Peter Gabriel "New Blood Tour" in Oberhausen on May 3rd

[lotus]

The concert took place in the Oberhausen Arena, a multipurpose Arena (for sport and concert events with a capacity for concerts (like for this gig) of aprox 9-10.000 ppl. Looking around I think the venue was sold out.

We had very good seats, in the center, only in row 12 from the stage. This, together with the illumination, screens etc made it appear for us as a venue in a small theater. Only 3 days before on the German TV a concert video from the gig 2011 in London was shown, so we were prepared...

The show begun on time! Peter came on stage announcing Rosie Donan, one of the 2 backing vocals (the second was Melanie Gabriel!), who performed 2 really nice tunes being supported by the piano and herself with a guitar.

The "security fence"screen (a stage wide long and aprox 3 m high video screen) was raised and the 50 ppl strong New Blood (classic) Orchestra begun to play and Peter entered the stage (chicken skin...)

To make the story short. Here is the setlist:

Heroes
Wallflower
Après moi
Intruder
San Jacinto
Secret World
Father, Son
Signal To Noise
Downside Up
Digging In The Dirt
Mercy Street
Rhythm Of The Heat
Red Rain
Solsbury Hill
Biko

In Your Eyes
Don't Give Up
The Nest That Sailed The Sky

Peter introduced some of the songs (in German..) giving us his message: With the help of all the modern media and social networks today it is up to us, if we want to change things in the world, like torture, injustice etc.

The new arrangement of the tunes from Jon Metcalfes for the orchestra were just great, they inspired the tunes a new, different and good life.The orchestra itself was full of virtuosos of their respective instrument. They were conducted by Ben Foster and he joined the individuals to a most harmonic assemble (I have never heard before such dry "rock" beats out of a classic orchestra by staccatos of violins etc, normally they melt into a harmonic sauce).

It was the first time that I saw Peter Gabriel live. I never imagined before how one (not so young) guy could fill with his character, appearance and his VOICE so much space in my heart. I know PG well from his albums, from the Genesis time, but this experience today was really something special.

Thank you Mr Gabriel, Mr Foster, Mr Metcalfes, Mrs Gabriel, Mrs Donan and specially the New Blood Orchestra for this wonderful, enchanting evening.

[Yesspaz]

No "Games without Frontiers" = a lawsuit worthy offense. I'd want my money back!