Well here I was down in London once again after a gruelling week of gigging. This was to be my final gig for a while and I was not disappointed. Having never been to the Hammersmith Carling Apollo it was quite a sight to see, Europe played here on the Live video and they were doing so again. Yes the cameras were out in the hall and here’s me in my new Tyketto shirt. It was like the band had never been away. The crowd rushed to get near the front and when you were in the front there was no way  you could leave. Haven’t been squashed like that in years! Good fun though. What didn’t help was the security letting us through three sets of doors then through another set then some folk were told to go back and wait cause the hall wasn’t ready!!! So even before the gig stared we were crushed up against these doors, then as we were let in we were told to show them our tickets again while being pushed by a couple of hundred people. So my advice to them is don’t open the doors until the hall is ready!

But once in there, we were entertained by Hurricane Party, who to me sounded great and very much like The Quireboys, all the good time rock songs that you can’t resist. Catchy songs such as  Roadstar and Big Rock Show  warmed  the crowd nicely for the main event by getting us all to clap along. I even managed to buy  the EP !

Now I’ve never seen Europe live before so I felt like a 16 year old again. With the cameras set, everything was ready. The band hit the stage running  and dived straight in to a newie in the shape of 'Got To Have Faith' and as the night progressed they played more and more songs from the comeback album 'Start From The Dark'.  One of the highlights proved to be the song 'Hero'  on which Joey sang the vocals nigh on perfectly. Then during 'Flames' the temperature was raised even further  as those big flame pots at the back of the set were pumping out some serious flames and heat. We were warned by security that we could have ear plugs as the night was going to have pyrotechnics but. to be honest most folk ignored the advice and opted to enjoy the show at maximum volume.

As well as the new material, the night was full of classics from 'Rock The Night' and 'Carrie', on which the crowd sang their hearts out alongside Joey on stage with a guitar, at some points it was impossible to hear him above the voices from behind. Only one track from Prisoners In Paradise was aired, in the shape of 'Girl from Lebanon', but to me could have done maybe one more as its one of this reviewers favourite albums. Some older tracks however like, 'Wings Of Tomorrow' and 'Seven Doors Hotel' were resurrected and performed to perfection. The guys are all looking and playing great and it’s especially good to see John Norum back in the band and his guitar solos were just lovely to both watch and hear. Europe ended the night with the title track to 'Start From The Dark' (get this CD, it’s one of their best and a great comeback after so many years), then 'Cherokee'  which got the crowd bouncing and crushing but nothing compared to the final moment that everyone knew was coming……..The Final Countdown.

With Mic’s keyboards ringing out that famous tune, everyone waited patiently for the voice and band to give us what we wanted. The whole crowd , myself included, went mad and I don’t think my feet were touching the ground at one point. The energy right there is why we see live bands.It was a sad moment when it ended but hopefully this won’t be the end…Especially as we have a DVD of it hopefully.

Great gig to end my week of gigs and I’m now at home with at least a good 8 hours sleep.

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