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Andy Bell and Manhattan Clique
visited Russia in November 2005. They performed
live in Moscow at the club "Billionaire" 17th November and in St.
Petersburg at the club-restaurant "Onegin" 19th November. Andy Bell
also gave an exclusive interview to Erasure.ru (you can read it in
our "Media" section
here).
Moscow party adverts:
The invitations to the
party in Moscow:
Andy and Manhattan Clique has not DJed
in Moscow but Andy sung 10 songs in total. Here is the set list:
 1.
See The Lights Go Out
2. I'll Never Fall In Love Again
3. Jealous
4. Crazy
5. Fantasy
6. Electric Blue
7. Caught In A Spin
8. Love To Hate You
9. Oh L'Amour
Encore
10. Breath Of Life
Specials for Erasure.ru:
1. From Chris Smith -
download video
[0:03 - 0,5 Mb]
2. From Philip Larsen -
download video
[0:03 - 0,6 Mb]
3. From Andy Bell -
download video [0:05 - 0,8 Mb]
Some photos with Andy:
See photos of Andy and Manhattan
Clique's performance in Moscow in our "Photos" section
here.
Below are some fan's reports who were
lucky enough to attend at this party and also the
comments of Andy himself.
Twilight 0.2:
Part 1 - Interview
So, the hot news has been confirmed – I’m going to have an interview
with Andy Bell. Since only two people are allowed, I’m taking
Truckdriver who acts as a photographer. I have prepared the
questions beforehand and only had to print them out. Have to admit,
I never interviewed anyone, and Andy Bell was my first experience!
I was extremely nervous on the night before the interview, slept for
maybe one hour only. In the morning I hardly fixed myself up, hardly
ate my breakfast rushing to leave for the hotel where Andy and
Manhattan Clique guys were staying. I met with Truckdriver in the
metro, so we entered the hotel foyer together. Some people were
sitting on the couches, surrounded with suitcases and bags... There
was no trace of Andy Bell or BMG Russia people. I approached the
hotel
 security guard trying to clarify whether he knew anything
about our interview. But all of a sudden Truckdriver pulled my sleeve and said: "Look who’s sitting there!" I turned around and saw
Chris Smith from Manhattan Clique sitting on the couch. We came up
and introduced ourselves, Chris said that Andy was still in bed and
started calling on his mobile. Andy wasn’t picking up, so Chris sent
him an sms message. Meanwhile we took off our outerwear, I grabbed
my questions list and a pen, and Truck took a picture of me and
Chris with his photocamera. While we were waiting for Andy, BMG
Russia people approached, and I asked who was going to take an
interview with Andy after us. We have also spoken to Chris, he asked
whether “Electric Blue” was on sale in Moscow, whether we were
planning to see them performing that night and whether we had
visited Billionaire before. I asked Chris what song was planned to
be released as the second single of Andy and when they were going to
release it. Chris replied – it would be either “Electric Blue”, or
“I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” (or both songs as A-sides of one
single), and it will be released in February 2006.
Forty minutes later Andy came down to us. He was dressed in pants
with cowboy pattern, a sweater and a jacket – which he took off once
he realized that we weren’t going outside. We said hi and Andy asked
what we were going to drink. Someone mentioned coffee, others wanted
some water, and Andy himself (!) went to the bar counter to make an
order. However the bartender wasn’t there, so Andy came back with
empty hands (later we ordered drinks for him).
We ensconced, Andy said it was quite cold in Moscow, and we replied
that usually Moscow is snowy at this time of the year. The interview
started. I was asking questions, Andy was answering. Everything was
simply amazing! Andy was very polite, smiling and gesturing. Truck
was going around us taking pictures from all the sides. After the
interview Andy gave us autographs (he signed the cover of my 7” “Run
To The Sun”). This was the end of our interview. We stood up from
the coaches, Andy and BMG people moved to one of the hotel rooms –
further interviews and shooting continued there. Being full of
impressions, we went for a lunch.
Part 2 - Billionaire
The second part was more fun... Andy and Manhattan Clique were
supposed to perform in one of the most expensive club of Moscow –
Billionaire. So, a man of mould hardly had any chances to witness
this.
 We
arrived to Billionaire approximately at 10.30 p.m. The weather was
horrible: + 5 C, heavy rain and wind. Our Erasure friends were
already there. They promised to start letting inside the club at
around 11 p.m. Several hours earlier some of our friends met Andy at
the club entrance where he arrived to do the soundcheck. They
expressed their fears that they would not be allowed to enter the
club, and all of a sudden Andy was supportive, he asked to write
down their names promising to help. At 11 p.m. the security started
letting people in. As we expected, most of the people were rejected.
