[SPOILER] Montreal and Quebec Diaries, Pictures
Montreal reportSo yesterday we left the hotel at 2:30 to fly down to Montreal where we will do the show then fly straight off to New York to save having to travel on a day off tomorrow. Got to airport to find our plane had shrunk phenomenally - a different and very small jet but these are pretty short flights today so l guess Ian is trying to save us some money - either that or no-one else would take us! We couldnt get all the baggage in the hold so Nicko's golf clubs were blocking off the narrow aisle. It was an eight seater so Gaddsy had to sit on the toilet at the back - but at least he could move his arms and legs unlike some of us!!
Arrived in Montreal about 4.30 . l went off with Bruce and Adrian to do Musiqueplus, a big French speaking music show. They have about 120 fans in the studio and basically ask some questions, translate to French and play some of our videos. Went fine. Rest of band went off straight to venue to do a sound check - my God, Iron Maiden doing a sound check - a rare event so rare they wouldnt even let me take any pics. Usually our crew do it but the band are still not happy with onstage sound and overall sound so of course they want to make this (unusual and unrequired) effort. As soon as we had finished TV we rushed to venue so Bruce and H could join in the sound check. Worked out quite well as they got about 30 minutes all together. A lot of the kids at the tv studio wanted autographs but we just had to get out so we could sound check before doors opened at 6.30, so if you were one who was disappointed sorry about this but hope you understand - same for fans waiting outside venuw when we arrived.
Before the show EMI presented us with a gold disc for Canada - over 50,000 (in fact more like 70,000 now) in first 4 weeks - no. 2 in whole of canada BUT no. ONE in Quebec province!!! What can we say about fans like this - thanks and WE WILL RETURN. We always do - we have played Quebec every year for 4 years and Montreal 3 out of last 4. Always great.
Bell Centre is a massive and first rate venue and it was packed with 13,000 or so fans, Great reaction, excellent gig and out front sound was definitely improved. And when the band can hear themsleves properly on stage they can play much better of course. Everyone was really happy after the show and much more confident now. We feel we have turned the corner and all will be well now. It always does of course take a few shows to get it all going, we can now concentrate on the playing not worrying about whether they can hear everything or not and in Bruce's case tearing his throat up. He sang amazingly last night - it makes such a huge difference. Audience of course were brilliant - we are always sorry to leave Quebec province.
We get straight off stage into cars to head for airport so we can hopefully get to NY while customs are still open. The band change quickly in toilets at the airport - told you we were bona fide rock stars!! Onto plane, about an hour, some beers and of course red wine for Nick. Made customs and got to hotel about 1am. In NY there are different choices of hotels and Steve, Bruce and l are at the same one so went to the bar for a quiet beer before it closed at 2am . Long day - knackered - bed. Waiter at bar was Mexican and was at our last show in Mexico City and asked for autographs which they of course did, so his boss bought us all a beer. Friends everywhere!!!
More after Nassau. just work today but then meeting up with some friends and going to a Trivium NY show - will be good to see them again, good people. Rushing to finish this - gotta go with Bruce to do ABC News. Forgot, see ya.
Quebec report
Well l was right - what a gig. If any audience on the rest of the tour matches all our good friends in Quebec l will be surprised but delighted! Sold out a few days ago, the 10,500 capacity venue was rammed and rammed with the loudest Maiden fans on the planet. Everything worked today - on stage sound was good for the band, lights looked superb, band played really well, all production worked precisely - all ok as it should be after the three warm up shows (dont get me wrong, not that these warm up shows werent important, every show is, its just you have to start somewhere and iron out the gremlins a bit).
We arrived in Quebec from Philly at about 2am. l went to bed as work to do in the morning but all the band except H went out and had a good time at a local bar. l was up early and pretty well spent all day doing emails and the same the following day until going to the show at about 5. Its a very busy time for me with the album and tour doing so well - enjoy every minute of it though. Very exciting time.
The evening before the show Jan, Ian, Dick and Gaddsy went out for dinner and were walking to the restaurant when an unmarked police car pulled up having recognised Jan and being Maiden fans like most of this city l think. They got chatting and Ian asked them for a lift to the restaurant. They agreed but as they couldnt all fit in the the policeman called his policewoman wife to come and assist - which she did in a marked car!! Ian suggested they arrest Jan and cuff him and put him in the car. Just then a passing fan asked for Jan's autograph - Jan responded saying he was just being arrested, the fan just looked at him and said "well can you sign it before they handcuff you"!!! l will put pics up recording the Gers arrest. Anyway they got to the restaurant and apparently had a great meal after signing more autographs.
After the show last night we all ended up in the hotel with the Beavers - you may recall the "where beavers dare" T shirt l put up amongst the pics the other day. Basically the beavers are a Maiden loving club of about 50 great guys in their 20s who come to most of the Canadian shows and make a special T for the event - they print one each and some for me and the band, which l wear with pride. The shirt for this tour is brilliant as you will see when l get the pics - "these beavers dont run"!! They had all booked into the hotel and were all in the bar so we took a group shot with Dave, Steve, Jan and the beavers which they are sending me to post here. We all had a good laugh in the bar. Like most Maiden fans they were a great group of guys (and a gal!) and l spent most of the time chatting to them. They took pains not to be too enthusiastic and gave the band some space and l definitely respect that. Its cool spending time with fans but not if they get too much in your face and too pushy. They even bought me a beer or two - thanks fellas.
Anyway its diary and email time again after a good breakfast. We leave for Montreal about 3 - should be another great show tongiht. l believe its now sold out with about 13,500 more wonderful Quebecois - will they be as good as last night?? As that great man said "only time will tell"!!! See y'all later.
- Rod
Pictures can be found here
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