von Joanna Ostrowiecka

MANY THANKS!

First of all many thanks to a gentleman who put out a cigarette of one aggressive person. If he didn't, she would burn me indeed. Also many thanks to my neighbours. Thanks to them I didn't think worse of German fans. Every time I went to Berlin, I met amiable and kind people, they sometimes offered me beer, moved over when I wanted to take a photo (if allowed:D). They were crying, singing, dancing, whistling, but so far I've never heard such awful, "dinosaur" yells like this time. Straight to my ear! Sometimes I couldn't hear the band. What's worse, that woman was slapping me again and again. Luckily she spoiled half a concert only, but it was too much to me independently of all.

One and a half years without Deep Purple was too long for me. No gigs in Poland were planned this year, so I went to Berlin. I was so glad to be at Max-Schmeling-Halle again! I only wish my husband were with me, but he was too weak- he was ill lately.

I choose a standing place, to check if the band would be able to recognize me without my "larger half" (they did!). Some people laughed at me when I sat on the floor for a few minutes. But I didn't worry because I saw some other persons to sit down, too. Of course I stood up before the show :) .

Gotthard was a support of Deep Purple. This Swiss band is a superdynamite. They played brilliantly, their songs were bombs of energy! Only "Falling" was a bit slower, but also explosive. I was dancing during the whole show. I only wish the band had a better acoustician. Sometimes I couldn't hear the vocalist (who has an excellent voice).

Deep Purple have good engineers. When the main star entered the stage, I felt a change of air, although I was standing in a very bad place where Roger's bass and Ian Paice's bass drums sounded too loud. I'll choose a sitting place next time :) .

A change of the setlist again... Deep Purple are never boring. I heard "Sometimes I feel like screaming" live for the first time. Also "The battle rages on" and "Perfect strangers" again! I sang it "from cover to cover". Unfortunately I don't remember all titles because I was sad and almost senseless during the first half of the show. Even my beloved "Battle" couldn't raise my spirits. Only "Perfect strangers" could... But as far as I remember, all songs were played brilliantly, with no slip. I also remember "Rapture of the deep", "Things I never said" and "Kiss tomorrow goodbye" from the latest album. And "Wring that neck"- wow! When was it played for the last time?! :D

"Hush" was another surprise. The best performance I've ever heard live. This new arrangement made the song sound like a dynamite! Bravo!

The band was in great form, although Ian Gillan seemed to be tired. "Go to holidays at last!"- I wanted to shout. But he was singing, screaming and playing tambourine as ever. The rest of the band looked relaxed. Roger, who was literally here, there and everywhere, and Don, they both were the most elegant men on the stage. Steve looked the most easy with his wide smile, and Ian Paice... well, he was hidden behind the speakers, but I could see him on billboards. He looked excellent, played excellently, and I only missed his great solo to "Space truckin'". Maybe he doesn't like this song longer?

Independently of the mentioned unpleasant incident at the beginning, I enjoyed the show. I heard my favourite songs, I even managed to dance a little. Many thanks for "Perfect strangers" with an original intro, for "The battle rages on", for "Wring that neck"- and for "Contact lost" again... For everything! Also many thanks for two billboards above the stage- thanks to them I could see the drummer. I only wish I saw Lars whom I met in 2006 at the same venue. Maybe next time? I like Max-Schmeling-Halle. If I have another opportunity, I'll come there again.

-Joanna Ostrowiecka