The ones they were letting in were friends of the organizers or
well-known party people. The security guards informed us that the
invitations (which we got with quite some efforts) were nothing but
information flyers and they did not give any rights to enter. We
knew that our names (mine and Truckdriver’s) were on the guestlist,
so were supposed to get inside anyway. After a short halt with
security and face controller were got in. Just the two of us. All
our friends were still behind the barrier, on the streets, they were
not allowed to enter the club. We were also standing on the street,
but on the entrance side, i.e. on the club’s territory. Now the most
interesting part - Andy Bell and Manhattan Clique guys arrived to
the club. Having passed the security guards, Andy stopped having
heard our friends screaming and stopped by. They gave him a huge (33
pcs) bunch of yellow tulips and...
Marina continuing:
"When Andy arrived to the club for the second time, we started
complaining that we’re not allowed in the club; he was rushing,
hiding his eyes, saying: "I’m sorry... I’m very sorry..." – and
started climbing the stairs. Having shown us his behind, he
continued apologizing: "This is the club’s policy... you need
invitations..." Then unexpectedly for my modest self I shouted:
"Andy, we do have the invitations!!!!!" He turned around, raised his
brows: "You have the invitations?!" -"Yes, we do!" – "So, what’s the
problem?!?!?!" – He was puzzled. – "FACECONTROL!!!" – I screamed.
Then he said he would try to do something. He looked quite
determinate and rampant. And he did it!”
Yes, Andy entered the club having promised to help. In the meantime
me and Truck were permitted to enter, I approached the club’s door
and all of a sudden saw Andy together with a girl (who worked in the
club). They passed me by and stopped near Truck, who immediately
opened his umbrella covering Andy from the rain. Three of them were
discussing the situation and thanks to Andy our friends finally
started entering! Having made sure everything was ok, Andy returned
to the club. Unfortunately, the security only allowed 6 people in,
while 5 stayed outside. There was nothing else we could do about
it...
I can’t stop admiring Andy! I haven’t expected anything like that
from him! A world level star never cares so much about his fans.
Andy, YOU’RE THE BEST!
Part 3 - The Concert
 I don’t have any particular desire to describe the audience and the
environment of Billionaire. There’s only one word – EXPENSIVE. Andy
Bell showed up onstage in red latex pants supported by black
suspenders, in the knee length boots a la Dr.Martens and the same
red latex gloves covering his hands up to the elbow. This outfit was
extraordinary, we didn’t expect anything like that, because judging
from the pictures from his concerts in Great Britain and USA, there
wasn’t much to hope for. We managed to occupy the place near the
stage, the distance from us to Andy was about one meter. Andy
performed 10 songs – 7 from his solo album and 3 old songs of
Erasure. As always, Andy rocked! Not a single false note, not a
single odd movement. He was very natural and tried his best. Andy
was backed up by Chris and Philip (keyboards) and 2 dancers who
fitted just fine. They changed several times during his performance
also changing their frivolous outfits. I especially enjoyed their
white costumes with capes. They suited one of the songs with Eastern
intro. As I already mentioned, Andy was laying himself out, in the
end of the concert the sweat was not just dripping – it was flowing
to the floor. I’ve never seen anyone sweating like that. I felt
really sorry for Andy, even slightly scared. But nothing bad
happened. We were really loud and broke our voices singing together
with Andy. Andy said ‘thanks’ many times and when the concert was
over, he said he will take Vince to perform in Moscow next summer.
The concert seemed to be over too soon, but it wasn’t the end, since
the DJ set was also stated in the program. However, as Truckdriver
found out from Chris, the DJ set was cancelled since Andy was too
tired to do it. We could finally relax and go home... But we decided
to thank Andy once again and to take a picture of all of us
together. Truck was sent again backstage where Andy, Chris and
Philip were sitting. Andy was kind enough again to fulfill our
request. We spoke to him for 2-3 minutes (chaotically), took a
couple of pictures and let him go. At parting Andy whispered in
Truck’s ear that we were the best in this club that night...
Feeling totally happy, we stepped outside, it has stopped raining by
then. It was a quite night. Having kissed goodbye to each other, we
started leaving for home. And I think that each of us was thinking
of Andy...
Truckdriver:
INTERVIEW
(For all the gimmicks of getting Andy Bell interviewed address
Twilight 0.2. I will tell you about the interview itself and my
impressions of it.)
