Tour report – Biebob (Turnhout, BE)
Hey there, M’little Chickadees! 
Last night was our first experience playing at a venue where we’ve played before (Biebob, BE), and I have to say that it’s refreshing to know what to expect. For example, we knew that dinner would be fried chicken and chips/fries; that all seven Soppies would be getting ready in the boys’ dressing room (because there are no mirrors or working heaters or, most importantly, SNACKS in the girls’ room); that the backstage toilet would be locked until 7.30 pm, and that when the toilet finally did open it would be like a tour bus toilet: no “big jobs” allowed (for that you have to use the restroom out in the venue, which entails climbing up and over the stage — just a wee bit awkward if your opening act has already started).
We also knew that the graffiti on the walls would have a certain, err,”masculine” theme to it. Let’s just say that last year the overarching theme of the graffiti made me wonder if “Biebob” was actually a Belgian slang word for a certain part of the male anatomy. But hey, I’m not complaining; the interesting graffiti just gives us something to laugh about, we like it cozy in the dressing room (all the better for teasing each other and telling cheesy jokes), and what’s not to like about chicken and chips?
What we’d managed to forget since last year is that the stage gets extremely slippery towards the end of the show — Johan (bass) being the considerate gentleman he is, warned those of us within earshot, but despite this Marcela (lead vocals) at one point almost had a really nasty fall (read more about it in the official tour diary entry). So if you ever plan to play there, hopefully this tour diary entry will serve as a cautionary warning about the slippery floor and backstage toilet issues so you won’t run into unpleasant surprises.
We had no support act this time, so for once it felt like we had all the time in the world both during and after sound check. Our crew and other helpers are (as usual!) doing a fantastic job and making everything as comfortable and easy as possible for us. Hans, our new backline/guitar tech, is not only really good at what he does, but comes equipped with a supply of the most tempting chocolate in the known universe. If he had known how much Marcela, Diana (backing vocals) and I love good chocolate, I’m not sure he’d have been so eager to share his stash. And if he had known that he’d have to tune and string my dorky pink guitar, he might have had second thoughts about taking the job. 
The show itself was fun, and I have to tip my hat to Biebob’s lighting engineer, who did a really super job despite not knowing our set. In fact, everyone at Biebob is friendly and helpful. The audience was really supportive, staying enthusiastic despite the myriad small-but-annoying technical problems we experienced during the show. For some strange reason I had serious problems with feedback, despite playing at a much lower stage volume than usual. It’s anything but fun when that happens, but one of the of the challenges of playing live is not letting technical problems or “bad guitar days” get to you, and just getting on with enjoying the show as best you can for the sake of everyone else involved. But sometimes it’s harder than you might think to not just throw a Metal Diva Hissy Fit (TM) and stomp off stage in a huff when you’re having a crummy day.
During the show there were a lot of friendly familiar faces in the audience, which is always a treat. The meet and greets we do after shows are always enjoyable, but it’s even more fun when you can look forward to meeting internet friends who you only get to see at shows. There were some really funny moments, like when two very dedicated fans showed us their homemade T-shirts that featured all the inside SoP and Ayreon message board jokes. But on a more serious note, we also had the honor of meeting the surviving family of someone to whom Arjen’s music had brought great happiness. It was a very special and touching moment for all of us.
So last night, despite knowing what to expect in some ways, the evening still brought with it elements of the unexpected. I suppose you can never adequately prepare for everything that life will send your way, but then again, encounters with the unexpected are part of what makes life interesting.
Pinkie respect to one and all,
Lori
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Hmm All-bran bars.. chocolate.. this could become quite a shopping list
See you on thursday!! (and hopefully sunday too.. please.. with a cherry on top? And big puppy eyes?)
Lovely to hear all these stories! I hope everything goes well! I can’t wait until the London gig – it’ll be my first time seeing SOP and I’m so excited!
p.s. pink guitars rock
I seem to remember that Biebob was quite a nice venue when you played there last year, although the crowds were a bit more… umm… crowd-like (master of the English language!) than other places. Those chocolates are awesome, I like the squishy middles
Hoy!..
I can’t wait to meet all of you at the Bibelot in Dordrecht….
It seems you all have loadsa fun on stage….
See ya…
Hang Tough!
Whoohoo Lori, my first gig of this tour was simply wonderful! (even though I had some probs with my ear). You all look stunning again!
It was soo cool to see/hear/meet you all again. A lot of memories came back to my mind, so I can’t wait to welcome you in my hometown again next week
Hopefully you’ll have less tech problems at the other gigs, and hopefully Marcela won’t forget to switch her violin on befóre she starts playing…
A big hug and see you soon,
Robbo
(Ps. thanks for taking care of the Mexican gigposter
)
Lori…
Nice report, thank you Ma’am ! / Your Majesty ?!
