Kid`s Treat

Welcome to my very own memoir of all the great gigs I`ve been.
Let`s play it one more time! Tell me which memo you like the most!

Monday, 15th September 2014

 60.000 Licks (and still no satisfaction) 

No, you're not aware, where are you headin' when you enter one of twenty buses that are starting their way only from Slovenia. And when you'd probably need a map, when these twenty buses get lost in dozens of buses from countries all over Europe. I suppose you ain't aware that you're going on a concert of a band that maybe your mama was a huge fan of (or your grandma, if she didn't promise to be eternal fan of The Beatles). Maybe you get a clue, when there are posters with great red licks all around Vienna and almost everyone that passes you by is wearing a t-shirt with the same big, light red lick. And man, you really get a feeling it's pointing at you. Seriously. You get a clue of all what's happening just few miles before Vienna, when they tell you you're going on a concert of the greatest rock'n roll band of all times.
Battle time
Yeah, it's about The Rolling Stones' concert in Vienna on the 16th of June during their 14 on fire tour. And it has to be pointed out this gig was a thing to be fighting for. For many times. First, it started with war for tickets. Tickets for Stones were always right on the edge between pricey and they cost as much fans are still ready to pay for. So for Vienna (and all 14 of shows) the sign »sold out« flashed on your computer only few minutes after they were ready to buy. When you got the ticket and made it to Vienna, it was necessary to get as good place in front of the stadium as you can get. Fans started camping in front of Ernst Happel since early in the morning and maybe it seems strange, but next to you it might turn out to be sitting the Stones' fan from Norway and his mother, who had a bag, t-shirt and even an arm tattoo decorated with logo of the band. Forget about the souvenirs. Mission impossible. All of the visitors were practicaly roasting untill five p.m. when even a TV crew came and probably shoot it for News at 7. So when a girl holding newspapers with cover of Mick Jagger passed by, the crowd literally lost it and got into a fight for their own piece. When the gates opened, the battle wasn't even close to an end. The combat continued, while everyone started running on the big stadium.
On fire!
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Rolling Stones! And that's the moment, you're getting aware of damn thing. In the air so many hands, you can't see a thing, despite your position in let's say fifth row under the stage. You can't hear a single riff except screaming of elderly lady, who gets crazy at first glance of the band. On the stage appear grey-haired guys and in front of them is the skinniest of them all with strange dance style and likes moving his face muscles and wagging his finger at the public. Start me up got the visitors really »on fire« and Jagger proved he still got it and showed himself all over the stage. While Charlie was managing the drums with his well-known elegance, Keith and Ronnie, both in colorful sneakers, kept strumming their strings. Keith wore green pair and he stayed typically swoon, while Ronnie couldn't stop smiling and flirting with public in his red high sneakers. Later on Jagger said hello in german and explained guys are delighted to visit Vienna again. He referred to fans from Austria, Croatia and Serbia and forgot about those from Slovenia, but they sure didn't mind, because he didn't stop sending them kisses during the show. 
Despite their age members of legendary group proved their status, and 71-year old great grandpa Mick Jagger showed his good vocal and physical condition. Sure, the ballet lessons did their way. »Und jetzt etwas romantisch zu kuschen! Angie,« Jagger introduced all-time love ballad (actually written for Bowie's wife Angela) that embodies desire but is also a proof of Jagger's unstoppable favour for women. The crowd also got excited at rebellious Get off my cloud and other big hits.

It's only rock n' roll. But we like it.
But, that was far from all you've seen that night. Sir Mick all of sudden pulled his harmonica out of the pocket, but he also showed he knows how to handle the six strings. The whole show was visually well prepaired and so it was Jagger's image. During Sympathy for the Devil he steped into the Lucifer's shoes so he wore long red feather boa to feel more alike. Fans helped with accompainment and they also did blow their whistles in Miss you. Surprise of the evening was ex-Stone bass player Mick Taylor, who enriched the Midnight Rambler. Keith Richards showed his vocal skills in You got the silver and Can't be seen. After two hours stones left the stage, but the party wasn't over. It's only rock n' roll. But we like it!
Arrival on the stage started with well-known C and F chords of You can't always get what you want. Fans enjoyed the sound of Austrian academic choir. After some calmer melodies there was a time for big hit you sure know at least the chorus (even though stones are not your favourite kind of band). Satisfaction, of course. Satisfaction that took almost ten minutes. And Satisfaction that lifted the whole stadium up and all hands in the air.
So, if couple of old skinny lads didn't seem much, after such gig, one should admit they are the way they are presented. And so you are now aware you've witnessed living legends, that despite battles over women, drugs and changes in music industry stayed together for decades. You have witnessed something that started with love for only rhytm and blues and during all those years influenced fashion, haircut and (after all) lifestyle of people. You've witnessed euphoria that will maybe never happen. And somewhere in the heart of it is still the music actually. You're now aware of it, standing right under the stage, so close you could with little effort reach Jagger's leg and around you 60.000 people singing I can't get no Satisfaction!