We, as well as MTV channel, MUZ-TV and “Hello!” magazine were lucky
to interview Andy right in the hotel where he stayed. But we were
luckier as we were the first ones to interview him that day. So we
were counting on his morning vigor and buoyancy. How naive… . We
have made arrangements with Twilight 0.2 that he would be
interviewing him, and I would be taking pictures of Andy non-stop at
the same time. Having come to the hotel lobby exactly on agreed upon
time (12:00 p.m.) we immediately recognized Chris Smith – one of the
members of the Manhattan Clique. I, as always in the situations like
this, totally forget all English language rules, grammar, words,
speak with heavy accent, etc. So, I fired off right away with the
following: “Hi, are you Manhattan Clique?”, for what Chris, leaning
forward, with his snow-white smile, replied: “Yes, I am Chris!”. We
made ourselves comfortable on the coach almost immediately, took off
coats, secured all necessary things and got prepared to wait for
Andy. Chris said that yesterday they all had had very nice party and
that Andy was still sleeping. He decided to call his room and find
out if he had plans to come to the lobby. At that moment I could’ve
keeked Andy’s cell phone number, but I did not do it. :-) Then Chris
called Phillip (second guy from the MC), but he was loaded, and
Chris mimicked his voice in the receiver. But Chris appeared to be
easygoing guy. :-) He said that next month they would have to appear
in Kiev, then in Kaliningrad and asked us about our impressions of
these places. I decided to video a short part of our conversation
where Chris says: "Speshal fo Ereizha dot ru". So, Chris, feeling
shy, repeated the same while camera was on, but without accent, of
course. Then Natasha came (BMG Russia), whom we owe we got interview
with Andy. THANK YOU, Natasha! And we spent a little more time ((c)
Vinny Puch). Then I found out from Chris whether he knows that they
would be appearing in one of the most expensive Moscow clubs. He, as
I was rightfully assuming, did not know that and was very much
surprised with the fact.
Nothing interesting had been happening after this. We found out who
else would be interviewing Andy. Then decided to seat on a different
coach in another corner of the foyer. The coach itself was less
comfortable, but there was a big table over there. The hotel
could‘ve been better though, Andy Bell by the way… .
Then a young man came, don’t remember his name. He also appeared to
be from BMG Russia (I did not understand the purpose of his visit,
it may have been for the autograph though – after interview he gave
Andy his album to autograph). The promoter in his thirties came not
at all having a promoter’s look. Oh… He began rolling around
creating nervousness, and I, finally asked he who he was. He
answered: “Me? Without me I doubt you all would be here. It’s me who
brought Andy Bell to Moscow!”. Let he be blessed for this! That is
how we got acquainted.
After 5-10 minutes or so the second member of Manhattan Clique -
Philip Larsen came downstairs. Looking at him one would undoubtedly
tell that they did really had a very good time yesterday. We got
acquainted, he was very shy. I shot some video for the site
Erasure.ru – Philip actually got beet red, but acted good though. He
stood and the only thing he did was hanging his head. Philip as well
as Chris turned out to be very easygoing person without any
arrogance.
We were waiting for Andy, but he would not be appearing. Suddenly
just above our coach somebody started drilling. Taping interview,
and to be exact its deciphering and further translation were
jeopardized. I approached the front desk lady and immediately began
lying: “You know, the star will be coming here and having heard his
noise will refuse to be interviewed, and then your hotel will be
liable…”. I was told they some repairs were being done and that they
would stop drilling for an hour and a half. Immediately feel
yourself like Larry King, who is engaged in an hour and a half
interview, but not ourselves – 15 minutes and done! :-))) Drilling
resumed in 3 minutes or so, I again approached the lady at the front
desk, and in 5 minutes again, but this time the manager. There was
no drilling any more. Then the deciphering of the Andy Bell’s speech
could be jeopardized by radio only, the sound coming from bar near
our table. On the request to shut the radio for the time of the
interview, the barman-waitress, being in a deep exhaustion, showed
the whites of his eyes and displeasingly agreed. Having shut the
radio, he immediately went to see the manager, who was already aware
though that we would need silence.
We waited a little bit more, and,
FINALLY! I saw that our Natasha, having seen somebody in a distance,
got up. I immediately hopped in that direction and saw smiling Andy.
