I just got home from Cologne and I thought I could drop some lines about the show on Friday…

Looking forward to seeing Shinedown on the first headlining concert here, I finally reached Cologne after a one and a half hour drive. I’ve already seen the guys in Düsseldorf with Disturbed (the 45 minutes they had there were much too short!) and I was pretty excited to see them headlining now. Me and a friend of mine (she didn’t know about Shinedown before but likes good rock music) went to the venue very early because we thought the doors open at 6 p.m. ... actually it was postponed to 6.30 p.m..

We were not just yet there when I already saw the tour bus parking right in front of the entrance. It was a very busy street and there was really no other space for it. We were just finding our way to the end of the row of waiting fans, when none other than Mr. Brent Smith himself crossed our way! He, the hood pulled down over his forehead, seemed to be in a hurry and walked away with two other guys, so there was no chance to talk to him. But I thought, that’s a good start!

After what seemed to be an endless time waiting we finally got into the Luxor. Compared to the Philipshalle in Düsseldorf (I think there were about 5.000 people the last time) this is a really, really small venue for only 400 people.

At 7.30 p.m. The Crave went onstage and started their show. I didn’t know anything about them, only that they were from the UK. For about 45 minutes they played a good rock show, but the crowd was obviously waiting for someone else...

And then finally it was time for Shinedown! Right from the start they had the audience into it. The German fans had to wait a really long time for this moment, the first headlining concert of their favourite band!!!

I don’t remember the order of the songs (maybe Zach can help me), but the set list was something like this:

Cry for help
Cyanide sweet tooth suicide
Heroes
The crow and the butterfly
If you only knew
Burning bright
Left out
Sound of madness
Prelude - Save me
45
Devour

Encore:
Second chance
Fly from the inside

For about 90 minutes they rocked the audience! Most of people knew the lyrics and we sang along. It’s really not easy to describe the atmosphere - I have some good videos of the show, maybe I can manage to upload them...
The concert was over much too fast and we tried to make our way out. They let Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple man” play after Shinedown had left.

We wondered if we would have the chance to meet the guys. The best advise you always get to do this is – go to the bus! This was easy because when we got out we were standing right in front of it. So we were waiting with other fans, watching the rowdies getting the equipment back to the bus.

We didn’t have to wait too long, then Brent, Barry, Eric and Zach (pizza, crisps and the stage dresses in their hands) came out of the back door of the Luxor to get to their bus! Some fans tried to talk to them but Eric told them they needed to get their stuff back into the bus first. He promised that they would come out again. And they did!

Zach and Eric were the first who came out, then Barry. Although they looked tired and exhausted they took the time to sign whatever the fans gave them. One guy had a guitar signed and another one asked them to sign his leg to get it tattooed later! They also signed my ticket and I managed to get a picture with each of them. Eric told us that they plan to come back to Europe this year to play festivals and more concerts, but he didn’t know any dates yet.

Then some people asked for Brent. Barry got back into the bus and said he would tell Brent that he was desired. And really, some minutes later, he also came out! Now I could get the fourth autograph on my ticket and another picture with Brent!!!

I just want to say thank you to Brent, Barry, Eric and Zach for the awesome show in Cologne, their kindness and patience. Not every band cares so much about the fans as they do. Please come back soon!