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Post by snakelady on Aug 19, 2018 14:14:43 GMT
With no Quo tour last year due to the acoustic tour cancelled for health reasons, we had started to really long for some live Quo. The set is an issue for me though, but when the first gig goers this season reported the new set, it had me interested and I checked for suitable festivals not too far away. There were actually three within a 2-3 hour drive radius, but going by date and location Rottweil sounded like the best option. As it was a Friday night and in a lovely area of the Black Forest we decided to make a weekend of it and straight after the tickets I booked a lovely wellness hotel as well, less than 20kms from the venue. We left before noon on the Friday and checked into the hotel before 2pm. As the area is situated at an altitude of around 600m (ca. 1800ft.) above sea level it wasn't as hot as down here, but a pleasant 25°C. We unpacked, got us a coffee and croissant and then with still a lot of time left, decided to go for a swim in the hotel pool. It was a lovely huge pool and the water was pleasantly cool, only the air was positively tropical, so I merely swam 50min. and then headed into the garden and the Kneipp water-treading basin there to cool down again. Then a slice of cherry-chocolate cream cake was had by both of us before it was time to change and head towards the venue. As it was still an hour before the doors opened, finding free parking space close by was easy. I'm not one to queue for hours just to get a spot at the barrier. For one I'm not able to stand that long anyway and I've found I can see just as much from a few rows back. So instead we headed to the catering area beside the venue that provided various food trucks and bars, areas with chairs and groups of sofas, all under a huge tent, with various potted palms, coloured lights and the impressive walls of the Kraftwerk, which is a former coal plant as backdrop to create a nice atmosphere. We, well, hubby, got us yummy handmade burgers from one of the food trucks and crêpes and various beverages, so time went by in a flash. About ten minutes before the doors opened I decided it was time to join the queue. Only that did by then reach down the stairs to the street and ended somewhere around the corner. so another solution had to be found. Hubby mentioned a side entrance - only that was guarded by two security guys from the venue. I got talking to them and how unusual the place was and how interesting from an architectural POV and whether it was possible to sneak in for a few minutes and have a look. And they let us in. There were a few VIPs heading for the balcony plus a few wheelchairs in their places, but otherwise we were free to roam the building. I didn't have the camera with me, but hubby took quite a few pics with the smart phone. If you ever search for an unusual place to see a band I can't recommend this one enough. I actually returned to the nice security guards to ask a few questions about the venue then decided to head in again and they didn't mind. By then the doors had opened and fans started to rush to the stage and take up positions. Not having queued I thought it was unfair to join them too soon, but once the first 4-5 rows were occupied we chose us spots in the middle. And that's where we stayed and waited for the gig to start while the venue filled up completely. One thing I had noticed before was, I had never seen that many Quo shirts and from all over the decades at a gig. There even was a guy with a shirt saying US tour 78 on his back - only I'm not sure they even toured the States that year ? Average age will have been between 40 and 50 with a few kids at the barrier and a group of young teenage girls to our right. The support act started at 8pm. It was a local band called Dark Sky, who played a kind of 80s, 90s hard rock. Not my thing and I found the songs indistinguishable nearly, but the audience treated them friendly and cheered politely. After 45 minutes we finally got rid of them. The Quo crew took their usual 1/2 hour preparing the stage, then the drone announced Quo were to hit the stage and on they wandered. Ritchie took up position by the stack of Marshalls and with him bashing out the familiar start to Caroline the Quo gig was under way. What can I say - it was the best Quo gig I've been to in over a decade certainly. The band was on absolute top form, they played the full set including Little Lady, Backwater, Softer Ride and Mystery Song and they played and sang it perfectly. Up till Friday night I've been one of those, who'd considered Rhino a bad singer, but credit where credit is due: He did sing Rain and Backwater as well as his other parts perfectly. Ritchie did sing his two tunes so well, Rick would've been proud of him and Andy got the mic for