This was so dangerous and now we were all squashed and had difficulty even breathing. Poor Teen was left on the floor and relegated from row 2 to row 4 as she couldn’t get up quick enough. Chris and I managed to get her in the front with us as there was no way Spanky was gonna miss out on his front spot! As we stood waiting for the support to come on I began to feel really thirsty. I don’t just mean thirsty I mean THIRSTY!!!! I sort when you HAVE to have a drink. I beaconed to security and asked (no I pleaded) with him for water. He went off to the side and came back saying no. He said that I had to get some from outside. I wanted to tell him I wasn’t bloody Houdini as it was impossible to get out of where I was but I thought he may chuck me out for rudeness. So I tried not to think about my thirst as I knew it would go as soon as BA came on. The support act (The Da Da’s !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) were cr*p. But again the local lot seemed to like them. Off they went and back came my thirst. I saw someone down the end be given a drink so I asked a different security bloke but got the same answer. I then went for what I thought was a sure winner – the first aid bloke. But yet again I was refused. Did I feel faint he asked. Nope was my reply as I didn’t want to get carried away on a stretcher. I said that I had been queuing for hours and obviously my fluid intake had been inadequate and I was dam thirsty. He shook his head and so did I in disbelief that a simple thing as a cup of water was denied. That just about topped it all. RIGHT IM NOT MOANING NOW- HERE COMES THE BIT YOU LOT HAVE BEEN AWAITING FOR. Crew came and set up Bryan’s mic right above me so I knew I was in for a good time. Told myself that I wasn’t going to spend all the show with my eye up to a camera but you know how it is!! Before you know it you are clicking away and the show is over and you have got dozen of blurred shots to prove you went!! Anyway, on came the dudes in their usual clobber – black t-shirts and blue jeans – and straight into the first number. It was a really good gig – loads of interaction between Keith and BA. I was too far off to the right to see much but it made up for it when first Keith and then BA came to our corner. I was torn between gawping at them or taking shots. I did the latter and drooled at them through my lens instead! In fact Bryan came over quite a lot and it was nice to see the twinkle in his eye. The WYG girl was …………. Well words can’t describe. She was picked by Keith and Bryan and what a good choice if you want someone who ain’t got a clue ‘what to do’ (hey do you like the pun there!!) She got up there and firstly didn’t know she had to sing and then thought she was going to do - we’re gonna win’. I don’t mean to be disrespectful here but for hell sake when is he going to drop this part of the show. I find it excruciating. Keith was in really good form and he noticed Spanky I was holding. I think he wondered where his owner Caz was but he gave me a nice smile in recognition anyway. He saw me trying to take a shot of him later on and so gawped right into my lens – got you Keith!! I also saw him point his guitar near to Ad. He’d done the same tease to my daughter and I at Antwerp the year before so I knew what Ad was going through when he places it just out of reach of your touch. So near but yet so far Ad!! Well before we knew it the familiar songs that end the show started to be played and the dudes were soon off. The crowd had a weird way of asking for more. In GB we just shout out MORE MORE and stamp our feet, what they do in Switzerland is real weird. They outstretch their arms and wiggle there finger and go WOWOOOWOOOOO and then they all together shout out WOOOOOHEY and raise their arms in the air. WEIRD!! Well whatever, it bought them back onto the stage for the encore tunes. I didn’t know whether BA had dropped his walkabout during Best of ME that he began doing last year so I was real happy when he took off his guitar and stepped off the stage. I had my camera at the ready but alas he went right and not left!!! The tune was rapidly running out as it was a very wide stage. At last he started to head our way. We all had our arms outstretched if only to get one little touch. I might add at this point that I’m not a ‘feely /touchy’ person. I’m not one to greet people with a huge hug, if you know what I mean. Last year when BA stood at the barrier right in front of me I pondered quite a while on whether to touch him or not as it’s sort of ‘not on’ to violate his space. [I digress!!!!! – get on with it girl I hear you say!!] Anyway he comes running our way and Teen and I grab his arm. He pulled and we pulled then he pulled some more and we yanked!! In the end laughing he gave in and climbed onto the barrier steps RIGHT in front of me – his stomach right in my face! Well, this time there was no pondering – blow my morals – I went for it!! I buried my head in his stomach, placed my arms right round his waist and …………………… squeeeeeeeeezed both buttocks. Meanwhile Teen had his nether regions right in her face and she was hanging onto his by his jean belt hooks for dear life to make sure he stayed there!!! Sorry Bryan but I hadn’t come all that way and climbed every dam mountain to let this opportunity slip !! He eventually struggled free and went off to complete his run and then clambered back on stage. I can just about remember him playing the rest of his set as you can imagine I was in a bit of a whirl. He came to each corner of the stage and took a bow. I had bought my Gimme a Grin banner with me from the day before and I got it out for Teen and I to hold up just as he bowed. He saw it and gave one heck of a cheeky/sarcastic grin!! So there it was – all over. Hubby came to find me as he’d been sitting somewhere in the arena. I was near to collapse as I badly needed a drink and I was so overwhelmed by events. I blurted out to him that I’d groped Bryan’s bum and he said he knew as the whole episode have been on the big screens!! Oh heck!! Good job I’d put that clause in him coming to the gigs then – so no divorce pending you will be pleased to hear!! We all made our way out and tried to find somewhere to buy a drink. Good old Steve did the buying as I really was totally near to passing out by this time. We then made our way round to one of the car exits and joined a small group that were patiently waiting there. Keith & Co waved as they drove out and we still didn’t know whether BA had gone or not. We were all shattered but still on a high so we decided to hang around until dawn if need be. Every sign of movement in the far distance where cars were parked renewed our interest until out of the darkness came a car that was definitely Bryans. We all clambered towards it so the driver had no option but to stop. He wound down the window and the girl in front of me got his signature. He then turned to speak to someone on the drivers’ side and I took the opportunity to get my photo ready for signing ( I shoved it under his nose in other words!). He took it from me and I said thanks. He said thanks for what and I nearly curled up on the spot. The brits around me all went ahhhhhh as they knew I was dying of embarrassment. I said for signing my pic so he asked who it was for and signed away! I managed to grab my camera from hubby who was snapping away on the other side of the car and I took some shots before moving to one side to let other have their turn. Before I went I thanked him for the show the day before but he replied that tonight was the night as if he didn’t think much of it. For all the Baddies that are in chat I said thanks to him for coming into chat and that it means a lot to us. I can’t recall exactly his reply but it was something along the lines that chat was cool and he enjoyed it. So happy as larry we all trudged back to the hotel. Most of us had a final get-to –together in someone bedroom –can’t recall who’s – then it was time for bed. The flight home was OK and it was good to be back in the UK. As per usual the trains were filthy and late – good old GB, can’t let you down on that score!! It had been a great trip and I thank everyone I went with or met for being such great people. I just hope that one day Bryan could join us outside one of his gigs to see what a devoted and crazy lot of peeps he has following him. | |||
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© 2004 18 Til I Die.co.uk.
All rights reserved.
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All photos by Steven Stanley
BA rocks the Hallenstadion
Andrea with Spanky The Monkey!
Zurich Hallenstadion at 2am!
I meet Keith before the show
'You can live without the aggravation...ya gotta wanna win, ya gotta wanna win....!'
BA on his guild guitar
Keith on the Spanish guitar
Bryan slams out 'Run To You'
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