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09/03/08 -
TEATRO METROPOL, MILAN Review by Stefano: As soon as we entered the front door, under amazing crystal lamps, we were escorted to the room where the gig would take place, a totally black room with a parterre for about 50 people seating and 2 tiers on the side for the remaining 200. Press photographs were located at the very back of the hall. We immediately made it to the first row and we took our seats. We were almost on stage. The organizers had the amazing idea of serving flutes of champagne during the waiting time. Very clever move, 1st time ever that I've sipped champagne before a BA gig, or any gig ever. 5 minutes before showtime, Bruce Allen and Jody appeared on the side of the little stage, so it was obvious that the gig was about to start. When at 7pm sharp BA appeared on stage, the crowd went mad and we immediately stood up on our feet. Bryan looked in a great mood, very easy going and pretty much laid back. It was like having him play in a living room among friends. Setlist was basically the same as the night before in Barcelona, except that we didn't get the extra song and he finished with All For Love instead of Straight from the heart.
(Above) BA opens the show with 'Tonight We Have The Stars' Tonight We Have Stars got the crowd roaring. Quite good for a show opener. The whole gig was accompanied by MASSIVE crowd singalong, (even the new songs, at least for the chorus bit).BA was in a very talkative mood, much more than during traditional gigs. He said he had a new album nearly out and that for tonight he didn't have a real written setlit, as he was just trying to remember what he played the night before in Barcelona, unless we had particular requests. I immediately (and I do mean immediately) shouted for When The Night Comes, but he firmly refused to play it right away without even thinking of it for a second. Wonder why, considering he played it 2 nights before. At some point he also told us that he had visited a good friend's restaurant before the show and told him something about his love for rigatoni (a particular kind of pasta) without meaning he wanted any right there and then. Nothing to do, his friend immediately cooked him a monster portion of rigatoni that he had to finish off before going on stage. He seemed rather amused by the whole story. Back To You didn't see much bouncing, but we all sang it from start to finish. Same happened with Can't Stop This Thing and with the new single, and Bryan was pretty surprised that we already knew it by heart. At some point he also asked us how we'd got tickets to get in: most people said they'd got them through the Italian fansite (they had a nice banner to show him and he was seriously amazed that there was an unofficial fansite who handled most of the ticket distribution)in cooperation with the record company. Actually, those guys were amazing and deserved some aknowledgment from Bryan himself) I shouted "Universal" meaning the record
company, as I easily got my invitation by just sending an email
to them. Oxygen was not bad, but not as good as I expected. It shall grow on me. "I'm gonna play a new song which you shouldn't know, but I'll play it anyway"....and he started Summer of '69. The crowd roared again and went wild. He was impressed for sure. The na-na thing during Cuts like a knife went on forever; Don't know why, but unlike many other diehard fans, I never get tired of that song. Can't find an explantion, that's just the way it is he then introduced Walk On By saying that on this new album he had written a few songs with his old friend Jim Vallance (which got the crowd cheering). The song is amazing, I already see it as a regular show closer. At some point he got a girl on stage because she'd been showing him that she had "18 til i die" tattooed on her neck. So she jumped on stage and showed it to the whole audience, Bryan kissed her and remaked she was very brave. Time to pick up a few other requests: the response
was overwhelming as anybody was shouting out loud the title of the
song he/she wanted to hear. It was chaos. Me: "LONELY NIGHTS" He tried to work out a few chords with his guitar, but he was rather unsure, so he looked at me with a "sorry" look and launched into Heaven. GODDAMN, Bryan, why do you always expect predictable requests froms us?? Run To You rocked like hell even in an acoustic version, and Bryan personally played the solo bit (bridge? I mean the one he generally plays together with Keith) while the crowd was silent. Amazing indeed, because we didn't expect it. Then he said he was about to play the last song, cuz it was "eleven gigs, in eleven days, in eleven cities and...." "Eleven hours???" I shouted. By then, everybody was shouting a different title for the final song we wanted to hear. This time I went for "Into the fire", which got him grinning once again, and once again refusing. Somebody roared for "All for love" so he played it, beautifully as usual. As soon as he played the final chord, a few guys
on my left jumped on stage. Guys, it was a surreal experience. Amazing setting and atmosphere for a concert. Those who are going to these next shows will have great fun Setlist: |
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Thanks to Stefano for the review, pics & setlist
Great shot of Bryan with his guitar
BA rockin' the crowd armed with just a guitar
Bryan singing |