Monday, 6th October 2014

Spread their wings above Milan


While the stage is covered in darkness, the taste of excitement is in the air and the hungry crowd is waiting to get their dessert. Suddenly the light flashes and reflects the white piano on the stage. The singer gets on stage dressed in italian flag, takes place by the piano and plays very well-known intro chords of ballad. Well, after first chorus comes the spin. He clears his throat, looks around over the people and changes the key. »What I'm actually trying to say is…« He doesn't need to carry on. The first notes were enough for fans to welcome the dreamer who believes we have to dream untill our dreams come true.
Milan rule
Fans were waiting for gig of american version of Rolling Stones (according to the title, it's the greatest american rock n' roll band) for a long time. Guys from Aerosmith aren't used to coming near very often, but this time, they decided to play in Milan on June 25th,   during their Let rock rule tour. After the release of their Music from another dimension, they dragged into that other dimension over 30.000 fans, who got to Arena RHO in Milan. While music enthusiasts were waiting for their stars to appear, many other bands tried to entertain them. Even Walking papers with Duff McKagan on guitar (well known for his staying with Guns N' Roses), but Extreme turned out to be the surprise of the evening. The temperatures were getting higher and higher, but the crowd was having fun singing A hole in my heart and timeless classic More than words. Only few moments before 10 pm, when the lights on the stage were secretly shut down and it was about a second ago for Whitford, Hamilton,  Kramer, Perry in Tyler to get on stage, fans spent the last seconds to sing along with Joan Jett and proved their love for rock n' roll.
Let me entertain you
After technologically well performed visual intro, which gave fans a taste of other dimension, the rock finaly started to rule. All of sudden on stage appeared Steven with his new accesory- moustache, of course. Well he gave an impression of himself coming straight from other dimension, while his face and body was painted. He sure didn't forget the must-have nail polish. His hair, which is usually decorated with many interesting things he gets to find and then palces them into his haircut, but fot the italian gig, rocker decided to wear pink highlights, but also kept the look of what could be called glamorous cowboy. He changed his clothes for several times and even covered his face with neon colours. During the first chords of Mama Kin he showed he's in a good mood and of put his scarves-covered mic on display. After the last verse Tyler started coughing and tottering around the stage, so fans were getting concerned, but he soon cleared all the doubts that the former intoxications left too serious consequences on him. Not at all, 66-year old smiled, screamed and jumped around the stage all night long. The audience was entertained with similar comic acts, mostly dancing, jumping over the mic (which would be ordeal for someone half of his age). He showed his big mouth to camera and even licked it up couple of times. But the fun wasn't over at all. He kept bugging the other members of the band, which means he was pointing the mic to them and asking them to help him do the singing. The multiinstrumentalist was a bit modest this time, but showed his skills on rattle and kept the rhytm. When the crowd practically got mad during Love in an alevator he turned around and in verse  Kiss your sassafras shaked his „sassafrass“ too. Not to get anyone too far, Tyler completely pampered them with I don't wanna miss a thing (from Armageddon soundtrack, starring Liv Tyler, his daughter). During Crying the demon of screaming showed his skill when smoothly singing the glissandos and colouring his voice with his trademark final tones which end in higher keys, but also showed he still masters the harmonica. The first blow during the harmonica solo in Crying  provoked applause and unstoppable screaming of excited crowd. During Living on the edge Steven decided to hook up with some fans and moved into the first row, where he offered them his microphone, but in exchange he collected kisses, hugs and even hat, which he immediately tried on. Beatles' cover Come together shouldn't be missing as well as Walk this way, where Steven made everyone wonder if he wouldn't probably found himself in rap too.
Grand closing
Not being only rock legend, Tyler is well-known entertainer even from the American Idol show. But also Joe Perry, the guitar player, singer's long-time friend and former »toxic twin«, shared his fun part. The movie, which started to play on huge display in the stage's background, depicted Perry having fun wtih raising money while playing guitar in front of the Milan cathedral. Of course it didn't take long untill he spent the time taking pictures and giving autographs with curious random passers-by. After the movie was shown, Perry took over the mic and sang Freedom fighter. Then the lights went down for the first time, but there was no doubt guys were coming back. The return was marked with romantic ballad Angel, which was interrupted after first chorus and continued with Dream on, where he easily reached even the higher notes. The fans just loved it. The applause and whistles seemed never to stop. Joe Perry accompained Steven with show, so he stepped on piano in the style of  Slash in November rain. Even Tyler sang from piano. But the gig wasn't closed with the ballad, so the crowd got on fire once again with blues-filled Sweet emotion and the melody was in the air untill everybody sang along and Steven conquered the whole stage. After more than two hours the Bad boys from Boston got together and introduced themselves. Steven, the alst but not least, didn't do same, so Joe Perry did it for him. During loud screaming of the audience he didn't say much. But he did say enough, so the fans will have something to remember, something to collect and a good reason to see him again: »Thank you, baby.«

Monday, 3th November 2014

Will remember you



Red velvet curtains. Shining black Armani suit. Dita waving from her champagne glass. Johnny Matis, Nina Simone, Rufus Wainwright, Elton John, Amy Winehouse… They were all there along with the 41 members of finely tuned symphonic orchestra. They were all there along with 12.000 people who came to the sold out treat of the man with the silky voice, unforgettable smile and with pair of sunglasses.


»Good evening, Zagreb! I `m here for the first time and I like it very much,« was only the grand opening of the show, which was overall very emotional. George Michael visited Arena Zagreb on 20th September 2011 to present another aspect of his music soul to his supporters and fans. In his over-two-hour show soon after the first tones the artist of Greek-Cypriot origin proved he is still using all of his well-shaped vocal range and his energy on stage. The performance looked and sounded mostly like a well prepaired theatre show where the main protagonist is showing the story of his life and is accompained by some of the finest musicians and backvocalists. 

Tears, energy and cabaret

George, who is very well known for sharing his feelings with fans, sang some of his greatest hits, among Cowboys and Angels, Kissing a fool, Understand and also Where I hope you are. The last one was dedicated to his long term partner Kenny Goss, with whom he separated recently. Michael stayed on the large stage in complete darkness and said it with such feeling as he said »This is for my mother« before singing You have been loved. One could feel he is standing next to him and like he is talking to you, telling his story and waiting for you to say how you feel about it. It appeared to be more like private club cabaret and especially not like huge sold out performance. Even the visuals appeared to be so, the stage was covered in red, white or blue tones, once in the background the moon and the stars were shining and in the next moment, there was a picture of Dita doing her champagne glass show. Just the way the whole event was more like theatre show, sometimes sad and sometimes powerful and energetic, the visuals reflected this temper of the gig.The first half of a concert was more pop-filled. Michael kept the audience filled with energy while he sang not only his greatest hits, but also the songs of the people he adored. This was wonderful news for the visitors, while they could enjoy themselves listening sounds of the incredible different-styled vocalists joined under the great sound of Michael. Some of the fans might be expecting more popular hits, but the others surrendered themselves to cover songs. Each and every ont of them was special and deliberately put in the great shape filled with his own style and emotions. Not only he knows how to make jazzy My baby just cares for me sound great and funny (especially for his And even Ricky Martin customed verse), his clear vocals sound amazing in different registers and his vibrato is so sensuous that John and Elvis are dead almost made everybody cry and it was not only for they met their doom, but Michael spread his sound deep in fan`s hearts so they could only imagine how the sound would be if the three would join on stage together. »I `ll be right back!« said Michael to break the applause and on the stage appeared the clock that was counting down 15 minutes when the artist would be back.

I`m your man!

