Band:
Nightwish Venue:
Rios, Bradford, UK Date:
13 July 2004
As I arrived at Rio's on the night of the gig I knew it was going to be
something special. The crowd that had gathered was the biggest I have ever
seen at Rio's. It actually went around the block and had to be split into
two lines, one for those astute enough to buy their tickets before the
night, and those who were hoping that they would be able to get in on the
night.
The latter having little or no hope of doing so. For those of us who did
manage to get into the venue after a wait of nearly two and a half hours,
we finally got what we’d all been waiting for.
With the formality of a support act being postponed, because of the time
it took to get the capacity crowd through the doors, Nightwish finally hit
the stage at 9.30pm and the crowd went wild. Opening up with 'Dark Chest
of Wonders' from the bands latest release 'Once', all eyes were on Tarja
(well all male eyes), as she arrived on stage wearing a red and black
ensemble.
The track was just as bombastic live as on the album. Toumas Holopainin's
keyboards were simply superb and Marco Hietala on bass dominated the
centre stage with wide wild eyes. He was most definitely up for tonight’s
gig.
‘Planet Hell’ was equally well performed. Another track off the latest
album ‘Once’ and
was well received by the crowd, many of whom had already purchased said
album in advance and digested it musically.
Then it was time to play a couple of older tracks firstly ‘She Is My Sin’
off the ‘Wishmaster’ album. Marco then announced ''I think we are in
Bradford!'', to which the crowd gave out a mighty raw of approval. Then
the band stormed into a superb version of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ off the
‘Century Child’ album. This was quickly followed by ‘End of all Hope’ off
the same album.
The new single 'Nemo' was next on the set list and the crowd was well and
truly up for it. Once again the quality of the sound was superb, the band
was so tight and in tune with each other it was great to both see and
hear.
They even threw in a version of Megadeth's 'Symphony of Destruction',
which Marco sang and went down a storm. Then it was back to the older
tracks with 'Bless the Child 'Ever Dream' and ‘Higher Than Hope’ both off
the Century Child album. Tracks that most of the crowd had probably never
heard played live before.
‘Wishmaster’ was next and was a track that I myself wanted to hear live
and I wasn’t disappointed. I know it’s a bit of a cliché to say this but
they totally rocked. ‘Over the hills and far Away’ was a superb bit of
pompness thrown in for good measure.
As the band left the stage the crowd were baying for more the second the
last note was played. Lucky for us they didn’t disappoint. The band
returned on stage with Marco grasping a huge bottle of vodka and
announcing to the crowd ''We are from Finland!'' (a man of few words),
which once again heard the crowd give out an almighty cheer.
Then it was back to business with 'Slaying the Dreamer' and finishing off
with the impressive 'I Wish I Had An Angel', which rounded off the show
magnificently.
This is a band that I would love to see do a kind of Metallica S&M sort of
thing with a full orchestra and light show. Maybe some day and let’s hope
that they don’t leave it to long before they return to our shores to do
some more shows and in particular a much more lengthier UK tour.
Setlist Included:
1. Dark chest of Wonders
2. Planet Hell
3. She is my Sin
4. Phantom of the Opera
5. End of all Hope
6. Nemo
7. Sleeping Sun
8. Symphony of Destruction
9. Bless the Child
10. Ever Dream
11. Higher than Hope
12. Wishmaster
13. Over the hills and far Away
14. Dead boy’s Poem
15. Slaying the Dreamer
16. Wish I had an Angel
