First of all, I don’t usually write concert reviews/reports. I’m not really good at this. And you won’t be getting a review with the most detailed information about what Keith did during which song.

But that day was such a special and perfect day, I just needed to write down my and Maren’s impression of that wonderful day. Be prepared for a loooong read, as we had the best time before, during and after the gig. :o) It was such a perfect day.

It wasn’t easy for me to go, but I just couldn’t not go. Knowing they are playing probably their last WAS-only gig in Germany for that tour….nah, I would have died at home. It would be the last chance to see them live again til next year.  

My train left from Leipzig to Frankfurt at 7:16 am, a time I usually get up. So it meant along day for me. But that didn’t matter. After all, it was for WAS. I arrived at the station at 11:30, Maren picked me up. We picked up her kids, who also love WAS btw., and brought them to a child care where their dad would pick them up in the evening. At around 1:30pm we set off for our journey to Cologne. We arrived around 4:15 pm. The tourbus had already arrived and fans were waiting outside. We had to look for an parking space. 20 minutes later we also arrived at the venue.

After a while we heard „Ram it Home“ from their sound check. So we knew they’re gonna play it. YAY. First good omen. The brave girl Maren is, she went into the club to sneak a peek. Sadly the staff closed the door after this. After a while Chris came out. He took  a photo with some fans and then he saw us and came straight to us. We said hi. Stupid as I am I shook his hand. I don’t shake hands normally. Weird. The first thing he said was that he was glad I could make it. Wow, so he really remembered me. And maybe he somehow knew it wasn't easy for me to come to Cologne.

We took photos, beautiful photos Maren and I are very, very happy with. Then we talked for a bit. After my first excitement is gone it’s very easy to talk to Chris. I love that you can be absolutely normal around him. (I want to believe I am ;o)) He’s wonderful. Then he told us they have had a cough for weeks. Funny, cause I've had the same. But to be honest, Chris looked great, healthy “as a fish in the water”as we sometimes say in German. I think in English it’s “alive and kicking”.  Keith came out and walked past us. I said to Chris that we have a mission to take photos of Keith’s shorter hair. I think we also talked about REM shortly and other stuff, which I sadly somehow can’t remember.

He told us Dash is with him but that the little boy is sick. Awww... We were glad we brought a small present. But we didn’t bring it to the venue, but wanted to give it to Chris after the gig. As well as the storyboard from Joanne and Tracey.

After a while we said Goodbye (for now). Chris, Elizabeth, Dash and Keith went to get sth. to eat, we think. They walked up the road. We went back to the car, to drink sth., get Dash’s present and had a bit of red wine. We went back to the venue and shortly after that it opened at 6:30pm. Very early for a We Are Scientists show we thought. After getting inside I was a bit bummed because we were only second row. It was such a narrow stage. No barrier. The stage was just a bit higher, like knee high. The support band „cloudberry“ played their set and the singer outed himself as WAS-fan, I think. I liked a few of their last songs. But as usual I don’t really care for the support band at a WAS gig. And I think at around 20:15 WAS came on stage. Indeed very early. And as Adrian put it perfectly, when you see WAS you never want to see any other band ever again. So true.

Awww, and how nice it is to see them again. I love the first moments when they come on stage. The excitement and bliss. Elizabeth and Dash were in the corner left to the stage as well. They stayed for 4 songs I think. Dash was so cute with his ear protectors and two drumsticks. Chris told us later, that he was pissed because he wanted to play the drums and his mum had to tell him that he can’t. He really is such a sweet little boy. Elizabeth is very beautiful, was singing along to the songs and looked all happy. Well, who wouldn’t in her position. ;o)

They started with 'Ghouls'. And I thought the crowd was a bit quiet. Even during 'This Scene is Dead' there was not *that* much going on. But then it all changed. People started jumping (we were jumping and dancing from the beginning of course ;o)) and shoving. The girls (yes, only girls) in the first row were pushed on stage and not long the 2nd and 3rd row followed (us). So half the gig we were falling onto the stage trying to get back up. Me directly in front of Chris. It was a bit weird almost lying to his feet all the time, but at the same time it was so much fun. There was such a positive atmosphere. The guy behind me helped me up with a quick grip on the shoulder very often, which I thought was really nice. Maren and I were laughing all the time and jumping, singing along and dancing. Just enjoying ourselves and WAS immensely. The crowd was very energetic, singing along the songs, old and new. I haven’t seen that before in Germany (except for the Highfield festival, but I think festivals are always different). German crowds tend to be a bit lame most of the times. But here I thought this is what it must be like in the UK. But the guys seemed to be in an excellent mood themselves. The energy they 'sent' from the stage was electrifying (can you actually say that?) Awesome show, from the beginnig til the end.