WYW, naturally. This was a band effort in every aspect and made the gig great for it. During the line 'then came a man with a rockin' guitar ..' Rhino pointed at Francis without him noticing, which I thought was a nice gesture, but basically they were a band of five that night and a very tight band at that. You can't have a great gig without the audience going for it though and rocking out they did. This was a Quo audience, simple as that and Francis had them in the palm of his hand. He'd have us cheer and sing and shut up , he conducted interchanging 'choirs' from both sides of the stage with us in the middle listening in wonder, till we had to do parts as well. It was simply amazing to see and hear that many people enjoy themselves. Must've been a sight from the stage. Ritchie must still think he was dreaming and he couldn't get that huge smile from his face. We got Don't Waste My Time in the encore instead of BB, which suited me just fine. My only gripe is with the BBJ snippet. Please sing a verse or two as well or don't do the song at all. Yes, it was another time the audience participation was outstanding, but it is a song actually, so at least give us some of it. Hubby and me didn't take a single pic during the gig. We were simply too busy rockin' out and singing and generally enjoying ourselves. And there weren't too many smart phones held up around us either - standing still just wasn't an option. Then it was over and hubby and I were completely exhausted - COMPLETELY ! - and as wet as if we'd just come out of the pool. Leaving the venue then was quick and easy and same goes for the drive to the hotel. If you haven't seen the band this summer or are undecided still - get yourselves tickets, you won't regret it !! Btw. We had a lovely Saturday there as well, but I won't tell ..
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Post by Quoincidence on Aug 19, 2018 14:24:01 GMT
The last time they toured the US was '76... in '78 the band were busy in France, Germany and Australia
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 19, 2018 16:09:39 GMT
Great review, I've seen Quo a few times this year and everytime they've been great.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2018 17:46:04 GMT
Nice review, Kathrin. Glad you had such a lovely weekend and enjoyed the show. There are some nice photos from the Kraftwerk and the gig on the FTMO page.
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Post by snakelady on Aug 20, 2018 7:22:42 GMT
Great review, I've seen Quo a few times this year and everytime they've been great. Thanks. So what about you write the occasional report as well ? I do enjoy reading them too .. Quoincidence - That's how I remembered it as well. The things you can order from the internet .. @inna - so Yvonne was there as well ? Got to say I didn't see a single familiar face, but then I'm not good with remembering faces .
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 20, 2018 15:17:42 GMT
Great review, I've seen Quo a few times this year and everytime they've been great. Thanks. So what about you write the occasional report as well ? I do enjoy reading them too .. Next time I go to a gig I will, could have reviewed myself the other night, it was pretty good
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Post by snakelady on Aug 21, 2018 6:36:14 GMT
Thanks. So what about you write the occasional report as well ? I do enjoy reading them too .. Next time I go to a gig I will, could have reviewed myself the other night, it was pretty good Kind of like Rhino's tour log. But this is about Quo gigs, so you'd have to post in the general music section - or play with Quo .. . What type of music did you play and where (and with whom ..) ? Not that I'm nosy ..
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 21, 2018 10:45:08 GMT
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Post by snakelady on Aug 22, 2018 6:52:46 GMT
snakelady It was at the Alter Bahnhof in Puettlingen with some old friends, the guitarist Thomas Blug, BAP drummer Juergen Zoeller and singer Rudi Spiller and me on keyboards. As for music it was a selection of rock classics and some songs from my solo back catalogue. We did the same venue last year too and it makes for a great al fresco evening of classic rock, started in the light and finished in the dark so you get your money's worth I used to like the BAP singles .. verdamp lang her though . The name Püttlingen had me placing it in Schwaben, searching on google maps it seems I got it all wrong. Still Saarland, a mere two hours from here. And google maps provided me with this: linkplus.google.com/photos/photo/111616069293001615118/6590790891308117298Says 17.08. and merely 30secs. - is that you ? Very bad quality, but looks like a lovely location. Guess a lot of fun was had by all present.
