Nightwish London Wembley & Birmingham with Beast In Black + Turmion Kätilöt

 

Fantastic to be seeing Nightwish again. Back to back concerts lined up in Wembley and Birmingham. As it is the same set list I will cover off both nights in the same review. 

It's a wet but mild night, as we arrive by train at the grand old St Pancras Station I can feel the excitement already as we walk past the Arch of the famous football station. I'm amazed at the development that has taken place since I was last in these parts. Mind you the band has also seen a few changes too over the years. I'm looking forward to seeing how new Bassist 'Jukka Koskinen' (Ex Wintersun) fills the huge role left by Marco. More importantly how will Floor be after her recent surgery? All to be revealed in the fullness of time. Before all of that we have two excellent support bands to enjoy. First up are fellow Finns 'Turmion Kätilöt'. They have been around for a while(2003) and put on quite a show. Think 'Slipknot', 'The Prodigy'. 'Dimmi Borgir' with a hint of Rammstein and WWF thrown in for good measure. They are great fun though, and do their job of getting the crowd going.

Beast in Black

The car journey to Birmingham is horrendous ... Roadworks mainly cause the delay. I'm never sure these days if it is still the NEC or not? The tickets say 'Resorts World' but then seems to change back inside the Arena. Unfortunately as a result we have missed Turmion Kätilöt this time. Thankfully we will get to see the excellent 'Beast in Black' again. No time to hang around though, as the change over is the quickest I've ever seen. We can't even find our allocated seats ... Not wishing to disturb anyone we perch ourselves at the end of a row stage level. An interesting view, seeing as much backstage as front!     

Beast in Black were very impressive and the crowd loved them. A fusion of Greek, Finnish and Hungarian Euro- Pop metal is what you get. The tunes are catchy though and before you know it you are singing along too. Singer 'Yiannis Papadoulous' is a bit of a 'Rob Halford (Judas Priest) lookalike. The vocals are not to dissimilar either. He likes to disapear off the stage too . I can report from our rear view nothing untoward was taking place.The band will back in the 'second city' next year on their own headlining tour. I think it will be well worth attending. The Nightwish banner comes down. We find our rightful seats and the tension mounts. Funnily enough the position is very similar to that last night at Wembley.

Floor Jansen

Delayed over a year, and a quarter of  a century in the making, expectations are high. Wembley is packed to the rafters and Birmingham isn't far off either. Drummer 'Kai Hahto' beats out a rhythm, the curtain lifts and the crowd roars. Sparks begin to fly as Floor Bounds onto the stage to the pounding beat of 'Noise' from the new album' 'Human :II: Nature'. A mighty explosion lifts me off my seat (again).. It's great to see Floor looking so well, after what must have been a traumatic few months for her. Tonight she looks in commanding mood, owning the stage. Close up views are available from the two huge side screens. The lighting is as good as I have ever seen, along with the back screen images. 'Storytime' from 'Imaginaerum' quickly follows.  

Tuomas Holopainen

It's great to see Keyboards Maestro Tuomas Holpainen  in an elevated centre stage position. To his left is the multi-Instrumentalist 'Troy Donockley'.  A master of the 'Uuilleann pipes', whistles and all sorts of other wind instruments. He has really added a new dimension to the band since becoming a permanent member. The flames and pyros keep on coming and  we can feel the heat up in the aisles. Part of me longs to be down at the front in the mosh pit. I console myself with the thought that the sound is probably better somewhere further back. 

Troy Donockley

As if  it were possible things crank up even more with the classic 'Dark Chest of Wonders.' I would love to see 'Wishmaster' too but that seems to have been retired since 2012 from the live shows. The current set list also has been cut short since the South American Tour earlier in the year. 'She is my Sin'  '7 Days to the Wolves' and 'Ever Dream' have been cut. I imagine in an effort to reduce the workload for Floor. The 'Northern Lights' backdrop and the blustery snow compliment 'Sleeping Sun' perfectly. We are treated to a fantastic version of ' I want my Tears Back'. A song that builds faster and faster to a great chorus and interplay between Troy and guitarist 'Emppu Vuorinen'.   

