What a trip I had! Left on Tuesday to fly from Germany to Girona, Spain and took a bus to Barcelona, which takes about 80 minutes. Luckily I have friends living there so I could stay with them as I did on many occasions before *lucky me*. Then came Wednesday, and  it was what you'd call a perfect day: First I spent four hours on the beach and enjoyed the Mediterranean Sea, getting almost sunburned because I forgot to bring sun protection (as you can see on the pics). Back for a shower and in the afternoon I hooked up with the 5 lucky auction winners who are currently touring with our favorite band. Cindy from Arizona, whom I've already became friends with last year in the Netherlands, her friend Sherry from Indiana, Lara and Mike from the Northern California Empire and Shinobu who came all the way from Japan. We spent some time at the beach, walking around, exchanging news and stories...what an exciting life they currently live! We later went to the Razzmatazz venue and the show started around 08:30 pm with all six of us in the front...and me experiencing my goose bumps as always :-).

Cindy and Aefa

Since Mindcrime I. and II. is more of a Rock Opera than a Metal concert, the crowd was unusually calm and it was a nice change to feel comfortable in the second row rather than getting crushed by the masses in the back. The crowd was fascinated and busy following what was going on the stage. With every song, the setting, the projection on the big screen, the costumes, the actors changed. Geoff's acting ability is striking, we all know he is THE voice, but the performance was also very intense and convincing. And Pamela...is always great performing as Sister Mary, but when she sang her part in "If I could change it all" the crowd could feel her emotions right underneath the skin, it was so intense. But of course you all know that because for sure you've seen Mindcrime at the Moore on DVD or one of the US shows :-).

Shinobu, Cindy, Lara, Aefa, Sherry and Mike

There was a 20 minute break between the two sets, and after the musical mood the crowd changed to party mode and was singing along as Best I can, Jet City Woman and Silent Lucidity were played as encore and people really went crazy singing along. br> Oh, and did you know the Spanish (or Catalan in our case - they are a mighty proud people and I better don't mess this up ;-) shout "Olé Olé Olé" when they want more? That was kinda unique, like being in a European soccer stadium ;-). I later heard that the band considered the Catalan crowd best so far... Once the concert was finished and I was patiently waiting for the Meet&Greet, I got to know Catalan Fanclub Member HaremScarem (you'll find him in the forum) and his brother Adria. Take a look at his Triryche tattoo!

Harem Scarem and Adria

They were truly excited and told me that the Ryche had not played there in 12 years and wished they could see them more often. I suggested joining the European Empires on their get together in the UK, but it might be difficult to find a cheap flight on such short notice. After the M&G we kept on talking 'til 2 at night - so nice to have met you, I hope you guys will take me out the next time I will be in Barna again!

But back to our M&G: Tour manager Adam, whom I had also met on various shows in the past years, came to pick us up to go to the rather small backstage area and it was soooo cool to see da guys again :-). It was great they all remembered me, and with the contest winners being around, we all got a good laugh when Whip asked my why the heck I was wearing a German Empire shirt...well, "this is what I represent", I said, and he was surprised 'cause he thought I was American. I take that as a compliment, Mr Wilton :-) ...what a night! Returned to my friends apartment around 3 and had to get up at 7 to catch my flight. On my way to the bus station, I ran into a guy wearing a Ryche Shirt on the Subway and we exchanged conspirational looks. And what a coincidence, once on the plane I saw the Spanish promoter board as well, and I quickly got out my M&G pass and held it in the air while he passed me - should have seen peoples faces wondering what the hell was going on, hehehe :-) Francisco and his assistant were on their way to Switzerland for the Rock Sound Festival - he easily beat the tour buses who were planning on a 12 hour drive by taking the plane and a rental car. I got home by 1 and returned to work by 2 - what a change in life...

Adam Parsons

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