After the pause, George introduced his covers of the evergreen classics including Wild is the wind and Roxanne, which sounded even more pure and profound from Michael`s lips than Sting `s. To put some older pieces aside, George showed his moves in different version of Rihanna `s Russian Roulette, which was a real surprise for the visitors. He also dedicated a part of his show to Amy Winehouse, who tragically passed away only few months before the show. Her Love is a losing game was accompained by huge images of her in the background. Finally, what what should not be missing, was the grand closing of more than spectacular show. Praying for time was continued with Feeling good, where the musical accompainment with the brass section and percussion dictated the rhytm and couldn `t leave the visitors indifferent. George, who said, he liked the Symphonica `s fans the most of all, thanked them with encore-mix of Amazing, Wham `s I `m your man and Freedom 90. 48-year old Brit danced himself all around the stage and it didn `t take long before everybody was dancing.Michael had a taste of life. Just the way his friend Elton John put it, he got to know much of the sorrow and pain. He fought battles with himself and with the public, but his extroverted persona and love for music dragged more and more fans together. His music is eternal, just in the way his vocal will always remain as one of the best vocalists and especially the most emotional. Some of the lines may be difficult, but some may be simple, but neither matters. The only thing it matters, you hear him. Once you do, you won `t forget it. Just the way he said, he won `t forget Symphonica. Gently, with the most calm and sensuous sound he said goodbye along with I remember you. 

Tuesday, December 2nd 2014

THE CHRISTMAS CAROL CONTEST


The whole year, I mean the whooole year I keep waiting for this thing called December. And if you look closer, it`s not even the whole month, its one single day. Or one single evening, better said. And when you look even closer, it`s practically few hours I guess. And so, few minutes before midnight I catch myself thinking how this whole excitement just passed by like nothing and how I better get ready for another year if I don`t wanna get too depressed. That night used to be sleepless for the whole childhood of mine because in my mind there were so many questions like what Santa will get me that year and all. Now I sort of start feeling what this thing called Christmas used to be. I feel more and more like it has to do something with the family, having one peaceful dinner together, watching the snow outside (or even pretending to be so) and having fun while finding probably 1001st place on the tree to put some final pieces on the already over-decorated tree. I try to remember all the good things I`ve done past year and every moment that made me feel happy. And what I`ve also been doing for the past few years, is keeping list of (of course) my favourite Christmas songs. No, I didn`t get you some sweet moments from a romantic Christmas concert, but I present you my very own Christmas carol contest (15 songs I`ve chosen and 15 songs that seriously need to be part of your Christmas playlist).

We`ll be going from No. 15 to the top.




#15: It`s the most wonderful time of the year (Andy Williams)
 Every time I hear it, in a second I have the whole melody in my head and Andy`s charming voice.







#14: Winter wonderland (Dean Martin)
Another Christmas vinyl, to keep you warm when probably some snow is falling outside and you are feeling warm next to the fireplace.






#13: Santa Claus is coming to town (John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie)
Probably a good thing to listen when waiting for Santa with some milk and  cookies. 








#12: It`s Christmas time again (Johnny Matis)
Something raspier but yet very tender for Christmas Eve. But we just love such sound, don`t we?












#11: Do they know it`s Christmas (Band aid)
I  can`t imagine Christmas without this one. I love the old 1984 version, the whole idea of Christmas in a different, not so romantic version as we all have the perception. But my hats go off also to the this year cover about Ebola. Way to go!















#10: Rockin` around Christmas tree (Brenda Lee)
..at the Christmas party hop! Great for a Christmas party. Have a happy holiday!












#9: Mistletoe and wine (Cliff Richard)
When I feel this one it makes me feel like dancing. I love the melody and Cliff`s interpretation of this piece. Have a glass of wine and someone to take you under the mistletoe.











#8: Driving home for Christmas (Chris Rea)
Since I`ve literally tried how it feels to be driving home for Christmas, I love Chris`s raspy voice in the way he makes this song a bit melancholic.















#7: Last Christmas (Wham)
I know, I know, you`re gonna say this one it`s been played so many times, but if reconsider, there is no Christmas without it. I think in a few years it might even beat Jingle bells. Just kidding, but anyway, I can`t feel Christmas untill I feel the intro and George`s first tones in this one.















#6: Thank God it`s Christmas (Queen)
Hell yeah, thank God for Christmas so the Queen did this great song. I their own style, this piece is a proof Christmas song could be done with more like rock notes.

#5: Carol of the bells
I love all the versions, all the singers no matter what, as long as it keeps those crescendos and minor chords. (I bet you already figured it out that I like more melancholic Christmas songs)


#4: Have yourself a merry little Christmas (Judy Garland) 
Once I read someone classified this song as one of the saddest Christmas songs ever, but I think this could be the whole point of it. There are too many over sweet cliche songs for Christmas.
 This one is astonishing. 
AND HERE WE GO! READY FOR TOP 3?

#3: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire (Nat King Cole)
I cried when I heard it for the first time. This slow rhytm and the melody make it so hearable, I wanna play it over and over again.

#2: White Christmas
Even if it ain`t white, this one makes us believe. There are only two verses of this song (of still unknown author) and a jazzy melody and that is why this will be classic of all times. 


#1: Happy X-mas (War is over) (John Lennon)
My favourite since I was really a Kid. The accompainment done by choir, the melody and its message are making it so special, it will always remain on the top of the lists. 


Monday, January 5th 2015


 KISS LOVES YOU UDINE 



Udine. 4 pm. The temperatures are increasing in every minute and so is the crowd, joining in front of the antique walls of Villa Manin. The little town of Codroipo, near Udine turned into black and white that day. It is the leaders of black-white troops, well-armed for the party all day long and rock n` roll all night to blame. They sure came to take over the final city before they started to move their  Kiss Army to Milan. The KISS. Leather-wearing long-haired Harley Davidson riders, fathers carrying their kids on the shoulders, and many other young and old curious wanderers who came to face the Kiss. Armed with face masks or other Kiss equipment, they came to prove there ain`t important if you speak Italian, English, Slovene, Croatian or German, but to see what you need to see. Show, still calling itself so, after over 30 years. KISS.

