When I first saw the date of the concert on AV's official website, I immediately sent an e-mail to Ilwa and Uwe (German fanclub Faithful & True). We planned to meet in Plauen and even managed to book rooms in the same boarding-house. Ilwa and Uwe asked me to contact another fan - Renata. She comes from Bratislava, but this time she was au pair in a little town, about 70 km away from Regensburg (where I live). Two day before the concert - just when I already gave up to hear from her - Renata's reply arrived to me!

Saturday morning I met her at the station. We recognized and liked each other from the very first moment (Love at first sight No.1), so during our
trip by car we were NOT bored at all. We listened to AV songs and sang them, talked about our favourite band and were anxious to meet Ilwa, Uwe and several Italian fans. When we arrived to Plauen, we easily found the boarding-house. In front of the house, there were standing SOME PEOPLE - the Italians! - and there, near the door: Ilwa and Uwe! (Love... No.2 and Love... No.3). After our trip we all needed a shower; afterwards we had to hurry in order not to miss the soundcheck.

What an excitement! My very first AV-concert and ... I'm there at the soundcheck! Marian wasn't present, but we could see Bernhard and the musicians so close to us, moreover - we could hear another great AV-voice: Martin (keyboards and backvocals). WOW!

As the high temperatures demanded another shower, we went back to our boarding-houses, but just a little later ... we went for our "pilgrim's hike" to the concert place. We had to wait almost till midnight... But then... finally ... ALPHAVILLE!!!

Alessandra B. (Euphoria-fanclub, Italy) was standing right next to me. I was shaking and pinching her all the time (poor girl!), though it was ME who needed someone to pinch my arm (or anything else), in order to make me believe that it wasn't just a dream. I was standing in the very first row - about 2-3 m distance to the stage - and was surrounded by the Italian fans. Marian's voice, the music, the athmosphere - UNBELIEVABLE! I felt so much UNITED with all the people around me. The rhythm of the music was the rhythm of our
hearts... especially when they played FOREVER YOUNG. The songs I loved most of all: Euphoria(!!!), Guardian Angel and The Jet Set (Sorry, I still don't like Flame. It's just too "sweet" for me, though I loved the way that Marian sang "... chasing the shadows A-WAY").After the concert the Italian fans decided to take part in the party. They had to drive about 1,000 km to see AV live - they just deserved to meet AV. They reserved two places in their cars: one for Renata, one for me! The trip, passing the streets of Plauen, was a true adventure! ("Paolo, pleeease drive to the right side! Please, clean the front pane! LAVARE!? We need to recognize the names of the streets..."). After all we safely arrived to the hotel.
Who was standing there in front of the hotel? - MARIAN! He hugged Alessandra and other Italian fans - so I positioned myself to the queue ;-) Marian's hug felt quite well (Love... No.4). After that warm welcome, our crowd moved in the direction of the pub where the party was supposed to take place: Marian and K.P (and somebody else) in a cab, two Italian cars with 8 persons - 3 nationalties behind...

In the pub we met them all again: the band and a lot of fans. Marian was willing to give autographes, he spoke to fans and posed next to countless number of people for countless photographs. I joined the queue again, but then I almost decided to leave that scene because suddenly I thought about Marian's feelings about smiling for the cameras. In the end I could NOT resist the temptation;-)

When my photos were taken, I thanked him (in a good manner!) and noticed that Marian seemed to be a bit surprised. First I thought he was surprised about my "thanks", but probably he was surprised about my German pronunciation. Since I came together with the Italian fans, it was obvious to the members of the band that I was Italian, too. K.P. spoke to me English first, then I told him to speak German because I'm from Bavaria. "Really? - I'm Bavarian, too", was his reply. K.P. was very friendly (Love... No.5). I also talked to Martin (Love.. No.6) who was very friendy, too. I liked his humorous nature!

Of course, I was waiting for a chance to speak some words to Marian, but all
the time somebody else was talking to him (how obtrusive!) ;-) and ... I guess I'm too polite to interrupt other people talking.

Anyway, I enjoyed that Plauen night so much!

At 5 o'clock in the morning (when I could hear the birds again) I went back to the boarding-house -- dog-tired, but happy! Only three hours later, there was knocking on the door and someone said, "Good morning!" It was terribly difficult to open my eyes, but finally I managed to recognize Ilwa. She was laughing about me trying to wake up ....

Ok  - get up!

