Nov 03 German Hospitality… Nothing like it!

We left home in the middle of the afternoon, which is always weird for us… A few hours of sleep before getting on a flight? Really? Is that even possible? Well, looks like it was… After saying goodbye to everyone at the HQ, we headed to the airport. Despite the fact that we had way too many road cases and suitcases with us, we managed to make everything perfect – at the borders and at the security as well! We got on the plane and found seats all together. Alex had to swap seat because his TV wasn’t working – and no matter how long or short the flight is, you want that TV in front of you to work! The guys have a tradition all together when we’re on the plane. One after the other, they choose a movie that they all watch together, at the same time. Same time meaning there’s a countdown before they press play on the movie. First one was a choice by Ben (who didn’t have much success with his previous choices). He chose Guardians of the Galaxy, and didn’t have much more success with it. So little in fact, that the guys all fell asleep watching it! You can find pictures of that on the SFCC Community Club, just saying 😉

We then arrived at Frankfurt airport, where we stayed a few hours before catching our flight to Hannover! And what did we find over there? A newspaper featuring the very best sports team in the world, the San Francisco Giants! We were greeted home in our apartment by a wonderful sunset, reminding us all that this tour ahead of us was full of colors yet to be unfolded, and that we were the only ones that could make them show…

Followed a toast… 1 bottle for 10 people – that we didn’t empty… you can say it wasn’t the best choice of wine! But despite this, we made a toast to something we had told at home before: “We will only go as far as you allow us to go”. Meaning that we are the ones determining where this tour leads us, we are the only ones setting the limits to what is going to happen… And that also means it’s up to us to determine the level of freedom and let go we want to meet on that tour…!

And then, a little night out! We headed to the City Center of Hannover, all dressed up as pirates. Our costume was really easy; a pirate hat. But 10 people with a pirate hat is really impressive, no matter where you are! And what a night we’ve had! Everyone we’ve met made sure that this night would become a very memorable one!

We have spent a few days in Germany already, in Hannover and Marburg to be exact. Germany, at least in Canada, is often described as a cold country, not only because of its architecture, but also because of its people. Maybe is it because people are incredibly tall in Germany, maybe is it because the language is really hard to understand and a bit harsh to the ear, let’s be honest! However, since we landed in this country, we’ve had nothing but good and meaningful encounters. And the day of the rehearsal also made sure this was well engraved in our memory! Beatbox, in Hannover, is simply a memorable place! Not exactly a rehearsal place, it was a small venue, equipped with a stage and lights. Cookies, coffee, soft drinks and juice were waiting for us on the counter… As for the rehearsal? It was a typical YFE rehearsal. Meaning it was intense and that it heated up the place! As Alex said himself, it’s only real if I am soaking wet after a rehearsal. And for that, he was! He basically looked as if he had gone in the shower with his clothes on… as simple as that!

They started by rehearsing the set they would play on the first night… And after that, just started having fun playing songs they knew wouldn’t be played live, but that they felt like playing “just for fun”, because they wanted to. I remember a time, not so long ago, where rehearsals were a pain to do… Where the mood that surrounded them was stress instead of excitement… Not that there’s no more stress at all right now, but let’s just say it’s a positive stress 😉

And then, we got on the bus. It is only our second time touring in a bus, as we usually drive… The first time was in 2007, on our first European Tour (our first tour ever actually, and pretty much the first shows for the band, too!). The place is spacious enough to hold the 16 people that we are, but let’s be honest, we gotta love each other to be that tight on the bus! We met with a few of the members from Trail of Dead, a few of the crew people, but most of them were sleeping in the bunks due to jet lag… A few hours later, we arrived in Marburg, a city none of us had heard of before. And being a Sunday night, we expected that it would be a very calm and quiet type of evening. I mean, everything is closed on Sundays in Germany. But something else was waiting for us…! The owner of the venue liked us so much he wanted to show us across the entire city. And we have followed him absolutely everywhere…! He guided us over the hills of the city, overlooking all the lights, visiting churches and castles… We finished the night in a German restaurant, where we thought the food was simply out of this world! Later on, people who knew the restaurant told us it was an “ok” place. Now I know someone (or more than one!) who just can’t wait to try out some more German food. And to make sure it would end in a YFE tradition, we went in a pub in the basement of a very old building, where the walls were all made of stone, because YB wanted to treat us all to a flamed sambuca!

And then came show day. And what a day! The tour bus was parked in the venue, that opened at 6:00am, with hot coffee. 6:00am, really? But yes, the owner was there that early, all smile and waiting for us. At least, when I got out the bus at 9:00am, that’s how he was! Most of the band members got up late, which is a very good thing, as the tour ahead of us is going to be quite an intense one. We spent the day in the artist room, where food was waiting for us, all disposed on the table like we were kings and queens. Coffee, around 10 different kind of tea to choose from, juice, fruits, cereals, breads, cheese and cold cut meat. The last part is not exactly our typical breakfast, but it seems it is in Germany! I know some guys who really didn’t complain about it however! We spent the day here, doing our things behind our computers for some, making sure all the gear was ready for tonight for others. It was simple, we all had different things to do, but it really felt like we were one. The room was shared with the members of Trail of Dead and Midnight Masses, incredible people with whom we’ve had interesting discussions. All of a sudden, it wasn’t 3 different bands no more, it was only a bunch of artists hanging out together, sharing common moments, common interests, and looking forward to one same thing… That communion with people.

And what a communion! If you guys could have seen the smiles of the people in the crowd as they were dancing, trashing and head banging to the music, you would understand all that I mean. It was a surreal moment. And I mean, totally surreal! We weren’t in Germany no more. They didn’t speak German and us English no more. They weren’t in the crowd and us on stage no more. There was no us or them. There was ONE. And it was miraculously empowering. I think that’s the best way I can describe what happened tonight. A moment to which we collectively all let go, and that brought us further than we could have ever imagined. Tonight, we didn’t go as far as we allowed ourselves to. Tonight, we went much, much further.

Thank you very much, Marburg. You may or not remember that bunch of crazily intense dudes that got on stage at KFZ tonight. But I promise you we will never forget you. It was more than a gig on a tour. It was a life-changing moment that brought us to discover new horizons. Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts!

– Stephanie

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