Part 2:Getting in:So after soundcheck the early entry people gathered and we got instructions on what would happen. We would get in around 5.15 pm which was 15 minutes earlier than normal entry. Around that time we got split into left and right and as I was the only one of the Dutch group who had left I got myself in between the German Queen fans who were making remarks about me being an Adam fan and such. Lovely atmosfere though. However when the time came we couldn't let in yet. Apparently some band started a bit late with their soundcheck and when 5.15 pm came the support act was still sound checking. The time got closer to the normal entry and we were still not let in. The whole group got pretty anxious, but eventually we were let in. We were told not to pass the steward and only until we got into the stadion people started running. As we got instructions from
DancyGeorgia that the front of the catwalk would probably be the best spot I went for that and ended up just a bit left of the middle of the catwalk (from my perspective). The Germans who were in the middle kept saying this is the best spot! The most Queen fans went for places near the stage though so I could pretty easily join at the catwalk. As there were quite some pre-entries most of the barrier was full already and when the normal entry people came in they really were confused. I was feeling a bit guilty as they didn't know there would be pre-entry, but some of them still managed to get great spots. Then the waiting started.
Rain!Just before the support act it started to rain. First a few drops and the German Queen fan next to me was telling me no it won't happen don't get that poncho out. But the drops kept getting bigger and bigger and at some point we had to cover ourselves. I'm still amazed how many people didn't come prepared. I only had a cheap poncho with me, but it worked like a charm!
The rain came pouring down quite heavy by the time it was time for the support act. They had great energy, but I guess the weather didn't come to their advantage. All the equipment from QAL was covered by plastic and they were standing there just behind the line to which the rain came. While it got more windy they also got some of the rain on their equipment though so I hope everything stayed whole. Then it was time to rebuild the stage for QAL. It kept raining and raining and I was almost sure they would postpone, but as it turned out it would keep raining until well after midnight so postponing wasn't an option. A couple of minutes before it was time a heavy lightning plus a loud thunder went through the stadium. It was almost as Freddie was giving his permission to start. The crew tried to dry the catwalk some, but it was all in vein. The rain wouldn't stop and it stayed wet everywhere.
QAL time!Then it was time! The curtain was down and they started with the pre-show intro's. The crowd started clapping a couple of times during that time, but we know it takes quite some pieces before it really is there. Then they started that back stage video! However during that video you also could see Adam, Brian and Roger behind the curtain standing there, stretching and talking to each other. What choice to make... Watch that video or watch Adam as he stood there behind the curtain. But it was over so soon and then Adam stepped out and also Brian got on the other side of the stage! Curtain up and go! Excitement all around me!
One vision is a great song to start with as it gets energy up right away, but I also would have loved to here The Hero as I don't know that song yet. The way he takes of that futuristic sunglasses at the end of OV is priceless! Only to recover another pair! I didn't know HTF very well yet, but I'm starting to like it. It went all very fast into SSOR and then SCC. At then tip of the catwalk there was a light rig and Adam at some point stood right behind it. The whole crowd was screaming so I knew he was doing something and when I tried to look around it I saw he had his hand in his crotch and probably also that was the point where he licked his middle finger which was fully gloved. Sexy from the start! Also the mic stand got quite the treatment again during SCC! He hardly came onto the catwalk during that first part which was a bit of a shame as the podium itself was pretty far away. I did take a video of his Rid your bikes moves just before he ran of the stage to change. Brian came out on the catwalk during his solo after that and that was the first close action we had there. But it sure wasn't the last!
youtu.be/-4Xcq6KtcGkThen Adam came back for PTG. He sings that song so beautiful! For KQ they didn't put the throne on the catwalk sadly... Maybe to keep it dry or to keep Adam from falling on those big heels of his! They did have the cigarette holder in place, but he didn't use it. He did give us a lot of tongue action though.... Dayum. After KQ came of course his speech and during that he also introduced Brian and Roger. For Roger he moved the throne out of the way himself... So silly! With IWTBF the whole crowd was singing along.
Then STL and during that it was the first time he came down the catwalk. On his high heels he came over very carefully and slowly to not trip. The first part of the catwalk had a bit of a downward slope so he had to be very careful to not slide down. Loved him! When he got to the end he noticed the umbrella. It lay there as it was used by the cameraman who is in charge of the frontal shots for the screen. He shouted to the steward who was standing right before me to give him the umbrella and he didn't hear him at first so we signaled the guy that Adam was standing right above him wanting that umbrella. You all know the rest! The way he did STL was really amazing. The high notes and also the ending where he slid up and held his note for at least 10 seconds I think before sliding down again. So amazing!
