|
Post by snakelady on Nov 25, 2015 6:27:25 GMT
Looks like a nice venue. Maybe we can do a winter tour thread again, the way we did last year - introducing venues and cities. This is a good start, Inna.
|
|
|
Post by snakelady on Nov 27, 2015 8:41:00 GMT
So here's my gig report (which I'm typing on the laptop in a rather dark room, so please blame any mistakes on that ): You probably all know that we had planned to go to the gig with Michael and Sandra, so when we passed the airport signs in Eindhoven on our way to Tilburg, it did feel strange and we looked at one another and said we would have gone there .. From Eindhoven it's merely a short distance to Tilburg and after an uneventful 4h drive we checked in at our Van Der Valk hotel at 3 in the afternoon. Doing so we were told our room had been upgraded and you've got to say - it is indeed a nice and rather stylish suite including our own whirlpool. We had a mug of tea each and then hubby, who had done all the driving slept for a while. He is one of those people who can sleep at all times during the day without risking a migraine. I can't, so I spent the time trying to figure out our electric gadgets and checking my various internet accounts. At 5.30 we left for the gig. It was merely a 20min. drive, but we knew parking would be difficult and Dutch cities have a habit of consisting of one-way roads mainly. Tilburg proved to be no exception .. We found the venue straight away, but it took us another 30mins. to finally find us a parking garage and very reasonably priced at that, but a 20min, walk away. The round trip and subsequent walk through the city had been worth it though. Everything was already lit up and decorated beautifully for advent. We will be back today .. When we finally reached the venue there was a long queue already and we added two more people to it straight away. It was only when that queue wouldn't move while we could see other punters inside the venue already, that hubby set out to explore if maybe there was a second entrance. And indeed there was and we were able to enter the venue within minutes. It has to be said though, we were checked thoroughly and with metal detectors - and rightly so, made you feel safer for it. We got rid of our coats and with entering the actual hall, were pleasantly surprised that the area in front of the stage was still relatively empty. We found us a space left of the middle, maybe 4-5 rows back and for a change I didn't have the tallest guys in the whole venue stood in front of me, but mainly small girls. The stage was rather high as well, so a perfect view. The support act hit the stage at 7.30: a strange Dutch outfit, who I had thought were a Quo tribute act - only they didn't play any Quo, but kept talking about them non stop. Or rather,the guy in the middle kept talking about Quo and Rossi/Parfitt alternatively, which obviously was one and the same to him, Otherwise I didn't get much of what it was he was talking about as he spoke Dutch, which I don't. After 45mins. they were gone again and the stage was prepared for the main act. At 8.45 as usual Quo casually strolled onto the stage to the drone and just as casually took up their positions. No drape, no nothing, Rick simply went into Caroline. You've got to say, the crowd were great - many younger people too - and most of them knew the lyrics to most songs. It were only the crowd favourites that could make me despair. After Caroline we got .. The Wanderer .. and if that wasn't bad enough SBYBIL was to follow. And to imagine - just two years ago it was Paper Plane and Hold You back in 2nd and 3rd place .. Rain was to follow as per usual. Next 'new' song in the set was Burning Bridges and later Gerdundula was back as well. This time Leon got a little movable drumkit that was placed among the guitar players (all four of them) and jokes were about them hiding Leon or threatening to kick over the kit. If only half as much thought was put into the choice of songs .. *sigh*. Overall you've got to say the band was very well rehearsed and a lot of work had gone into new and extended endings. So no complaints from a musical POV. It was the choice of songs that was about the worst possible for me and proved beyond doubt, that the set list campaign has been a complete waste of time and energy. Obviously I'm part of a tiny minority with my taste though. Most of the audience lapped up TW, SBYBIL or Creepin' and I was about the only one who didn't sing along to WYW and RAOTW. As you may have suspected by now - the big four kept their place in the set .. Then I learned that the Dutch word for encore is something very similar to the German Zu-ga-be, as that was what was screamed for. This report does end with a positive though. The band did indeed play a real encore again, starting with Paper Plane. Juniors Wailing was to follow, not a full version mind plus the usual combination of Rock'n'Roll Music and the Bye Bye bit from BBJ. I'm not keen on all three of these, but Paper Plane made all the difference for me. Overall I can say that I didn't much enjoy the gig and felt strangely deflated afterwards, although I had been singing and headbanging nearly throughout. I didn't have the Quo smile on my face either. Maybe it's unfair to solely blame it on the band, the fact that I knew I won't ever go gigging again with Michael will have played a role, but the set just isn't good enough, not nearly IMVHO.