He was coming towards us – energetic and smiling. He was walking in
a strange manner. I addressed him after Natasha did, presented
myself and said that it would be interview for Erasure.ru and having
pointed to the Twilight 0.2 said that it was the main man from the
site and that he would interview him. :-)) In a few seconds Andy
took off the coat and sat at the spot reserved for him. By the way
he incidentally sat on the two ruble coin, which caved in from the
promoter’s pocket. He took the coin saying that somebody lost it and
gave it to us :-). Then Andy got up all of a sudden and addressed us
with the question on what everybody will drink. What will you drink?
Shot of wine, Cola, tea, coffee… . To make long story short, all of
us (me, Twilight 0.2, Natasha and young man) got into stupor. All of
us were turning their heads left and right but continued to seat
staring at Andy and his inclined body towards us. In a second Andy
having understood that we did not want anything, ran to the bar at
our table to order coffee and Cola. The first one to get out of the
stupor was Twilight 0.2 who assumed that our people from BMG should
have done it, but they were still sitting. :-) So, well. This is a
rare case when Andy Bell offers you to buy something in a bar. Then
he came back and sat. Coffee and Cola were served and Twilight 0.2
began interview. Andy was as quiet as a tank, he was very exact when
answering questions, distinct, was sipping cola once so often and
smoking cigarettes. When he looked at the coffee, it became clear
with the impression on his face that if he tastes it something
unpredictable may happen. It may have been that he was nauseated
after yesterday’s party. So he politely offered coffee to me. It’s a
pity that I don’t like coffee. :-)) Andy was very nice, constantly
smiled and mused over some questions. It was apparent it was
interesting for him to be interviewed. Only once he showed the
whites of his eyes and he was surprised when he heard the beginning
of the new question about new emotions and new pleasures where
Twilight 0.2 was saying: "You are good-looking, famous, talented,
rich. You can afford just about anything…” From one side I wanted to
take pictures, but from another site I wanted to simply calm down,
seat and listen. Although I understood very little, it was still
very pleasant experience for me. Overall I shot 20 pictures. As soon
as interview was over, Twilight 0.2 thanked Andy for the interview,
and all of us asked Andy to autograph the disks. I brought 4 disks.
Andy patiently autographs all of them. But when we asked him to
write something down for publication on the web site on a blank
piece of paper, Andy diligently began writing the words of love to
all Russian fans of his. He made a couple of mistakes though. He was
very joyful when we pointed to them. :-) And was making corrections
with the same diligence! He did not care what time it was, so could
have kept him for another 40 minutes, but it was unhandy. After Andy
autographed all possible poligraphic art, we were so happy examining
discs with autographs that had almost (I apologize) forgotten about
him! But he, having been left alone, while seating began putting in
order his clothes, turning around and looking in the window! It was
a bit uncomfortable… . Yet, we were distracted for only a while!
After this I took pictures of everybody one by one with Andy! The
best picture was that of Natasha – they were
 cheek to cheek with
Andy. The picture of me with Andy was taken by Twilight 0.2. Well,
when I sat on the coach, Andy dragged me to him and I fell over
right on him. We were pictured in a semi lying position (you will
see yourself). After all the pictures had been taken, we all thanked
him and shaked his hand. Then Andy with Natasha and the man from BMG
who accompanied her said good bye, went to the bar to pay the bill
and began leaving. The last thing that happened the same moment was
I remembering that I had not videotaped Andy as I did Chris and
Philip. I leapfrogged to the leaving Andy, stopped him and requested
that he would say the same as Chris and Phillip so that I can
videotape him. But I came out even better – Andy did not say a word,
he began grimacing and staring in the objective lens, and then
opened his mouth as if pretending that he was swallowing the camera!
That’s all. Then he along with already arrived journalists (either
from TV or from the magazine) receded to the elevator.
In ten minutes or so we left the hotel and tried to describe to each
other our feelings. Now we all were in some kind of frustration.
BILLIONAIRE
Having read a lot on the Internet about “Billionaire” club, I
decided to do everything consistent with their rules:
1. I had invitation.
2. I got orange T-shirt and put it on.
3. Even got my face covered with silver sparkles.
Besides this, to be on a safe side me together with Twilight 0.2
found out from one of our buddies on how to do tricky sneak into the
club. He deals pretty often with people from clubs’, cinematographic
and other gatherings. So, he promised to somehow include two people
in the guest list. I did not care, I obeyed all the rules, but the
most important thing was that I had invitation! I thought that with
it the admission to the club was guaranteed even without orange and
silver. Hah!