The stage banter was ace. My favourite part was when Chris told us we had to sing the harmonies to That’s what counts, so that no-one would hear him and Max sing it wrong. Keith said we should sing along, in any key. LOL. The crowd actually did. Keith also made quite a few comments to those poor girls in the front row and their knees. As Keith usually does he looked around, smiled at those poor souls in the front row, seemed all happy. All of the band seemed to enjoy it. It was really awesome. And it felt a bit special.

Maren was sure that Keith wouldn’t go into that crazy crowd during “Textbook”, but the hero he is, he did. We didn’t get to touch him though. But I thought it was awesome and very brave of him. Then they played a roaring „Tonight“ which I love so much. “Dinosaurs” was awesome too. I love it too. What an energetic song.

And even during “Lethal Enforcer” people were pushing so heavily I couldn’t take pictures. It was that mental. But as I said before, it was the best.

After „Great Escape“ they left the stage, but we saw on the setlist that they would comeback for an encore. And of course they did. Everyone went crazy. They played „Lousy Reputation“ and „Ram it Home“. YAY. Everyone went mental. I don’t remember being at such an intense gig before (except for Suede). Wonderful. I wish I could’ve taken more photos, but it was really impossible. Maren’s camera would have broken, because of that stage-falling-business. I filmed the entire „That’s What Counts“ though, a short bit of "Impatience" and bits of „Textbook“. I have uploaded them on youtube. here:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=ilovesuede

When they finished their set everyone around me asked Chris for his plectrum so he had to take *all* of them from his mic and gave them to the fans. (I already have mine, so I was generous;o)) He even had to shake hands. He shook mine too and smiled at me. Awww.....It takes so little to make me happy. ;o)

Then the gig was over. Maren and I both knew it would be a long time til we get to see them again. We got a bit sad. Then I changed my top, because it was also pretty hot in that club and I was soaked. I was glad I had my WAS egg-shirt with me. Maren saw Chris carry Dash outside, followed by Elizabeth. Of course I was in the restroom. Silly me. Anyways, we had a drink and decided to wait outside. And pretty soon Keith came out. Well, kinda. He was besieged by fans, of course. We waited a bit, then Max came out and I stopped him. Poor Max just wanted to eat a bread roll. I said sorry that I interrupted him from eating. I said that I met him a few times and never took a photo. He even remembered me from Highfield, I think. Maren and I took a photo each. I asked him if Chris would come out again. He wasn’t sure. I asked if they would leave soon for Luxembourg but he said they wanted to go partying and would not leave before 6am. I thought I should go for it and asked him “Where?”. But added quickly sth. like it was a joke and he didn’t need to tell. I mean, we didn’t want to be a stalker in their eyes. But he did tell me! „Oh sth. like Stereo Wonderworld“ across the street.“ Ha. Good to know. Not that we would do sth. about it, but first it’s always good to know. Then you can see what you can do about. And I remember that I actually enjoyed just watching them all a bit at the After-Show-Party in Berlin. Haha. Silly, stupid fangirl me.

Ok, after a few more minutes we got to talk to Keith. He even made a reaction as if he would remember me too. But I guess he was either just being polite (which I admire him for, he’s always so polite, good old Keith) or maybe from the fanbook??? I don’t know. Anyways I told him we had to take pictures of him of his „new hair“ and if he may have read about that big discussion going on about it on „What’s the Word“. He then asked totally surprised „My hair???“ And I said „yessss“. I wondered whether he really is not aware how much fans talk about his hair? Then we took pictures with him. I wanted to make the one with us three, but almost dropped the camera. I made a weird noise, Keith laughed and another girl helped us out. So we could properly take the photo of the three of us with Keith’s new haircut.

We mentioned the third album, that we were looking forward to it and hoping there would be one (because of a few reasons Maren and I are a bit worried there wouldn’t be one, don’t ask why, it would be too long to explain now). But he clearly said there would be. Phew. We mentioned the non-music related projects, but he didn’t say anything, just nodded. So, nothing revealed here.

Then we fulfilled our mission for Tracey and Joanne. We actually wanted to give their present to Chris, but I was really worried he wouldn’t come out again with little Dash having fever and all. So I wanted to make sure the guys get it, no matter who we give it too. I told Keith shortly about this “mission”. And when I mentioned their names and took their storyboard out of my bag he knew instantly what we had for him. LOL. He made a knowing face, laughed and looked at it quickly and said he’s going to read it out loud to everyone on the bus in his typical funny voice. Hehe. I don’t know what else we talked about. He seemed a bit tired, though. Then we said goodbye. 

Then two minutes later Chris came out of the bus again. I really should’ve waited. We even thought about taking that storyboard from Keith again to give it to Chris. Haha. But that would have looked a bit stupid. Also Keith has already put it into his absolutely sexy linen bag by then. Haha.