|
|
|
Post by kursaal75 on Nov 27, 2015 9:03:35 GMT
An excellent honest review Catherine. I can't believe TO & CUOY are still in the set. If it wasn't the fact that I've got a centre stage, 7 rows from the front ticket and local hero Wilko Johnson is support, at the London O2 I don't think I would waste my time going..
|
|
|
Post by kursaal75 on Nov 27, 2015 16:42:11 GMT
I see the Manchester & London gigs are being recorded. They taken orders now!! 2xCD, £22:18 Inc P&P. Don't all rush at once..
|
|
|
Post by snakelady on Nov 27, 2015 16:47:03 GMT
Yes indeed .. all that thought that went into the new Gerdundula show had better gone into the choice of songs. If they want to get rid of the real fans, this is the way to achieve it. You know we had planned to go to Herborn next May, but now I'm not so sure anymore .. Really sad it has come to this I'll add a few positives though: Rick's voice was better than I've heard him for a long time. Francis' guitar sounded far better than last winter - it has a 'used' look now as well - and he seemed to feel good about it now. Some of the instrumental parts were longer and played really well. It could've been a great gig ..
|
|
|
Post by snakelady on Nov 27, 2015 16:48:39 GMT
I see the Manchester & London gigs are being recorded. They taken orders now!! 2xCD, £22:18 Inc P&P. Don't all rush at once.. :lolflg: I've got to think about that one .. .. errr no !
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2015 17:21:01 GMT
Thanks for the report Kathrin, appreciate it that you took the time to write all that.
Really disappointed to read that the set list has remained rather stagnant. I know it's difficult but it appears that little thought went into it.
I feel it's just a wee bit lazy. I don't mean lazy as in not trying physically but lazy as in lack of thought. Just sounds it's all geared to the floating fan and not the regular fans of the band. I know you could never accuse them of not trying as they do put in a shift with every performance but set wise, they are treading water and I hate to suggest this but are they taking the fans that go to every winter tour for granted now? I hope not.
I haven't bought a ticket for Glasgow but I was planning on going. Not sure if I'll bother now. I'll need to add up what it's all going to cost and then decide if it's worthwhile.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2015 17:27:47 GMT
Caroline, The Wanderer, Rain, Don't drive My Car, Mean Girl, Softer Ride, Beginning of The End, Is There A Better Way, Proposin' Medley, Big Fat Mama, Pictures Of Matchstick Men, Ice In The Sun, The Oriental, Creepin' Up On You, In My Chair, Living On An Island, In The Army Now, Drum Solo Matt, Roll over lay Down, Down Down, Whatever You Want, Rockin'all over the World, Junior's Wailing, Rock'n Roll Music / Bye Bye Johnny.
This is the set I got when I saw them in dec 2008. What a great set imho. 7 or 8 new songs!!
|
|
|
Post by kursaal75 on Nov 27, 2015 17:35:59 GMT
I see the Definitive Hits album entered at #21 in the UK album charts this evening.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2015 17:44:37 GMT
I see the Definitive Hits album entered at #21 in the UK album charts this evening. 21? I'd imagine they'll be very disappointed with that. I didn't expect it to go to number 1 but I thought it would have charted higher than that. Perhaps it shall steadily climb the chart during the Winter Tour and with the build up to Christmas.