I met all other our fans near the club. I got there a little bit
earlier than 11:00 p.m. It was pouring. Two huge guys in raincoats
were standing at the entrance. We wanted to get in, but it was
announced that to enter the club your name must be on the list! In
response to the invitations we showed we got disdainful smiles. It
was told that Pasha-facecontrol will show up soon and we should
discuss everything with him. Pasha-facecontrol had been working
previously in the “SUMMER” club. So, in a while it became apparent
that it would be impossible to get into the club. Neither
invitations nor orange or silver attire, even being on the lists
would not work. There was one girl over there in a coat and a hat.
She also had her own lists. She worked with Pasha-facecontrol and
pointed out to him and to the security guys certain people who
needed to be let it. I was holding an umbrella over her when she was
looking for somebody on her lists, what a fool! Let her go to the
hell!!!! To make the long story short – there is some sort of
politics – Pasha and this girl get hook of the people with familiar
faces who can spent a lot of money in their club (to note: to
reserve a table in “Billionaire” starts with $1.000). Further,
approximately at that particular moment when we were arguing and
reasoning that we were on the lists, Andy Bell and Manhattan Clique
with promoter was arriving at the club. While passing us they
recognized us and I managed to tell him that we were not allowed to
get in the club. But it did not struck me to tell him that we got
invitations! But, thanks God, he learned this from our other fans
and got surprised that we were not admitted even with invitations;
he promises to help us somehow and disappears in the club. Further
we remembered the story with the lists, telephoned my buddy and he
confirmed that we should be on the lists 100%. The girl in white hat
was blushlessly lying that we were not on the lists. Yeah, I rarely
came across clownery like this. “Billionaire” – SUCKS! The idea at
that point was to get into the club for at least one of us and
further try to get others by whatever means it will require: either
ask Andy (thanks God we have been already acquainted with him after
the interview, and it will be difficult for him to refuse to help
us!) or impose a scandal inside and alarm some very important
person. Of course all this would be punishable and we could have
been kicked out of the club, but at that time we were ready to act
this way. Right at this time somebody called Pasha-facecontrol’s
cell phone and told him something. To make long story short the guys
at the entrance pulled us from the crowd and put us on the premises
for selected officials. We had more determination then because in
the ideal scenario everybody should have apologized for his or her
behavior, and this fact in its turn should have positively impacted
our requests to let in our other fans. What apologies are we talking
about?
Then everything could not be better! Andy was going downstairs
towards me along with the only staid girl from this “Billionaire”.
The following I remember very vaguely – bits and pieces. Andy stops
me, addresses his girl with something and points out on me. She at
first addresses me and asks me if I can tell who should be let in
from my party. I say “YES”! Then she tells me that I should not go
anywhere, she will be back shortly, turns away to Pasha-facecontrol
and chats with him. I stand with Andy, open my umbrella, and we
stand and wait for this girl. Well, given the chance, I inquire
about Andy’s spirits – he responds with “Fiiine!” And then we just
wait for the girl. Andy is hiding under the umbrella and humming
something like "La-la-la, La-la-la...". Situation is kind of strange
a bit. :-)))) Then, finally the girl returns, and I get an
assignment to point out all the people from our party who need to be
let in. That is what I do. All our people squeeze through huge
security guys in raincoats, and Pasha-facecontrol watches the
situation. But all of a sudden Pasha says “that’s it”! “Enough”! We
have let in more than enough people of yours! And 5 of our guys are
left outside. No soliciting of mine or girl’s or Pasha’s or later
Andy’s promoter was successful, and those five had to leave with
nothing. :-((
There is nothing interesting to tell about club. It is not a
distinguished place at all. But the concert Andy sang at was
absolutely magnificent! I thought he would perform 2-3 songs, but it
turned out to be almost a full-shot concert, which lasted 40
minutes. Andy performed 9 songs plus one song encore. I think that
somebody else who was lucky to get in the club will describe the
concert. I will tell you what I saw besides the concert. First, it
was simply disco dancing. Andy, Chris and Philip were relaxing in a
special room adjacent to the club stage. One can hardly define it as
a room though – it was a corner with a table and a sectional sofa.
They were sitting and chatting first, smoking and drinking. A huge
security guy was standing nearby, who had nothing against my
passaging to the room. To be on a safe side though, while coming
nearer to Andy I began talking to him and his mates to make the
security guy feel that I know them. I shoot couple pictures, thanked
them and left.