Emppu Vuorinen

No Nightwish show would be complete without the epic 'Nemo'. Just hearing that keyboard intro always gives me goosebumps. Things calm a little with the acoustic 'How's the Heart'. It is at his point in Birmingham I regretted having a pint of Lager during the interval... Sometimes you just have to go. Making my apologies I stumbled to the exit. At least I would enjoy the rest of the concert in comfort! What a remainder of the show it would prove to be as well. Starting with The fifth and final song and my favourite from the new album 'Shoemaker'

An homage to the shoe making heritage of my home town 'Northampton' perhaps? Sadly not the case, but something even more extraordinary. The American Astrogeologist  'Eugene Shoemaker'. Who spent much of his life discovering comets and impact craters all over the world. The only person to date whose Ashes are buried on the moon. The operatic ending to the song by Floor is just exquisite and takes your breathe away. Highlighting her amazing voice and range.

'And, when he shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heaven so fine'

The musical extravaganza culminates with two more heavyweight blockbusters. 'Ghost Love Score' and 'The Last Ride of the Day'. They illustrate perfectly how Nightwish can mix the light and the dark. Pulsating adrenaline rush heavy metal, interspersed with the subtle and delicate touches. Much loved by fans of all ages who never fail to turn out in force. It has been a wonderful couple of nights that will stay long in the memory of those attending. All band members at the top of their game. Most of all their is an obvious sense of fun and enjoyment emanating from the stage. 

The night ends fittingly with 'The Greatest show on Earth'. Which on tonight's evidence it most certainly was. 

The band leave the stage to 'All the Works of Nature which adorn the World VIII. Along with a standing ovation from everyone present.

 'We were There'.

 

My grateful thanks go to  Nigel Pearson and Bob Payne for sourcing the tickets. Also to Eddie Mallet for allowing me to use his 'close up' photographs. 
 
 Full Set List 

• Noise
• Storytime
• Tribal
• Elan
• Dark Chest of Wonders
• Sleeping Sun
• Harvest
• I want my Tears back
• Nemo
• How's the Heart
• Shoemaker
• Last Ride of the Day
• Ghost Love Score
• The Greatest show on Earth 
  

 

 

 

Puerto Rico - Gran Canaria Dolphin Cruise

A life on the Ocean Waves

I took a bit of persuading to partake in a boat trip, given my usual seas sickness issues. I was also debating hiring an electric bike and going off exploring in the mountains. On balance  it was decided that the sea trip would be the safest option in the long run. We were picked up close to our hotel at 9:15 AM.A 20 minute journey took an hour longer due to all the other pick-ups along the way.Of course there there is always one place where the participants have not arrived.. so we play the waiting game. Eventually they stroll out and get on the coach. No apologies , I resist the urge to make a comment....

I was already feeling ill before getting off the coach. We aren't doing this again, we'll get a Taxi home I murmured. I was feeling glad though that we had opted for the 2 hour cruise and not the 3 hour version. The harbour at Puerto Rico is Spain's sailing Mecca. There are options of Glass Bottomed Boats, Catamarans, Speed boats, Luxury Cruisers with a Captain, Deep Sea Sport Fishing and even a Yellow Submarine. Our vessel looks comparatively tame thankfully. We manage to clamber on board and get a seat on the top deck. Over the tannoy a crew member tells us in several different languages not to be sick in the toilets. Bags are available upon request for that sort of thing.In the next breath she advises that chocolates, crisps, cakes and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase down below. Talk about asking for trouble! I for one won't be indulging in such fayre.

We've been going out for miles and every ripple of the waves brings hope of a Dolphin. We might even see a Whale too of we are really lucky. The crew are very active with their binoculars, although all we have seen so far are other boats.' Don't worry' says a cheery chap from Essex sitting next to me. I notice he has already started on the Heineken.. 'If you don't see anything they promise another cruise for free;.. Oh great. I shall say I saw a tail or something just to avoid that scenario.   

Nobody on board is more actively searching for the elusive Dolphins than me. Suddenly a shout goes up that they have been spotted!! On the other side of the boat to where we are...For goodness sake don't all rush over or we might capsize is my only thought.. It seems that I'm the only one thinking like that though. 