Elements of the unexpected ?! – Oh yeah, tell me ’bout it… I’ve always said, “you never know what’s around the corner, be it good or bad !” That’s SO obvious I know, but hey… you never know when Satan’s going to vomit into your celebratory glass of champagne, do you… ?! (Sorry… way too graphic there !)
By the way, I’ve also said, “What if there were no hypothetical questions ?!” (Answers on a postcard, please, to…!) lol !
But seriously… Lori, if you need anything (in an emergency – and let’s hope you don’t !) for the London gig – (i.e) Amp’s… Marshall 100 DSL – 100 SLX / or Cab’s… Marshall fourby’s – twoby’s… / (and what the Hell)… a black HM – a white HM ?!) – (Both without floating trem’s, though !)… Wah’s… ?! – You’ve only to ask…!
Lori, I really enjoyed reading this update, and it’s cool to know (in the nicest possible way, and with total respect), that even YOU have “bad guitar days !” lol !
So… take care (one n’ all)… enjoy (and treasure) the fun of being together again… and that’s it, I guess !
BCNU ! (‘bye Lori !)
Hi metal-goddess,
it was great to see all of you perform again, I really enjoyed the show, love the new songs.
Really looking forward to thursday and friday for some more.
Meeting the band again and having a little talk after such a long time was really great, as is reading all the wonderfull backstage adventures in the tour diary.
If you’re interested, some pics I made at Biebob can be seen HERE
Greetz, see ya in Rijssen.
It’s amazing how something ALWAYS happens at a SoP gig! Never a dull moment. And yes, poor Marcela. Hope she’s alright now. Did she fell at the middle of the song?
Did you take any pics from the bathroom graffitis? I remember someone here in Argentina made a photo book compilation about them, and it was pretty cool.
And I always hear this “no number 2 in the bus toilet” rule from touring bands. Does it get that stinky?
Can’t wait for more road stories, keep on rockin’!
Chicken and Chips? My word, you are getting more and more British by the hour!
Two more days …
Hi Lori,
the Biebob SoP live performance was again Magnificent!!! I still find it hard to believe why so few other bands have so much fun on stage as you guys and girls! Even if you would not like SoP’s music (which is of course impossible
), you would probably enjoy EVERY SoP live-gig! Your performance makes me extremely happy each and every time!
By the way, what made my day complete was the reaction of all the SoPpies on my newly designed Banana Polo-shirt (Thanks for mentioning it here btw!)! Especially Marcela’s reaction was total fun. She read the back of my shirt ( [url=http://www.arjenlucassen.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=1822&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=2779]clicky[/url]) and all I could hear was a LOT of giggles. So I turned around and she was staring at me and said: “I really don’t know what to say anymore! I’m totally speechless!”. So it was actually quiet for a couple of seconds! I couln’t imagine a better reaction than this! So I thanked her for that from the bottom of my heart, upon which she turned to you (Lori): “You should see the back of this shirt, it’s AMAZING!”. You were also very impressed. All in all, it was definitely worth every minute of hard work to design that shirt!
CU @ Bibelot (Dordrecht) next friday!
Pinkie Respect!
Michel / Glass Prisoner
“no “big jobsâ€? allowed (for that you have to use the restroom out in the venue, which entails climbing up and over the stage — just a wee bit awkward if your opening act has already started).”
That made me giggle at no end. “big job” and “opening act already started” …
BAD ME! BAD SELF!
Great to hear the ‘inside-stories’ of the tour! Slippery stages suck, can’t be all wild then :/ Hope Marcela’s ok?
Only 2 days left..
Oh, and chocolate.. hmmmmm
Yup, one day she’s gonna let out all the good sh…uh..stuff with the bestseller: “Not on MY Bog! (confessions from a medium-sized Metal-Tourbus)”
‘A stunning page-turner that will leave you pining for more! Linstruth writes with authority and finesse. Her subtle potty-humor will leave you in stitches.’
James Schmuck Jr. III, Herald Tribune
Hi all
just 12 days to go can’t wait. Must remember to buy inflatable banana.
Yeah Kristof – Chicken and Chips ?!
I don’t know, whatever next for our Lori… a Bowler-Hat and a Brolly ?! “My word !” (lol !)
I’ll tell you something though… your mastery of the “double entendre” is indeed, VERY British !
Enjoy the shows Kristof ! – (‘course you will !)
CHEERIO !
wow Lori,
By the sound of it a show to remember, if only for the people you have met
and don’t stump off stage, hahahahhahaahhah
you’re strong, you can handle anything
hugs
Gwen
Hey Lori,
For all I care, you did a heck of a job yesterday in Rijssen! Don’t let anyone tell you different (that includes yourself !!!).
Take care, Lori. Saved a hug for you yesterday…
Hope I’ll be able to great you this evening, and thank you for everything.. Yesterday eve just RAWKED! Take care and see you tonight!
You’re not alone!!!