Set me free

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Poets of the Fall – Kaivohuone, Naantali; July 2nd 2010

After arrival in Helsinki I traveled to Salo to meet my friends K. and R. We spent some time in K’s appartment before we left for Naantali, arived way too early and hung out in the park. The sun was shining, we chatted, saw 4 out of 6 band members walking around, but left them alone. It was a long wait. Due to a private party the door didn’t open until 22:00.

Once inside, we settled down in front row and watched the party that was still ongoing behind us. People watching 😀 When getting drinks I almost bumped into Marko, literally. I hadn’t seen him at all (guess I was not paying attention to where I was going) and suddenly he was right in front of me. Not only did I almost run him over it also took me a moment to recognize him. We just greeted each other and then went our separate ways.

We had to wait for the show until shortly after midnight, but then they rocked. It was not a fan audience so they had to work hard, but that didn’t spoil the fun at all. The sound was not great for the first two songs, but got considerably better as they went along.

I know the setlist by now, but still haven’t gotten bored with it. There are always so many wonderful little moments. K. had brought a frisbee and spent some time writing the lyrics to ‘Overboard’ on it. It was read, but the song didn’t get played. Didn’t expect it to happen, but it was worth a try.

After being stuck to the micstand for the first bit off the show, Marko decided to take the mic off during ‘Rewind’, but could not get the cable unwound. He struggled for most of the song, then obviously figured he needed help and raised the micstand to me, singing “set me free“ until I had untangled the cable. 🙂

I got many looks and smiles that night from the guys which is always welcome. I managed to take quite a few pictures, but still didn’t have the camera up all the time. Did some jumping and again unsuccessfully tried the arms waving during ‘Change’. This time Marko did it with me in the end and then everyone went along. Overall it was a nice gig, with a slow, but good audience. I loved it and enjoyed being among friends. What a great night!

After the gig we waited outside. Captain came first, deep in conversation. He waved, but left. Marko would have done the same, which was totally OK, but then some girl stopped him asking for an autograph and picture. So after he turned to us for a little bit and hugged K. and me before he left. 🙂 Ollie, Jani and Jari left later. We said goodbye and I stopped Jari to finally get his signature on my booklet. Jaska was still there on the back porch, but we both didn’t feel like going back inside so we went home.

Setlist

Dreaming Wide Awake
Smoke And Mirrors
Diamonds for Tears
War
Given And Denied
Dying To Live
You’re Still Here
Illusion & Dream
15 Min Flame
Rewind
Change
Locking Up the Sun
Lift

Encore:
Carnival of Rust

pictures of this concert

Who was it, who wanted every second of 15 minute flame of fame?

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Poets of the Fall – Konsta, Kaustinen; June 12th 2010

The things I do for love – the love of one band in this case. Got up at 6am after maybe 4hours of sleep, hopped on a train at 7:30 and was on my way to Kokkola. Slept a little on the train, but not enough. Arrival at noon and on to my hotel where they luckily already had a room for me (even though checkin was not supposed to be before 14:00). Had the chance to relax a little bit, but left the hotel around 13:30. I knew it would be a late gig, but the last possbile bus from Kokkola to Kaustinen (where the gig was) left at 13:45 and arrived at 14:25. That would not have been so bad in nice weather, because Kaustinen seemed to be a cute little town (read: It’s in the middle of nowhere and there’s nothing to do and nowhere to go!). Unfortunately, I arrived in the pouring rain…

So there I was, so tired I could have slept standing up, with not even a cafe to go to and hours to kill before the doors would even open. Great! *eyeroll* I first fled to the supermarket, then walked around in the rain, searching for the club. Walked the long way around and finally found out it was practically next to the supermarket, just not on the side I had walked to. On my walk I found a nice open – air stage, with a sign from some folk Festival in the 90ies!! Spent about 2 hours in a pizzeria next, just killing time, then went to the gas station restaurant and had tea, still almost falling asleep. I was so bored and the book I had brought did not do much to help me. Nothing much I could do so I just sat there.

Around 19:00 I went back to the club and luckily K. and M. had arrived and kept me company. At 20:00 the club’s bar opened, so we could go inside. Good. Chatted, listened to music from the music box and then to soundcheck. Marko did sound a bit off at first, I was worried again. Didn’t see him so I could not ask if the cold was back. During the gig he talked a lot though which is a good sign.

They let us in at 22:00 and we knew it would be at least 2 more hours of waiting. One of the women who were there early talked to M. and then turned to me saying “YOU’RE redbossfan”, almost in awe. I didn’t ask her why, but I felt really embarrassed by that. I didn’t ask for the 15 minute flame of fame.

Ollie was out on stage before the gig, checking his guitars. Since they were testing the lights I was momentarily blinded so he went and stood in the light’s path for a while. Sweet. Typically for a late gig there were quite a few drunk people and I almost got in a fight with one that was especially annoying. 🙁 I was still so tired that at one point I was sitting in front of the stage, ready to go to sleep – why oh why do they have to play so late?

Of course when they finally started at 0:45 all of this was forgotten. The place as such was actually nice for a concert even though the stage was a little bit too high. The half-drunk audience was not very attentive though. Marko didn’t even try to make us sing the “dishonesty” bit in ‘Illusion & Dream’ and they left out ‘Heal my Wounds’ even though it was on the setlist. It is in a somewhat bad spot though, between two fast songs and it would not really have fit in that night.

The mood was not bad at all, some yelling, screaming and singing along going on. The guys seemed to be enjoying it, they were laughing a lot. It was contagious. Jaska went over to Ollie and kissed him on the cheek. I wish I had caught that moment with my camera. Later Ollie half jumped up on Jaska’s back. Funny!

At one point I felt so sorry for Ollie. One of the roadies had spilled water on stage before the gig and not wiped it all away. Ollie slipped and practically did the spilts. My one thought was “Ouch that must have hurt” and I looked at him concerned, but he was laughing so it must have been OK.

With ‘Change’, again, the arm waving thing did not happen, I was actually the only one who tried, with Marko gesturing and smiling at me. This is becoming a running gag of all the shows. What could I do but shrug – didn’t work.

All in all an energetic gig, but not top notch. No chance to see them afterwards. We drove home at 3 a.m. and it was light outside. In bed by 3:30, up 4 hours later, then for the long road home. Yes, it was totally worth it and I am totally too old for this.

Setlist

Dreaming Wide Awake
Smoke And Mirrors
Diamonds for Tears
War
Given And Denied
Dying To Live
You’re Still Here
Illusion & Dream
15 Min Flame
Rewind
Change
Locking Up the Sun
The Ultimate Fling
Lift

Encore:
Carnival of Rust

pictures of this concert