Pulsating headache, dry mouth, tired, lots of work to do - what better time could it be to write a review with lots of nonsense details in it!
Before:
Took my lunch break outside in the sunny weather in Berlin, strolling along Columbiadamm and peeking into the backyard of the venue. Oh yes, that same old green tour bus (same as in 06 and 09 it seems, do they own it?) was there already after at least 8 hours drive from Vienna the evening before. Nobody outside except a small guy in shades having a cigarette. Had hoped for a soundcheck but was there way too early.
I had my lunch in the sunshine on a non-stalking distance from the venue and noted a young man, or boy, passing by quickly. Tight-fitting clothes, earphones, probably on his way from school. Oh well, I finished my lunch and went home. Then I meet this boy again, and voilà , it's Ben Christo...
During:
After managing to sell a ticket I had left, we entered the venue. No extras like in Leeds (fire, cards, cake). Tight security compared to Leeds, everyone patted at the entrance. A smoking area (Hi to Rafal/Lachert and Paulina!) beside the venue that was increasingly ignored during the evening. In Leeds I saw noone smoke inside those two nights, in Berlin there were something like 50 indoor smokers at the end of the gig. So much for rule-abiding Germans
Anyway, time to finish the beer and the cigarette and go inside, the Sisters are going on stage in 15 minutes. Oops. I had forgotten how unbelievably crammed this venue is, even when it's NOT sold out! About 20 meters from stage it's definitely stop for me, I don't get any further. Time to retreat to texting the setlist to Johan (TheBoyNextDoor).
Expecting Kiss the carpet and instead getting Dr Jeep as an opener is not exactly a brilliant start of the night, but what the hell. By Ribbons, they seem to be able to push up the volume above Leeds levels. I think the sound is THE advantage with this venue, almost always clear and loud (well, by Sisters standards). Andrew still has his neon shirt on, hopefully washed now and then. Tonight with bare arms though. Not the least talkative, I don't hear him saying one word during the concert. Maybe understandable after the long ride from Vienna and from the beginning having expected Columbiahalle not only to sell out but to become a double date.
The crowd slowly warms up along the hit parade, but it's certainly no Belgium feeling. Not the best venue to dance around in either, but at least I can breathe so it's not sold out just yet...
After a very dutiful, very short break almost without any cheering, the band returns for the first encore, and for the first time tonight I get goose-bumps - the Doktor is *booming* out the intro to Kiss the carpet where I'm standing and is soon joined by Ben's eerie guitar. Wow, this is what a Sisters concert should feel like! Kiss is followed by Vision Thing, not a good couple methinks, Kiss sets you in a pleasant state that the vulgar VT rocks apart. Kiss the Carpet is The Opener and should be followed by Ribbons, simple as that.
A bit more unspirited cheering brings the band on for the second encore, and I grin when I see the unexpected reaction from a lot of people to the intro of More. Andrew and his boys wake up, steps down the gas pedal and roar! I want More!! Yeah! Some people around me look a bit perplexed because of the sudden change in energy, stop sipping beer and start clapping hands and even jumping.
Ben and Chris do the pipeline, but the crowd isn't in much on the surf. Temple of Love lets the nostalgia loose, people dance around a bit and then it's time to go home.
After:
Or to the aftershow party. The difference in volume level is striking, and telling. This is what normal concerts sound like, at least those I visit. Surprisingly few people there, but good music! Ben is there, but I don't see the other guys. Maybe they came later on.
Before we call it an early night we are impressed by DocSommer who is about to drive his 300 km to Hamburg from the gig, not bad!
Hi in no particular order to Lachert/Paulina, Eggi, the Sisters, TheBoyNextDoor who had to read the incomprehensible messages, ChristIanP thanks for good and loud music, Eggis friend Lars, Till and DocSommer.
Is Paris sold out by the way?