Confess - Clusone (Italy), July, 3rd 2015

The last weekend, I was (for the 1st time) in Italy to see Confess (my fav band, but I don’t need to tell it…). They played in Clusone (a little town in the province of Bergamo in Lombardy) at the Clusone Rock Festival.

My Italian friends, Valeria and Michele, picked Sonia and me in their car in Milano ; we had about 1:30 hour to drive to the venue.

We arrived around 18:30 and after a little passage at my (super nice) hotel, we have been visited a bit the town (and it’s a marvelous one !!). We have even met the guys of Confess just before they left a rockin’ bar to go doing their soundcheck ;-)

To be honest, we were very afraid that their gig could be cancelled because of the bad weather : storm and rain…

After a good diner, we arrived on Piazza Manzu, the place where the festival was organized. Not too much people were there because the rain was still falling…But fortunately, the festival was not cancelled and the 1^st band has played on the big stage. #fucktherain

After their good set, Confess entered the stage too !!! And super new : the rain just stopped and more people were finally arrived :-D

The sound was good and the atmosphere during the gig was very nice, many fans of the band were there. As usual, the setlist was great (but I missed “Back to hell” and “Get wasted”) but of course, too short. We can notice some special events like when John climbed over the metallic structure during “Got Lucky”, the super guitar solo of Blomman and… the loveliest moment of the evening : “Take aim” was played live for the very first time… !!! My heart melted when I saw John with the acoustic guitar… And I was so glad when he said it was for me on the beginning of this amazing and sad song I love… !

Of course, the guys were in a great shape and it’s always a big pleasure to see their energy on stage, their interactivity with their public and the togetherness in the band.

After the show, everyone was able to discuss with each member of Confess and to take some pictures with them.

These guys are very talented, but also very close to their fans and friendly with each of them.

It was my 3^rd concert of Confess.

Not the last for sure… and it’s really a pity I can’t go to the next one at the legendary “Whisky a Gogo” in Hollywood (informations here). If you are around, don’t’ miss them (July the 25^th) !

Confess on Facebook : here
Confess on the web : here

Setlist : 

Bloodstained highway
Get me down
Exit light
Scream
Pay before I go
*Guitar solo by Blomman*
Take aim
Setting sails
Got Lucky
Relationshit
What’s love go to do with it

Take aim

Take aim! Live in Clusone (Italy)
Posted by Andrea Donati on samedi 4 juillet 2015

Hardcore Superstar – March 21, 2005, Le Divan Du Monde,Paris (+ Double Crush Syndrome Nitrodive)

This evening should have been a whole Swedish one but I don’t know why, Bonafide hasn’t played (it was a pity !!) and was replaced by Double Crush Syndrome, a German band (which I had already seen a few weeks ago in Germany).

As we were a few fans expected to have the first row, we were waiting outside the venue from 17 pm. We even saw Jocke (singer) with Adde (drums) of Hardcore Superstar filming the crowd ;-)

The venue, small (I think we were about 300) is really nice : an old theater with balconies. And fortunatly, we have had our 1st row, yeah !!!

Hostilities began at 19 pm with Double Crush Syndrome. A very good band who played a punchy and very energetic hard rock, with a charismatic singer, close to the public !

2^nd band :  the young Swede Nitrodive ; they define themselves as rock/punk-rock, but even if  I also liked their performance, I thought their set "softer" than the Germans one (the bassplayer looks like Swann from BlackRain).

                         Double Crush Syndrome                        Nitrodive

I also thought that the order of both first bands a bit strange because Double Crush Syndrome played much longer than Nitrodive (the opposite would have been more logical in my opinion).

The audience warmly welcomed the 2 bands and the atmosphere is quickly rises to never decrease).

                                       Blundie, my little HS Teddy Bear ;-)

At 21: 30 pm our superstars entered the scene, and coming first salute fans in front of the stage.

The band started his set with the excellent "We don’t Celebrate Sundays" and from the beginning, it was a big mayhem in the venue !! The heat increased and I think I've never been crushed like that against the stage before that !! But it hasn’t moderated our enthusiasm !

The band was very fit and the setlist fabulous !!!! They played for us all the standards (Moonshine, Dreamin in a Casket, Kick on the Upperclass ... + Someone Special, which wasn’t planned), and a few songs from the new album to come (The Cemetary, Touch the Sky - which was dedicated to Twisted Sister’s drummer AJ Pero, who suddenly died the day before the show...) ; these songs are very good live.