Even though gates were opened at 6 pm and the gig began at 8pm, on 17th of July 2013, the troops of excited and sunburnt fans were making their moves towards the walls and neither heat nor crowd was able to stop the march. The space in front of Villa Manin was filling up and their persistent »we want Kiss« brought many curious by-passers, who tried to figure out why there is war satte in their town, why the traffic is completely stopped and why the hell there are so many people wearing funny masks and walking around there. So when the gate was finally opened, the soldiers in first battle line managed to beat offensive security and conquered place under the stage where only the most excited fans took place. The most excited, I say, for they found the strenght under few hours of over-heated waiting and securing their place in front of the gates,  and they even ran right after they got their ticket back. In the golden era of the band most of the visitors were wearing make-up of some of the band members, in Udine the view seemed quite different. The reason might be, as I`ve mentioned few times before, the heat melting the make-up of many, who even at the scene of gig used the must-have white base, black eyeliner and lipstick. While under the stage the curtain  with the Kiss logo was lifted up, the already overheated crowd was on fire even more. Only the matter of time was the moment when its gonna burst. And so it did.
It exploded from large spider-formed construction above the stage. Smoke covers the stage, the light blinds it all and the curtain falls. The army is taken over by the well-known order  »you wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the world. Kiss,« and after the first riffs of Psycho Circus, the commanders of the Army took place on stage. The veteran generals of the first band set, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, were accopmained by  Tommy Thayer and  Eric Singer, who took over the masks and places of the original space-ace Ace Frehley and catman-drummer Peter Criss. The beginning of the performance sounded „monstrous“, for the melodies of their latest album Monster, which got them on American Billboard hardrock chart and kick them on tour again, could be heard. The songs migtht not yet be well-known to the public, but the spectacular show was. In the background the enormous sign of Kiss, must-have part of concert scenes, was flashing. Letter after letter, exactly as in good old times. Gene was marching around in his demonic outfit and licking his guitar over and over again and stretching it in the way probably nobody can. The major force anyway was Starchild Paul Stanley. His hairystyle was still pretty wild, he kept the star on the eye and blood-red lipstick and he proudly showed his hairy chest while entertaining the fans. After they sang along the Italian Volare, he told couple of times how the band loves it in Italy. He split the fans into two groups, the left and the right, and dared them, to bring it on, for the show was going on with Sonic Boom`s Say Yeah. When the time for »yeah« came, he left the microphone to the loudest ones. Between too many hands desperately trying to catch one of the Stanley`s picks, the others showed him hearts made with their palms. After Stanley`s a bit vocally-less intensive Heaven`s on fire, when he didn`t forget on licking his finger while  »eat it like a piece of cake«, he intensified energy despite two hip operations. He kept dancing in his platform boots, circling around guitar and shooting the Demon with the fire coming from guitar. Simmons kept a bit more peaceful, but proved his Demon status.
After stretching his tongue, which might not be as flexible as it used to be, and less virtuose sounds from the ax-shaped guitar, resembling the motorcycle, he flew above the crowd to the body of the spider and the whole stage turned green. The fans knew it was time for God of thunder and even the blood-spilling show wasn`t left out. The gig was well prepaired, for all the four members were completing each other. Each and every one of them presented his skills to the visitors. After few-minutes-taking shouts for Tommy and then Eric, Singer prepaired solo o drums and Tommy on guitar and then they were both lifted up in the air, so the skills of the mechanic spider could also be seen. They fire was shot in the air and the major three guitar strummers lined up and moved their head in the rhytm, just as you can see in the evegreen Kiss` videos. When the stage was taken back by Stanley, he made the crowd go wild saying: „I have a feeling, like we are a family. And when I get that feeling, I have to join you.“ Those, who doubted how 61-year old is about to fly over the heads of fans in his high-heeled boots along with his guitar, proved to be wrong. He did exactly that and then he sang Love gun to them standing on the shelf between the crowd. When the Love gun was cool and he returned back on stage, the older hits took place. First measure of I was made for loving you were recognized to everybody for it was a hit, which blew them right into the top of rockstars. Small confetti started coming from the air and the night was falling on Villa Manin. Stanley couldn`t reach the higher tones of I can`t get enough, but he left the fans to do so. „You are so small and yet so loud. Tomorrow, when we are doing the show in Milan, we will really be thinking of you,“ praised them Stanley, before he changed Detroit rock city into Udine rock city. And he wasn`t wrong about them. The absolute necessary was also Rock'n'roll all nite, when Paul even smashed his guitar, but he didn`t gave the pieces away to the fans, fighting themselves to get it. But they started to figure out, the party was about to come to an end. The final solo belonged to Starchild and Black Diamond, which was the last song of over-two hours lasting spectacular gig. He even shoot the visitors with the camera, so they could wave themselves to the screen, and then the Kiss members took picture surrounded with over 10 thousand arms in the air. When the lights went down and the smallest hope to see the rockers once again was gone, God gave rock'n'roll to you started to sound around the place. Visitors kept standing in darkness and they sang the anthem so loud, as if the band was still playing. So maybe Kiss ain`t what they used to be, maybe Udine rock city is only a place in their well-prepaired merchandise map, maybe it is about old glamrockers, joined to feel the old glory again. Doesn`t matter. It all disappears in the moment, when the shouting crowd still doesn`t want to go home. In that moment from the darkness on the stage suddenly the huge sign flashes: Kiss loves you, Udine.


Monday, 9th of February

Kid`s Pit: NO GUNS; JUST ROSES



Right before the show was about to close and everything seemed to be heard and seen, the complete leap occured. Axl appeared on stage to perform one another song. And yet it was not one from Chinese Democracy nor one of the greatest GNR hits showing on MTV. It seemed as it was instead his words for saying goodbye. And it was everything the fans wanted. The first riffs were way too much appealing and his voice sounded just in the way Slash described him for the first time they got to know each other. So perfectly annoying. Voice hard to fake. Late night summer night, around 5.000 people and suddenly all we need was just a little patience.

