5 years of waiting but it was worth it! 20 shows!!! We finally quenched our thirst of Rock'n'roll for good!!!
AC/DC Abruzzo finally made it to Birmingham and attended the last show of the European Arena Tour knowing that this might be the last time that AC/DC play a small covered arena in Europe.We just loved the ambiance of these small and intimate venues with a small GA section and great crowd, something that cannot be found elsewhere in the world.
We had already seen AC/DC at the NEC arena, back in 2000 and we had very nice memories about that show. Get it Hot was played. Outside the arena we found again the same team of touts from Manchester including the "capo dei capi" who politely asked us to buy some tickets for him at the box office where apparently they released some seats. (???) We politely answered "ngulammammet"...
We also had the opportunity to talk to the person in charge of security outside the venue (basically confiscating goods from unofficial merchandise sellers). She was quite impressed by our dedication and loyalty (we had met her for the first time in Stockholm) than we chatted about the tour and the following legs… She confessed us that Italy was the toughest place for her but she was quite happy with her work and wth the compliments received by the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) which told her that it was the first time that no stalls with unofficial t-shirts were present outside the Forum di Assago before the show (normally it looks like Camden Town in London)...
Before entering the NEC we stopped for a while to contemplate the English "queues”. We were amazed by the geometrical precision of these lines. No barriers, no attempt to cut in. The best executed lines of the entire tour were in England, no doubt about it. Here they seem to form spontaneously wherever there is an entrance, a bus stop or a desk and there is something artistic in the way they develop in (almost unlimited) length.
Anyway, we got in the Arena, got our wristband and immediately occupied our spot in the standing section. This time we had to see the last song of the Answer’s set and then we prepared for AC/DC.
The venue was not sufficiently high for the regular screens and we knew that this also meant that the Donnington version Rosie would be there! The standing section was larger than in Manchester but there was just one level of seats. Sold out again!
The show started. We immediately saw that both Brian and Angus were as energetic as in Manchester. The crowd was much more responsive than in London, maybe more than Manchester. Angus used the catwalk even more than in Manchester. He really got into "stadium stage" shape. He was running and jumping like a fool. It’s a shame they have to stop for 20 days. We didn't take any photo during the show this time. Being our last concert we wanted to take advantage of every second. And we did it. We had a blast and our flag was risen also during FTATR as a sign or respect and gratitude for this fantastic tour.
Best song of the night: Let There Be Rock, which probably can be chosen as our favourite song for this leg of the tour. The true Bible of Rock'n'Roll played with incredible energy!!
And now? Now we get back to our pre-tour lives satisfied for this amazing experience which we will never forget.... AD MAIORA.
