Live report November 11th, Wizink Center, Madrid ES

Yes, this might have been the best setlist so far, as far as I remember.

 Panic set in a bit after the Barcelona concert! Simply because there was no notification, no message, or anything from Vueling as I tried to check into my flight. Our flight was canceled last minute due to a strike on the airline which I found out after the fact!

 I’m sitting in the hotel room, two am in the morning, and the spider is restless. How to get to Madrid before the start of the concert. All trains to Madrid have left the station and sold out to make it in time. All buses are full at the moment, Iberia Airlines has a flight for 500 Euros a person to book a flight at the last minute, to fly out at 1300 (1PM) and arrive at 1430 (2:30). The only flight left all others arrive later or tomorrow. “Perfect- last minute deal! I have to do it”- the thought crossed my mind. But at that price- “SCREW it let’s do it”. One second and the tickets are SINKING fast!! “Oh- no”..SINKING!! Just like that of my screen and then gone. What am I to do? Rent a car? Ride a taxi all the way to Barcelona, rent a boat! Call an UBER!! Post on Bluebird and ask for help!!..Crazy thoughts tickle my hemispheres- and I smile…SIX DIFFERENT WAYS of transportation and nothing is available!!! Only I would think like this!!

 Desperation sets in and my fingers stick to the computer keyboards as I try to type and search for a way to get to Madrid. Damn fingers are sweaty!! A little past two in the morning and I find hope. A small glimpse YES!! A bus company that travels from Madrid to Spain. It leaves at 1400 (2pm) and arrives in Madrid at 2010 (8:10pm) Neurons are firing. I quickly calculated the closest bus stop to the Hotel where I am staying to the one closest to Madrid. Six minutes drop off from the stop in Madrid to the Hotel and 18 Minutes to the Venue. That literally leaves 5 minutes to spare. I toss and turn through the night as all that adrenaline has left me hyped up and restless. KYOTO SONG flash through-

I try to think, to make it slow
If only here is where I go
If this is real, I have to see
I turn on fire and next to me
A nightmare of you, of death in the pool
I see no further now than this dream
The trembling hands of the trembling man
Hold my mouth to hold in a scream

 I finally fall asleep on the bed, but my brain does stop. IN BETWEEN DAYS, from one concert to another being so close has never been ideal for me. Black spiders always PUSH their ugly heads into my path. This was no exception, but I have never bowed down to them or let them win. Exhaustion in the morning as Mary Jane and I dragged ourselves out of bed, repacked all our stuff and headed out the door. Hungover from all the emotions and the excellent Pau Saint Jordi venue has drained me, yet I carry on.

 On the bus I reflect on the most excellent concert from the night. Once finished capturing my thoughts I close my eyes hoping to fall asleep and a BABY SCREAMS!! No way to rest now. Hanging on the back of the bus doesn’t help as the sound is defining. Spidey senses are still in hype mode. An hour and a half later the Bus stops for all passengers to stretch their legs. I head to the store, and I grab a San Miguel at the store to drown my thoughts and get some rest. 15 minutes only and we head out again. I down the libation and CLOSE TO ME Mary Jane rest.. She is exhausted after all I put her through from one concert to the next. 28 days in Europe and a few more to go!! I don’t know how she keeps up with me, but she does. The drink helps me relax and I finally fall asleep. Six hours later I wake up only to almost suffocate on the covid mask that we are made to wear.. Checked my phone and on google maps that are nearly there. The bus is on schedule, 4 minutes early to be exact. Final bus destination would be the Airport in Madrid! As we rush off the bus, I run into a CURE fan who is wearing the toque/beanie sold during this tour. He saw my grinding Halt t-shirt and we quickly exchanged pleasantries. MJ realizes who he is after he tells us his name. He is the son of a famous singer in MEXICO. I asked him if he wanted to go with us and share a ride to the event. He agrees and we talk shop about the CURE, the concerts and our ordeals. We order and UBER at the bus station, but it never shows. Losing time now! We all rush to find a cab and waste precious moments to find one. A mad dash to the information booth, an attendant tells us where we can find one. Our new friend offers help as he takes one of our luggage and we all run to the taxi stand. We all laugh as old friends as we get into the cab. The Taxi takes a small detour and heads to our hotel room where MJ and I run to check in and make a mad dash to return to the waiting taxi. A quick check- Money, wallet, tickets, extra battery, passports, cords, TICKETS!!! And we are off to the event. Traffic- I didn’t account for the traffic!! Merde (pardon my French..)

 The taxi driver takes a small detour and drops us off on the wrong side of the venue..I check WhatsApp and see wilgy has messaged me. A quick response that I made it. We run only to capture a picture of the Venue and forward your way. Our new friend, Tovar Scott Rigoberto and I plan to meet after the event to head out to an after party.

 MJ and I finally make it into the venue as PICTURES OF YOU echoes in the halls of Wizik Center. My heart settles to the melody and I become overjoyed with the sound. It gets dusty a bit and allergies kick in. No time to react, we looked for our seats. The place is dark when we enter the hall, numbers are too small to even see with the light from my phone. Good thing that attendants are in every corner and help all those of us who are running late and there's lots that we encounter as we push our way through. Cure fans are scattered everywhere. Someone in our seats and MJ is not having it. We move them along and create a major shuffle of all those near us. I settled in only to capture a minute of CLOSEDOWN. My tweet gates open and 100 bluebird followers' hand on my web tread..that makes me happy to see.

