From: Christer Lorichs <chrille@gothia.se>
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 12:40:42 +0100
Subject: Karlshamn 14/6
Friday june 14 was a day Id been really looking forward to. A new chance to see DP in action and also a day off from work together with my best friend Ronnie. Our companies and families just had to manage on their own when we set off early friday morning.
The 300 km trip down to Karlshamn was a treat in itself with fantastic scenery and lots of great Purple-tracks blasting away in the car.
When arriving at the hotel we met Colin Hart briefly. The rest of the band were absent during all of the day and it wasnt until around 9.00 in the evening that Roger and Steve went over to the festival site. I had a few words with Roger and he said he was going early to catch Status Quo. He hadnt seen or spoken to them for a long time. Then Jon Lord passed and couldnt resist to hit one note on the grand piano in the lobby. It works! he said.
The rest of the band didnt leave until one hour before the show. IG and IP stood outside the hotel waiting. IG looking very tired, like he just had got out of bed. From what I learned he has been suffering from a cold or a flu and hasnt quite yet recovered.
We left them there and went over to the festival. We had been there briefly earlier on and were quite stunned by the amount of alcohol being consumed. I dont think I ever saw so many people completely stoned. This gave fears as to the quality of the crowd, rightly so it would prove.
So at around 11 we arrived and got a good position. There was a 9000 strong audience, a record for the festival and everything looked rather good. From reading one of the reviews here, stating that Ians voice wasnt in top form I was afraid he would have problems. But this would prove to be completely unneccesary. Fireball hit off and Ian was singing great. Ted was next and he did it superbly. Now my worries about the crowd would prove true. Suddenly a beer was thrown on stage, shortly after to be followed by a big plastic water botttle. Ian understandably looking really pissed off. As usual, when something like this happens, he singled out who was responsible and challenged him to come forward. A few more bottles was thrown on stage and I was afraid that things could go horribly wrong. And I also was disappointed because its these kinds of things that often makes a difference between how a show will turn out.
The rest of the audience was pissed too and gave a big boooo to the ones throwing things and eventually they stopped. Ian said Nice meeting you!! Most of you anyway! and in the end he said and thanks for the beer, the six or seven of them.
I dont have the exact running order, Svante may correct me, but it was something like this:
- Fireball
- Ted the Mechanic
- Pictures of Home
- Black Night
- Cascades
- SIFLS
- WFT
- Bloodsucker
- Smoke
- PW
- WABMC
- Speed King (with drum solo)
Encores:
- Perfect Strangers
- Highway Star
To me it was a rather good show. Nothing spectacular but I enjoyed it. I was especially pleased to hear IG sing so well. No problems there. The rest of the band appeared to be in rather good mood. Steve had some technical problems with his effects boxes throughout. His solo was ruined by this.
Highlights for me were: Purpendicular - IG so clearly enjoying singing it and doing it so well!! When a blind Man Cries - It hit me straight in the heart. Speed King - a really blazing guitar/organ duel.
They played for about two hours and got down well with the audience. my friend Ronnie who has been to two DP concerts before (1987 - awful, 1993 - fantastic) said he was a bit disappointed since there seemed to be something lacking and he was escpecially upset by the crowds behaviour. He singled out RG as the most consistent performer of the evening with good playing and really trying his best all the time.
After the concert we headed back to the hotel bar. DP were to arrive, pick up their bags and continue to Schwerin. Just before they left Roger came over for a chat. He was really dissatisfied with the show and not just because of the beer throwing. So much had gone wrong during the show and he went so far as to say this was their worst gig since Steve joined the band.
Since this was the case Im rather impressed they could keep up their appearence. I dont think the audience noticed this at all. The second largest evening paper gave them four stars stating DP havent been this fresh for a very long time. SM licks and quick rythmchanges are so are doing so much good for the band.
As Ive said here before Im off to France on holiday this wednesday. Missing them with one day in Mulhouse, missing the full Swedish tour and wishing I could see them in Paris. But I cant. Apparently its THE gig to catch. ;-) Lucky Garry! (I think you said you were going there, werent you?)
Christer
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