I never made it to see Alphaville live
during their Dreamscapes-Tour 1999 before...
My journey started on the InterRegio from
Frankfurt to Naumburg while the sun was shining outside, with a good book
(“night above the waters” by Ken Follett)) in my hands and Alphaville’s
music in my ears, of course, played in my discman.
Later on I had to change to get to Nebra
and my journey continued in a railcar of the “Burgenlandbahn” (vernacular
also called “piglet taxi”). After I have passed vineyards, ruins of castles
as well as shabby railway stations I finally reached Nebra – a small town,
of what I’ve never dreamt to be there. But Alphaville let everything come
true: they even lure their fans to a very secluded place of the republic.
Shortly after 7 pm I left my hotel and
went to the Sporthalle, where the concert should take place, but I didn’t
discover any tour posters. I only recognized a Din A4 – seized sheet of
paper with a short note in a shop window (bad promotion, isn’t it?). The
most popular address in the hall was the merchandising stand, where I was
welcomed by the girls and boys of the fanclub “golden feelings”. By the
way, I like the idea of finding such a stand during every concert. But
I’m not sure about people’s opinion, who were willing to buy Alphaville’s
records for up to 30 DM, that are available in record stores for 13,99
DM. In my opinion, for that price every record should be signed. But the
prices for imports from the United States were quite fair. After the concert
I got a tour poster to embellish my flat. I bought Alphaville’s brand-new
single “soul Messiah” and Marian’s record “united”, as well, to prevent
a complicated order via internet and the possibility to get trouble with
the customs. Thanks to Claudia Gerlach, Marian was even willing to sign
this record.
But let me describe the most important
thing – the concert. After the gig of Alphaville’s support I, Rosie Raffin
from the fanclub “Faithful and True”, Claudia Köninger and her sister
from the fanclub “Golden Feelings” we fought ourselves through the audience
till the front of the stage and – what a surprise – Alphaville suddenly
started playing. The band played fantastic, the sound was very well and
Marian’s live performance was sovereign. I liked the extra German lines
at “cosmopolitician” and the special extended version of “sounds like a
melody” best as well as “the jet set”, “Jerusalem” and “dance with me”
(in any case three of my favourite songs). The intro to the new live version
of “big in Japan” didn’t let the song recognize easily, but unfortunately
the intro isn’t that heavy like during the tour before. I love the version
on “Dreamscapes”.
But the sound during “new horizons” and
“flames” were very spheroid, again – suitable to hover off.
The last encore was “dance with
me” played in a piano version. A special pleasure and a suitable final
– even if the floodlights were dazzling ... or even since the floodlights
were dazzling. You automatically had to close your eyes and it was much
better now, to concentrate on the music and singing. I was surprised not
to hear “soul Messiah during the entire gig.
Later I noticed, that I didn’t pay attention
enough to the light show with the 3 round screens, because they always
stayed in the background.
The atmosphere wasn’t that euphoric, like
during former concerts that I went to. One reason could be he height and
the seize of the hall, but nevertheless it was worth going to Nebra, not
least to meet “old” acquaintances again.
Thanks to the “Golden Feeling” – Team
for its engagement and to Frank Wieczorek for his fantastic skills to negotiate,
because we fans saved 10 DM for the tickets.