Then it was drawing of Chivas bottles and invitations to the golf
tournament on the snow in Switzerland on the stage. They say, that
Andy took part in the drawing pulling the ticket from the drum, but
I missed that because I was outside. The beginning of the concert I
also missed. It would be hard to describe all that followed! The
performance was magnificent! Andy was dressed in an extravagant suit
half naked and boots from Dr. Martens knee high. He wore bright red
pants from resin with black resin suspenders and red resin gloves up
to the elbows. The suit was definitely from the sex-shop for extreme
persons. :-) Two dancing girls – very pretty and sculpturesque –
accompanied his singing and made the performance more colorful. They
even changed their costumes several times. Close to the end of the
performance a girl with the nickname “Fairy Tale”, who, they say,
was the girlfriend of Iliya Lagutenko, climbed the stage. It was the
second girl (the first one was in white hat and I really wanted to
shoot her). :-) Having climbed the stage, she began poor dancing
trying to imitate accompany. At some point she grabbed the bottle
with water in it and began watering first us who were standing near
the stage, and then Andy Bell. But would be his reaction – just be
in line with her. Then a friend of “Fairy Tale” climbed the stage
(this girl is the third one on the victims’ list) and began
performing something she herself felt sexual. Trash! Two girls were
grimacing on the stage for fairy long time, then, thanks God,
security guys pulled them from the stage. I was shot dead with one
thing – it was when somebody passed a shot of vodka to Andy while he
was on the stage. He took it and drank at a draught. I felt sorry
for our audience. We felt sorry one more time – after the
performance Tanya and I went Andy, Chris and Philip to get
autographs. We went to that suede-chill-out zone for important
persons. There was a big crowd sitting near band members, and they
were chatting with each other, but not with Andy. Everybody laughed
like crazy; Andy and MC were a little bit confused with that. When
others saw us getting autographs, they began giving everything they
had at hand – pack of cigarettes, paper napkin for an autograph.
Wild people! By the way, Chris treated the autograph very
cautiously, when he saw that his scribbles done with a black marker
would not dry, he began to blow on the booklet so it would dry
sooner. Philip and Tanya with me helped him.
This is actually the end of it. DJ-set of Andy Bell was cancelled as
Chris told me because Andy got too many performances and was very
tired. But we still were very happy, the performance was A+! By the
way, once performance was over, the club was empty in no time.
SEE PICTURES!
Truckdriver.
Shenzi:
Since we (accidentally) learned about
Andy’s supposed arrival to Moscow, I couldn’t figure out how it is
possible that we (loyal Erasure fans) have been waiting for this
great event for so long and were punished in the most severe way –
Andy was invited to perform at a CLOSED party for chosen people. In
the most expensive club of Moscow where even the most famous and
rich people are not allowed. That means we have absolutely no
chance. This is what it seemed at first. Having reflected about
several ways of getting inside the club pretending to be a
journalist, waiter, garbage collector, postman etc., we were about
to give up.
It’s so difficult to be an Erasure fan in Russia! ;)))) We went to
the club with horrible mood hoping at least to get the autographs.
Standing around the barriers, we are watching Pasha – face
controller with animosity (he decides who can get inside). Obviously
we don’t have the right faces… Finally, Andy arrives. We start
whimpering asking him to take us to the club. He has pity on us and
promised to speak to the promoter! Andy, I adore you!!! We get
inside!!! There in the club we rush to mix with the crowd – what if
Pasha changes his mind. ;))) We are probably the one people knowing
what’s going to happen.
 We
get closer to the stage. Come on, start the show! We’ve been waiting
for 2 weeks. AN-DY, AN-DY, AN-DYYYYY! Wow, what a costume! My chew
hangs down from astonishment. Exclusive threads for Moscow. Red. You
won’t see it anywhere else! Our small company starts dancing, taking
pictures and definitely has a lot of fun. The people behind the bar
counter behind us think we are weird being unable to understand why
we react so violently and know all the lyrics.
 People
slowly get infected with our enthusiasm and fill the dance floor.
Andy announces “Crazy”, we scream “Yes!!!”. Now everybody is
curious, a little crowd gathers at the stage – we try not to let
anyone enter our territory. Here’s a surprise! “Love To Hate You” –
the national Russian hit for the last 13 years! This is when people
realized who was singing. Some even crawled onstage… Yeah, probably
it’s even better than a concert in a big hall. The atmosphere of a
party with friends. We want more. This is what we keep screaming –
we want more, we want more!
