September sun - Euro tour blog 3 - September 2015

Steve in Monaco

Steve in the Monaco venue

The Luxembourg gig had an intimate vibe with a wonderful friendly crowd.

We then sped on to Paris by train for the Olympia show which was amazing! What a place, with all those memories of past artists, from Piaf to the Beatles. It was also special to have Amanda Lehmann join us as guest and her voice sounded sublime on Shadow of the Hierophant.

Arriving in Monaco, amidst palms and poplars we drank in the welcoming warmth of the Mediterranean sunshine. It was a fun show in the ornate venue reflecting its surroundings.

On to Milan... and welcomed by our special friend Vania Santi of Blue Sky, BPM and Musical Box 2.0 Promotion. Both the Milan and Florence shows attracted great crowds and went down a storm. The Florence audience went ballistic and the encore was one of the most incredible ever! In Milan we first met the Medici Senza Frontiere (Doctors Without Borders) people who had a stall at most of the Italian shows. They're incredibly brave and save lives around the world.

Arriving in Rome, Vania, Jo and I decided to make a break for it and walked off into the ruins, absorbing ourselves for a while in the ancient world. Having left the park housing remains of Trajan's baths, we found a café beside the Coliseum. The moment of calm was only interrupted by the sound of distant thunder as clouds obscured the sun and we swiftly returned to the venue... The sold out show that night was fantastic. Fab response to the new stuff as well as all those songs not performed for so long, like Can-Utility, Cinema Show and Icarus Ascending.

The journey next day to Padova was long, but fascinating travelling through all those regions of Italy, from tree clad slopes, old hilltop towns and villages to the northern plains...

Padova is a fascinating old town. Vania, Jo and I visited the Scrovegni Chapel housing a famous Giotto fresco with its vivid colours. On the end wall is the serenity of Heaven, but also nightmarish depictions of Hell, final torture terminus for sinners and non believers alike. Many a child must have been petrified into acquiescence from an early age...

The huge crowd in the impressive Padova venue Gran Teatro Geox went wild... The evening had an incredible vibe and we were thrilled. What an amazing way to finish the Italian leg of the tour!

Thank you Vania, Sergio, Alessandra, Attilio and everyone for making it all happen!

Steve and Amanda - Paris show
Photo © Giuseppe & Laura Casabona

Steve beside the Coliseum, Rome

Paris show
Photo © Giuseppe & Laura Casabona

Jo and I were really happy to have Medici Senza Frontiere (Doctors Without Borders) with us in Italy. They are incredibly brave and save lives around the world.

An Italian meal for the team!

Padova show

The band celebrate at the Padova venue

Vania, Steve and Jo in Padova