For LOML they covered Brian with two umbrella's (black ones). It was again a beautiful moment in the set list as the whole audience sang along. Just before DOOL Roger came down the catwalk very carefully with the Red Special (or maybe a replica) covered by a towel. He himself with a cap on from Queen. DOOL with the footage on the big screen from the whole band is also a very nice moment to remember the whole band. During DOOL they build up the extra drum kit right before my nose so they would do that very close! At the first strokes of Roger the water splashed of all the cymbals and the drums and I think Roger got very wet during that time. Halfway during the drum solo he put his cap on sideways:
At the end he tried to announce Rufus, but first said Roger instead! Lol he then threw his cap in the air and announced Rufus properly. So fun! Having a picture of David Bowie on the screen at the start of UP is a very nice remembrance to him. We didn't have long to stay sad about that moment though as there came Adam with again an umbrella! I laughed so hard! During UP and CLTCL he used about all the options he had with that umbrella! Sometimes without and then with again as the rain intensified again. I also could see a lot of his beautiful but as he was also singing towards Roger a lot! So very close! Adam trying to keep both Roger and Brian somewhat dry with his umbrella also was priceless to see! I also love Brians hat!
During DSMN, AOBTD and IWIA I think the whole crowd was singing a long and dancing and enjoying themselves so much. I hardly noticed the rain during the concert and thought at some point why don't I have my cap of the poncho on my head, but it was to late as my hair was soaked already so I didn't botter to keep it up anymore. I really love IWIA! It so fits Adam so good with the cry of youth and stuff. Then WWTLF came and with the lasers and the glitter bal and of course Adam's voice! I saw Alexander completely losing it with his emotions and although I didn't cry I poured all my emotions into singing with Adam that beautiful song! After that I must say the whole crowd needed a bit of recovering and then it is nice when Brian starts his solo a bit easy. Last Horizon is so beautiful also and then apparently he also did a part of Beethoven 7th (which I missed). Then the lead in into TYMD and you realize it's almost the last section of the show already. No TSMGO. I really hope he does that one in Brussels as I'm dying to hear that one live!
Radio Ga Ga is a song I always liked although I don't have the clapping completely in order yet. I got my own rhythm and then it doesn't really work to do the same all over again. The song now however has a different meaning as well as Adam of course came down into the crowd! The happy smile on his face when he comes down into the crowd is something I'm not easily going to forget. He really loves being around the fans and the fans surely love him. I didn't really remember if I looked at him when it was my turn, but when I look at these screenshots I took I think I did! Touched his hand quite long as I went with him in the movement. My first handshake after that was with Nic42 as she gave me the opportunity to experience this. Thank you so much
nic42!
After that the encore went by in a blur a bit. I do remember that his jacket was so shiny! The jacket and the crown were shimmering so much it looked great together. He also had his shirt under it with the shiny things on it. The one he wore with STL during the 2015 shows. So it was quite the shining presence there!
Confetti! It seemed to me they already put a batch into it as there were empty buckets on the confetti blowers already when they started, but at the end of the show they put another bucket in each of the blowers again. As everybody was wet there was confetti everywhere! It stuck to everybody and everything and I wonder how long they will find confetti all over that stadium and also all over Cologne as nic42 already mentioned. It stuck also to my poncho and afterwards I was plucked by some people who wanted to have confetti as a souvenir. They didn't get all though as the next morning I found one still stuck to my poncho. Nic42 surprised me as she came over when everybody was already starting to leave the venue. I was still a bit struck, but also very empty. I think I can now say that's probably the way I am after a concert: Empty. Not much emotions left anymore as I throw them all into the gig while singing along with about everything. But I think I still look happy. My end of concert selfie at least shows a big grin!
Afterwards I also met mireille and the Queenies who were on the other side and everybody liked it so much. A lot of people were soaked to the bones, but it all didn't matter! We enjoyed a terrific show and enjoyed it all together!
AfterwardsAfter the show we went to the Queen fan club Germany after party. It was nice to talk a bit more about the concert and also to eat something as I was very hungry all of a sudden. The next day I met up with
augenpoesie,
nic42 and
betty and her husband on a terras right next to the Dome. The weather again was very lovely and we also met with some other people who went to the concert (as nic42 already mentioned). I still love the gay couple who was on their sort of 2nd honeymoon in Cologne and then found out that QAL would be playing there as well. One of them just couldn't stop talking about how he adored Adam! Great couple! After nic went to her train the rest of us did some sightseeing in Cologne and then it also was time for me to leave again.
What I love the most about these trips is that before the concert you see people talking about them travelling to the city and then we all enjoy the concert together and in the end we all go our separate ways again. It does however bring us together from all around the world! It's amazing how Adam (and also Queen) manage to do that! We really can't thank Adam enough for that!
My manager at work told me on Thursday he would never have thought I would be doing these things. I told him I would have never thought this of myself either, but I'm enjoying it very much. So thank you all also for making these meetings possible and giving me my daily fix of Adam!