Simon RushworthEurope @Gateshead The Glasshouse, October 19 2023
Memories, from 1983’s self-titled debut, might not have been a regular fixture at Europe shows during the last four decades but it was entirely apt as The Time Capsule Tour rolled into Tyneside.
This was an evening for reminiscing, rejoicing and remembering the good old days: the very best of times in the company of five friends and musicians who’ve always recognised they’re so much stronger together.
Slotted in towards the end of a sublime evening’s entertainment, a 26-song setlist carefully curated to reflect this remarkable band’s enduring career, Memories was a must. They came flooding back as every stage of Europe’s magical metamorphosis from hair metal heroes to riotous blues rockers was celebrated in style.
It’s fitting that Upplands Väsby’s finest export are the subject of a long overdue documentary, due to debut in 2024. Snippets of that film ushered in both halves of this mammoth gig and the footage reinforced the impression that, for Joey Tempest and his colleagues, Europe is more than a band.
A band of brothers? Maybe. All five members had the opportunity to talk directly to their audience and if the famously shy John Norum looked far removed from his comfort zone, sat on a stool ‘chatting’ to Tempest prior to playing an acoustic cover of Space Oddity, then even he tried his very best to engage in some disarming banter.
By contrast, drummer Ian Haugland revelled in his role as the beaming pantomime villain while John Leven (whose bristling bass solo punctuated Memories) delivered heartfelt thanks to the punters who’ve made Europe’s meandering journey possible.
Mic Michaeli’s bizarre monologue — juxtaposed with Vegas-style lounge music — made for a rather surreal mid-set twist but the oddball keysman’s always been the most fascinating of characters. Fingers crossed next year’s documentary allows Michaeli to shine.
No Ordinary Joey
As for Tempest? The ageless frontman is a master of his craft and in his 60th year it seems there’s no hint of a final countdown to a storied career any time soon.
Still moving like peak David Coverdale (the neat Here I Go Again interlude within Superstitious worked a treat) and sounding fresher than a Swedish daisy, Tempest whipped up the usual storm inside the newly rebranded Glasshouse.
Taking time out to fist-bump his fans, hand out plectrums mid-song and publicly thank the band’s long-serving crew, Europe’s frontman is the very antithesis of the egotistical rock and roll diva. But is there More Than Meets The Eye to this near-perfect performer? Maybe the doc will reveal all…
Highlights? There were a few. But the piano-led Dreamer, adrenaline-fuelled War Of Kings, 2009’s dynamic Last Look At Eden (the best of the ‘new Europe’) and a poignant take on Prisoners In Paradise (with Tempest on electric guitar) deserve special mention.
Then there was the spine-tingling Stormwind — one of three choice cuts culled from Wings Of Tomorrow, who knew the epic rocker would prove quite so prescient?
As it always promised to be, The Time Capsule Tour has proved itself as a perfectly paced salute to a truly special band. But Tempest and co. aren’t finished making memories just yet: latest single Hold Your Head Upfeatured here and Europe’s 12th studio album can’t come soon enough.
Images by Adam Kennedy