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 22, 2018 8:07:01 GMT
snakelady It was at the Alter Bahnhof in Puettlingen with some old friends, the guitarist Thomas Blug, BAP drummer Juergen Zoeller and singer Rudi Spiller and me on keyboards. As for music it was a selection of rock classics and some songs from my solo back catalogue. We did the same venue last year too and it makes for a great al fresco evening of classic rock, started in the light and finished in the dark so you get your money's worth I used to like the BAP singles .. verdamp lang her though . The name Püttlingen had me placing it in Schwaben, searching on google maps it seems I got it all wrong. Still Saarland, a mere two hours from here. And google maps provided me with this: linkplus.google.com/photos/photo/111616069293001615118/6590790891308117298Says 17.08. and merely 30secs. - is that you ? Very bad quality, but looks like a lovely location. Guess a lot of fun was had by all present.When you get to my age everything is a long time ago! I hadn't seen that video clip but yes it is us, the Bahnhof is one of the strangest venues I've played but I love the fact the audience are literally a metre from you and it's very relaxed and great for families. I think on youtube there is a video from last year of us doing a freeform version of one of my old songs Room with a View but as I'm currently on the wife's tablet I have no idea how to copy and insert links on it
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Post by snakelady on Aug 22, 2018 15:33:22 GMT
An acoustic version from this year even, lovely - I like the song (and have known it for a long time) :
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 22, 2018 16:58:47 GMT
An acoustic version from this year even, lovely - I like the song (and have known it for a long time) : It's a very old song now but I'm glad you like it. Now I'm back on my computer I can add links so this is me with Juergen again and his band of merry men.
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Post by snakelady on Aug 23, 2018 7:21:47 GMT
Lovely melodic tune and I like that your songs usually tell a little story. And you've probably heard it a million times before, you've got a great and easily distinguishable singing voice. Have you ever done something like Wild Side Of Life ? Guess you'd sound wonderful with it .. Seeing you with Peter Maffay reminded me that during the German leg of the FF tour Carl Carlton supported them. Not sure it worked the way he did it - as a concept show - with an audience waiting to rock. Got to admit, it didn't work for me. Guess you'll have been to one of the shows as well ..
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 23, 2018 18:28:16 GMT
Lovely melodic tune and I like that your songs usually tell a little story. And you've probably heard it a million times before, you've got a great and easily distinguishable singing voice. Have you ever done something like Wild Side Of Life ? Guess you'd sound wonderful with it .. Seeing you with Peter Maffay reminded me that during the German leg of the FF tour Carl Carlton supported them. Not sure it worked the way he did it - as a concept show - with an audience waiting to rock. Got to admit, it didn't work for me. Guess you'll have been to one of the shows as well .. Thank you very much and yes I do like to write about themes, be they personal, political or historical. I've written and recorded all different styles from hard rock through to acoustic over the years but I'm not sure if any are like WSOL. I've known Carl since the late 70s and worked with him live and in the studio so many times, he really is one of the most talented musicians I've met but I agree, it was a strange choice for that audience. I may have been to slightly more than just one...
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Post by snakelady on Aug 25, 2018 8:07:03 GMT
Lovely melodic tune and I like that your songs usually tell a little story. And you've probably heard it a million times before, you've got a great and easily distinguishable singing voice. Have you ever done something like Wild Side Of Life ? Guess you'd sound wonderful with it .. Seeing you with Peter Maffay reminded me that during the German leg of the FF tour Carl Carlton supported them. Not sure it worked the way he did it - as a concept show - with an audience waiting to rock. Got to admit, it didn't work for me. Guess you'll have been to one of the shows as well .. Thank you very much and yes I do like to write about themes, be they personal, political or historical. I've written and recorded all different styles from hard rock through to acoustic over the years but I'm not sure if any are like WSOL. I've known Carl since the late 70s and worked with him live and in the studio so many times, he really is one of the most talented musicians I've met but I agree, it was a strange choice for that audience. I may have been to slightly more than just one...I can't help but think you may have easier access to gigs or at least tickets than us mere mortals . Have you been to the Stuttgart gig as well ? At the time I wrote a gig report about it: link It was a great gig - up to the point when Alan's health problems became obvious. I couldn't help but think though something had already gone wrong between him and Francis by then, the way Alan behaved ..
