THE GREATEST DAYS – the diary

29.07.2002 The new great adventure begins at Arlanda airport, where Mystery arrived at 16.10 and waited for Bending Rules, who arrived 5 hours later. By taxi we reached our” apartment and waited for the night to pass…

30.07“Tuesday morning we wake up this might be the perfect day…” We took the bus to Grona Lund, arrived there at 10 and started checking the area. We had to place our banner, so we asked people there to let us in. Only at 3 p.m. we managed to see the theatre inside, and the guy told us we were not allowed to show the banner because of the danger of fire. L. So we waited outside and one by one the guys of the band started to arrive. Our beloved Poet arrived by taxi at 16.30 and immediately welcomed us, he warmly cheered Mystery and as he saw Bending. Just a quick explanation and then he went to say hi to Scattered Heart, a German girl. We asked him if we could go in for the soundcheck he whispered to Bending’s ear “sure you can”.

So we went in and listened to what looked like a real private concert more than just an ordinary soundcheck… he even sang “Unbreakable”, and that was really wonderful. After the soundcheck he came to say hi again and gave us appointment for after the show. Out again we met Anna from Lund (Song to a butterfly) and waited for the doors to open…Everything was ready, the theatre crowded (250 people), the telecameras of Swedish national TV ready for recording, and the concert finally started at 19,30 sharp.

The songs he played: Shine, Greatest day, Waterfall, End of the world, This time, Brand new thing, Spirit of you, Great undying love, The games we play, Unbreakable, The girl I love (remake of The man I love, Billie Holliday) Deadly happy, Make me beautiful, Spaceless, Pretty ones, Glorious, Honeydrop. Introducing Honeydrop he thanked “all those people travelling from a long distance” and clearly pointed to us…TACK ANDREAS!

After the concert, when everyone else was gone,he seated and talked to us for 1 hour and half, we gave him all the presents and let him sign all the CDs and cards.

He is really happy and overwhelmed with all the support we all are giving him, and he asked us to thank all of you girls (and boys) for this. Before saying goodnight he invited us to the next gig on thursday in an exclusive club.

31.07

We spent the whole afternoon walking up and down Stockholm to try and change Mystery’s ticket, because she was booked on a flight on thursday, and we went back home with a ticket for saturday.

1.08

At 4p.m. we already were at Mosebacke, and the guys were there too making the soundcheck, but this time we remained outside. The club opened at 8p.m. and we went in and waited drinking some beers. As we already knew from Jarmo and Andreas himself, the gig started very late, some minutes after 11p.m..

The setlist was more or less the same of tuesday, with the exclusion of Honeydrop (was it only for us then?…) Once again the acoustic part was something special…After the concert we danced a bit, waiting for him, at 1a.m. the guys of the club started trying to kick us out, but hey … we said we were waiting for the man and that he knew us (he was there in the bar …). In the end Jarmo took us to the backstage, and there we remained a while with Andreas and all of his closest friends. Then time to say goodnight came, last hugs… last kisses…and then bye bye… ‘till next time!!!

THE GREATEST DAYS – our comments

Bending: for those of you who had had the chance to meet him it’s not something new, for those who haven’t I’m sure it’s not at all hard to believe that he’s SSSOOOO sweet… I’m looking forward to seeing him again, just for another hug, another of those delicate and tender hugs. Andreas, TACK once again for everything, for all those unforgettable emotions you gave me in these days, and I’m sure you know what I’m talking about…

Mystery: the gigs were fantastic, the best I’ ve ever seen! You can’t realize what a talent the man is as a performer and a songwriter if you don’t see him live! Perhaps it's the live, incredibly energetic renditions of his songs, perhaps it’s his extraordinary interaction with his audience but he sings in such an intimate and natural way that you’ve got the impression of being part of his songs. Andreas and his bandmates are the greatest live! He’s got such a great talent inside and also a big heart but I’m sure you all know it well..

Scattered Heart: Just one thing left to say: TACK! You ROCK:-)