Depeche Mode in Budapest May 22, 17 or a fan takeover part 2 by Dagmar

Ok, here comes the second takeover for Budapest, written by Dagmar. I met her the first time 2003 in New York at Tower Records, where Dave played a kind of unplugged set on his solo tour.
So enjoy her report:

Dagmar Fk
Dagmar
05/22/2017
Budapest: For me one of the best concerts ever.

The love for Depeche Mode led my friend Danielle and me for the second time in the charming city Budapest. We started together on 21.5. from Berlin Schönefeld to our Depeche Mode trip.

It was my second concert on this tour after Stockholm and I am still totally flashed now at the morning after. Everything has to ease down. Excited we went already at 1o'clock pm towards the Groupama Arena. I had the news that there will be the first entrance already at 15 o'clock. So we took   the M3 to the arena. We got into the pack of waiting EarlyEntries with number 78 and 79.. I looked forward to a relaxed intake as in Stockholm 😉

I still miss the right words for the admission procedure in the groupama arena - it was absolutely unprofesionell. We had EarlyEntry / FOS Tickets. No organization - in the strong crowds, two security guards, just before 5 o'clock pm, tried to put us ribbon for FOS - no chance - it didn't take 5 minutes and the ribbons were no longer in the hands of the security guards.  The fans took the ribbons - without any control. Now entrance through turnstiles while scanning the tickets. I saw my first row fading away.....

This time there were two 2 supporting bands: F.O.X. And the Raveonettes - we were without a promised pass in the arena but though 1st row at the catwalk and so the evening was saved! Now Martin and Dave just have to came out on the catwalk!!

The entrance?  Everything is forgotten after the first seconds of the concert. 🙂 Depeche arrive at the stage around 8:45 pm. I fell in love with the outfits of Dave and Martin - red and black - what a wonderful combination. For me, they do not have to pull off the red jackets so quickly.

 Dave and Martin had so much fun on stage from the beginning , and they entertained the audience, carried it along and lifted the spirits of the masses. The crowds around us celebrated the new and old songs. It all fitted: The arena - weather - mood - audience.

For me this trip was worth it. It was an absolute dream concert! I will not forget that. We had lot of fun and the band was as good as I had not seen them for a long time. I think they like Budapest and we know the Hungarian fans are absolutely passionate and make a wonderful atmosphere!

With the setlist, there was only one tiny change. "Home" and "A Question of Lust" were simply exchanged. I honestly expected a real change.

My personal highlights were "Going Backwards" as an opener followed by "So much love" and later "Cover me" and of course the Bowie cover "Heroes". Even if the stage seems almost too small in the big stadium, I find this "platform" great, to which Dave can climb in the background of the stage. Great idea / work of Anton. I like his artwork and visual realization altogether, even if I do not understand some sequences with the different animals. 🙂 Perhaps it is an opportunity to ask Anton Corbijn, where the deeper meaning is ("Enjoy the Silence").

I am always impressed with the energy and power Dave sweeps over the stage and how he works with his mimic / gesture - this is also very well seen on the two big screens. As we stood at the catwalk, we were offered three times the pleasure of seeing Dave very close! This time he also shot at the end of the catwalk T-Shirt (4) with two guns into the crowd. Has anyone actually seen such a "shirt" or are it perhaps also flags? Now back to the catwalk . Martin came out at "Home".

Unfortunately Martin didn't change one of his songs. That would have been a surprise for us. I was still happy about the two songs - they are so great and his voice is so crystal clear - a goldenthroat. He always creates an enchanting mood again and again. A sea of ​​lighters lighted up later at "Somebody" and caused goose bumps even with the last fan.

Here is the setlist of Budapest:

01. Going Backwards
02. So Much Love
03. Barrel of A Gun
04 A Pain That I'm Used To
05. Corrupt
06. In Your Room (Album Version)
07. World In My Eyes
08. Cover Me
09. A Question of Lust (Martin)
10. Home (Martin)
11. Poison Heart
12. Where's The Revolution
13. Wrong
14. Everything Counts
15. Stripped
Use concert /her views
17. Never Let Me Down Again
To "Never Let Me Down Again" there was a fan action. Several "hundreds" waved their arms with white gloves.

Encore
18. Somebody (Martin) 19. Walking In My Shoes 20. Heroes (David Bowie cover) 21. I Feel You 22. Personal Jesus

Happy, with merchandising in the bag, we went back by bus to the hotel near the St. Stephen's Basilica. One thing is certain: Budapest-I will come back again and hopefully to another Depeche Mode concert.

"See the star's, there shining bright
Everything's all right tonight!

Now back to Germany and I'm looking forward to the concert in Leipzig:
"I'm taking a ride with my best friend".

Thank you Dagmar for the enthusiastic words.

Budapest is at every tour a safe harbour. I read in my tour diary of 2006 and there I described the Budapest show as one of the best I saw 2006. And I saw 56 concerts 2006. Only Rome and Istanbul were better. So it rests exciting. More shows will come.... tonight Prague! 

