Blinded By The Light - Rhine in Flames 2002

Nigel Stanworth

18 months on from my last MMEB gig and the withdrawal symptoms were definitely setting in, especially while sitting here updating the website. Then an invitation from Reinhard and Erika Dahms, a gig in Cologne and a chance to meet up with some of the fan family. Plans were made, revised, ripped up and re-planned. Despite having said I'd never do it again, the coach tickets were booked, train connections checked and a pillow purchased. Then it was time to be off, lunchtime Thursday (only 24 hours to go - to get there, not till the gig!). This was never going to be trains, planes and automobiles, just lots of coaches, a ferry and a train thrown in.

Lunchtime Friday, and there is Reinhard to meet me off the train at Duren, great to see a friendly face and a chance to stretch my legs. A quick drive and we're at Hotel Dahms with the executive suite ready for me. Over the next 8 hours the rest of the weekend guests arrive. Great to meet up with Uschi, Iris, Angela, Wil, Christian and Heiko again and Ben for the first time. Of course getting this many EarthBand fans together the topic of conversation soon turns to the band and a late night is guaranteed.

Next day and its into Cologne. 500,000 people are expected and the city is busy with parking spaces at a premium but we eventually manage to park close to the venue.

The venue is an open air stage on the banks of the Rhine, almost opposite the Dom. Not as large as I'd expected (perhaps space for 2-3,000 people) it was still an experience for me, my first open air MMEB gig (after 27 years), after all we don't often get the weather in the UK and open air concerts tend to be the mega-concerts such as Glastonbury. Time for a drink, a snack and a look round Cologne. What a beautiful city, the Dom in particular is spectacular (Andy the station is next door and would keep you quiet for hours).

Then back to the venue, Reinhard's employer's are sponsoring the gig and he's managed to get hold of VIP tickets. Fantastic, a chance to speak to the crew and the band and catch up with news. Whilst in there the sky darkens and starts to look threatening and perhaps an hour before the gig it starts to rain. Then good news, the dark clouds slide past and the rain eases (stopping just as the gig is about to start). Apparently the dark clouds moved off towards Frankfurt where local flooding occurred! A close escape. Outside I meet Annette, nice to put a face to the name at last and also Roland.

Then its time for the gig, the keyboards look a little strange without the Moog balanced on top. The set was no surprise (I'd already seen the setlist), I'll Give You, Shelter, Martha, Times. The most noticeable thing is the sound, guitar, keyboards and vocals all well balanced and Manfred getting some wonderful sounds out of the Hammond. Mick is also in fine form. Steve seems to be really enjoying himself and there's some great bass in Martha.

Then Dancing, a new song live for me, it works really well and the instrumental in the middle is excellent. Then Carol - again something new for me with the re-start towards the end. Steve's bass is well to the fore here. Pete is playing well also. Then Father, the duel in the middle between Mick and Manfred is fantastic and the absence of the moog is not noticed. Then Demolition Man, She Was and Blinded. This really gets the crowd going as they recognise this EarthBand standard (would be lovely to hear the long version again though). Then the band are back for their encores. Davy (again instantly recognised), Redemption Song and finally Might Quinn. All too soon its over - 1 hour 40 mins of pure pleasure (and it stayed dry).

Then back into the VIP area - it is free beer after all and a proper chance to talk to the crew and the band and catch up on news. Rhein-Energie were doing us proud. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to speak and hopefully the UK gigs will happen this autumn and we can do it again.

About 10:30 with another band on stage, all of a sudden everyone has a lighted sparkler in their hands, amazing, on both banks of the Rhine all you can see in both directions are sparklers - really impressive. Then at 11:00 the fireworks, all set to music and definitely the best display I've ever seen.

Finally its all over and its back to the car and then Hotel Dahms. Exhausted its time for an 'early/late' night. Iris and Angela sorry I missed you next morning - I don't know how you manage it. Then sadly it's time to travel back, farewells to everyone as in two's they leave with plans exchanged to do it again. Last to go are myself and Uschi, travelling in opposite directions at the station, waved off by Reinhard and Erika. 24 hours back (but at least I slept most of the way back this time).

Reinhard and Erika, thanks for your wonderful German hospitality and for organising the VIP tickets, to everyone else, it was great to meet you all again. To Annette, I may walk next time, I reckon it would only take me a month.

Nigel

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