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 25, 2018 12:33:41 GMT
snakelady on the first FF reunion tour I went to the first gig in Manchester and the last at Hammersmith Ode and on the second tour I did Berlin, Stuttgart and the final Hammersmith gigs. It depends on the artist about tickets, if it's a friend or someone I've worked with then I usually just ask them for a couple, otherwise I buy them like everyone else. With the reunion gigs I'd known them since the 70s and Rick had been a regular member of the Munich Rock Mafia on the bar circuit along with Roger and Freddie from Queen and Peter Maffay and members of his band and various other German musicians who happened to be in town. Peter and I both l lived and had recording studios in Tutzing on the Starnberger See back in those days so Munich was our weekend hangout. You're right about the situation within the band though, Francis had already made it clear that there would no more FF tours and he wasn't interested in recording either, pretty much putting the situation with Alan back to square one. I'm sure it was the stress within the band that contributed to him really struggling at certain gigs.
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Post by snakelady on Aug 26, 2018 6:53:38 GMT
Well, too late now anyway to discuss whether giving up the FF completely was the right decision, coldwarkid. There were pros and cons for both, although the cons against continuing were probably too severe from Francis' perspective and I can understand that. Got to say I don't quite get why everybody's raving on about the Hammy. It's just an old cinema. I've been to lots of better venues and with a wilder audience, but admittedly I wasn't there for a FF gig. Guess nostalgia has a lot to do with it .. Starnberger See, eh ? A member of the Schickeria .. Wasn't aware Rick came down to the south, as Marietta's family is from further up north, but for a good party he'd always go the extra mile (km), obviously. And you seem to have been quite the naughty boy too ..
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 26, 2018 13:37:13 GMT
Yes it's all history now, Alan's health couldn't really withstand a heavy tour schedule and of course back then little did we realise seeing Rick pumping out the rhythm how little time he had left. I'm just glad I made the effort to see them. It was nostalgia but for me remembering a time that made you happy is a good thing and recapturing that if only briefly is even better. Haha your Schickeria comment made me laugh and when I showed my wife her response was "Where did it all go wrong?" It was a different era and when you're in your twenties and thirties you don't think about the consequences in decades. Weekends in Munich were very wild through the 80s with alcohol and coke, sad looking back how many friends from then are no longer here but as Rick said in his final interview "You live the rock and roll lifestyle, at some stage you got to pay for it" and many have, myself included with a two year fight against what was diagnosed as terminal cancer. Anyway when you're in your sixties a small village on the Rhein in Rheinland Pfalz is much more chic than Bayern
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Post by snakelady on Aug 27, 2018 7:50:46 GMT
Really hope for you, you've defeated that bastard disease so well it'll never raise its ugly head again, coldwarkid . And don't tell me you're living in the Vorderpfalz as well now (or do tell, but not publicly on the mb) ? Beautiful region indeed with a relaxed and sedate life style - we've just been to the Weinfest in Burrweiler yesterday evening, one of many .. Back during the second FF tour Alan asked in an interview, when the question about his health came up again, why was everybody worrying about him and not about Rick ? Nobody took that serious really as we all just thought it was him trying to divert attention .. But then, if it was common knowledge within the band camp how fragile Rick's health was, the side projects (the film, the beer ..) and going acoustic would make sense to help him cope without making it too obvious (as well as provide future income for all). Although, if Alan knew it, expecting more FF wasn't exactly realistic. Same goes for Rick and his wanting more. Maybe again it was a case of everybody acknowledging it apart from the one concerned ? In 2014 at least .. A reoccurring statement from Rick in 2015/16 was that he'd love to see his twins grow up. He must've been really worried by then as well.
