Snakelady, you asked for 'every tiny detail' so here it goes:
I arrived at Lokeren around 3pm. A friend and I agreed to meet at the train station so I waited there for over 30’ as he got stuck in traffic (thankfully I heard they do not start to queue early at the entrances).
Finally we could make our way to the Grote Kaai aka the place to be.
No one was in line yet and we heard music and noticed that a door was open: there was a free party for people with mental disabilities so we sneaked in and soon I had my eyes fixed on the stage where the Quo technicians were doing their thing….. but not only the technicians: we also spotted the one and only FRANCIS ROSSI!! :love: We went closer (fast) and I shouted and waved at Francis….. Guess what: he waved back!!!!!!! (Do I have to say that my heart missed a beat? Pity I did not have my camera ready yet….. But who knows: if I had had my camera in hand he might not have waved back).
There was no real sound check but at least, I’d seen HIM (be it at a distance, but it was hours before the actual concert)! I noticed that the stage is actually very high (±2 meters) and in the middle there is a part that comes out more into the audience which makes it impossible to see the other side of the stage as it also has boxes on it.
We left again, before someone told us to go.
We asked where to exchange our ticket for a wristband and were told this would be at the ticket stand which would open around 6pm. So we got in line at one of the entrances and when the time came we got in line to exchange our ticket and then back in line at one the same entrance door where we waited again. Around 6u45pm we were finally allowed to get in. 2 ladies in front of me (with a 10 day wristband) had a backpack and it had to be searched.... nerve wrecking as I saw others get through at the other gates….. But I made it to the front! I already decided that I would go for Ricks side…. Which was also Francis’s today (the benefit of a sneak peak and logic thinking….
).
At 7pm (while people were still getting in) - we got The Bootleg Beatles part 1: the resemblance to the original band was astonishing. Immediately it was clear who “Paul” (he also plays left handed), “John”, “George” and “Ringo” were. Though I did not know all the numbers I must admit that I kind of liked it. Well, there’s a connection between John Lennon and Bowie and even so between Lennon and Earl Slick (guitarist Bowie) – so I did know some Beatles music (who doesn’t?).
Then it was time for Sir Tom Jones…. Never saw him live before. But I did know some songs (read: hits). I was positively surprised: not bad for a man of 75!! He brought along a big band too (10 people on stage including him). During Sex Bomb women were throwing lingerie to the stage
(not on as it was too high).
Well, I can say now that I’ve seen Tom Jones live on stage and I keep my fingers crossed we will still be able to enjoy Quo when they are in their mid-seventies (be it Acoustic?)
Then it was finally time for the Quo! They started 10 to 15 minutes sooner than scheduled and not all the photographers knew the Drone is the signal to get ready for Quo - nor was it expected by some fans who seemed busy ordering another drink right before the concert…. As I’ve read in an article.
They came on to a big roar and when Rick started Caroline….. and Francis :love: started...
The interaction with Francis was fantastic!
The thing with Quo is that they do recognize you. It’s great to get a nod, a wink or thàt look just because they remember you were at their concerts before.
Francis looked into my camera on more than 1 occasion but alas, it was not alway pointed at the right place at the right time
. Also, I was not always filming, just had the camera ready in case something interesting would happen and as I could not stand still there was no use in let it run and get out of space on my card. But I know and I treasure those moments. A few friends told me Francis did look into my camera more than once.
As I said I could not stand still and we all know the lyrics. The interaction seemed OK so I gave it an extra shot and it was clear for whom I come there in the first place. I had a lot of fun, mainly with the man with the green tele!
I keep my fingers crossed that there will come a day that I will be able to really meet him and talk to him (not just time to say “hi” but longer… yes, I wrote: talk
).
Rick looks fit and energetic. The weight loss really suits him.
After the concert I managed to get a set list (happy little me).
Setlist:
Caroline
Something ‘bout you baby I like
Rain
Paper Plane
Rossi talk
Proposing Medley (What You’re Proposin’ – Down the Dustpipe – Wild Side of Life – Railroad – Again and Again – Big Fat Mama)
The Oriental
Creeping Up On You
In the Army Now
Drum solo – The Caveman
Roll Over Lay Down
Down Down
Whatever You Want
Rockin’ All Over the World
Bisnrs: Rock ‘n Roll Music – Bye Bye Johnny
It was a short set and I would have loved it if it lasted longer (much longer….)
I did stay for the second part of the Beatles Bootleg and is was amazing how fast they can grow their hair!
After that I chatted with a few Quo friends. Could not find the others I know so I suppose they were already gone....
Well, I do hope they also had a great time and I already look forward to my next Quo concert….. be it as far away as November.
First there is the Fanclub weekend in October… first time on a plane for me and I do not want to think about it just yet!
I uploaded 1 song from Quo : Rain :
The rest I still have to check but there is a slim change there will be something else suitable for publishing online. As I wrote earlier: I could not stand still and I did sing along more than once, or just snapped some seconds of a song or changed direction of the camera during the song or people got in front of it, despite the very high stage and when they stood at the back there was not much to film. If I find something suitable to upload, I will add it here too.
If you made it this far: thank you for reading.
I filmed a few songs from Tom Jones... if you want the link, just let me know.