In Guns we trust!
After Axl Rose, who used to be the leading force of the Guns n' roses machine, decided to actually spend some time 'estranged', the band never got completely together again. And their decision to decline even the reunion at conduction into the Rock n' roll hall of fame surprised fans with such intensity, as the announcements about band going on tour. But yet, the same year when they turned down the hall ceremony, Seerock festival was loaded with fans of all generations, ages and nations. Axl remained, after all this GNR thing went over, either admired or misunderstood. Just the way he used to be. But one thing is for sure, for the people coming all the way to Austria, he still remains undisputed king of rock n' roll, no matter in which dimension they are about to take it. Among other bands as Sonata arctica and also The Cult, most of the visitors were GNR by religion. The 80's culture was everywhere, in complete Axl lookalikes wearing long hair and must-have bandana with a cross necklace, or there were either four -membered families, wearing snake cowboy boots and a cowboy hats. And just in the way fans were dressed up, they were expecting the same ftrom the band. All around the place the same well-known yellow circle and bleeding-roses-decorated pair of guns. It seemed as the new image of the old Guns didn't end up so well for even the new band t-shirts weren't selling. 

Ultimate rock show

It was 29th of June 2012 and not only the degrees were getting higher from one minute to another, but there were also questions how everything was about to occur. Axl, famous for confronting the riots and appearing late on shows seemed to be dealing vocal issues and also the band he was going on tour with was debatable. Slash's solos on guitar were, such as Axl's powerful presence on stage, vital part of the show and since their ways parted, there was a question, who could step into his shoes, took a picker and do it as good as he could. 
Despite an (expected) hour late which led to few bottles flying to stage, the rock n' roll show started with such intensity, right in the moment, with no annoying music rising the excitement and making crowd, which was already on fire, even more nervous. One moment the lights turned on and in the next the crowd was screaming, jumping singing and taking pictures of rock heroes taking the stage. The same way was with Axl. 50-year old showed up with the same class and style he was famous for. Dressed up in a t-shirt with a suit and leather jacket, jeans, few scarves, snake boots and of course lots of shining jewelry and a bandana with hat, he immediately bined the crowd together. The redhead seemed to change his long hair with shorter haircut combined with short beard and moustache and his daring, talkative and most of the time deficient clothes with more elegant pieces, but yet suitable for a rock legend as himself. After grand opening with Chinese democracy, same named as last album waited for a long time, band continued in some older directions. "Welcome to the fucking jungle baby, you're gonna die," was such a welcome everybody waited the whole night for. Soon there was also the time for heartbreaking This I love, Street of dreams from latest album and some older You could be mine, Live and let die accompained with "live and let die motherfucker" in the beggining and legendary Rocket queen of course. Axl didn't forget his moves. He's been pushing the mic stand all over the place, leaning himself from one leg to another and throwing his mic from left hand to right. During "and you're a rocket queen" different pictures of girls, with image much like the girls appearing in the Guns' videos, were showed on the screen in the back of the stage and Axl showed how real rocket queen was supposed to look like. With his hand he drew women's curves in the air and the crowd just loved it. There was also the time for Civil war where Axl powerfully whistled the first notes with no single mistake. When Estranged took place he even proved he can still run from one side of the stage to another without losing his breath. Chords everyone still knew were played by DJ Ashba, who seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Even his image resembled Slash but even more, his father-to son relation with Rose almost satisfied fans, who were still missing the relations between Redhead and Half man half beast. After Rose took some break, every member of the band had the opportunity to introduce himself to the visitor. It didn`t take long before one could figure out  Ashba was sure the right decision, for also his amazing guitar skills could certainly be compared to Slash. Loyal member Dizzy Reed conquered keyboards just as on all the concerts, but he was later accompained with Axl, who could even run his own piano show without singing a single note. In his own style, he played all over without stopping. After he sang and played Pink Floyd's Another brick in the wall, the time for one of the greatest hits in the history of rock came. November rain. There was some rain in the afternoon before the show, but during the show, the only thing falling down were some tears in the eyes of excited fans. Not long after that one, another masterpiece was played. Axl sang Don't cry dressed up in white. 

Welcome to Paradise city
Some higher notes, which used to be Rose's speciality, combined with his raspy colour of voice, he established, didn't come to such extension as before. Due to his huge vocal range, he could still sing the higher tones, but the rock n' roll lifestyle, long career and his un-friendly to vocal cords singing technique did its way. The results are shown with less intensified vocals, but Rose combined them with energetic moves and shorter glissandos. The speciality of the performance were also the visuals and the pyrotechnics. In the beginning of the stage the fire was coming out and burned up in the air at the singgle beat. For the gig to be fulfilled, the huge closing was needed. And so it also turned out to be. Huge and different. After guys went off the stage, they came back with some more guns to shoot  and some more fire to burn. When everybody thought this was it and the night couldn't get a better climax, Axl started singing  another melody. Faster and older. Sweet child o' mine was necessary of the repertoar and when Axl welcomed everybody in the Paradise city the atmosphere was about to explode. In the middle of confetti flowing through the air suddenly he decided to throw his mic up in the crowd and the same he did with whistle he used for intro. Soon everybody joined him and so they waved themselves into few minutes long Paradise city later accompained with Axl's goodbye. "We love you, we hope to see you soon," said Axl. He once said the guns is for they fought and the rose for their victory, when they asked for the hint about the band's name. Axl could put down his guns now. It's time for him to get only the flowers.

Monday, 9th of March 2015

Kid`s Pit: GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!   

The announcement about British rock band Queen coming on stage again was followed by question if this is really about the same great old band. Well, after all the doubts are gone and wherever you search for tickets, their famous logo conquered most of the webstores, another question suddenly appears. How are they gonna do it, since their legend is gone for 24 years.
Heading to Stadthalle in Vienna, where on the 1st of February Queen pulled off another gig during their sold out tour, was somehow different for all old-school fans, who already went ti see some great concerts or they`ve managed to see the Queen during their golden royal times. Beside casual issues, such as casual battle for the first row and how to resist low temperatures during few hours long waiting for the doors to open, the concert bus was full of expectations how the Queen opera is about to take place without the lead actor, director and the first vocal of evening. Freddie Mercury.

