Article by Robert Littlemore
It started with a phone-call. “I've won??” I asked Mary. I don't usually win anything! I had tried to get a ticket myself for this concert, but found out it sold out REALLY fast! I soon had my flights booked and got ready to go. (This was my third trip to Finland and second to see Nightwish.) I met Mary at the airport as we were on the same flight out. After checking in at the hotel a quick sightseeing tour ensued. Then we met up with the other winners and went out for tea. We all met up when the final pair arrived and talked (and drank!) late into the night.
The day of the gig I was up early having slept badly (premonition??). We all did our own thing until later on in the day when the time came to get ready for the concert. I have seen the Hartwall Areena before but not up close; it's big! (Similar to the M.E.N Arena.) We all arrived in a taxi and, did a circuit looking for somewhere warm. I had designs on ‘obtaining' the large drape on the side of the Areena which was a band photo on a credit card. (Wouldn't even fit on the side of the house!!) Numerous fans where turning up now and, I noted the wide spread of ages of the fans arriving. I now began to get exited about the gig; I was actually here! As a roar went up the doors had opened and I made a b-line for the merchandise stall. Here my knack for encountering strange Finns surfaced as I found myself in conversation with a particularly loud one ;( he was just drunk I was told!) I limited myself to two t-shirts and the tour book. (Only?!) I then explored the Areena having lost the others in the crowd! Sat in my seat early, I watched with envy the fans rushing for the barrier in front of the stage...... Oh well, I am lucky to be here at all. Got a good view anyway. Re-united we sat reading the books we had bought and, comparing T-shirts.
As 8 o clock came the crowd found its voice and so did I. I have seen Sonata Arctica before, but this time they seemed better, I was on my feet the whole set; I have not come all this way to sit and watch!! They did a full hour on stage and were brilliant. I must get some more of their albums. The half hour before Nightwish came on passed in a flash but everyone got a Mexican wave going round the Areena; 11,500 fans united!! Unforgettable!! Hope they show it on the DVD!
The atmosphere was electric as the lights went out again and, as “Once I had a dream, this is it” rang in my ears it started. We had to sit after nearly starting a scuffle with some boring old w****rs behind us, the band were loving it we could tell then, Tarja made her entrance. Didn't realise at the time I had witnessed her final Nightwish ‘entrance'. The set was the full one with flame projectors at the back and pyro at the front with loads of space! Which Marco and Emppu made the most of. Rapturous applause and cheers met the end of every song; a memorable gig in the making. ‘Nemo', ‘Planet Hell', ‘The Siren', ‘Wishmaster' and,' Slaying the Dreamer' to name a few are now quite familiar but ,were still well received by the audience. The band as a whole were clearly rising to the occasion. They all smiled broadly virtually all the time! Lost count of Tarja's costume changes (6 or 7 I think), an impressive yellow dress she started with. I had not seen her in the Nemo coat before though, it was good to see.
John Two-Hawks appearance changed the whole tempo and atmosphere. He performed a solo tune, which I found fascinating. This was well applauded by the audience. (At one stage he approached Tarja's mic to close and, caused loud feed-back.) 'Creek Mary's Blood' was not to be missed. Not likely to see this song performed often so I was all ears during it. Tuomas couldn't stop smiling at the end of it!! Tarja looking stunning all in white stood alone on one of the high platforms at the back and, performed a breathtaking performance of ‘Sleeping Sun'. (The re-mix version.) Unmissable for me; one of my favourite songs. A video screen at the back played the videos of some of the songs being performed too. Too much to watch at times!!
Only regret that my understanding of Finnish is still a little basic as Marco made a few speeches and the crowd went wild after one in particular; we looked at one another and thought “What did he say? “ The encore was good; ‘Ghost Love Score' in the play list too. The big blowers fired up then and, launched masses of confetti into the air. There was about ten around the floor area so it was like a fog when they finally wound down!
Ignoring those previously mentioned w****rs behind us, we defiantly rose to our feet for “Wish I Had An Angel”; the final song and, roared our approval with 11,495 new friends as the band took their bows to the crowd. Had hoped for some rarities; ‘Swan Heart' I would have welcomed at what was sadly Tarja's ‘swan-song' performance as well as a track from ‘Angels Fall First' but, it was not to be.
In the taxi queue we talked to some people and, for me a fine Finnish lady who was a little drunk but, blown away by 3 English and 2 Irish people who had travelled all this way for a concert!! We swapped opinions, stories and, laughed late into the night again.
This should have been such a wonderful memory, but has been over-shadowed by subsequent events, which have shown the shocking tension and, division in the band that was building up for quite a long time I think.
Take care Tarja, thanks for some superb, memorable performances which I will never forget. Nightwish must evolve and move on with a new vocalist, and you in your own career must do the same. Think for yourself and open your eyes...... I will miss you.......
A huge THANK-YOU to Neil, Jenny, Richard and, Lindsay my fellow Nightwish fans and new friends. Hope to see you all again soon!!
Finally, a warm thank-you to Mary for all her hard work; (I remember the accommodation mess-up!) She made it all possible. We owe you something!
