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Metallica World On Tour 04
Leg 1 –
Amsterdam, The 6.42 Show
The
journey starts off badly at Gatwick airport due to Easyjet selling us
tickets on a flight that didn’t exist.
After about 20 frames of pool and a few beers, we eventually left
the UK for the land of tulips.
We would have been out on the town
earlier if it wasn’t for my navigational skills putting us on the wrong
train. Hector didn’t mind though, he spotted a windmill out of the
window!
After checking into a traditional
City hotel, we dined on T-Bone Steak and grilled meat. Topped up with
several bottles of Bud and another 20 frames of Pool, Hector wobbled the
whole way back from The Red Light Bar to the hotel. Anyone who has never
seen Hector drunk (Exodus was the last public appearance), it is well
worth it. Only takes 4 bottles of Bud too so is not an expensive way to
get 2 hours amusement.
Steve and Anal arrived at 9.30 on
the day of the gig. Slightly delayed due to the merchandise on sale in
various shops they walked past. I think they have kept the DVD business
going single handedly. I promise I won’t mention the Butt Plug you
bought Eddy!!! Eddy then broke the record of checking in and installing
the Pay Per View porn channel to his TV. Took us 15 minutes to get him to
leave the toilet. Dodgy food indeed!!!
When Anal eventually pulled
himself away from the girls in their windows, and a couple of beers were
supped over several more frames of pool, we got to the stadium, and in
good time for my Meet & Greet.
It was five thirty when I was
whisked away VIP style and through the Crew entrance, up about four stairs
and into the makeshift tent. And it was a while longer before James
materialised. I had met the band before in 1985 so it was funny to see how
20 years had changed them. James is a big fella, but was very quiet as he
walked around the room signing autographs and admiring various tattoos. He
said he has 8 now, and I noticed later the cross he has had done on his
elbow. I asked James to play Dyers Eve, but he said that they have the set
lists planned in advance and would not be able to change anything, but
smiled and said he would see what he could do.
Kirk followed shortly after and
was a bit more chatty, especially when his mobile rang a few times. He
also noticed that Korn were playing as well and did not know even though
they are all great friends. He is quite a lot smaller than James, but
oozed Rock Star.
Rob entered the room with a loud growl
and posed dramatically for pictures. He chatted to me about soccer
when he established by my accent that I was over from London. He said that
they all love the game and play it regularly with the crew. He also
chatted about his favourite pastime – surfing. Very friendly guy.
Finally, Lars entered the room and
immediately you could tell that he is the joker of the pack. He rattled
around taking the mickey out of the photos and generally had the room in
stitches. Again, we spoke about football and he was also taken aback when
I told him that my favourite show was the 100 Club. He said that he has
not met many people since who were at the show. Probably because there
were only about 2 or 300 in there that hot summer night. Again I asked
Lars for Dyers Eve which he said he would put to the boys. He also
promised to call out the England football score if he could find it out.
It was great to meet the boys and
they were all very friendly and treat their fans like real people and not
a means of income. Lars looked taken aback when one of the guys said he is
a drummer and Lars is his biggest influence. He was touched. They
naturally have grown in stature since 1985 and have gone a long way. There
was no writing on desks, drinking beer and shouting a lot this time. More
formal.
The show started late, but who
cared as the huge screens played The Good The Bad and The Ugly. Rob could
be seen backstage eagerly about to burst into the opening number.
I have seen Metallica many times
over the years and they always put on a tight, energetic set, and this was
to be no exception. They were at their usual best, even young Miles Ulrich
didn’t miss a beat when he came on for his Dad, perhaps he should have
played at Donington when Lars pulled a sickie.
It was great to hear Holier Than
Thou, Leper Messiah (which I saw played at the 100 Club for the first
time), along with newer tracks such as No Leaf Clover and Fuel.
When James announced that the next
track had been requested by several people, it could only be one song –
Dyers Eve!! And it was, played in it’s entirety, superb, made the trip
worthwhile.
Lars capped the night by calling
out the England score as well. It is refreshing to see that after 20 odd
years, they still see their fans as fans and listen to them. Too many
bands become ‘bigger’ than the 50,000 people paying their wages and
distance themselves.
Hopefully they will do a club tour
for the fans and give people a chance to see them raw. I have seen them in
small venues before but many true fans haven’t had that chance so that
would be amazing.
After the show it was window
shopping in Amsterdam along with a few beers and a bit more hunting for
obscure DVD’s. Eddy was in his element, unfortunately his underpants
didn’t like it too much!!!
By the time I awoke in the
morning, I was alone, the others had wandered off to catch their bus to
Paris, I came home…..
Stuart
Higbee 2004
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