Royal spectacle

In Freddie`s sneakers got Adam Lambert, American singer, famous for his performances in American Idol show. Remained members of the original band warmly welcomed him and so the Queen performed for the 10th time in Vienna, 7 times they did it with Freddie and twice they shared the stage with Paul Rodgers.  Bass player John Deacon didn`t take part of concert.
The concert scene in Vienna was filled with 13.000 excited fans on the day of the gig and just before it was about to start they wandered if May is going to switch his picker with coin and if Taylor already turned his stick on the right side in left hand. The suspicions were gone when the curtain, decorated with the band`s logo, fell down and the stage was conquered by the lead actors. Lambert, covered in black leather with golden spikes and sunglasses started the concert exactly the same way as in 1986. With One vision. Without looking too close, one could figure, if it might be Freddie on the stage, Lambert had the dynamic moves and he ruled the whole stage in a second. For the perfect show, he even had the moustache. Brian wasn`t difficult to recognize due to his well-known haircut, which after all the gigs got even more charm and reminds us we are surely dealing with a great legend of rock. But May kept his passion and persistance in playing just as all the years before. Roger`s snare was also loud and it was not only his fault, he was supported by another loud drummer force, his 23-year old son Rufus Tiger, who later even joined him in drum battle. Lambert prepaired for the show just as he would be reading Freddie`s manual and adding some of his own ideas. During the sounds of Killer Queen he layed down on the huge purple sofa and resembled women`s moves. He even opened the bottle of Dom Perignon and spilled it over the fans in the first row.  Fat Bottomed girls shook the place with some more country and the energy enhanced in I want to break free and Somebody to love, when Lambert got to the highest tones with extreme power and asked to finally to get him somebody to love few times in a row. His manageable vibrato sounded as opera as Freddie could do it and yet Lambert was low on falsetto, the technique, Freddie was great at. The result was Adam developing some more pop-like, melodious sound. He proved despite his singing he got some moves too.
The accompainment was more sounding like pure Queen, using less computer as with Rodgers, and  bass player, filling in Deacon also gets credit for that. After Taylor, his son and May played and sang 39, the older part of Taylor family sang  A kind of magic. Fans helped him with excitement for he managed to take the them all back to some past times and proved those ain`t over yet using some magic and some raspy vocals. One of the climaxes was done by May. First he talked to fans in German and after they responded with great excitement and huge applause, he apparently moved sang to them Love my life. With such sensuality, he could managed the guitar, he calmed the whole scene. And later, the magic occured, such as May predicted. In the background of the stage, suddenly Freddie`s image appeared. After sang the final chorus, took a bow and,waved to fans, the whole place was almost silenced for a moment and then followed by one of the loudest applauses of that night.

Still undisputed champions

Under pressure was another crucial part and also I want it all and Who wants to live forever, when Lambert, who changed his costumes for few times, sang under huge crystal ball. Sounds of Radio Gaga drove all the members in front and the famous chorus was accompained with clapping hands, well Lambert jumped in the crowd. The first measures of world`s most famous rhapsody dragged everybody into some old times again and the loudest applause deserved the great „deus ex machina“ closing, when Freddie sang from the background again and Lambert accompained him, lifting in the air. Due to the royal performance, Lambert returned on stage in new outfit, ready to do some more arias. He literally crowned himself for the queen of the night for he wore big sparkling crown on his head. But we`re used to that. It`s about band, full of magic, love and prestige. Pure baroque. As in melodies as in costumes. The comeback was marked with We will rock you and the sudden end almost expectedly continued into the first chords of We are the champions. After almost three hours of show, the place was filled with confetti and all the hands were in the air. Lambert contributed some oh his own style to the performance full of nostalgic moment. He wore even more extravagant outfits and sang with even more popular tones, that`s why his songs were full of vivid moves and outstanding vocal decorations, but sometimes some more emotional tones were missing. The ones fans still sing to themselves.  The band proved their royalness once again. And altough Adam may not be Freddie, his show is after all these years still going on.

Monday, April 13th 2015


Kid`s Pit: A Rebel with his yell 


It only took couple of riffs to guess which song is about to take part of the show. Strings were just about to burn and so it was the stage. The heat almost reached the top, hands were right up in the air and the only thing missing was the blonde rebel take of his shirt. He made his yell sound even more rebelious. The view was almost the same as decades before, when the yell first came to sound. Only this time, red leather vest was missing.
Billy Idol is still blonde, still knows how to dance with himself, only he`s in late fifties now and yet this time there were many people dancing along. One of the first crusaders, who started to form the path of punk in Great Britain, used to be huge rock n` roll icon back in the 80s and yet he still knows how to do it. After he filled the place up few years ago, he decided to do it again. Only this time it sounded more idolized. Why? Well, you might wanna go and ask Steve Stevens. Who? Yeah, same Stevens, who was probably guilty for Idol`s songs to reach sound we still got in our ears and yet the same Stevens, who still makes you believe, the guy was probably born with picker in his hands or at least something like that. The show was noisy, punk and rocking again.
British Fall Out Boy started to rock the 25th of June 2014 with some tones from the underground. He opened the show with few songs from  Kings & Queens of the Underground, which was about to come to reality later that year. All covered in the black leather, just as rocker like himself should be, he took over the mic and also the crowd. Hot in the city could probably now be reffered to Hot in the Tivoli hall. After few big hits, such as Dancing with myself, White wedding and Mony Mony which left visitors still some 80`s taste in their mouths, there was time for Billy to show his guitar skills. With Stevens covering his back in guitar accompainment, he proved he could still made Sweet 16 sound convincingly emotional. Same as Eyes without a face, where he put aside his raspy tones and softly but with depth sang lower tones and then slided to upper ones with lightness and yet sensibilty. After all, that sounds pretty much like ol` Billy, who`s just a fan of combining different things to find the right sound. Surprise was also Stevens. After King of underground`s departure from the stage, Stevens took care of the crowd and continued with the idolization.
He showed everything he`s got, playing over his head, behind his back and so fast one could hardly follow. From slowly wandering through some evergreen guitar riffs, such as Led Zeppelin`s Stairway to heaven, to going on and on, faster and faster, he showed, he`s really cruciable part of the rebellious night, which tastes as some old rock n` roll. When Billy changed and got back on the stage, the party went on.
It didn`t take long, before the atmosphere was the same as before. And it got even crazier when the time for the most famous yell came. Though the first rows under the stage were taken by fans, who grew with Idol`s music, it didn`t seem as the time passed by at all. They were pointing their hands up in the air, just as you`d find yourself in the middle of the Rebel yell video. When Billy took his shirt off and showed he also got almost no trace on his well-shaped body, they were as one. When Billy stretched his face muscles and got his vocal screams back, they were jumping and screaming, trying to reach him on the stage. Well he stepped on the stair above the floor and started doing well-familiar move with his fist in the rhytm. Everybody continued.
„Me... I`m a Billy fucking Idol,“ he ishouted after he introduced his band to the visitors. After Billy`s danced with himself in his autobiography and opened his heart in  underground, we could guess, what`s coming next. Well, he`s sure not finished all the chapters. At least one more is about to come. That`s how he promised: „See you next year!“

