Poets of the Fall – Glav Club, Moscow; March 26th 2010

Our night train from St. Petersburg arrived in Moscow at 9:30 a.m.. At the platform we were greeted by around 30 Russian fans who were all waiting for the Poets, so we joined them. Two trains and less than 40 minutes later the Poets arrived. They were obviously tired and totally overwhelmed when facing the welcome committee. Most fans were moving towards Marko while Ollie just got out of the way and watched from the sidelines. Thus I went over and talked with him for a bit.
It was funny to watch the guys, especially because Einari (roadie, tourguide, general help and everything) had to call them about 5 times before they finally got away and on to the waiting bus. I had the chance for a short chat with Jaska but he was rather quiet and not really awake yet.

I was happy when I finally got to my hotel, could get out of my travel clothes, shower and rest for a bit. After having some food I met the others again in the afternoon and we went to the club. We were the first people there.

They had nice tour posters there, but I didn’t dare taking one and after the show they were all gone. The club was not as well organized as the one in St. Petersburg the previous day. It was all screwed up when they let us in and despite being so early I ended up seven rows back, packed as close as can be, because there were so many people and so little space. I didn’t have a choice of where to move, I was just pushed there.

When the show started around 8:30 p.m. it was unimaginably loud. Wow! I became part of this living, breathing mass moving all over the place, going with the flow, vibrating with the music. It was awesome, but exhausting and I was too far away to make eye contact with the people on stage. Once my hands were in the air they had to stay up and it was unbearably hot. Near the end of the gig Marko showered us with water which was a welcome refreshment.

The setlist was the same as the previous day. Once again we were treated to all of ‘Twilight Theater’ and then some. I loved the show, but don’t remember any details. It is all a blur of screaming, moving and singing along. The arms waving during ‘Change’ continued and ‘Heal my Wounds’ was again the highlight for me. Marko stood on a spinning stool, turning slowly while singing it. Like the previous night, Ollie’s guitar work was amazing, especially during the slow songs where he sat down. During ‘You’re still here’ it was just him, Jani and Marko while the others took a break. Captain, Jari and Jaska were in the back of the stage, so I didn’t see them much. Everyone was having fun though. Marko still didn’t know all the lyrics, but didn’t have to check them as often as the day before. The concert was awesome and it must have been wonderful for the guys to play in front of these many people. I don’t know if it was sold out, but it was certainly packed.

No stalking after the gig this time, just drinking some water, a brief chat and then saying goodbye to my new friends and finally going to bed. While the guys went on to Yekatarinenburg for the next concert, I was lucky enough to have another day of sightseeing and time to unwind. When I set foot on the Red Square it finally hit me where I was. Wow. All this was too much at once, emotional rollercoaster, happy and sad and amazed. “So was it worth it?” you ask me. Hell yeah! I loved the wonderful Russian hospitality and I would go back any time.

Setlist:

Dreaming wide awake
Smoke & Mirrors
Diamonds for tears
War
Given and denied
Dying to live
You’re still here
Illusion & Dream
15min Flame
Rewind
Change
Locking up the sun
The ultimate fling
Heal my Wounds
Lift
Carnival of rust