You could go to the front row Rick, but you had to approach the stage from the side to get behind the barrier. I stood in row 5 inside of this barrier zone thanks to one of the security women who told us that we could get faster and closer to the stage from there instead of waiting on the front entrance. It was my first time in Oberhausen so I didn`t know that too.
After all these years of waiting the beginning of the show seemed nearly unreal to me. For me it was a much more impressing show than the one of the TITN tour in Dortmund where I always had kind of a revival band feeling.
Lindsey is overdoing the dramatic/theatrical gestures from time to time but on the other hand it is a show and not the TV news so that is kind of funny and doesn`t really bother. I don`t care for the romantic theatre they perform to attract certain people, I just wanted to enjoy the music and I did because the show was awesome.
I often read that Stevie needs to warm up first and gets into the show later on. Even though I`m a diehard LB fan I must say that this judgement doesn't do her justice imo. You certainly realize that she can`t move like she would without these hip problems and her dancing and movements appear to be static/awkward because of that. But the main reason for me to be there is to listen to their songs and to enjoy their stage presence. Her performance was very good, she still is a great live singer. Even though I am one of those who prefer new songs instead of the Oldie Revival festival again and again I must say that Dreams and all the other "Greatest Hits" were good. No "being not warm or not into it" or whatever. After the video clips I had seen from the Today show or whatever it was (this summer concert series thing) I was not too sure about the live singing qualities I had to expect from both of them. But we can easily forget about that. The crap internet quality or whatever it was- everyone going to a show can look forward to see/hear them in a very good shape!
Lindseys show was great, I loved the guitar moments and his voice. The standout on the entire show for me was his performance of "Come". He put a lot of energy and feeling into that one, a truly unforgettable moment. My highlights of the show were:
Never going back again
Come
Big love
I`m so afraid
and Beautiful Child which was an excellence performance by Stevie.
Once again I must say, that I am glad that Christine wasn't on board yesterday. I am simply not into her kind of music and the thought of the band letting out Come or another show highlight in favor of YMLF or SYLM or something like that makes me shiver.
From the new songs imo Come, WTWCT and Say goodbye translated the best on stage. Peacekeeper and SYW are the singles, so they need to play them- and they were alright but not sensational. It`s hard to perform en detail- produced midtempo popsongs like that live. F.e they didn't perform Little lies back then although it was the most successful single from the TITN CD (in Germany) Goodbye baby is a good closer. Imo WTWCT is live even better than on the album- it got the crowd going as it was gaining speed after the first verse.
For me the show was an extraordinary experience, that I'll never forget. Me seeing "I'm so afraid" live- who had thought, that would ever happen! Great that all the other UK ledgies and the Aussies can enjoy them soon too, because I doubt they'll do another world tour in this life.
Stefan