Monday, September 14th 2015


Roads the man walked down


Folk used to be one of the country and other US ethnic hillbilly genres in the sixties. Well it could even remain there, if somewhat whimsical and arrogant guy called Robert Zimmerman suddenly appeared in New York, and after some time, the world started known him by the name Bob Dylan. As the years went by, the streets of Greenwich Village sounded same as his politically engaged Freewheelin ', and he got crowds of fans and followers. But as Dylan said the last word with acoustic folk, he enjoyed electric guitar tunes. Fans were surprised even as Dylan continued with love ballads and country. But even the remarks on his behalf and getting the raspberries failed to end the route, he was heading. His songs are still loud enough, his voice sharp enough, and his tour is never ending.Dylan has stopped in Slovenia since for the fourth time since 1991. Over four thousand people joined together in Arena Stožice in Ljubljana. And as special the day was, it was also clear, this event is a different kind, when the stage was in complete darkness and the people sat in front of the hall. Visitors who are otherwise fighting for the first row at any cost, this time preferred to sit along and eat popcorn this time. Alright, the concert was not sold out, but just looking at the long-haired elder visitors, middle-aged couples and girls in black dresses with wreaths in their hair, were reminiscent of scenes of American folkies sitting in parks. Only now they were not singing We Shall overcome, but spent their time wondering whether Dylan may not get tired to prepare always new surprises. Finally, his logo disappeared and after a strike on the gong small man with a huge white hat took slow steps on the stage. As he found his place in front of one of the four microphones, he slightly started humming Things Have Changed. In the moment when the crowd began to shout his name and started prepairing their cameras, Dylan did not respond at all. But his guards did. Filming or photography was strictly prohibited. Yet a number of times due to flash use, security guards pull their flashlights into the open. They did not succeed, only the visitors in the first rows were blinded by the light most of time. Dylan's lighting, was the complete opposite and more reminiscent of a theater performance. The venue was surrounded by curtains, the stage used to be filled with soft light due to the small wall lights, but otherwise equipment, which included microphones, guitars, drums and piano was nothing similar to what large stage spectacle names similar size and mileage, as Dylan usually use. It was more intimate, more club-like. The only decoration on the stage was a small bust. Five-member accompanying band sat on bar stools, but Dylan spent most of the time standing in the middle of the stage in front of his microphones and reciting his poems. With every minute, it was quieter in the hall and the concert became increasingly emotional yet without sleazy flirtation with the audience. Moreover, Dylan's unclear pronunciation, broken rhythm and changed forms of the songs caused confusion amongst visitors and so only half of them realized big hits actually, such as Tangled Up in Blue. It seemed as if Dylan devoted to walk down his entire musical career once again and with each step he was more away from initial folk with whom, he grappled to its beginnings. Here and there he took time for harmonica and proved he still sounds enough melodic and melancholic, as in the past. When he performed She Belongs to Me he even sat by the piano. No one was surprised at electric guitar on stage this time, but Dylan did success by selecting songs. After the sad and unrelated verses of Sinatra´s Fool to want you and As leaves fall down, it was clear that he did not only take part in his own musical path, but he summed up almost the entire American music history.When he bared his soul and took some rest backstage, he returned with new image. And so did his songs. With High Water and Simple Twist of Fate he took a bigger step to the very American way of country and did not miss out even blues heritage. He sat by piano once again and hit the floor in Forgetful heart rhytm.  Montand´s Autumn Leaves was a proof of Dylan´s ballads, appearing strong and somewhat crude, but can apply nostalgic tunes with note of romance. Spirit in the Water, intertwined Dylan´s virtuoso variations on piano and guitar parts, later turned into Scarlet Rown, then Soon After Midnight, followed by Long and Waisted Years, which changed the whole atmosphere in way more relaxed. But seniors could expect that 74-year old ex-folkie would not depart untill pulling the rabbit out of the hat. Those, who barely followed the program, full of not exactly greatest hits, were bored. Still others were confused. Meanwhile Dylan made an end to the dilemmas, he at the same time met all of them. With well-known lyrics and completely opposite form of original version of the song, Blowin´ in the wind made some even more kindled, well the others broke the code only after the second stanza. The grand finale was accompained with Love Sick, when the lights went out and the great Dylan walked off stage without a word. 

Monday, October 26th 2015

Amy Unplugged  


"Just one smile and we'll stop recording..just one smile," her friend says. And he goes on and on untill she finally makes a shy one then turnes her eyes and hides behind her blanket. It might sound like a child-like story, but to me it seems as her story shortened. As that is all the paparazzi wanted. And it goes beyond. There are true feelings, unreleaved lyrics and no things such as fake smiles.

It starts with Amy Winehouse.It starts in 2015 but goes way back. News about Amy's sudden death shook the world and left it in wonder as in cases of Joplin, Morrisson, Cobain, Jones and such. Debates of what might pull the trigger were struggling with ex-addicts who were claiming this was the only logical consequence of her life taking wrong curve. Well, from that on Amy might have been treated as some sort of example of unstable and uncontrolled person with no such thing as meaning in her life. And from that on there was a need for someone make the whole thing clear.
The reason might be in the whole thing happening way too fast. In the very first scenes of Asif Kapadia version of funk and soul queen we get to know Amy as a teenager. A little different than others but with talent without a doubt and what she called already built character. Her persona was strong in many kinds of ways even when she sang Moon river, talked about boys or started strumming the guitar. Music, as she pointed out, was not only her "little helper", it meant the world to her, without even knowing it. Private footage make the story even more credible, so the viewers can see her real expressions and listen to her lyrics revealing some feelings she might never knew she would share. Not being ready for fame, that is another question. When Tony Bennett asked her to record together and even when she was awarded, there was no such thing as fame in her. She was surprised, unsure and happy as little child. 
It appears to me as the whole story reminiscent of some sort of a home movie, could not only tell about it without actors trying to mimick her and trap her in to some sort of stereotype (deliberately or not). With little help of collage and witness accounts Amy takes viewers straight into her heart and shares her minds, love and even fear with them. Such a little thing, but her name, marked with tabloid reports of substance abuse, seems to be dominated by her talent and her music. 
Winehouse does not only appear to be one of normal everyday people, but the viewers get their surprise by her need of love, varieties of such we are facing all the time. Affected by her father's absence, she seems to try fulfilling his part with so many different things and yet all of them couldn't replace his love. It might even be, Amy did not even know this is the missing puzzle. But more vulnerable, such could be easy target for those hungry for money, who would not care if she doesn't want to sing Back to black's songs or does not feel like going onstage again. When struggling with bulimia and surviving her overdose it was Blake who got her back on high track again. The same Blake she wore in her hair. It was her father who put her in front of the camera  and told her to get back and behave herself. Maybe for Daddy's girl to finally made his dreams come alive. Maybe to get him some dime.
The further story goes, the more viewers become a part of it and might even caught themselves wishing for slight possibility something going different. But this is not a romance, sich as her songs don't leave without a scar. The news of her death strikes with the same shock and out of the blue as it did back in the 2011. But the whole movie allows us to keep her a little more. Each gets his favourite line, each gets an answer and each gets a smile.