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Post by coldwarkid on Aug 27, 2018 10:13:44 GMT
Thanks very much and yes I've been all clear since 2011 now.
I love that whole area and the Weinstrasse villages, ironically I had just given up alcohol before I was diagnosed with cancer and haven't touched it since but I am verypartial to several slices of Zwiebelkuchen, I just drive my wife so she can drink.
I think Alan's comment was very inciteful, even back then Rick knew he was living on borrowed time but for someone with his personality retiring and living the quiet life at home would have been torture, he lived for being on stage and being the "rockstar" it was what made him who he was. I know it's a terrible thing to say but in a way his sudden death was a blessing for him, years of forced quiet living would have been unbearable to him, especially if he saw the band carry on touring.
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Post by snakelady on Aug 29, 2018 8:31:56 GMT
Thanks very much and yes I've been all clear since 2011 now. I love that whole area and the Weinstrasse villages, ironically I had just given up alcohol before I was diagnosed with cancer and haven't touched it since but I am verypartial to several slices of Zwiebelkuchen, I just drive my wife so she can drink. I think Alan's comment was very inciteful, even back then Rick knew he was living on borrowed time but for someone with his personality retiring and living the quiet life at home would have been torture, he lived for being on stage and being the "rockstar" it was what made him who he was. I know it's a terrible thing to say but in a way his sudden death was a blessing for him, years of forced quiet living would have been unbearable to him, especially if he saw the band carry on touring. Difficult to judge why Alan made that remark. I thought he was simply annoyed that everybody was focusing on his health and how fragile he was. He seems to be quite the bossy character and problems occur when he doesn't get his way. Yep, Rick has always freely admitted he was in it for the adulation as a rock star and the girls . That's probably where the main difference with Francis lies. He may have loved that too at the start, but mainly he loves music. Writing it, making it and everything else is secondary. Although he is aware that he needs the fans for it, they are his customers. Else music could merely be a hobby. That's probably why he puts the band first over his solo stuff, which he's got to love writing and playing more. It'll always remain a hobby though .. Soon it'll be Zwiebelkuchen and Federweißer time again .. (I know just the place where to get the perfect onion cake .. )
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frozenhero
Administrator
Drop-D beautiful
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Post by frozenhero on Sept 5, 2018 13:38:00 GMT
Thanks very much and yes I've been all clear since 2011 now. I love that whole area and the Weinstrasse villages, ironically I had just given up alcohol before I was diagnosed with cancer and haven't touched it since but I am verypartial to several slices of Zwiebelkuchen, I just drive my wife so she can drink. I think Alan's comment was very inciteful, even back then Rick knew he was living on borrowed time but for someone with his personality retiring and living the quiet life at home would have been torture, he lived for being on stage and being the "rockstar" it was what made him who he was. I know it's a terrible thing to say but in a way his sudden death was a blessing for him, years of forced quiet living would have been unbearable to him, especially if he saw the band carry on touring. But it's not as if Rick would have led the quiet life anyway. He had plans - recording the solo album (which he did), promoting it, writing a book, doing the PLC stuff, etc. - he certainly would have missed playing with Quo but then again, hearing how bitter he had become about Francis, maybe not even so much. I don't know. We all miss him in some form or other, I guess...