Too bad everything good ends too soon. We have to go home. As a
souvenir, I will bring home a signed Electric Blue cover. I want
more, I want more…
Olga:
Me, Marina Burkut, Alex, Shenzi arrived
by 5 p.m. Waited for quite a while. Then Shenzi had to go. Ten
minutes later we saw a dirty totally broken old white Toyota car
with the right wheel. Manhattan Clique and Andy were squeezed on the
backseat. They came out of the car. Then we jumped at Andy, all
three of us. :) He was sincerely glad to see us, allowed us to take
pictures with him. He answered my stupid questions, signed our
Erasure photographs, disks, tourbooks… Spoke to us REALLY NICELY.
We gave him a hint about our intention to go to St. Petersburg
mentioning that we are afraid not to be allowed inside the club. He
replied: “They will let you in. Give me your names”. We wrote down
the names on a piece of paper. I think he lost it tight away or
forgot about it.
The club was open at 11 p.m. Nobody was allowed inside, though a
huge crowd was standing there. We bought a huge bunch of yellow
tulips (33!). I thought we would enter the club either with Andy, or
wouldn’t enter at all. We weren’t in any guest lists, and even if we
were, they said everything was up to face controllers! We had no
chance. :) Fortunately, he arrived, and we caught him. Gave our
flowers. And Andy did it! He made an arrangement with promoters and
managers, came downstairs to us and some of the people managed to
sneak in the club. :) My husband didn’t make it though. :(
The club crowd consisted mainly of bohemian people. We pushed around
for an hour and then witnessed the prize drawing from Chivas. Andy
was pulling the main prize. Then he started performing. He was
absolutely amazing, the audience went mad. It wasn’t very different
from a regular Erasure concert – he worked in full force.
If not counting a few unpleasant moments when several girls and guys
hunted Andy, the audience went onstage and complete strangers were
hugging him, everything was super!
Andy announced from the stage that Erasure would perform in Moscow
next summer.
Marina:
Thursday. The knees are trembling. The
heart is thumping.
I somehow worked till the dinner. Quickly got dressed and run away.
Forgot to leave the keys from the office; on Friday my colleagues
will be standing under the doors until 11 a.m. I don’t care!
I’m walking to home unhurriedly, we have made arrangements with Olya
that we would be getting to her work at 6 p.m. There is so much time
I have. Walking from the subway, relaxing. Cell phone call. Olya.
The plans have been changed. Now we are going to catch Andy before
sound check. I’m running to home!!!!
The shower. The hairdryer. Make-up. The clothes. The perfume. Where
is my perfume?! Aaaaah, mama, help me! Oh, here it is! Shit, Sasha,
we are lating!!! Let’s run!
Olya. The car. Electric Blue. This is how we are putting in right
frame of mind, pumping up the volume so we can’t hear how our
teethes is knocking because of agitation. Beautiful music is
immediately slipping my mind. How sad.
We have come. Parked the car (a bit far from the club, but it’s the
center of the city!). Went to find the club. A bit terrify. Looking
like that Cologne region where E-werk is situated (the venue where
Erasure gig took place in March 2005). We can’t find the club, there
are not any signs. We are going round and round.
Oh, Tanya has come! Now we are the quartet: Olya, Tanya, me and my
Sasha. Tanya immediately finded the entrance to the club, she read
somewhere about the doors with the lion heads. The glasses are
darked and we can’t see anything.
We have finded the place on the corner, staying and partisaning. The
temperature is around +2 C and we are starting to freeze. There are
different people that periodically entering the club, seems that
they were the club stuff. We are stretching out our necks and trying
to spy on and to eavesdrop on something. It’s cold!!!
The working day at the surrounding offices is coming to an end and
the places for parking are cleared. Should we go for the car?
Thanks, no! This is too risky. What if we are miss Andy? It’s cold.
We have spent around an hour in such torments and finally we are not
withstanding. We are leaving Sasha standing and watching our place
(if something will be happening – lay down in front of the car or in
front of Andy). Then we are trying to run on our numbed legs.
We have run in, jumped into the car, come away like the bullet and
flied to the treasured club. The parking place right in front of the
club is cleared so we parked there. Getting warm, shaking with fear,
looking for the treasured car.
Getting warm slightly, Tanya decided to go home to be ready for the
club in time. Sasha leaves the car to smoke.
Minivan has drive up to the club (AH!) and the shooting group has
come out from it. There were around eight people. Sasha comes to
them and in businesslike manner asked:
- When Andy will be driving up?
- Right now! - they answered.
We are feverishly looking through the bundles of the photos we
brought. What photo we want Andy to get signed?
