There is something special about playing outdoors in the summertime. The world seems a better place when the heat of the day gives way to a balmy evening and I think you can feel and almost touch it. It’s definitely measurable if that makes sense! There are a couple of downsides though in that the weather can be unpredictable and also the stage lights only kick in after the first half hour when it goes dark. But nothing to worry our little minds about really.

As we boarded the plane in London on the last day of June it felt like we were at the beginning of a journey that would return us both triumphant and a little weary in equal measures. This period, June to September has become know to us as prime ‘MIND2MODE time’ as this is where the key festivals fall. Over the past few years we have been privileged to perform to thousands across Europe as the show is tailor made as an open air 3 hour spectacular.

The start of the summer schedule was to squeeze 5 gigs into a week. One thing was for sure – at the end of the week we would not smell very nice! (Remember that you can’t just throw the ‘Martin Gore Wings’ in the washing machine!).

First Stop: Stadtfest, Werther, Germany (01/07/11)

We arrived in Werther for the first of our gigs and true to form, it was raining!!!! The band has now got the ‘stage set up process’ down to ‘Red Bull F1 team’ pit stop standard. Everyone has their own job to do and just gets on with it. Sometimes we don’t even speak to each other when we are setting up, unless I drop the bass cabinet on someone’s toe that is! Set in the town square we embarked on a 3 hour show to an enthusiastic crowd.

The set was:

1. NEW GOLD DREAM
2. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IN SUMMERTIME
3. SANCTIFY YOURSELF
4. GHOSTDANCING / GLORIA
5. BELFAST CHILD
6. WATERFRONT
7. DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME
8. ALIVE AND KICKING

1. I FEEL YOU
2. WALKING IN MY SHOES
3. WRONG
4. PRECIOUS
5. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE
6. EVERYTHING COUNTS
7. PERSONAL JESUS
8. IT’S NO GOOD
9. ENJOY THE SILENCE
10. NEVER LET ME DOWN AGAIN
11. BEHIND THE WHEEL / JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH / DON’T GO

1. I WILL FOLLOW
2. EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING
3. ELEVATION
4. BEAUTIFUL DAY
5. NEW YEARS DAY
6. MYSTERIOUS WAYS
7. ONE
8. DISCOTHEQUE
9. I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND / STAND BY ME
10. SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY
11. WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

= = = = = = ENCORE = = = = = =

1. WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME
2. BAD
3. PRIDE (In the Name of Love)

The earlier rain had cleared and we were blessed with a lovely summers evening and a great gig. Jacky got caught short and made a pit stop during Belfast Child returning just in time to hit his mark. I hope he washed his hands.

Steve