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Post by coldwarkid on Sept 5, 2018 15:45:24 GMT
I think Alan's comment was very inciteful, even back then Rick knew he was living on borrowed time but for someone with his personality retiring and living the quiet life at home would have been torture, he lived for being on stage and being the "rockstar" it was what made him who he was. I know it's a terrible thing to say but in a way his sudden death was a blessing for him, years of forced quiet living would have been unbearable to him, especially if he saw the band carry on touring. But it's not as if Rick would have led the quiet life anyway. He had plans - recording the solo album (which he did), promoting it, writing a book, doing the PLC stuff, etc. - he certainly would have missed playing with Quo but then again, hearing how bitter he had become about Francis, maybe not even so much. I don't know. We all miss him in some form or other, I guess... I'm so glad Rick got to do all he did, it's just so sad he never saw the fantastic reception his album got. I had the feeling that if things hadn't turned out as they did with Rick's health that Quo were on borrowed time before the tension between Rick and Francis would see the band implode. I suppose the FF tours made Rick realise what a mistake he'd made in throwing his lot in with Francis and not Alan but back then all that mattered was money. Hindsight can be a wonderful thing but it can also stir up one big old crock of bitterness and resentment.
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Sept 8, 2018 8:20:30 GMT
What can I say - it was the best Quo gig I've been to in over a decade certainly. Hubby and me didn't take a single pic during the gig. We were simply too busy rockin' out and singing and generally enjoying ourselves. And there weren't too many smart phones held up around us either - standing still just wasn't an option. Then it was over and hubby and I were completely exhausted - COMPLETELY ! - and as wet as if we'd just come out of the pool. Sorry, I'm a bit late to the table after a holiday and a house move. Great report And high praise indeed! Makes me wish we'd gone to see them in Middlesbrough now. That gig received high praise from other quarters as well. Yvonne put on "Facebook" that it was in her top 10 EVER! The band are evidently happier as a unit than they have been for a long time. This is no reflection on Rick whatsoever. But there were obviously inner tensions and personality clashes which now seem to have dissipated. I won't dwell on that. It's been discussed many times and none of us really know what it was like. Bye Bye Johnny is really just used to say good night. It would be good if they did the whole song occasionally (as they have done not that long ago) but it's a good vehicle for leaving the stage after some audience participation. I always thought a rendition of Goodbye Baby would have done something similar but easier to get the crowd involved in the old Chuck number. We won't see Quo this year. But we will make a point of remedying that next year. When they play 4 new songs from their forthcoming album, all of them crackers Roll on the next "Quo's Back" tour.
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col
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All my Gods are leaving......
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Post by col on Sept 15, 2018 19:43:33 GMT
Thanks very much and yes I've been all clear since 2011 now. I love that whole area and the Weinstrasse villages, ironically I had just given up alcohol before I was diagnosed with cancer and haven't touched it since but I am verypartial to several slices of Zwiebelkuchen, I just drive my wife so she can drink. I think Alan's comment was very inciteful, even back then Rick knew he was living on borrowed time but for someone with his personality retiring and living the quiet life at home would have been torture, he lived for being on stage and being the "rockstar" it was what made him who he was. I know it's a terrible thing to say but in a way his sudden death was a blessing for him, years of forced quiet living would have been unbearable to him, especially if he saw the band carry on touring. Only asking a question here, but do you mean inciting or insightful? Due to the bad blood between various factions in the Quo camp, both could be applicable, however they have very different meanings. incite
verb
gerund or present participle: inciting encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behaviour). "they conspired to incite riots" synonyms: stir up, whip up, work up, encourage, fan the flames of, stoke up, fuel, kindle, ignite, inflame, stimulate, instigate, provoke, excite, arouse, awaken, waken, inspire, trigger, spark off, ferment, foment, agitate for/against; More antonyms: suppress, dissuade, deter urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way. "he incited loyal subjects to rebellion" insightful adjective
adjective: insightful having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive. "thank you for all the insightful comments" synonyms: intuitive, perceptive, discerning, penetrating, penetrative, astute, percipient, perspicacious, sagacious, wise, judicious, shrewd, sharp, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, keen, incisive, acute, imaginative, appreciative, intelligent, thoughtful, sensitive, deep, profound; visionary, far-sighted, prescient;
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