 

Suddenly more Dolphins appear, there must be at least a dozen. Young ones too, what a sight as the follow along with the wake of our boat. These are Bottlenose Dolphins and seem very friendly and noted for being highly intelligent too.They can  reach a length of just over 4 meters (13 feet).  They can vary in colour too, from a light grey to almost black. Bottlenose dolphins can live for more than 40 years. Females tend to live 5–10 years longer than males, with some females reaching 60 years or more.  

I noticed a young girl with her head in a sick bag. I felt a bit smug in truth feeling perfectly fine. I think I had been so occupied looking for marine life that I forget all about being sick. A voice over the tannoy tells us to take our last photos as . we will be heading back to shore in the next few minutes. We say our farewells to the Dolphins, and settle back for hopefully a sedate cruise back the way we came. 

It has been surprisingly calm thankfully and a real pleasure to experience the Dolphins who looked so elegant and at peace. 

Gran Canaria - Las Palmas Old Town

We are leaving the beach and pool behind for a bus journey to the island capital 'Las Palmas' in Northeastern part of the island. In particular we will be walking around the old town areas of 'Vegueta' and 'Triana'. It's not a bad bus journey actually as mainly 'motorway' and not the constant 'stop/start that seems to induce my travel sickness. The narrow streets of 'Vegueta' are packed full of history. Lots of Andalusian balconies and decorative doorways. A wide range of architectural styles ranging from late Gothic to renaissance. 

Our first port of call was the bustling 'Mercado de Vegueta' or the indoor market. We had been told about the beautiful displays of tropical fruit. With the 31st October looming, some of the stalls had something of a Halloween feel. Lots of locals doing their weekly shop and a great place to start off.  

There were a few free samples of the fruit on offer too. I can report that it did taste as good as it looked! 

 

'Mercado de Vegueta'

Dominating the area are the twin towers of 'Catedral de Santa Ana'. Situated next to the Plaza Mayor of Santa Ana. The structure is considered the most important monument of Canarian religious architecture. Construction on the Cathedral started as soon as the Spanish arrived in 1497. Taking almost 400 years to complete.

Of course I had to pay the 2 Euros to go to the top of one of the Towers. There was  a bit of a queue at the lift, so made the decision to take the steps.... All 273 of them. It is well worth the effort though as the views are superb. 

There are several large ships docked in the Port of La Luz. The exceptional geographic location of the La Luz Port, the Port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, a bridge between Europe, Africa and America, has made it the most important port precinct in the Mid-Atlantic.

I always love being up high and can just about spot Mrs A sitting down in the Square below. This square is right in the center of Las Palmas. Surrounded by important religious, municipal and judicial buildings and of great ideological importance, its style was copied for similar squares all over Latin America. One of the oldest parts of the city. Statues of Dogs (The Town's heraldic emblem) stand guard at the entrance to the Square

 Vegueta dates back to the 15th Century. It was a settlement with lanes and buildings. These days it seems to be a meeting place for people and Pigeons alike. Now there is just the small matter of negotiating those 273 steps back down.Mt poor old knee isn't going to be happy with me that's for sure!

 

'Casa Colón'

Another must see on this little tour of the Old Town is 'The Casa Colon'. An attractive building with ornate doorways, beautiful latticed balconies, large courtyards and carved wooden ceilings, representing numerous aspects of the island’s architecture. it is claimed that Christopher Columbus stayed there in 1492 while one of his ships was repaired, hence the name Casa de Colón (Columbus House). There is some doubt though as to whether he ever set foot here ?? It is a matter of certainty that it couldn't have been before his first Atlantic crossing. Experts say the only possible date would have been the 25th August 1492. This was when the rudder on his ship 'The Pinta' broke, forcing him to change course.

The Triana district adjoins the Vegueta.This area of the city is famous for its wide range of shops. It keeps the small traditional shops of haberdasheries, bakeries, ice cream shops, shoe shops, fashion stores, etc. along with the new trends in design and fashion.You would probably call it the posh part of Las Palmas I suspect.

In the north of the Triana district you find Las Palmas' most picturesque park, 'Parque San Telmo', which is very handy as it’s here where you’ll find the city’s main underground bus station. Just the ticket, and what we had been looking out for. Well worth a visit!