Hi Group,

I am writing this from Munich Airport, and the concert yesterday has left me very, very happy !

Munich had a great audience and a great performance. When during the introduction to "Mercy Street", Peter mentioned the imaginary water around the boat, Tony got his water bottle from a few steps aback. The audience laughed and cheered to Tony heartily at this gesture, which left Peter startled what had happened . . . - priceless !
 
And, when Peter in the beginning went onstage to introduce the supporting act, during a short pause he made in his introduction "speech", I yelled out "SEVARA !", because I had really enjoyed her act during all the previous concerts ! ! ! And the incredible happened : Peter stopped, turned in my direction, looked at me, said "Yes, that´s right, thank you !" and had to laugh. HE REACTED TO MY INTERJECTION ! ! ! Wow, I was so thrilled I almost couldn´t take a photograph of this scene (which probably will turn out all blurred, because a) I was shaking, and b) I didn´t aim properly) . . . !
 
Hoorah !
 
And the concert has left me hungry for more - it´s highly addictive ! Well : 5 down, only 5 more to do (including Cologne) - what will I do inbetween them and what will I do after them - I CAN´T DO WITHOUT THEM - wahhhhh ! :o( ;o) :oD
 
Oh, and I met Gerhard Eibel, Kerstin Rümke, Daniela Held, Claus Eberhart and many others at Munich, which was almost as thrilling to me as Peter Gabriel´s reaction to my interjection ! - What a bunch of ardent fans ! ! !  And Luzi´s acquaintance - I didn´t catch his name - which was an extraordinary fan to stand beside during the concert - all enthusiastic and almost getting a heart attack for the experience of a Gabriel concert ! Wow - our little group of fans in the "boat corner" was really hyped up and giving Peter really a reward for all his efforts ! ! !
 
Deutscher Übersetzungsdienst heute leider nicht verfügbar ! ;o)
 
Take care !

- Karin.

Hi Maccat,

The Italian delegation is now on it's way to Bruxelles. They stayed here
this night and we just dropped them at the railway station.
But let start at the beginning:
I was going to Rotterdam early because I wanted to try to get inside the
arena early. A few years back I was at Ahoy for a Sting concert and
noticed a open door before the show. And guess what the same door was
open yesterday; so round 3 o'clock I walked on the arena floor. They
were buiding the stage and light and sound and everything. I was lucky I
did not put on my orange jacket but I was totally in black and sat
quietly on the arena tribune. Kept a low profile and just watched
everything. They played all sorts of PG music over the soundsystem at
concert volume! Then I noticed Ged Lynch walking around but I hesistated
to appoach him. After he drummed a bit I walked up to him and asked him
if he had so time. He had plenty of time because the band was stuck in
traffic. So we talked about the show and his drumming. He was very
enthousiastic and very open and honoust. He thought the band was getting
better and better; tighter was the word he used. He especially loved
Animal Nation because of the groove. I told him my favourites were Red
Rain, More than this and Signal to noise. And I love the way he drums in
those songs. Then he went to the stage and started drumming! Great to
hear and see that. An empty hall with only the sound of drumming!. He is
a very nice bloke! Richard Evans is walking around incognito wearing
glasses.

The soundcheck started at 6 o'clock. All the band members walked in with
Peter as last.

Right before that the most amazing thing happened; Marco and Stefano (mr
Mozo) were on the train from Bruxelles to Rotterdam but they were late
because the train broke. Rachel Z organized 2 backstagepasses for them
because they have helped here with a gig in Milan. I had their regular
tickets but they said we will come in because we are on the gueslist. So
they went to the artist entry and the door was opened for them and they
could just walk in! without a ticket or anything. Maybe it was both had
luggage with them. But anyway I sit in the arena and I suddenly I see
Marco walking in front of me! So funny.

Then the soundcheck started with Growing UP and Mercy Street. During
both songs Peter walked around in the arena singing and checking the
sound. When he was near to us he almost tripped over some cables and he
laughed at us.

After the soundcheck we met with Rachel Z. Busd because the soundcheck
was so late se did not have to much time for us. She is very nice and a
bit shy. I had to take a picture of her and Marco (of course) We were
still talking in the arena when the doors opened and the audience
flooded in. She had never seen this and was a bit confused or
frightened. Nobody recognized here and we went backstage!! I even got a
backstage pass! But then she had to prepare herself so she made a
appointment with Marco for Bruxelles. She told us they had to rehears
all day in Bruxelles for the video which will be taken in Milan on the
2nd show. We will be there!!!

At that time Priscylla and my nevew Maarten had arrived and we were
looking at a nice place to stand for the show. I really had a great time
during the show but that also had to do with everything that happened
that day. It was David Rhodes birthday so we all sang Happy Birthday' to
him. Wish I known that before then I would have giving him a pair of
wooden shoes!!

Afterwards Marcoan Mr Mozo had a hard time getting their luggage back
because the security people were very difficult. But finally we went
home and listened to some bootlegs Marco brought for us.
And now the house is quiet again.....

Next week Pricylla and I go to Milan for the 2nd show and for the Rachel
Z gig. Looking forward of seeying a Italian crowd go wild!

Groetjes
Roel