That’s me in the corner, that’s me in the spotlight

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R.E.M. – Oberhausen; September 17th 2008

After stupidly not going to see them in Hamburg in 2003 and missing them in 2005 (even though I had a ticket), I decided that the chance might not come again and spontaneously bought a ticket for the show in Oberhausen. On the day of the show I was having second thoughts: I was much too tired to go and not really in concert mood. Then again, it was as close to home as they were going to come and I was sure I would like it. The last two weeks prior to the show I listened to their back catalogue, realizing that I know only the hits and some selected songs. So there was no way I was going to be able to sing along.

I arrived about 1 hour before the doors opened. There was first some confusion regarding the right entrance, but it was cleared up quickly. Once we were let in, I got a spot in third row – not bad for so little effort.

At 8:00 p.m. the support act “We are Scientists” started. They were OK, but nothing to write home about. The sound was pretty awful too – way too loud and not well mixed in my opinion. Then break for changing of stage setup.

R.E.M. started at 9:20 with ‘Living well is the best revenge’. Luckily the sound was much better and I could see well too. It took me quite some time to get into it, but I should not have expected to fall right into the music. Yet it felt strange not to be able to sing along every line and not to have my eyes glued on one person on stage 😉

Before ‘Man sized wreath’ Michael announced that they still hated their government and before ‘The one I love’ he told us a story about not getting the heat to work at the last hotel and being too embarrassed to ask about it. Hence, he had a head cold now and needed our help singing.

He was still in a great mood and got close to the audience, coming off stage, shaking hands. I laughed really hard when he said that “We don’t hire dancers or backup singers. That’s cheesy… A different kind of cheesy than we are.” He also talked to someone holding a request sign “You, with the sign. I have seen it, you can take it down now. I’m worried about your arms.” XD

They played many hits, which was good for someone like me, but also catered to the fans with ‘Just a touch’ a song they had not played for 19 years according to Peter.

It was a great concert overall and I had fun watching what was going on. I smiled to myself when I noticed I enjoyed the hits most. Some of the die-hard fans must have rolled their eyes, thinking “I wish they’d skipped that one”, but I was happy I did get to hear ‘Losing my religion’. The show was well worth the trip.

Setlist

Living Well Is the Best Revenge
What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?
I Took Your Name
Second Guessing
Drive
Walk Unafraid
Man-Sized Wreath
Ignoreland
Great Beyond
Hollowman
Circus Envy
Just A Touch
Electrolite
One I Love
Rockville
I’ve Been High
Let Me In
Bad Day
Horse To Water
Orange Crush
It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Encore
Supernatural Superserious
Imitation Of Life
Sing for the Submarine
Losing My Religion
Man On The Moon

The late goodbye

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Poets of the Fall – Ankkarock, Vantaa; August 3rd 2008

Sunday was the day of my last concert and the grey skies didn’t look too friendly. After a good breakfast I got on a train around 10:00 to go to Korso and arrived at the gates before they opened. When they did, I  ran in, almost died during the uphill run and got there in time to pick a spot in front row. Slightly right of center. Perfect! A bit later a few  people I knew arrived. We chatted and waited, hoping it would not rain. I put up my Prowlers banner on the barrier.

Jari came on stage to set up the drum. He saw me and waved. 🙂 B. from the Poets forum arrived with her friend. It was great to finally meet her and it was also nice to have someone else there who did not speak Finnish 😉 We passed the time chatting. Unill about half an hour before the show started, there were virtually no people around and suddenly everything was packed – amazing. Unfortunately it started raining, but what’s an open air show without rain?

The set was a bit shorter than for the other two concerts but it was one amazing gig nonetheless. Even though I was front row the stage was far away and too high as well. Whenever the guys were not in the very front they looked as if they had no feet and it was hard to see them, but at least they had room to move.

That doesn’t mean I enjoyed the gig any less though. The rain stopped too so I had the chance to take pictures as well. And even if it hadn’t it could not have spoiled the fun I was having. The performance was great, the sound was good, the atmosphere was good too. Loved it!

The audience had lots of fun, the sound was great and the guys were enjoying it too. It was juts amazing. The new songs work so well live. ‘The ultimate fling’ rocked the house. ‘Diamonds for Tears’ and ‘Clevermind’ were a bit more quite, but just as powerful and ‘More’ had everyone singing. In-between the songs from the other albums: ‘Carnival of Rust’ gets more beautiful every time I hear it, especially the beautiful intro. ‘Sorry go round’ just works so much better live than on CD and ‘Lockig up the sun’ is always great. ‘Stay’ gave us a chance to breathe. ‘Lift’ was just unbelievable and ‘Illusion & Dream’ had us all mesmerized. The end was, once again’Late Goodbye’ and this time, the sing-along was perfect. Such a fantastica ending to my tour.

Afterward I did not care what else happened. I had seen “my” band. Debated with B. whether we should hang out and wait for the guys, but didn’t. Instead went walking about and later watching Kamelot which were fun. Would have loved to see Apulanta, but they started at the other stage just after the Poets had finished. Maybe next time…
We had so much fun hanging out, chatting, comparing picture we took.  We saw Sonata Arctica (really good), then parted ways. I went on to watch Lauri Tähkä & Elonkerjuu. They sing Finnish so I didn’t understand anything, but certainly enjoyed the music. I saw Apocalyptica too, but they didn’t do much for me. After that I had enough and left.

Before I left Helsinki the following day, I already bought a ticket for the next Poets gig. I cannot deny that I am addicted and I’m already looking forward to my next trip.

Setlist

The ultimate fling
Diamonds for Tears
Sorry go round
Stay
Clevermind
Illusion & Dream
More
Carnival of Rust
Lift
Late goodbye

Part one
Part two