Three crazy people in Dresden - A
concert report by Susi Akinci:
Dresden really is a beautiful city, but it
is neither close to Kassel nor to Munich. But who cares?
We, meaning Katrin, Karsten and myself, didn't mind.
People can think what they want about it, but we just
wanted to be there. Sure, the way from Munich to
Reutlingen in two weeks would have been much shorter, but
looking at the location I was negatively surprised that
the venue was going to be seated. Who wants to sit down?
I just don't feel old enough to sit and wave my arms in
the air yet. We once had this in Straubing, and Katrin
and I were happy when the host of the show said that
people should get up and come to the front of the stage.
And believe it or not, Katrin and I were the only people
who didn't remain in their seats for this show. We were
looked at rather strangely, but we didn't care. So, a big
'yes' to Dresden.
When the decision was made I immediately felt better. And
I never experienced a SAILOR concert that wasn't fun.
After all fun is a very mportant thing in life, isn't it?
Full of anticipation I waited for a message from Katrin
about where we were going to stay. It was great to not
have to take care of this. The weeks until the 7th of
July flew by and I was really looking forward to the day.
But four days before the concert we didn't have a hotel
yet, and I told Katrin that I didn't want to spend the
night in the car. Then finally the good news: we had a
hotel
All problems solved, we thought, and so we travelled to
Dresden. I left an hour earler because the way from
Munich is longer. Without any traffic jams I quickly
reachted our hotel in Dresden. Checked in, room and the
leave the car at the hotel's car park on a nice 'womens'
parking space' close to the exit. Right then Katrin and
Karsten arrived there too. Great timing! Refreshed and
after having taken some photos from our rooms on the 13th
floor (and that although I'm scared of heights). Then
Karsten went to the reception to ask whether SAILOR had
already checked in. The big surprise: SAILOR are at a
different hotel. How did this happen then?
After a quick break we eventually decided to drive
straight to the open air stage "Junge Garde".
Until then the weather was on our side. Once all around
the venue by car, but where could we park? Nowhere. On my
own I'd have left by now, but luckily Katrin and Karsten
are concert-pros. So onto the parking area protected by
some security guys, and Katrin got one of them to let us
park closer to the venue in a very charming way (I, the
'trainee', am still laughing about this). A few more
steps through the park and there we were. Unfortunately
SAILOR had just finished their soundcheck, but Oliver
came to welcome us very nicely. He also told us that
SAILOR were going to be the last band tonight. After all
this we truly deserved our first beer. I just wonder why
the cups always have to be so small.
Then, as the doors were opened, a few raindrops. And when
Chris Andrews started his show it began to rain so
heavily that we got soaked within seconds. Katrin had a
bit of protection thanks to her rain jacket and Panama
hat. But I quickly looked like a... well, nobody wants to
know that. In spite of this, Chris Andrews did a great
show. The "lady" next to me danced and sang so
enthusiastically that her umbrella kept hitting my head
and eye. Well can she be serious? After the fourth attack
I couldn't stop myself any more and made it clear to her
that she wasn't alone and I intended to keep my eye. She
left quickly, looking insulted, but hey... Then the break
for The Rubettes feat. Bill Hurd, and what can I say? Ok,
I say something: the singer has a good voice. Full stop.
It kept on raining. The Troggs couldn't perform tonight
due to their singer's illness, so they got replaced by
T-Rex. Of course not the same as they used to be, but Jay
Spargo, the singer really did a great job. I thought
about adopting him because I found he was really cute.The
explanation comes later. Another break. No more rain. And
we really looked forward to seeing Dozy, Beaky, Mick
& Tich and truly enjoyed their show. I sang along
loudly, sorry Katrin for shouting into your ear all the
time.
In a good mood we waited for the end of the last break of
the today, and when SAILOR started their performance the
sky had become clear again and we had wonderful weather.
Ok, the look and outfit was ruined, but who cares...
Henry instantly noticed Katrin's Panama hat ;) The show
was, obce again, super-fun, Tom fantastic on the drums,
not to mention Oliver's voice. Phil and Henry old
professionals, as usual, making the audience dance and
have fun. At "The Old Nickelodeon Sound" Henry
suggested that people should grab their partners and
dance to the waltz. Two older ladies next to me began to
sigh and say that they had no partners and would like to
dance with him. Sweet! Ollie's last song didn't just make
Katrin cry but left the whole audience truly impressed.
And the Full Monty made the two older ladies next to me
shout "take them off, take them off..." As
usual it was all over way too fast.
In high spirits we left the venue, drove back to our
hotel to get rid of the wet clothes and then took a taxi
to the hotel where the bands stayed. At least we also
wanted to have a drink or too for a change and not just
water. At the hotel we bumped into The Rubettes feat.
Bill Hurd who were just about to go to bed, apparently
not in the mood for the crowded bar. But we were, and
Beaky said hello to us. Suddenly the elevator doors
opened, and who came out of it, wearing nothing but black
underpants? Jay Spargo from T-Rex who had looked himself
out of his room (how this happened will remain his
secret) and got help from once of the hotel-guys. We
couldn't stop laughing about this.
Then SAILOR finally arrived, said hello to us and had a
quick shower. With beer and red wine we then spent the
rest of the evening with fun and nice conversations. I'm
so happy that it wasn't me who dropped the glass of red
wine. Phil and Henry said goodbye a little later, and we
stayed for another glass. I had to leave for a few
minutes to get some fresh air. That was really nice and
afterwards I was ready for a last beer with Tom, Katrin
and Karsten. After the poor bar guy who had already
beared us for a long time told us that somebody had phone
the reception and complained about the noise/voices we
eventually said goodbye to Tom at about 3 am and took a
taxi back to our pish hotel with the glass showers.
Summary: Great hotel with a big bed and a glass shower in
the middle of the room, great buffet and a long fun night
with lovely people.
PS: Kudos to Phil who talked to the audience in German,
well done!
And: Happy Birthday Harry, belated!
Susi Akinci
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