Monday, November 23rd 2015

Hell not Hallelujah 


"Satan is real, working in spirit. You can see him and hear him in this world every day. Satan is real, working with power. He can tempt you, and lead you astray." The Louvin Brothers' sermon switched from American country rhythms to the testimony of Rick Ross, when all of sudden rang Mozart's Requiem, which did not actually praise hell, but frankly the stage wrapped in red and white fog. During the flashing spotlights and jumping decibels of the Requiem, in the middle of the stage suddenly appears motionless silhouette, which then disappears again. When it reappears, he raises his hand in the air and slowly begins to wield a microphone. Violins and timpani get replaced with guitars and drums, instead of applause screaming and kicking the legs to the ground is heard now.
This year's 13th of Friday was spiced with one of the first and most extravagant lovers of a different kind of aesthetics, the master of grotesque and controversial prince, who put on his most eloquent and catchy name Marilyn Manson. He was able to combine the elements which seem to be incompatible, in his character name, but he seems to be doing it well in music. Well the same was with the expectations of what will were Manson's plans for this time in Vienna's Gasometer to accompain the release of his ninth studio album The Pale Emperor. Debates among the fans, who have several hours before the concert camped outside the door, were followeds by the competition for evening's craziest look ever! Black is no longer in fashion, hair color of pale-skinned girls covered the whole range, there were not only few men imitating their idol by hair or clothing, the most consistent even put in white lenses and scared few passers-by. Moreover, Manson on his extravagant entertainment conjured up everyone, from slightly older fans to grieving widows with blood red lipstick hidden by black veils and even members of the Hell's Angels. Even Austrian "Cruella De Vil" could not miss the party. Despite the fact that Vienna also hosted Prodigy in the same night, Gasometer was full and sold out.


When the fog vanishes, visitors are now able to discern striking image of Manson and the first bars of Deep Six. The crowd was enchanted, although the members of group New Year's Day tried to heat up place, but it is still not clear whether the sound system was too poor or the audience was too anxious, that they failed to get the hands up. Situation was completely different when the pale Manson appeared in his highly closed black coat and his boots. Not only the women were screaming out loud, well some of them were even waving their bras in the air. The situation in the front rows was ready to cause the alarm, however it was even supported by Manson himself. While slightly dizzy and absent going down the stage, he suddenly went in front of the fence and let the fans touch him. However, he has been generous throughout the evening. After he his hat flew above the fans, it was followed by towel and a glass from which poured water on the stage. He even sent a kiss to his supporters after the recent chords of opening song. After the first act of grotesque on a darkened stage suddenly appears a vintage microphone and there he goes, with a very Charlie Chaplin hat over one eye and illuminated by the round vintage glow. When the fans got excited by the memories of what can be referred to Old Hollywood period, and it really seemed that any minute there will be orchestra playing in behind and the burlesque dancers will pop out behind the velvet curtains, the eccentric artist addressed the visitors: "I have to tell you that you are the best crowd, which I ever had," it was one of the few phrases he confronted the fans with during that evening. Situation in the audience was at this point ready for alarm, but Manson then took off his coat and continued with Disposable teens, mOBSCENE, No reflection and Cupid carries a gun. As it was impossible to ignore his provocative appearance, he also used the same image for his voice. While it still seemed rigid, paranoid with taste of alienation, we are familiar with from the 90s. Nonetheless, when he spoke to the fans, what they got picture of, was almost unrecognizable American accent, his anarchist image has little to do with. But so as it would not seem to foreign for the crowd, the well-known introduction to Sweet Dreams got him back on stage with braces, "Some of them want to use you" was accompanied by marching around the stage on stilts. "Some of them want to be abused" got the meaning  only now thanks to his expressive cry. Not only Manson was conquered by the crowd, it seemed as if he managed to control the whole scene, including stage performance, his gestures, or the band's accompainment. Music, which could be described as a slightly harder rock, appeared to be a place to present authentic emotions. Sometimes he moved down the stage slowly, his cheers sometimes accompanied by jerky movements and then he clutched the microphone firmly with both hands. Another time he turned and waved to the audience with cynicism reciting his verses. In order to ignite the place even more, provocative scenery found place during one of his anthems Antichrist Superstar. In the middle of the stage there was a high podium, surrounded by microphones, adorned with white circle with a red border, only the swastika was replaced with lightning in the middle. In the background black curtains hung from the ceiling, decorated with the same symbols. The stage then covers the red mist and so Manson walks in dressed in a kind of black uniform and climbs onto the podium. To help you understand the multitude of his provocation, he helps himself with book he sets on fire, reminiscing piles of works which have fallen below Fuehrer's matches. Enthusiasm carries him so far that he grabs the microphone and gets on board. After a short pause, the spotlight illuminates red and white flowers lilies, wrapped around a microphone.  When Manson starts reciting Coma white to the crowd, he disclosed smeared lipstick on his face and white snow starts to fall from the ceiling. Already euphoric state of fans gets worse when he confronted the first row and after the last verse suddenly marched off the stage. Before the fans managed to get their own little piece of the performance, others trying to find some left storage place, they were suddenly woken by illuminating lights above the stage, not knowing when the show actually ended.


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