Anyways, Chris was besieged by fans as well. He is so cool and relaxed. He talks to everyone and is just lovely. We went over to him and he saw my egg-t-shirt and said „you’ve got the egg t-shirt”. I said I love it and he nodded. Ha, sweet. Then we congratulated him on the great show that we enjoyed it so much. Great crowd and all. And he said they appreciated it a lot to have their own fans at the gig, because it’s sth. completely different with REM. People are not very responsive. And so on. About crowds at a gig, shortly about the Berlin gig, about Highfield Festival, that I’ve seen WAS five times this year, which is really a lot for me etc. The things you normally talk with them I guess. But he was so lovely.

We got interrupted several times by other fans, every time I was going to say sth. important. Damn. But this gave us the opportunity to watch him a bit, which was pure pleasure. Chris looked ridiculously handsome, if I may say so. He wore the white shirt that suits him so much, his hair was growing again and he had a bit of a beard, no mustache. Exactly as I (and Maren) like it. Hehe. As if he knew. ;o)

We gave him the present for Dash. We said it’s just some tiny things, but things our sons love too. He looked at it and loved it. “bubbles are always good.” We also had two little glowsticks and a small plane to assemble. He said he’s grateful for anything that gets Dash’s attention for 10 minutes. :o) And that it’s pretty difficult when traveling with a child.

Of course, we asked about gigs. Whether there would be some in the UK (for our dear dedicated UK-fans). He said there will only be one more gig in December this year. In London for Q Magazine. Then they might play some gigs in Germany in spring, around May, and festivals. So, those are not confirmed, of course. And I just hope it's ok I write it here. He also told us they are about to change their touring and writing routine. Maybe play gigs for 2-3 weeks and then have a break again for like 2 weeks. Something like that. I thought it was very interesting that Chris told us all those things. It’s not really essential information, but it’s nice he kinda gave us an insight into that whole touring/writing process.

I can never get over how nice and friendly he is to everyone. He thanked us again that we came. He also told us where they would go „partying“ and was showing where. So nice.

After a while he said to some other fans he has to check on his kid. He came to us again, to say goodbye. Then he hugged me! I was so surprised but needless to say that I highly appreciated and enjoyed it, to put it mildly ;o). He asked me if Ruben likes the second album now (sth. we talked about in May in Berlin!) It occurred to me later that he remembered our conversation then. Wow. I told him he likes “Chick Lit” and that video. We talked shortly about their videos. How „Inaction“probably is not such a good idea to show the kids. My son always wants to smash my computer now. Haha. Then we said goodbye “til later or next year”. He went into the bus and that was it. He didn’t go to the club with the others. He stayed with Elizabeth and his son. I hope they spent a few nice hours together now that everyone else was out partying. ;o)

We actually didn’t want to go as well, also because we weren’t really sure which one of those clubs it was. Because we haven’t eaten much that day we decided to look for a place to eat. I thought that place directly next to the tourbus was some „Döner“ and I didn’t want one. So we went up the road but there wasn’t anything we liked. So we came back and found out it was a pizza place. We had a pizza and tea to warm up a bit and to recollect that wonderful evening and talked about WAS, how much we love them, discussed the webisodes and that we couldn’t believe what a perfect day we just spent. All the hassle at home was worth it. Definitely. We’ve gotten more out of it than we had ever hoped for. It was just a shame we didn’t meet Adam. Somehow we always missed him that evening. But we talked to him at Highfield shortly and I think we’ll survive that. ;o)

After a while we decided to just check out that one pub. And through the window we saw Keith and Max. So we went in. ahem *cough*. But we didn’t want to get on their nerves and just had a few drinks ourselves, but ok, sometimes we looked over. ;o) this must be allowed. Sometimes fans would come up to them. Very often Keith was “playing” with his phone. It was nice just being in a room with them. When it was just before 3 am they left. A bit later we left too, we still had our at least 1.5 h journey back to Maren’s place.

I still don’t know how Maren was able to drive. Not that we drank much, but we had a loooong day. I think I was awake for 24 hours. It’s been a while since I have done that. We listened to  WAS live in Glasgow and sang along loudly, but I swear I fell asleep for a few seconds several times. I’m glad I wasn’t driving. We were in bed at 5:15 am. What a day we had. Perfect. It couldn’t have gone better.

I know WAS won’t read that but I just want to thank them for that special solo gig in Cologne. It was an awesome show. Thanks for being ever so lovely and wonderful, esp. Chris.

And I wanna thank Maren for going there with me. And both our husbands who let us go (not without struggle though) and looked after our kids so that we could spend the best day of the year! ....

Setlist from Cologne

Ghouls
This Scene is Dead
Inaction
Chick Lit
Nobody Move
Impatience
Let’s  See It
Cash Cow
That’s What Counts
After Hours
Textbook
Tonight
Dinosaurs
It’s a Hit
Lethal Enforcer
Great Escape
---
Lousy Reputation
Ram It Home