Sweden. Gothenburg.
Our first ever Scandinavian gig but it was always going to be a quick in and out. An afternoon flight on a Saturday means we get to watch the Everton v Chelsea game in an Irish bar in Amsterdam airport on the stopover. Our Tour Manager provided the Ipad and stream, but didn’t provide us with the information that our flight was boarding and gate was closing. A very long but fast run to find the gate to board, 1 extremely angry flight attendant, 200 even angrier passengers. Everton 3, Chelsea 1.
We get picked up at Gothenburg airport and driven straight to the venue to soundcheck. Welcomed in at the side door we get shown to the venue, walk into the main space which is set out like an old theatre, we had already researched it ahead of time and couldn’t wait to play, there was a capacity of 1,800. Our guide quickly escorted us through the main space and said he would show us upstairs to what we thought would be our dressing room. No. a much, much smaller bar. “This is where you guys are playing”, the look on our faces prompted the next question “Did you think you were playing the big room?”.
Turns out the Swedish love us and it was a packed out gig which was the closing party for the Festival. Time for a few expensive beers in celebration and a warning from the tour manager, I’ll be waking you up at 4:30am because we need to leave.
Finally get in bed at 4am, get rudely awakened at 5am by Mike, the van is outside to take us the airport. Tour manager is still asleep in bed.
We spent a total of 18 hours in Gothenburg and didn’t see it in the sunlight. Can’t wait to go back and do it all again but maybe this time, Mike can be the TM.
Neil “The Metronome” Lawson