Oberhausen review as posted on the JB boards
After leaving London thursday night (thnx to the bus driver, who got me back in time for class the next morning) I managed to keep my eyes open friday, during college
So finally getting home around 8 pm that night, I had to clean up, do laundry, move all pics from my camera onto my comp, (I needed the card to take pics in Oberhausen
) and get my gear ready for Oberhausen.
Careful not to forget anything, banner, badge, outfit and a good sense of humor, I finally went to sleep at 3 am. 3 alarmclocks and 5 hours later I was on my feet again... Dressing up, lots of makeup to hide the lack of sleep and enough caffeine in the body to make it through the day I left home at 8:30 to catch my train. 2 hours later, I was waiting at Arnhem for my train to Oberhausen, which would leave at 11:37. While I was in the train, I got a message from Flakie they were waiting at the small entrance. That confused me a little,since I wasnt sure they would be waiting in the Centro (a giant shopping mall right across the Arena) or at the Arena itself. So when I got off the bus at the Centro, I first went inside the shopping mall to see if they were there and to clean myself up a little after the hours of travelling.
A few messages later, I walked towards the Arena and ran into Rockchick18, who walked me to the others. It was brilliant to meet up with everyone there
Flakie, Kitine, Marlene from Denmark, Ina and Tommy, Jauntyone and all others I'm not mentioning now...
When we found out we were at the wrong entrance, we walked/ran the stairs to the main entrance, where they started putting up the entrance fences. Since we were with more, we tried to cover the first 4 gates, so we could all get to the front row.
I stood a little behind a couple, who were very much in love with eachother, but had a great view (thank you lady for snuggling up to your husband ;-), You are one lucky woman to have a man who loves you as much as he does :-D )
We all had our boardie banners ready, so when James got on stage, we all made sure he knew where to find us
As he jumped off during 'Cuz I love you' He did so right in front of our group and his first hugs went to the boardies ;D I am pretty sure he did that on purpose ;-)
It was a sheer joy to be at this concert, the crowd being into the music from the first note on. I must admit, the Bishops put up a better performance then in January, they have obviously learned a lot the past 9 months
and worked the crowd pretty good.... Well done The Bishops!
With the crowd all fired up and ready to sing, clap and dance, the show went uphill from the clock countdown till the confettie rain. James' voice was great, the music superb and the atmosphere in the hall amazing.
You could tell the difference from the crowd at the O2, where it was seats only... Only once James had to restart, because the crowd got a little too noisy showing support, at the start of 'I really want you' , where the crowd at the O2 was completely quiet, there was some shouting and sounds at the Oberhausen Arena, so James started that song anew.
When singing YB, James seemed to have a lot of fun.. The whole crowd was singing along the first part, but they did so straight from the first line... so James just let the audience sing the entire first part, before he sang the line 'My life is brilliant' for the second time... And while the audience was singing he just looked amazed still, that so many people could be so into his music
I thought he looked just like the early days, shy and amazed from all the attention... Be sure James, you earned it ;-)
Of course, the concert was over way too soon, but I guess that is always the case.
After the concert, most of us rushed out towards the parking lot. Ina, Tommy and I followed a bit later and then we were all waiting in the cold across the parking lot entrance. James walked upto us, holding a bottle of beer in his hand around 11:45, which was rather early. My guess is, since he has to get across Germany to the eastern border, he had to leave in time to make it to Leipzig. But he took his time to sign all our stuff and talk. Apparently he is one of the few big artists to do this, since the security guards from every venue I've been at have been amazed by him coming out to meet up with his fans.
At a certain point, I noticed he had set his bottle of beer on the ground, so I decided to pick it up before anyone would spill the beer or step on the bottle. When James started walking back to the hall, I called him that he was forgetting his beer... He yelled back that I could have it... LOL.. So I told him I'm diabetic, so I wouldn't drink it and that I was keeping it safe for him ;D He prolly thought that a bit funny but nice as well and walked back to get his beer ;D
One question I did ask while he was answering questions and signing stuff... The official title of the rock song... It is now official... 'Turn me on'
And yes James, it was a real and honest question, no dirty mind behind that question at that moment
When James was back inside, Paul -Beardy- Beard, John -Johnny G- Garrison, Ben - mr. Handsome- Castle and Karl -Sweetsticks - Brazil came out to meet us all
. They all took the time for us, enjoyed their drinks, were very talkative and posted for pictures for all. I am sure Kitine had a great time talking with Karl
and Flakie was so thrilled and excited to talk to John, it was just great to see her have such fun
Karl was the first to walk back into the Arena, but he did so before I had him sign my boardie banner
At that point, I was standing next to Beardy, who looked remarkably fresh and stunning after their brilliant performance and more or less mentioned missing Karls signature on the banner. Since it was my last concert of this tour I guess he felt a bit sorry for me, so he offered to take my banner and marker inside and ensured me he would get Karl to sign my banner.... That was so sweet of him, I had to keep myself from hugging and kissing him
When he walked back inside, the others went back inside too, so I had to wait to get my banner back. And when Beardy got back a few minutes later WITH my banner and Karls autograph on it, he was besieged again by the other boardies to sign, answer questions and have pictures taken.
Though he must have been tired, he stayed kind and friendly and never once gave any sign of wanting to escape back into the Hall... Big thnx and lots of virtual hugs to you, Beardy for all your patience
You made my day with Karls autograph and the extra time and attention you gave to the other boardies :-D
XXX
lydia
@ all the boardies who weren't there.. I think I got over 300 pics from London and Oberhausen right now, so it might take some time to work them all out and put them on the net... But will start working on them today, so you can all enjoy the concerts through my eyes
- 
I wish I were there, just to see you meet him! I was a blubbering idiot when I met him too...I couldn't figure out how to take a picture with someone else's camera...it was soooo embarrasing...but typical of me....as I am a huge clutz... ;D LOL! I am looking forward to seeing those pictures 
At that point, I was standing next to Beardy, who looked remarkably fresh and stunning after their brilliant performance and more or less mentioned missing Karls signature on the banner. Since it was my last concert of this tour I guess he felt a bit sorry for me, so he offered to take my banner and marker inside and ensured me he would get Karl to sign my banner.... That was so sweet of him, I had to keep myself from hugging and kissing him