Many fans had made some banners, and each of them was highly appreciated by the band, especially one provided by two very young fans : "Please sing Long Time No See for young fans." The kids were standing on the stage to the right ; the band played the beginning of the song and it was super nice to see that ! After this little break, Jocke invited them to join him during the next song (Guestlist).

                       Setlist                                                         Kids on stage

Very great moment of the evening, just before the encore : Last Call for Alcohol. Jocke said he would like to have only girls on stage ; he began to choose some of them but it has quickly degenerated : I think all the girls climbed on the stage, including us. It was magic ! I had the chance to have a shot (they didn’t provide enough of course), but a little disappointed because it was vodka and not Jäger as usual ;-) It was really funny to see the crowd (so compressed a few minutes earlier) much more sparse and almost entirely male ! And of course, all the girls went to hug Jocke at the end of the song, and he said he had never had as many kisses as during this night !

 

I didn’t return on the 1st row after that because I was completely dry (and soaked because of the heat) : I preferred going to the bar to drink a big fresh beer !!

The gig ended with an amazing encore : Don’t Mean Shit (new album), Moonshine and Above the Law. Super final !!!

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go seeing the first bands, as Amandine and I had the chance to meet Hardcore Superstar ! After a few moment of doubt (we haven’t had any information about the meet’n’greet...), we were accompanied in the dressing room with two other French people and ... wow !!

We got a very nice welcome ! Each of them took us in his arms and gave us two kisses on our cheeks (Swedish and French salutations) ; we talked with all of them (especially with Vic, the guitarist,  who loved my little Teddy Bear with his HS dress - Adde had some big cramps in his forearms, poor guy...) shared a beer, took pictures with the whole band... it was awesome !! I offered them a drawing I made and such a surprise for me (and a great pride I must admit) when Jocke recognized it right away and even remembered my nickname on Instagram !!

                                                     With the guys :-D

We left them with another big hug and Jocke raised both of us in his arms… It was ... surrealistic !! They all are really adorable.

We left the room with the new album on a promo CD and many happy memories in our heads !!!

                                                         Memories

Videos :

- "The Cemetary" (ici)

- Kids on stage (ici)

- "Last Call for Alcohol" - Girls on stage (ici)

Confessed !! (Confess live in Germany - February 2015)

(compte-rendu en Français plus bas)

It’s not a secret : I’m a big fan of Confess, a Swedish metal band.
I knew them thanks to an interview of Blade ( White Trash Heroes – ex Fatal Smile’s singer) less than 2 years ago if I remember.

They have already given a lot concerts but unfortunately not in France (one day I hope…) ; so I’ve moved myself, with my friend Fanny (and later Roxana), in Germany to see them for the first time (but not the last for sure !!) two times in a weekend.
We’ve driven about 1 200 km (Strasbourg, France - Lichtenfels, Germany - Bochum, Germany - Strasbourg, France) and our young Swedes have really deserved this roadtrip (and us as well).

So they gave two shows: the 1st one at the "Paunchy Cats", a very little (and nice) club, on Friday, Feb. 27, and the 2^nd one at the "Matrix", another club but much larger, during the Sleazefest on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Two different experiences, but I’ve liked both of them !

Pauchy Cats, Lichtenfels (Feb, 27 2015)

On Friday, the club was so small that we were 6 people packed like sardines on the 1st row and we could easily go on stage if we’d wanted,just to tell you… It was very warm and I can imagine the band members on the scene like in an oven !
But this fact didn’t stop them and as they always do, they gave their best : 8 songs were played - all from their album “Jail”, except one (actually, 9 songs were planned but due to a technical problem, they unfortunately haven’t been able to play "Setting Sails', for my big disappointment, and theirs ...).
A set punchy and without dead time during which they offered us their new single "Exit Light" and the cover of Tina Turner “Whats love got to do with it", two excellent songs live !! The audience enjoyed the set and our five Swedes apparently too.

 

Sleazefest - Matrix, Bochum (Fe, 28 2015)

On Saturday, there was much more people and the scene was much bigger, which is probably much more enjoyable for the band than the day before : we haven’t have the impression of being in a sauna !
The set was shorter (6 songs, but only 5 played because of the same problem as the previous evening).
But our 5 musicians (and the audience) did the job : the atmosphere was excellent ! "Exit Light" was played again and was well received by the public, who have enjoyed (and sang) the cover of Tina Turner !
The guys have had significant successes, including from those who didn’t know them before the Sleazefest and it was a great pleasure to see this nice welcome !

