Sir Rod Stewart kicked off his 2018 tour in Germany last weekend. People from all over Germany, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, UK even Canada gathered at Oberhausen Arena on Saturday night.
My day started in the afternoon because we decided to go to the airport and try to meet Rod on his arrival. A Celtic match was scheduled for 4 pm that afternoon so we were sure that Rod would arrive right before the game. And so he did. After ten minutes waiting Rod walked out of the airport terminal and he was completely relaxed. He took a seat in the van that was waiting for him and signed some pictures, vinyls and other memorabilia for us. I was lucky to get my Gasoline Alley Vinyl signed. A perfect start into that day
Then Rod waved goodbye and made his way to Oberhausen. And so did we. Next to the Arena there was a sportsbar and we had a few drinks and some burgers while watching the German football matches on the TV. One hour before the beginning of the show we walked over to the Arena and took our seats.
It was 7.40 pm when Rod came on stage. He was in a very good mood from the very beginning, he talked a lot and made some jokes. He opened the show with Love Train and Having A Party, which were followed by Young Turks and other classic hits such as Tonight’s The Night, You Wear It Well and Baby Jane. The first real highlight was Rod singing It Takes Two with Bridget Cady doing an excellent job on Tina Turner’s part … most of the longtime fans couldn’t remember the last time this was on the setlist.
Forever Young (including the drum solo), Rhythm Of My Heart and Downtown Train were followed by the acoustic part, which was opened by a wonderful version of Handbags & Gladrags.
The crowd singing was very good and you could tell Rod enjoyed it.
The girls took the stage for Proud Mary before Rod returned for Maggie May and Sailing. Then he announced a song he did with Jeff Beck many years ago and started singing People Get Ready. And in what brilliant way he performed this song. Goosebumps…. For me it was ‘that’ special moment of the night.
During Stay With Me he kicked out the obligatory footballs as usual. Da Ya Think I’m Sexy and Enjoy Yourself closed that very enjoyable night.
Setlist
Soulfinger
Love Train
Having A Party
Young Turks
Tonight’s the night
You Wear It Well
Baby Jane
It Takes Two
Forever Young
Rhythm of my Heart
Downtown Train
Handbags & Gladrags
Ooh La La
First Cut Is The Deepest
You’re In My Heart
I Don’t Wanna Talk About It
Can’t Stop Me Now
Proud Mary
Maggie May
Sailing
People Get Ready
Stay With Me
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Enjoy Yourself
Show photos By Jochen Windmüller
All other photos By Martin Heidt
Montage By Tommy Kevitt