A NIGHT LIKE THIS came on and I settled in. Few lyrical out of tune escape my vocal cords as I settle in and dance to the music. Reeves is perfect as ever even if it's only for a few chords that resonate through the hall. Apologies if my voice sounded like crap- can’t be helped on that song.

LOVESONG– so fly me to the moon!!

ANIF- The piano intro to this and the chimes gets me every time! So soothing and heartfelt..The Arctic Henge in Iceland background is beautiful..Would love to visit one day

Not the best seats and the most expensive seats that I acquired had me next to the stairs where all people cared about was drinking a beer and leaving their seats. Too many distractions during ANIF- how do people not just listen? Off tangent here- but worth mentioning. Not the best LS capture this time around. My arms were tired from the trip and dealing with people just made it worse, but the show had to go on.

gongoro73  forever son came on–BURN. It seems a bit flat as people around me didn’t move to burn. Rafa would have been happy about that- yet I think I saw him heading to grab a beer.

AT NIGHT- Roger and Perry were getting their work cut out today and Yesterday's Concert as this was the same set list as Barcelona. Robert seemed a little tired too as he forgot a few lyrics. I worried for Robert a little as he talked with SIMON- He was too far for me to read his lips but I'm sure he was joking to the likes of this.

A FRAGILE THING- Robert and crew sticking with a faster tempo from this point on. No turning back now as it is his song. Nothing you can do to change it back she said- nothing you can do but sing!!

CHARLOTTE – was missing for quite a bit! MJ went crazy for the song and started dancing. I like the fact that she was found again and MJ found her second wind..

PUSH through the room as the crowd went crazy!! Jason on drums..ninja and her seagulls made an appearance in my mind..so wonderful to dance and sing to.--to-to-to-. The clapping is so electrifying during this song..

PLAY FOR TODAY-Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh—-ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh–Ooooooohhhhhhh

WANT-Our guitar hero always comes through on this song..

SDS- love the silhouettes placed through the entire song. The intro- Ha ha ha! Shake-shake-shake-shake dog shake..Shhhhh…shhhhh.shhhh…shhhh..shake

FROM THE EDGE-Every time we do this-I fall for her-Wave after wave after wave
It's all for her-I know this can't be wrong I say-And I'll lie to keep her happy
As long as I know that you know..REEVES rocks on this as always.

ENDSONG- Jason the drum god in this song! Over 6-minute intro into this red blood moon of a song before Robert's voice pierces the souls. Just like every song should be…I don’t think we will ever get enough of it. Best song to end the main set on this tour..Once again Robert Lyrics says the perfect thing to carry lots of us through hard times in our lives. So inspirational!!

Anticipation for the first Encore- dark set for sure. What mix and tricks does Robert have up his sleeve this time. The anticipation is so thick no one is moving from their seats..No chance as the boys return in 5 minutes flat..

ICNSG-So sad for Robert and all those that have lost loved ones. So heartfelt.

FRíO- Chills every time i hear it. So much so that my heart feels so heavy. The best intro to

FAITH- Yes!!! YES!! YESSSSSSS!! Two songs so dank and perfect for the night. So happy that the song did not stay in Italy and has moved on to touch Spain for a time. Content as the trip ordeal is nothing now as this song plays on…

A FOREST- Robert took me away when I was at the peak of my running physique and ran-ran– and ran for fun!! I do wish Robert would hit a few more again’s here. Don’t know how he manages to hit 21 every single time or at least extend the finale a bit. Simon extra bit of

Last break and the boys are back in 5 minutes..

I hear it..string guitar intro. 3 cords or 4.. The Robert tells us “This is me speaking Spanish alright” then it hits me

“Tell me who doesn’t love
What can never come back?
I can tell by your tears you remember it all
As I cool in the twilight
Taste the Salt on your Skin
I remember the tears, all the broken words
I am paralyzed by the blood of Christ
Though it clouds my eyes
I can never stop"

 But Robert is and always will be ROBERT!! Spidey to make an Entrance. I am grateful to at least hear a rendition of THE BLOOD. A song I have been chasing for a very long time to hear it live. This trip was so worth it…

 The pop encore came, and everyone exploded out of their seats. The crowd finally got into it..I don’t need to tell you anymore as I'm sure I took way too much time reading this from me. I can only tell you that that was my last CONCERT for EUROPE. My dream comes to an end and what better way than to leave with so many wonderful memories. Thank you for allowing MJ and I to tag along on our streams. It has been my absolute pleasure to bring a little bit of joy into your lives. This doesn’t mean the end for SPIDEY as he is sure to return. Maybe the bear can also make an appearance in the future but who knows what the future holds.

Until our next concert together

Adios amigos

 

Wow fiveswinglive
That was quite some adventure. Really happy Mary Jane & you got there.
Was fantastic to meet you in Budapest & I'm so happy you had a great adventure in Europe this year.
Have a safe trip home the both of you & thank you for bringing so many shows into our homes from afar