Helgeafestival Knislinge - 01/08/2015

My second concert of the tour WOK I had the opportunity to attend in Sweden at Helgeafestival in Knislinge... as an addition our few days holiday.

When I came to the place, it was clear that it will be a small festival, almost a family type. On the road there I saw only one poster drawing attention to the event. That is so little, ok maybe I had not seen good. The area near a lake created a peaceful atmosphere. Played alternately on two stages. It is about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, I had the whole area explored within 10 minutes, really very small and cozy. I sat down in the shade and listening ongoing concert band Supreme Majesty. Over our heads flew a helicopter to the remote camera, photos from the bird's eye view are fantastic. The weather is nice, sunny, warm but not hot, what more could you ask for.

As next band played Swedish band Björn Rosenström, seemed very popular because the audience was enthusiastic, reacted very loudly. The men in a strange costumes, a recession. There was the essence in the lyrics, I did not understand so I at least appreciated melody and joined the rhythm of the music. As the last before Europe played Skid Row, yeah this one I enjoyed more. After Skid Row - an hour before Europe no throng, people constantly came and went. Of the people I knew, I met Mei and Michaela, always pleasure to see these girls.

So the scene is ready, we can start. It is 10 pm. I love the beginnings, the magical mysterious prelude song War of Kings and then the moment when guys are coming ... it's exciting, even if I will see it thousand times, always will be different. Next to me and behind me were only Swedes + two people from Denmark on my right hand. That's okay, they're so disciplined, no crush as elsewhere festivals. On the start I even had the feeling that right behind me can fit yet more people. Well, more important is what happens on stage.

I love the onset of the podium, the first contact with the audience. Was clear guys came to have fun and enjoy fullest the last show of summer festivals. Joey has always the perfect communication with the crowd, he spoke Swedish of course and talked a lot between songs. Norum on the other side, seemed in an exceptionally good mood, every time I looked at him, he was smiling... or was it a dream? Ian seemed a lighted differently than I saw last time, it was easy to see from where I stood, at least the head. Mic again in cowboy style, the biggest change since the last tour. Leven responded much to the audience, handing out the sea of beautiful smiles, more than ever.

Setlist the same as the day before at Skogsrojet Festival Rejmyre. 16 songs, including 5 new ones. I'm satisfied. I greatly appreciate the choice "Nothin' to Ya", deep song I love it. "The Second Day" also fantastic live and interesting lighting effects at how the audience sees only the silhouettes, I like it.
When started playing "Carrie", I had to do. I guess there were not too many foreigners, so I felt obliged to express my national identity, and I pulled our Czech flag, nothing big 70x40 cm. The security guys stared at me. Joey appreciated it with a nice smile for me and Mic later at the very end of the show came close to me and sent a kiss on his fingers. How nice gesture from him. I was really surprised.

Also in this concert Joey ranked presentation of individual members. I can not remember exactly when it was... maybe in the middle of the concert. This is useful, as I wrote last time, I like it very much. So everyone gets his share of applause. I suspected that John Leven will throw plectrum, so I was attentive. He flung it quickly into the crowd. I have no idea for whom the pick should be, it reflected from the girl who was standing on my left hand, fell to the ground in front of me. The girl next did not seem so much interest as me, so security girl willingly handed the red pick into my palm.

Another great moment took place during the "Rock the Night." It is true that this song I like a lot, great that they still included. So on the program is Joey's walk into the crowd. Without I thought about it in advance, I stood right on the spot where is the dais. While the other guys keep repeating rhythm "Seven Nation Army", Joey patiently rises on each step and greetings with the audience in the front rows. Someone handed him a hat, he took it and continued. When he came to me, of course he stood on the stair and leaned forward a lot, so I kept him partially arm because he had a tendency to topple forward, shaking hands to fans until 3-4 rows. So what do I do with you, man!! He had wet hair at the temples, completely wet face and neck. I stroked him and took his sweat on my right hand. When he descended to move forward, he handed me his left hand, so he took back the liquid, at least partially. Someone to my left was offered him a red hat. So Joey exchanged hats on his head and hurried to the stage showed us his talent for the dance, dancing with red hat. More than interesting!

"Days of Rock n Roll", a short pause and then just TFC, and this is the very end, again it passed so fast.
No, not yet, Jens gives to John several other picks, so I gave a strong indication that I'm interested in. I never did grab the pick directly in the flight. John tries to throw almost exactly, but it needed a little farther, so I ask again the security for a help, this time a boy very helpful. Yeah, I got it!! White, beautiful. Meanwhile, the guys are already doing a final photograph in memory of the audience enthusiastically applauds. Joey calls us to be louder and more visible. Then the boys waving, a last smiles to the audience and disappears behind the scenes. This is really the end, the final.

How they were dressed, or what they look like... it does not make sense to describe and I can not even remember all the details.

I'm still standing by the barrier, people are leaving and I do not want to go away. One Swedish girl got playlist, I asked her if I could take a photo. The crew guys are busy, will be followed one more concert, it is necessary to quickly clean up. For a while we are talking with Michaela and Mei, then we say goodbye, and I better leave this space to hide in the darkness that nobody could see in my face.

I have to say: there were about 12 professional photographers, maybe even more, hope will be enough pretty photos. I took some pictures, they are blurry, I mean very blurry. Sorry, but in this case to me was more important to enjoy the show.

I had absolutely wonderful time at this concert. Thank you thousand times EUROPE, I am happy I can be with them on the road. The biggest thanks goes to my dear husband. 2700 km by car. He is the best!

PS: If I wrote something you do not understand (my English is poor), please try to use your own imagination. Thank you.