In conclusion, and in a word : these two concerts were excellent !!!
Their common point ? The audience enjoyed both of the dates and the band was more than generous with his time after both of the shows : they gave to each person who wanted a picture and/or a dedication and talked very friendly with every fan who was at the merchandising stand. They’re very close to their fan and, last but not least, there are very funny !
By the way, I took the opportunity to offer them, amongst other things, some drawings I made of them, a special “Confess” Teddy Bear and a bottle of Jägermeister (Winter edition) they have appreciated a lot according to the rumours !!

Things always come in threes : next Confess’ show  for me : Friday, July 3 in Italy where I’m gonna see them playing as an headliner in  a small festival in Clusone.
I don’t need to tell you that I cannot wait... !

 

« What’s love got to do with it »
(Sleazefest 2015, filmed by Valeria Milanesi)

“Bloodstained Highway” (official video)

Official Facebook page : here 

Street Team Facebook page : here

Pictures : Husky : here - Pauchy Cats here - Myself

**********************************************

Ceux qui me connaissent savent que je suis une très grande fan de Confess, groupe de métal Suédois.

Je les ai connus grâce à une interview du chanteur de Fatal Smile (mon groupe de cœur, qui a splitté l’an dernier… RIP) il y a un peu moins de 2 ans si je me souviens bien.

Ils ont déjà donné beaucoup de concerts mais malheureusement jamais en France (un jour peut être ?), aussi me suis-je déplacée, avec mon amie Fanny, en Allemagne pour les voir pour la première (mais pas la dernière c’est certain !!) deux soirs de suite.

Nous avons fait quelques 1 200 km (Strasbourg, France – Lichtenfels, Allemagne – Bochum, Allemagne - Strasbourg, France) et vraiment, nos jeunes Suédois ont bien mérité ce road-trip (et nous aussi).

Ils ont donc donné deux shows : le 1^er au « Paunchy Cats », un très chouette petit club, le vendredi 27 février, et au « Matrix » de Bochum, club également, mais bien plus grand, dans le cadre du Sleazefest le samedi 28 février.

Deux expériences différentes donc, mais tout aussi extra l’une que l’autre.

Le vendredi, le club est si petit que nous étions 6 (bien serrés) au 1^er rang et que nous aurions pu aisément monter sur scène si nous avions voulu, c’est vous dire ! Il faisait très très chaud et j’imagine que sur scène, les membres du groupe devaient se croire dans un four ! Mais ça ne les a pas empêchés de donner le meilleur d’eux-mêmes, comme ils le font toujours, et de nous jouer 8 chansons - toutes issues, à une exception prêt, de leur dernier album « Jail » - (9 chansons étaient prévues mais suite à un souci technique, ils n’ont malheureusement pas pu jouer « Setting Sails », à ma grande déception, et la leur également…).

Un set sans temps mort et énergique durant lequel ils nous ont offert leur nouveau single « Exit Light » ainsi que la reprise de Tina Turner « Whats love got to do with it », deux morceaux excellents sur scène !! Le  public a beaucoup apprécié le set, et nos  cinq Suédois apparemment aussi.

Samedi, il y avait beaucoup plus de monde et la scène était bien plus grande, ce qui est sans doute beaucoup plus agréable pour les membres du groupe : nous n’avons pas eu l’impression d’être dans un sauna comme la veille !

Le set est bien plus court (6 chansons prévues, mais  seulement 5  jouées à cause du même problème que le soir précédent).

Ce qui  n’a freiné ni nos 5 musiciens ni le public présent : l’ambiance a été excellente ! « Exit Light » a à nouveau été jouée et fut bien accueillie par le public et ce dernier a également beaucoup apprécié la reprise de Tina Turner qu’il a reprise en cœur !

Confess a assurément du succès, y compris auprès de ceux qui ne les connaissaient pas avant le Sleazefest et ça fait bien plaisir de voir ce bel accueil !

En un mot, ces deux concerts furent excellents !!!

Leur point commun ? Le public a autant apprécié Confess sur les deux dates et le groupe  a été plus que généreux de son temps après chaque show : chaque personne qui le désirait a pu faire une photo, avoir une dédicace et/ou discuter avec les Suédois qui sont restés bien sympathiquement à leur stand de merch.

J’en ai d’ailleurs moi-même profité et leur ai offert, entre autres choses, certains dessins que j’avais fait d’eux, un doudou à l’effigie du groupe et une bouteille spéciale de Jäger qu’ils ont, d’après les rumeurs, beaucoup appréciée !!

Jamais deux sans trois : prochain concert pour moi : le vendredi 3 juillet en Italie où je les verrai jouer en tête d’affiche d’un petit festival à Clusone.

Inutile de vous dire que j’ai hâte.