Joe Bonamassa (And Band) - Zurich Hallenstadion - May 3, 2026
I can't remember when I became aware of Joe Bonamassa. It was the early stages and I must have filed the name in the place where it says "to be checked out ... if I have the time in future. This usually means never to be seen and heard again. Mind you, it wasn't because of his music, which I mustn't have heard at this time, it was the sheer numbers of artists climbing the ladder into the light. And it never changed, I can't have my paws in everything that the tabloids sell as the next best thing since sliced bread.
The second time I heard (or read) about Joe Bonamassa, I still hadn't listened to his music and ... fast forward, a year or two later, it was still the same situation. My interest was probably nudged via Beth Hart. I can't say how, why, when, where etc., but I can't imagine otherwise. Now, me and Joe (can I call you Joe?) have a strange kind of relationship. While I've bought a number of records (CDs and/or LPs), I'm not queuing up when Mr. Bonamassa is releasing a new album. There's a high probability that I will buy it eventually, but there's no rush. But the thing is, I've bought records from lesser artists and I've not been as picky. On a scale from worse (1) to excellent (6), I'd rate Joe's music at a solid five. Why a five only, I hear you ask? My top positions are fixed and anyway, the differences between a five and a six are minimal to begin with.
Sometimes, me and Joe had a kind of fall-out and this was (and still is) mostly about some statements he's made in interviews. Nothing serious, but enough to get my old 1-bit software into gear. Since I had received a ton of concert vouchers for my last birthday, I needed to bring one up and get me a ticket. The Hallenstadion in Zurich is probably the biggest indoor venue for gigs in Switzerland. I've seen Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Alice Cooper, Gianna Nannini and a lot of others there. The sound is usually very good and you actually can enjoy the music. With a capacity of 13000 plus (standing room only) or around 5000 plus (seated only) or a mix, the place is made for larger events. Yesterday's gig was seated only and even then, it was clear, it wasn't sold out. Joe Bonamassa mentioned from the stage that more than 5000 people were in attendance. That's what maybe the promoter told him. At that number, the place should have been packed. And it wasn't, empty seats and rows of chairs set so far apart, you could think they were making way for a proposed expressway through the hall. A more realistic number would have been around 3000 folks (and no plus).
From the start of the proceedings till the end, the band and Joe himself were in excellent form and presented a mix of the tried and tested as well as deeper cuts (at least to me). And I almost got a lesson, live is where the meat is on the bone. This was one of the very few occasions where I realized, you can have as many records as you want, but there's a difference between home entertainment (wether studio or live albums) and the real McCoy. LPs and/or CDs are but a faint memory of an excellent gig. Even the drum solo (I checked wether there was a time travel involved and it was the mid-70s, but no, it still was 2026 - no back to the future experience) was something to write home about. I can do without another drum solo in my lifetime (and haven't waited for one the last couple of decades) but this one easily made the top two. I can't remember the other one, but there was one, eons ago. One of the most interesting solos ever (and that also includes guitar, bass, organ, tin whistle and bagpipe etc.).
Funny thing, as per Joe, Zurich was their last station on this leg of their current European tour and then he mentioned, that the next day, they were off to the U.K. to play two gigs at the Royal Albert Hall. Reminds me of the British tabloids claiming "Fog In Channel - Continent Cut Off". Wether that story is true or not, it's a good one. The gig was an early one and even Mr. Bonamassa ... uhm, Joe ... mentioned this. Must have been due to their schedule. There was no "special guest" or any other fancy gimmick. Or maybe it was because of us old folks and Joe was considering our health, so that (almost) afternoon performance was o.k. and I made it just in time back to the retirement home. From 7 pm to 9 pm it was an experience, a down to earth one. I'm not sure wether it's an age thing, but lately (the last couple of years), it looks like the quality of gigs has improved, I'm mellowed out, I'm not properly hearing anymore, I slept throught the gig (don't remind me!) or I actually wanted to be at the local Bingo hall and didn't realize.
Cheers
Roland
No comments:
Post a Comment