URIAH HEEP + BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
Deutschlandtour 2003
Review by Leo & Monique Spruyt
All pictures by Staf Pypen
So at that point in time, we were determined that no matter what, we'd go and see the next 'nearby' show together. Thanks to Louis, we quickly found out about the scheduled gig in Cologne and joy oh joy, Leo was NOT scheduled for work that day AND I had the opportunity to take some time off from work - a miracle too as I work in education - plus it really makes you feel good, knowing your colleagues are stuck with a bunch of obnoxious kids while you can go rockin' and rollin'! We decided to make a mini holiday out of it so we left December 3 and beforehand I had booked a fancy hotel quite near E-Werk - you never know HOW late it's going to get after a Heep show!
 
A good opportunity to see some well-known German Christmas markets too - something some Heep members had experienced as well, so we were told later on - some band members (no names mentioned here!) were reported to have lingered there for a long time… In their words to see some Punch and Judy show but coincidentally that was right opposite a Glühwein stand - now, who can resist hot wine when temperatures drop?
 

 
December 4 we made sure to get to the venue somewhere in the afternoon. When we arrived the windows were trembling in their rabbets - yeah, it IS a very old factory building and for a moment we wondered if the place would be Heep proof! The Germans that were working there were not the friendliest people we've ever met but still, both Leo and I as well as some Belgian fans, managed to get inside after a while and see a part of the sound check! Inside we also spotted more Dutch fans.
 
Just prior to Heep diving onto the kebab that had been delivered, we as well as many others were given 'access to all areas' passes - so great! We left them to their meals and knowing that they need peace and quiet before a show we went back to the hotel and had a bite to eat ourselves.

 

When we returned Blue Oyster Cult was performing. We can't say we were impressed, we only liked two of their songs and a sheer lack of presentation, apart from the bass player who was still trying to connect to the crowd. During the other songs we inspected Heep's new merchandise - a whole lot of new stuff out there!
 
 Two different T-shirts - one with the German tour dates and one still of the Scandinavian tour they did with Deep Purple, sweat shirts with or without zippers with embroidery on it, bandanas, the known DVD's of course as well as a winter jacket and a denim shirt both with embroidered logos of the band and more which I've now forgotten!
 
Not cheap though! Then it was time for Heep - I already sent in the set list so I won't repeat myself but the band surely was in good spirits (Spurs won!!) and rocked the place hard! It would be nice if the band played an odd new song that will possibly on a future album - perhaps an idea for the coming Dutch shows??
 

 

 

Still, we loved every bit of it! Each fan of course has a favourite song and each fan has requests for other songs but no-one leaves a Heep concert being disappointed! Phil's keyboards was decorated with a miniature Jesus on top of it - I jokingly referred to it as being a mini-Phil - he explained he had a devil on the other corner but that was nicked in Scandinavia - so now he was looking desperately for a new little devil - such a nice touch 'the battle between Good and Bad' just prior to Christmas HA!
 
Leo grabbed the opportunity to talk 'guitars' to Mick - knowing he had bought a new one in Finland. We also heard stories about their experience in Korea performing there ( Mick was so surprised to hear the crowd yelling so loud that he first thought Robbie Williams was behind him or something!) and of course we were thrilled to know we'd see them again in February as 3 shows have been confirmed!
 
Bernie said the Dutch shows had better be good as he'd have to leave Canada a week earlier than scheduled! Ha, well, we'll do our best! Tickets for these shows are on sale now so don't hesitate and get them - let us Dutch show the band that we can rock! As usual it was heart warming to see how the band approached their fans - always time for pictures, a story or two and autographs!
 

 

After such an energetic show the way Heep put on, I still find it amazing that they are so cheerful and sweet to their fans - they are truly special people! Knowing the British have Christmas on their minds already, Leo and I hereby wish all Heep members and their crew a very special Christmas and hopefully 2004 will be a year with a release of a new Heep album and many more steamy concerts by this excellent band! Our support is guaranteed!
 
Monique & Leo