SAN DIEGO - Cane's - 23 April 2005

Hi Agatha,

I think the introduction went something like this.

Lady's and gentlemen. The biggest band to come out of scandinavia.
Please welcome on stage : Europe!

I've seen them 8 times from August on.
And in about 4 weeks we see them again.
Can't wait.

I am very glad that you shared this with us.

Rock on!

Clair

I just got back from the second Europe show of my life in San Diego, we drove back to LA right after the show.

The venue in San Diego is right on the beach, next to a theme park. So this is 2 out of 2 shows at amuzement parks as Anaheim was at Disneyland! And I must say going to these shows is like a roller coaster ride
We drove in pretty early in the day from LA. We got a good park and saw gostosao out the front of the venue. The band were just setting up for sound check and the venue were very relaxed about people actually being inside for this so we went in and hung out. Saw Ian playing and soon Joey came out so I got to meet him etc. ! He was very nice. Afterwards my friend and I killed time by building a kick-ass sand castle.

The line of people was building up at around 1 hour before doors opened, as Europe were playing full songs for soundcheck so we got a good listen and even got to film some of it.

There were 2 support bands tonight so we hung out in the car for quite a while. There were a couple of cars out in the parking ot playing Europe loud, it was a fun time. The rest of the time we wasted in the upstairs patio bar getting harrassed by gangsta mexicans (in a funny way).

Again, the set list was exactly the same as last night, and I got a copy of this one too:

FAITH
READY OR NOT
SUPERSTITIOUS
AMERICA
WINGS OF TOMORROW
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROCK
HERO
WAKE UP CALL
SIGN OF THE TIMES
*** BAND INTRODUCTION ***
*** GUITAR FEATURE ***
GIRL FROM LEBANON
CARRIE
FLAMES
YESTERDAYS NEWS
ROCK THE NIGHT
-------------------------------------
START FROM THE DARK
CHEROKEE
FINAL COUNTDOWN

There was some kind of audio introduction before the band started but I could not hear it very well, it introducted them as the best rock band or something? Does anyone know?

Even though this was a considerably smaller venue the energy levels of the band were just as high, and from where I stood (second row from front, and I hardly call it standing actually!), the crowd's too. And even though the ceiling was considerably lower, Joey still spun his mic stand around!

There was HEAPS of cameras going off, I even took a few photos myself, as security didn't check anyone's bags, so expect loads of photos from this show! I can't upload mine as I'm not at home.

I can't remember which song it was on but John Norum played some chords by banging his guital lead against it. It sounded pretty good... There were a lot of Swedes at this show, apparently there is a big community in San Diego. They were shouting things in Swedish together, I can't tell you what they were saying. Joey commented "Is that the only thing you know in swedish? You're in trouble!". During Hero, as Joey sang the line "It's not like I wouldn't stand right here wth my friends" he pointed to his sides with both arms at the other guys in the band, it was really sweet. Carrie again was Joey acoustic but I won't call it a solo as everyone sang with him again.

After the show Mic and Ian signed stuff from their tour bus door which was pretty cool of them. They were very nice...I now have an almost completely signed Final Countdown LP, I am only missing John Norum.

Hopefully I will get his autograph on it in Part 3 on the sunset strip tomorrow....