A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
With the continued absence of proper gigs, Classic Rock writers reminisce about some of their most memorable gig-going experiences. Cue vivid, nostalgia-soaked memories of Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, David Bowie, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, Europe and more…
Polly Glass
Europe: played superbly, but it was the crowd that made this show feel special.
WILL IRELAND
EUROPE
Bursa Kültürpark Open Air Theatre, Turkey
June 9, 2015
When you hear ‘rock concert in Turkey’, chances are you think ‘Istanbul’. So it was with curiosity that I joined Europe on this leg of their 2015 tour, on the back of War Of Kings (part of their latter-day, de-80sifiying rock renaissance). How much of an appetite would there be for them in this relatively orthodox pocket of northwest Turkey?
In a festival line-up composed of Turkish pop and classical acts, Europe were the sole rock band. The space was packed. The bar sold only popcorn, soft drinks and candyfloss. In the UK you’d expect the audience to consist largely of people who remember the band from the 80s. Here the dominant group was 20-somethings in War Of Kings, AC/DC and Slayer T-shirts, who enthused about Europe, Iron Maiden and Cinderella. For some it was their first gig.
Europe played superbly, but it was the crowd that made this feel special. From the beefy, ‘grown-up classic rock’ new material to classics like Carrie, the response was one of giddy delight - and all without a drop of alcohol in sight.
From the side of the stage, as the opening synths of encore The Final Countdown sounded, I watched Joey Tempest ready himself to stride back out. He looked happier than almost any rock star I’ve ever seen. And as the cheers swelled and confetti cannons exploded, it seemed that that happiness had spread to everyone.