Article by Everdream
After a record-breaking hour-and-three-quarter wait (and that was after we had queued for half an hour), and a smart-ass DJ saying that Evanescence would be on in a few moments, the lights dipped, the smoke machines belched and the crowd roared as the first notes of Dark Chest of Wonders blasted out and Nightwish strode out onto the somewhat small stage. Tarja took centre-stage with the red coat from the Nemo video flowing around her.
I'd ensconced myself behind the sound desk, which afforded me a good view but the acoustics were a bit dodgy and I think I got to the second chorus of Dark Chest of Wonders before I flung myself into the main body of the crowd and fought my way to the front, leaving my poor Nightwish-virgin of a best mate behind!
Squirming my way between already sweaty bodies and avoiding stamping New Rocks, I managed to squeeze myself three people from the front under Tuomas' keyboards. I wasn't unscathed though – I had an argument with someone's spiked wristband on the way through and earned myself a scratched cheek.
The sound was infinitely better nearer the front, all the levels perfect, with the exception of Tarja's vocals, which seemed a bit distant until the third or fourth song.
She is my Sin was belted out, Nemo had even the most dedicated “I'm not even gonna tap a toe to this” metaller jumping around and it was a fantastic feeling to hear everyone joining in, Planet Hell likewise.
Phantom of the Opera had everyone trying to be the next Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman and miserably failing and I was impressed that Tarja attempted, and pulled off, the “proper” descant ending to it as opposed to her own version as heard on Century Child.
End of All Hope, I thought, was the song that let them down though. Totally off-key vocals from Tarja, dodgy keyboards from Tuomas and more than a handful of wrong notes and rhythms from Marco and Emppu. Jukka was the only one holding it all together it seemed. It didn't get a particularly warm reception when it was over. Well, we all have off-days.
Marco did most of the talking, announcing himself as the new Sheriff of Nottingham and that beer and rock and roll were the new laws, before downing a litre bottle of Smirnoff vodka. No mean feat from the bearded one.
Tarja took a break whilst the guys covered a Megadeth song and the “pit” got a bit messy with three people being crowd-surfed out.
Then perhaps the most awesome occurrence of the night (for me anyway!) happened…..Dead Boys' Poem was just getting going, the cheers of the crowd dying away, lighters and mobiles a-glowing everywhere, when I looked up at Tuomas and realised he was looking right at me – eye contact central! My legs went to jelly, my heart raced, my stomach turned over and I did the only sensible thing I could…I blew him a kiss and grinned like a loony! He returned both just as the first instrumental break of DBP kicked in. I felt like a teenager at a Busted concert!
Wishmaster was simply fantastic – everyone's hands up in the air by the second line, everyone singing along and invariably getting their tongues tied around the lyrics!!
They broke out some of the classics towards the end – The Kinslayer, Slaying the Dreamer and Bless the Child amongst others got an airing.
Two encores later, they finished with Wish I had an Angel and I don't mind admitting that I completely lost it and went mental – it's my favourite track from Once.
After a scramble for the set lists, plecs, sticks and towels and Tuomas and Marco emptying their water bottles over us, the crowd roared its approval until we were all hoarse.
What really struck me was the range of people there – everyone from greying metallers to sensibly-dressed mums and dads to hardcore goths and mini-moshers. Rock City 's that kind of place where anything goes, but it was still heart-warming to hear and see everyone joining in, no matter what. I had a horrible feeling that it would be filled with children only there on the strength of Once, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Nightwish live - fantastic, brilliant, awesome and bloody brilliant! Just wish I'd booked tickets for the Astoria as well.
