Anyways. I've been pretty busy this week and I've been living alone since my host mom and her son have been in Paris for the past week. I didn't have class on Monday, so I went to a friend's house for dinner and movie... and school the next morning. Never doing that again on a Monday or Wednesday. We did see Funny Games - which is originally a German movie but was remade in English to have the same exact script (translated) and scenes (including the clothes the actors wore, if I remember correctly).
On Wednesday, I finally got to see a band I've been in love with for the past three years or so - Blind Guardian! IN THEIR HOMELAND! It was awesome to be in a "metal atmosphere" again for the first time since Wacken.
So I figured there'd be a line to get in, so I got all cozy in my winter jacket - no line! I just walked right in... I was shocked! I checked my coat and headed up the stairs of the wonderful Huxely's Neue Welt (New World) and stood in the third row. The first band started (Steel Wing) and they were pretty fun. The crowd didn't move in, nor did I see any movement/little headbanging. The band was pretty energetic and fun to watch/listen to. During the set break, I was approached (I went to this show alone) and offered a beer. Of course I took up the offer! I had the chance to drink beer and quatsch with some metal Germans in a different language! I mean, yes, when I told them I was from the states, they'd speak English, but I'd just respond in German. When they had issues saying things in English, and I told them to say it in German, they said "ich muss mein Englisch üben" = "I gotta practice my English"
The guy in front of me looked over and said "ach, hier ist eine kleine Maus, lass sie nach vorne" = "Oy, look there's a small mouse, let her up front". So everyone made room for me in FIRST ROWWWW.
The next band up was Van Canto, which is a German power-metal-acapella band. And yes, it's as epic as it sounds. The only instrument they have is drums. When some electric guitar is needed, they just distort the microphones.
Then, came Blind Guardian! Everyone in my area of standing had never seen them before. They're incredible live, and just intense. Hansi's gaze the audience is extremely intimate - especially when he made direct eye contact. I had a total fan girl moment - he did a gunslinger and giggle at me after I mocked his dancing. And during their set, there was some movement, more headbanging, but I was not squashed against the railing in front of me, which felt kinda foreign to me - but I had read somewhere that Germans are normally more peaceful during concerts anyways. The singing alone was epic as well - especially during Valhalla. After the stopped playing, the crowd kept singing the chorus for a long time. Hansi was trying to shush us, but no luck. They also did three or four encore songs, but they keep the audience waiting longer than in the states. It's like they knew we wouldn't leave without one.
I did notice the place get fuller as I was leaving - getting to coat check took a while.. overall, a great show, though the lack of movement and me not being squeezed made it feel a little emptier. Oh well. I also lost my voice/got a cold. Ewww.
Yesterday, well I had school all day, until 5:45 and then headed over to the Dali Ausstellung (museum/exhibition).. that man is more than amazing. I'm proud to be named after his wife. He makes things that don't make sense flow together in a really strange and beautiful way. Too bad they didn't have all his paintings - but they had his sketches, so the progress was interesting to see
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