See you next time, my dears!

Depeche Mode in Budapest May 22, 17 or a fan takeover by Thomas or we feel so much inside

I couldn't go to Bidapest this year. I wasn't happy about that fact because always on every tour was there one of the best concerts of the tour. So here comes a very exciting report of my good friend and travel mate Thomas. It's an very touching report. Enjoy!


Budapest, May 22, 2017

Already on Saturday, 20.05.2017 the start shot for my Eastern Europe round trip, which should lead me over Vienna and Bratislava to Budapest and further to Prague and Leipzig. After a rainy, but so far the best concert of the tour in Bratislava, we went on a Sunday afternoons after an intense aftershow party on Saturday with the FlixBus to Budapest. Since I had unfortunately never on the note of Budapest during previous tours, I was all the more tense and full of anticipation for the city on the Danube. Arriving there, we first moved into the RUM hotel before embarking on a first exploration into the city. On the Danube in the kiosk, a rather stylish bar, we already met the first DM allies. It is nice to see how the Depeche Mode "Freundeskreis" grows from tour to tour or from event to event. No matter which city Depeche Mode is in, it is always a great flair to meet like-minded people. Our first day in Budapest ended traditionally with a delicious goulash and a few delicious drinks.

The next day started with a round trip through the enchanting Budapest and we walked the most relevant sights on foot. In front of the Bandhotel was the usual turmoil - the same picture as in every city where our heroes are enjoying. Our round led us past historic churches, memorials and the Hungarian parliament. If you look at the background of massacres as in the 1956 revolution or the meaningless killing from the world wars, you will first appreciate what luxury and comfort we have enjoyed in our lives. We can travel freely from A to B, can enjoy country and people, and for that reason only follow our favorite band across Europe and around the world. Unfortunately, the next incision in our lives should soon follow.

In the inner city of Budapest we already met many Depeche fashion fans who are always well-known about their T-shirts. Whether it's just a friendly nod or a conversation from fan to fan, you're easy at home. Feels like Home! So we met the two brothers Chris and Roberto from New York. Unfortunately, we did not get along at the concert. Who knows them, please give them the link to this blog.

To the concert warm-up we met again at the kiosk and enjoyed in beautiful sunshine in large DM family some beers and strengthened us then - no munching, no punching. The Groupsna Aréna was very accessible by public transport and the whole organization made a very positive impression. After the misunderstandings at the concerts in Bratislava and also Nice (too few toilets and meals) it was nice to see that it can also be different. Toilets in abundance and also the practical pee crosses for the gentlemen, made sure that there was no resentment among the visitors.

Also the prices at the merchandising ensured that we did not get out of the astonishment. If a T-Shirt costs 35 EUR so far, you were in Budapest with about 22 EUR at the start. Unfortunately without card payment, otherwise I would have probably bought the booth empty.

The concert then started on time with the snippet of "Revolution" of the Beatles before the official intro started. Already at the opener "Where's the Revolution", it was noticeable that today was somewhat different from previous concerts: the mood of the Hungarian thrilled everyone. From the first to the last row was applauded, the mood euphoric and this spark also jumped on the band. Dave worked as a substitute for the concerts before: he laughed, danced, animated the audience and ran with every further song to new top forms. The setlist did not make any major changes, but the Martin songs "A? Of Lust" and "Home" exchanged. A small change but with great effect, because the combination Home with Poison Heart worked better. With "EverythingCounts", my personal highlight came as well: since the atmosphere had already boiled over, it was clear that with "Everythings Counts", the biggest Hungarian chorus was singing: loud, louder, loudest. I still get goose bumps even when writing. So emotional and impressive was this moment. With "Stripped, Enjoy the Silence and Never Let Me Down Again", the concert ended in full euphoria.

In the entrance block, a few thousand mobile phone pocket lamps caused a lot more goose bumps with me and tears of emotion among many other visitors. With "Walking In My Shoes", the Bowie Cover "Heroes" and as well "I feel you" and "Personal Jesus", a wonderful concert evening ended. It was so far the highlight of the tour and finally we arrived where we would like to have Depeche Mode:  at a gigantic concert party for The Masses.

Unfortunately, the terrible news of the terrorist attack came to us this evening: Manchester.

Music and concerts should give people joy and a smile in the face. Unfortunately, it is just that something of crazy fanatics is abused to enforce their sick interests. I am deeply shocked and my compassion is with the victims and their families. I myself have planned many more concerts and will not let any distracted fanatics get away from it and use every concert as a reason to celebrate against these sick ...

Thank you, Thomas. So great written. I hope I translate it according to you.

Yes, indeed, no fear. Freedoms means to laugh, to love, to sing, to dance.

And I hope maybe one day, we can all be free.

Depeche Mode In Bratislava, May 20, 2017 or the rain is coming

When you read the title of this post you get an idea what is happened. The summer tour is an open air tour, not in every city but in the most, and so you have to accept the situation.
Athens a few days ago, a rainy show, I saw pictures of friends of mine, not funny.
Last tour in Bratislava, rainy.... So stay tuned, I start at the beginning...