After breakfast we had to say goodbye. We all were happy and sad at the same time. What a good luck, we know that we'll meet again. So, we are looking forward to another great experience! :)

The way to Plauen was absolutely strenuous. There was only stop and go on the highway. We needed nearly 7 hours for 350 km. Before we had the idea to go also to the concert in Görlitz. But then we decided against that idea  and now we can say it was impossible to realise. So we arrived on Friday evening. We were hungry and asked where we can get something to eat. They said we have to go to the Parktheatre  There was already on Friday a big party. Well our dinner was expensive because we had to pay 19 DM per person to enter the area. At first we thought about going somewhere else for dinner, but we were hungry and tired and besides it was the chance to have a first look to the place of the event. It was an Oldie-festival with one unknown band, The Tremeloes and Middle of the Road. But we left before the last of them started their gig. We liked the theatre. Imagine the stage was in a kind of valley and up to the mountain were the seats. It was great because you could see everything from each seat you liked. Between stage and the first row of seats was enough place where people can stand or dance. And on the right and on the left side of the seats where enough place to stand. On Friday night it rained a little bit but the forecast for the Saturday weather was good. Saturday morning we slept long and relaxed. The owner of the pension told us, he only got to know about Alphavilles gig in Plauen, as he got a call by the band and they asked if they can stay the night there. But all beds were already booked. We laughed as we've heard it. That meant we have "stolen" the beds. Around half past 1 p.m. two other fans arrived and not any longer also the 6 Italians. Now the rest was away. Everybody was so euphoric. It was a pity that the time was quite too short for longer conversations. We all together went to the Soundcheck. As Alessandra Bertaggia heard Marian won't be at the Soundcheck, she had the idea to go to him into the hotel. We don't liked that idea because we know Marian needs the time before the gig to relax and to concentrate . So Alessandra agreed finally not to go to there. Short before 5 p.m. the Soundcheck was over. Bernhard was special funny. A wore a T-shirt with big red letters CCCP. That means so much as Sovjet Union and it was obvious where the band was short before. Now the Italians wanted to take a shower and return at 6 p.m. when the doors opened. We also went back to the pension to refresh again (it was quite hot this afternoon). We hadn't so much time. We must be back already half past 5 p.m. because we had a job to do. We made a kind of information- table with informations about Alphaville and the fanclubs. It was planned to be ready with that table if the doors open.

But the security didn't agree. We couldn't enter the area before and that some responsible persons from the management accompanied us, though. Finally we entered the area and built up the table, not completely in time. It doesn't matter. The interest wasn't so big. We think it was just a party of the town and everybody was there because to have some fun equal which band played. But there were also many real fans (50 or more we think). It was simply impossible to speak with everyone, what a pity. At 8 p.m. the festival started. Next to AV 4 other bands were announced. Real 7 or 8 bands played. In the begin a band with German rock played. We don't like such kind of music very much. Then another Synthi- pop- band came. And we can say they were really good! Now a RAP- band started. It was horrible. We only wished that they get ready and stop. Each Song were full of countless Yeahs and Yohs. As they left the stage finally, we were happy. But what happened? Another RAP- band came. We don't know how, but anyway we survived 3 or 4 bands of that kind. One more Act and than AV will be there. The Act between was a cult-figure of  the local radiostation. The audience was absolutely all excited. They laughed and screamed so much. After all we think it wasn't the best for AV. They were probably already backstage and heard everything. If you compare that with the reaction of the audience while the AV gig you must admit, people weren't so much excited for AV. We also hoped Marian didn't see how many people left the concert. But that doesn't mean that people didn't like the show. Many of them were mothers with sleeping child in their arms or older people. For them it was just too late and too loud. And it was really loud. Also the band noticed that during the Soundcheck. But it seemed they couldn't chance anything. Surely it was a decision of the organiser. We have to say it was a great concert. Now AV use only one guitar, but two keyboards (before they had only one keyboard and two guitars). And instead of the drums there's now a percussion set. And the one, who plays that, has really a hard job to do. We worked with his whole body. Marian sang wonderful. His voice isn't the same each time, but that night he was full of power, condition and breath without end. We also liked the new arrangement. Many songs sounded more electronic. For example they played a great long version of "A victory of Love". We also were happy that "Euphoria" is again in their program, because the intro with the guitar fits perfect to the live atmosphere. And also new Songs like "Soul messiah" or "Guardian Angel" were great live. As well-known songs like “Forever Young” or “Big in Japan” were played also the rest of the audience where happy and the ice melted. All in all the show was great!