Árstíðir – Objekt 5, Halle (Saale); September 19th, 2013

When I was planning this tour I ruled out Halle almost immediately – it is just too far from my home to go there and be back in time for work the next morning. After Esslingen, however, I realized that I did not have to be back at work the following day, because I was going to Dresden anyway. Quickly I rebooked and after work I was on my way, ready to surprise the guys.

I arrived about two hours before the concert and got lost on the way to my hotel, because I got out at the wrong station. Luckily a kind stranger took pity on me and drove me to the hotel. Got ready and left, needing much longer to walk to the venue than I had anticipated since Google maps tried to send me through the zoo. Upon arrival there was confusion as to which door to enter and I was in the bar/restaurant first. Finally though, I found it and called Linda who picked me up.

Briefly said hello backstage, but they did not have much room and the mood was subdued somehow, so I got out of their hair and hung out at the merch table for a while. The venue had a great stage with theater curtains. It looked amazing. Also there were stairs to seats outside on the terrace. These stairs proved to be he perfect place to stand. Not too far from stage and a perfect spot to see the audience reactions as well as the band’s. Made me quite happy.

The place had been nearly empty when I arrived, but by the time Myrra walked on stage it was packed. People were sitting on the edge of the stage as well as the stairs and the entire room in front of the bar was filled with people standing up. 🙂 She played her set alone this time around, considered playing a cover song instead of ‘Sail on’, but decided against that. Good choice. Somehow I was a bit distracted during her set, still wondering if I should try standing behind the mixing desk instead. I finally checked it out and found the place on the stairs much better. The mixing desk was a bit higher up, but a disco ball was blocking part of the view from there. Enjoyed her music as always and was happy to see the crowd liking it too.

I stayed right were I was during the break, fearing I’d lose my perfect spot if I didn’t. Soon it was time for the guys to start. They were greeted with many cheers and looked right at home on the stage. From the first note on, the concert was very emotional for me. I am not sure what was in the air that night or if it was just the past weeks suddenly catching up to me, but I spend a lot of time crying. They were happy tears though, because I was completely overwhelmed with everything. It was a good thing to be standing in the back, so the guys could not see me cry.

At one point somewhere in the beginning, Ragnar looked my way and I could tell he was trying to figure out if it was me standing there. He was the only one who had not been backstage when I said hello and thus did not know. I smiled briefly, but gave no other sign of recognition so I wasn’t sure if he realized it was me. After all, I had made quite a show of telling the guys I’d miss this one.

Watching from the stairs gave some interesting perspective. I can rarely see all of the guys at the same time and what their interactions with the audience – that’s just difficult when you are right in the middle of it. This time I was outside, looking in, but didn’t feel detached at all, quite the contrary. Details became a blur from my point of view, but finally the full picture as visible and it was beautiful. <3

The music touched my heart and soul, delicate sounds waving their way towards me, embracing me, making me feel safe within. I allowed myself to flow with the music, go wherever it too me, content to be part of it. Linda came by and hugged me. She was really emotional as well – it was one of those nights. Every song felt perfect to me. The highlight was Gunnar’s new song back on the setlist. It still does not have a title, but it sure is one of my favorites.

The audience was amazing too, even though some people in the back were not that attentive. Overall they listened and they loved. I saw many shiny eyes and smiling faces. Once again there were quite a few people who had never seen Árstíðir before and instantly loved it.

Lots of cheers and clapping called the guys back for encores and of course they went into the audience again for the last one. Looking down on them I filmed the whole thing. People were quite surprised when they suddenly stepped off the stage, but immediately embraced the idea. It works every time. 🙂 Too soon it was over, I dried my tears and felt happiness surge through me. This was one concert I surely should not have missed.

Setlist (out of order):

Sunday Morning
Heiðin
Á meðan jörðin sefur
Ages
Orð að eigin vali
Brestir
þér ég unni
Day and Nights
Við dagsins hnig
Ljoð í Sand
You just have to know of me
Land mins föður
Júli lag (formerly Gunnar’s untitled song)
Heyr himna smiður
Nú gleymist ég
Shades/Tárin

Encore:
And so it goes
Góða veislu gjöra skal

Hung out with the guys after for a drink, listening to them talk about where they screwed up (they did?) and talked about work and studying with Karl. Ragnar told me he had been thinking I should be there and was happy when he discovered I was. The night ended with long hugs and the general feeling that it had been a weird day but ended well. Soon we would meet again.

Árstíðir  Germany tour fall 2013 – 6 concert down, 5 to go. Next stop: Dresden