The alarm clock rang by 4 o'clock a.m. and I went to the airport. So tired but wonderful when you awake before the sun is rising.


The train is coming... to the airport:

Then I ate my self-made raw vegan wrap.

In Bratislava I met my travel mate and we went by bus for 5 € to Bratislava. 

Don't book a bus in advance. There are many of busses and so cheap. We got a free coffee, the crew was so friendly and you have a lots of possibilities to spend the time in the bus, "so get on board" at "Regio Jet".

We went out to the bus to Bratislava central bus station. It's not in the city centre but near by our hotel and the stadium.

First impressions of Bratislava: 

Bridge of the Slovakian National Revolt:

Near the bus station Mlynske Nevy:

Then we wanted to take a few beers in our favorite pub "Tip Cafe" where we spent on the last tour a few funny days ( see the blog entry 2014 for Bratislava). But it was rebuilt and was not open yet. So we visited the pub near by called "Morgans", a fisherman's pub. 

We had two beers with two friends, then they left us for sightseeing. Then another group of friends arrived. Very long good old friends. They came from a small town near Hannover, my birthday town, which I left as a child with 5 years. I met one of them 2001 the first time and we have a special connection because we come from the same small town ( he is the one in the middle).

Next picture is taken by Lars.

Then we checked into our great hotel Apollo. Very cheap, spacious rooms, clean, tasty breakfast, fitness room and so on. You can walk into the old town in 15 minutes, the bus station is near to catch the bus to Vienna, so when you are in Bratislava, I recommend this hotel.

We needed a nap after 2 liters of beer and later we had an italian dinner in a restaurant near by.

We shared a taxi with other friends to the stadium.

The stadium "Pasienky" is an old ruin, sorry, but it deserves no other name. They sold tokens which you have to change to get drinks. When finally one of us came to the head of the line to buy the tokens, they were sold out and they told us, now we can pay with cash.

Ok, means standing in the line for another 30 minutes. But the beer was cheap like everything in Bratislava and we drank so long until the beer was sold out. So crazy the situation there. 

If you wanted to leave the front of the stage area you got this little notes. When you came back, they took it away again. I tried to keep mine, but no chance....

This guy, Marcel, I met him first time 2006 on the Bratislava concert. He came from Munster and later we discover that we have many friends in common. So it was so nice, that he was in Bratislava again.

A group of fans from Germany brought this sherbet into the concert and we filled it with vodka.

Tastes great, but - going backwards - not the best idea.

No setlist changes. In the beginning the atmosphere wasn't so good. Most of the people stood, only a few sang with the band. 

I forgot it, but I think it started to rain at "in your room". And it rained cats and dogs, no fun.

Oddly enough now the concert turned in the best concert of this tour so far. The band gave now their best, maybe they had compassion for the audience, because it had already rained on the penultimate tour. "The rain is coming, the rain is coming...." ( found this picture on instagram).

Most of the Slovaks had rain capes, but me and my most friends not ( all my clothes including the shoes were squelching wet).

But it was a wonderful concert. We stood together, we danced together, we sang our favorite songs like "Everything counts" together, we were totally soaked. Alcohol, rain and later a few tears. Tears of happiness, maybe only a few drop of bitterness. " This is the last time.... the last time, call it what you want". So truth, this lines of Dave's song: "no more". 

Wasn't easy to catch a taxi back to the hotel, but finally we came back. A few of us went to an after show party, a few not. I was to drunken and had to sleep.

And that was a good decision because it's very important for me to run in the morning. It was early but warm and I love the quiet empty streets. And it's a kind of fast sightseeing. Check it out, you will feel better.

Then breakfast in an large dining room. So many people sat their with their breakfast. I met my friends from Burgdorf again. We discussed the concert. Breakfast was fine, fruits, vegetables, perfect for me.

After the breakfast we all went different ways. A few catched the bus to Vienna for an early flight back to home. A few rest in the city for another two days, other ones took a train to Budapest where the next concert is and in my case I had a date with a good friend in the afternoon in Vienna, where he live now since 5 years. But I booked a boat tour for going back to Vienna. I love to ride with vehicles of every description.

It was a nice but windy trip, only 90 minutes then you are in Vienna with  a very modern catamaran.

So here a few pictures of the trip and of Vienna, where my friend picked me up. Together we drank and ate something, had to speak about many things. 

I went very happy back to the airport and flew home at the late evening.

The castle of Bratislava :

Stone which marks the boarder between Slovakia and Austria :

Small fisher huts 

Vienna: 

Manuel:

And the lovely dinner I had: avocado with potatoes and very tasty pumpkin seed oil.

'

My aircraft....haha, not really. Found tho picture in the web, it's the aircraft of Depeche Mode.

So, the next concert is in Budapest, I'm waiting for a report of my friend Thomas, he is my takeover for Hungary.

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