|
|
sh704028
Born To Be Wild
On We Go Status Quo
Posts: 2
|
Post by sh704028 on Nov 27, 2015 19:13:39 GMT
have to agree with Snakelady: "Overall I can say that I didn't much enjoy the gig and felt strangely deflated afterwards, although I had been singing and headbanging nearly throughout. I didn't have the Quo smile on my face either"
Was in Tilburg, Still disapointed
|
|
|
Post by rosi on Nov 27, 2015 19:47:10 GMT
Thanks for the report Snakelady ... saves myself some typing! I looked forward to this concerts for months and with things happening in the last weeks I was a bit anxious. The night before the concert I read that a concert was cancelled at the 013 a week before.... fingers crossed that Quo and their management had faith in the security at the 013 (see: link). Luckily for this sold out concert all went smoothly (though Francis made a remark about the present climate) We arrived there arround 15h30... later than usual, but Antwerp is a drag to get through.... even after midday. We got in line (well, there were 5 of us in total) and we saw familiar faces so we could chat and make the time go faster. It are always the same people who come early/earlier. As Kathrin already wrote: there was a lot of security with hand held scanners.... so no worries to get inside in a crowded place. It was a run to the "place to be" and I got a spot: front row, very slightly to Francis's left (where else :love: ). Kathrin, it seems you were not that far from me! I must say that the hall changed quite a bit since last year and looked much nicer: more space (up to 3000 capacity) - steps further up in the hall - handy for people who are not that tall and still the small balcony for those who do not want to miss a thing and want some space around them. The support band wasn't my cup of tea either and believe me, you didn't miss a thing that you did not understand all he said . I found it a bit dangerous like he was swaying/turning that micro around... it did hit the stage - things could have gone wrong there ??? . I wonder what they teach as he said they are teachers.... Anyway.... after them the stage was made ready for Quo.... they even got out the towels to dry the stage. Finally the drone started.... finally it was time for Quo .... Will the setlist be different? What will the chances be? Well, as usual it started with Caroline and it ended with Bye Bye Johnny.... but we got that bit already. I filmed a few songs.... but some not complete or I do sing along.... so not suitable for public upload :lolflg: Still going through them.... but here is Paper Plane/Junior's Wailing. Well, I am glad we got Paper Plane in the encore! Missed it in the main set, but this time the encore was more worth that name. I also liked the addition of Burning Bridges... not that many times played in mainland Europe (at least not in the last years??). Liked Gerd und Ula with the little drum instead of the guitar swapping. Poor Leon : 4 against 1... The Wanderer.... well, I can name different ones I really want to hear.... I vote for Dirty Water too. After the concert I went to see some Quo-friends before driving home.... work this morning after only 3 hours sleep (never get to bed at a decent hour after a concert). I look forward to their last concert of this year! Will I get the CDs.... probably.... My sprained ankle WAS better - no further comment :lolflg:
|
|
|
Post by quodlibet aka granny on Nov 27, 2015 23:17:22 GMT
Thanks for the reports!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2015 23:41:46 GMT
That Gerdundula clip ??? How can anyone accept that over the real Quo? An embarrassing load of pish
|
|
|
Post by snakelady on Nov 28, 2015 8:47:36 GMT
That Gerdundula clip ??? How can anyone accept that over the real Quo? An embarrassing load of pish The thing is, at this moment in time this is the real Quo - whether we like what they do (I don't in this case) or not .. It was all so perfectly rehearsed,every little move .. someone should've really kicked the thing over 107
|
|
|
Post by colmfoley on Nov 29, 2015 3:43:17 GMT
That Gerdundula clip ??? How can anyone accept that over the real Quo? An embarrassing load of pish The thing is, at this moment in time this is the real Quo - whether we like what they do (I don't in this case) or not .. It was all so perfectly rehearsed,every little move .. someone should've really kicked the thing over 107 Your right, but there's only one man who could/should've kicked the thing over--SPUD.
|
|
|
Post by vivfromcov on Nov 29, 2015 12:19:16 GMT
I was dreading watching the gerdundula video, but it wasn't that bad, just a bit pointless in my opinion. Was it supposed to be funny? Even if it had been hilarious I wouldn't have liked it.
|
|
|
Post by colmfoley on Dec 5, 2015 1:40:29 GMT
I was dreading watching the gerdundula video, but it wasn't that bad, just a bit pointless in my opinion. Was it supposed to be funny? Even if it had been hilarious I wouldn't have liked it. 'it wasn't that bad??? It's worse than 'walking in a winter wonder land' ok lets frolic and play, the Eskimo way :sleigh: , rocking in an FF wonderland
|
|
|
Post by vivfromcov on Dec 5, 2015 8:28:56 GMT
I was dreading watching the gerdundula video, but it wasn't that bad, just a bit pointless in my opinion. Was it supposed to be funny? Even if it had been hilarious I wouldn't have liked it. 'it wasn't that bad??? It's worse than 'walking in a winter wonder land' ok lets frolic and play, the Eskimo way :sleigh: , rocking in an FF wonderland No where near as bad as that! That was horrendous...
|
|