Oct 11: Short review Fabrizio Cassero <fcasser@tin.it>
ATTENDANCE AND STAGE - Both the shows were sold-out
(13.000 in Bologna, 12.000 in Milano). In our humble opinion, if you consider the great
wait for the new stage, you will be a bit disappointed when you'll see it. It's not so
large as you can imagine it after the last tours. In short -just like also italian press
noticed- it is "essential" and "far from the ones seen in the others
tour". About the attendance, we noticed an higher average age (compared to last
tours). Great atmosphere. Everyone was involved in it (there were any doubts?). I did not
like the official stuff in sale.
THE BAND - Let's talk about Dave. His charisma is intact. But, compared
to the last shows, he is not the Dave you are used to know. He dances, but not so much as
in the past, he moves his body in the way he knows, but not so often as in the past. This
is a fact. And he had problems with his voice. In both the shows, the band did not play
two songs (I feel you and Condemnation). In some circumstances, Martin himself seemed to
help Dave in some passages. Some songs (as Barrel of a Gun, for example) are a real
suffering for Gahan. The second enchore in Bologna was pratically an instrumental song
sung by the attendance. In the second shows in Milan the things went a little better.
Martin: absolutely brilliant. Walking around the stage playing with his guitar, he is the
real backbone of the show. You'll appreciate his voice more than ever. No more words: you
have to see him. Fletch: he seemed more industrious than in the past.
THE SONGS - Well....we have our ideas about those live versions. But
this is not the right place to talk about what we think. Did anyone report here that NLMD
and ETS are a bit different than in the past shows?
THE PRESS CONFERENCE - in Milano. It's reported on the main italian
newspaper (and i will scan it). Between other things, tha band said that -for the moment-
they are enjoing themself giving a new life to the past songs, and they are not thinking
about a new album (....but Simenon told us they will ;)
THE AFTERSHOW PARTY - only in Bologna date. 8 fans allowed to enter in
the room beside their dressing room. Everyone was there but Gahan. May be he was
disappointed for is voice, may be in that situation he did not want to meet someone, may
be this is a kind of protection for him. But one thing is sure: after that show we were
not surprised not seeing him. Before talking about Gore and Fletcher, something about Tim
Simenon. It was simply amazing to see him so kind with everyone among us. Large smiles and
spontaneous handshakes to everyone. A friend of us, a young producer, started to talk with
him about his work in Italy. Well...Tim answered him just as an old friend would do. Gore
seemed happy, sharing himself between us and his family, while Fletch was a little bit
vexed for some personal little problems he told us. But then he started drinking
beer relaxing himself. A very sedate man. After few minutes Gore invited us to play
"bar-football" ( I hope american bongsters will understand the kind of
game...I'm afraid they will not...). Me and Gio (013 webmasters) against Gore and Fletcher
(Martin moved the forward players). Of course, they won (playing with rules not allowed
here in Italy - would you protest for that? ;). Then we talk with them. Later on also
Jonathan Kessler and Andy Franks joined the party.. The after show hospitality lasted half
an hour. Then we said good bye and went away.