I will post day by day here. Mostly from my own point of view, sort of a blog. If you have question or comments then feel free to post. This will be the story of the Rolling Stones 2013 tour as seen from my side. Not show by show but snapshots in time.
Had to leave Norway in a hurry. Was supposed to have farewell party with family and grandchildren, as I will be more or less away for some 2 1/2 months, but when rumours about an LA club shows grew stronger I had to go.
Jan - April 2013:
How great it was to have four months of work, knowing the Stones would not tour until June. Later in the spring it turned out they pushed the tour start into early May, so things got more busy.
Rehearsals:
The rehearsals on Friday are relaxed. I can hear Mick Taylor on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking". They do "Emotional Rescue", "Heard It Through The Grapewine", "You Got Me Rocking", "She's So Cold", "Live With Me", "That's How Strong My Love Is", "Little Queenie" and a few more. Many instrumentals i.e. Mick is not singing much tonight, saving his voice. As they leave Mick is our hero. He is stopping the car, signing for some 20-30 fans, almost like a Buenos Aires fan mania in the air for a while. Then he drives off. Two large Upstaging trucks are here so I know they are moving out, last day of rehearsals here...
Chasing LA:
Rumours of a club show. Can't sleep. Checking out all options, clubs, possible sites. Important Echoplex info is valuable. All the years of chasing shows and secrets are valuable experience at this stage.
Queuing at El Rey:
Arriving early. Not much sleep. Later it turns out it is a lottery. Out of 1500 or so fans in the queue only one out of four are lucky, as they have only 350 tickets for sale. But hanging around not giving up is the thing to do, they have some 50 extra tickets, and people walk in at 3pm or even 4pm and get tickets, even without the blue lottery ticket. It takes until 5:30pm or so until all tickets are gone at the El Rey, a slow and very secure process involving ID papers etc.
Echoplex:
Many, many TV stations outside the venue. The 350 open admission tickets are queuing at the Echo door, a 2nd floor smaller club in the same building, while the 80 or so VIP's are arriving at the Echoplex entrance. The 430 fans get lots of attention from reporters. I am stripped of mobile phone and camera, absolutely nothing with me. Inside I grab a Coca Cola for thirst and energy. Then into the crowd. Good position Keith side. I will try to make a real report on the Echoplex reports pages later this week. What a show, and what a crowd!
Sunday April 28:
Little sleep unfortunately. Jretlag... I need to sleep! Trying to catch up. Then moving into Woodland Hills. The Stones are now in production rehersarsals, secure place, so can take a few days off Stones stalking. Biking the Santa Monica Topanga hills every day. The MTB rental company are worried about the expensive mountain bike so I have it in my room! And great thing is there is a good old English pub nearby, here in the greater LA area. They have fish'n'chips, London Pride, Stella, Kronenburg, domestic beers, all draft, and a great outdoor seating. Perfect waterhole in-between work. And the hotel has got perfect hig speed internet, essential both for real work and IORR reporting.
Wednesday May 1:
Today is public holiday in Norway. Biking all over to the Santa Monica pier and back. Hard work, took six hours, and I ran out of water halfway home, too bad when it is +30 C i.e. 90+ F and sunshine, with steep hill climbing. I have been biking next to a hugh deer, rabbits, snakes and squirrels. Typical for LA! Two days until tour start.
Bjornulf
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013-05-02 07:04 by bv.