The Rasmus – Zeche, Bochum; December 4th, 2012

The weather was ugly and I could have used a evening’s rest – not exactly ideal conditions for a concert. Still, I went to Bochum and got in line, met nice people to chat with, was given   a light stick bracelet and sign saying “kiitos” to hold up later (things the fans had prepared). When we finally got in it took sometime to get warm, but I got a great spot side stage on some small stairs, almost ideal for taking pictures. I talked to the people around me to pass the time and learned that the gig was sold out. Good for them! 🙂

It was still a bit chilly inside while the club filled up, but that changed as soon as support act The Dirty Youth hit the stage. They sure fired us up. I had much fun watching them, the music was good and their singer Dani got the audience to participate. Soon most people were clapping along. They rocked us for 30 minutes and left us in a good mood, ready for what was about to come. I would not have minded if they’d played a few more songs.

Only half an hour was needed for changing the stage and everything was ready for The Rasmus. The audience was ready too, clapping as soon as the music started and greeting them enthusiastically when they walked out. I hadn’t listened to their music in quite some time so I was surprised when they started with ‘First Day of my Life’ and I could sing along immediately. I have no idea where my brain stored these lyrics, but they came back to me when I heard the music. It happened with a few other songs too, not with the new ones though – I just don’t know that album well enough. Anyway, it was fun and they played a good mixture of old songs and new ones. The only annoying bit was the fact that I could not take any good pictures, because they only used red light, flickering light or no light at all during the first three songs and I wasn’t allowed to take any pics later on. Why bands do this I will never understand.

In the middle of the concert they played an acoustic set. After the first song, ‘It’s your Night’ from the current album. Lauri remarked that there was a birthday girl in the house and asked who she was. She raise her hand and they chatted a little. He then said he was going to play her wish ‘Jailer’ from the album ‘Playboys’, but only the second verse, because he could not remember the first one. They asked fans which other songs they would like to hear and played ‘Every Day’ on call as well. The set ended with ‘Sail away’. It was lovely. 🙂

They went back to rockier songs after this with ‘Living in a World without you’, ‘No Fear’ and ‘F-F-F-Falling’. Everyone sang along again, people waved their arms and some even jumped around. The mood was great everywhere in the room and I surely enjoyed it. The band showed that the three-year break had not hurt them and they were back full of power. After the main part of the concert had ended, the audience yelled for more.

The Rasmus returned to the stage, Lauri grabbed a guitar and Eero asked us to sing ´Silent Night´ with him (in German!). Everyone did so willingly. Many in the audience raised the signs that read ´kiitos´. The band was happy and thanked us as well. Three more songs followed, last but not least the classic ´In the Shadows´ for which Lauri conducted the audience, then it was over. All in all a wonderful concert I was happy to have seen. 🙂

Setlist

First Day of my Life
I´m a Mess
Still Standing
Time to Burn
Ghost of Love
Immortal
Funeral Song

Acoustic set:
It´s your Night
Jailer
Every Day
Sail away

Stranger
Livin in a World without you
No Fear
F-F-F-Falling

Encore:
Stille Nacht
Save me once again
Mysteria
In the Shadows