The Mercedes is coming. Well? It’s passing by. Minivan. Well? It’s
passing by. The old banger passing by us, lately classified as
Toyota. It had right steering wheel. It was very dirty. One side is
smashed up, the rear light is absent.
Sasha, bending down to the window, says: “He comes!”. Our general
laughing must have been listening on the surrounding streets. We
stops dead with an opened mouths when HE have come out under the
sights of the cameras of the arrived in time journalists.
Throw opening the door, I have flied out towards him. I don’t know
what to speak! Aaaah! But Andy already have made a step towards us,
opened wide his hands, smiled widely and said: “Ooooh, it’s you!”.
What did he meant?
Failure in my memory…
We are standing with Andy, Olya is saying something, I’m trying to
say something also (one half of my speech have turned to be in
French). There are some people behind us with cameras. We are making
pictures with Andy. Olya is running to the car to bring the photos
that she were going to give Andy to sign.
I have my photos with me. I am joyfully putting them in to Andy, the
marker have appeared from somewhere by himself. Andy is signing and
suddenly starting to glance around and talking that we are staying
in the middle of the road. Oh yes, the cars are honking and blinking
their lights. I’m saying something kind of I don’t care, maybe it
was something ruder. Andy though is turning me and Sasha away from
the road and also farther from the club and repoters.
Reporters are moving with us. I don’t remember but Sasha maintains
that we were asked to stay together and to show an interest in Mr.
Bell (what me must to show? I think that even earthquake of 10
points strong could not distract me at this moment).
Olya run in. With photos. Hurray, our chat has started! I’m trying
to participate in it. Oh no, French again.
Sasha is staying near me and speaking in a monotone to Olya: “Say
about Piter, say about Piter…” I’m turned to him: “Say it yourself!”
Aha! Here is about Piter!
Andy, we are wanting to the club! To enter or not to enter, to enter
or not to enter… He is saying that we will enter, we are arguing.
Then he is saying that we must write our names and give them to him!
Ho-ho, you need just ask, we will do everything. Olya is forgetting
my name. I’m hoping this is due to agitation! :-)))
Heh, so Andy has moved away.
We are staying with the wide eyes – what it is all was? Is it true?
Is it really not a dream? Ah, I have pinched myself. It’s painful.
It must be not dream.
We are going to eat. Sasha is shaked with fear. Why? He is answering
that he doesn’t know! Aha, who only yesterday told me that I have
going crazy with my love to Erasure and that one should take it
easier? And now he is shaked with fear! What are you saying? Is he
unreal? Is he all beautiful, gentle, is his voice charming? That’s
what I told you about!!!!
Pizza has helped and we have calmed down. Do you think it’s true? Of
course not! Anyway, we are very nervous.
We have bought the flowers – the armful of yellow tulips. We are
coming to the club. It is very strong pouring.
We have come.
Somebody have sat in the car, somebody have gone to shelter from the
rain to the nearest bank office (because of its open-hearted
entrance!)
The railings have been put around the club’s entrance. It was a
dejected sight – deserted lane flooded by rain. Nobody.
Nobody. Nobody. Nobody.
Aha, the security guys comes out. Hm. “All are looking the same,
together with them is dyad’ka Chernomor”. The Moscow famous
Pasha-facecontrol is starring as Chernomor. Well, he haven’t known
about it then.
Noiselessly the people are starting arriving. There is no entrance
for almost everybody. All the people are crowding around the
railings under the rain. It was mainly glamour people, though there
were several very strange characters among them. It is clear that
they won’t be allowed to enter. Periodically, the TV presenters are
coming and immediately entering inside.
The crowd near the club is getting bigger. We are coming out from
the warm car and joining the crowd. There were around 15-20 fans
there. Truck is going to know when we will be able to enter inside.
He is coming back being in shock: we are not allowed to enter! The
panic is starting in our lines. It is rumored that there are cameras
around the perimeter of the building and somebody is watching on the
public outside and telling the security guys which ones they should
let in. This is how it was.
We are continuing hoping out of habit. The golf ball (symbol of the
party) which is flied back from under the wheels of the moving car
is hitting my leg. This is very very painful. The main thing is do
not start crying because it’s shame. Tomorrow there will be enormous
bruise and bump on my leg and because of it I’ll be limping in Piter
like a disabled person.
The panic is turning to be despair. At this moment Andy is arriving.
He is irreproachable as always. We are running to him. People
staying near the club are starting to whisper to each other: “Who is
this?! Who is this?!” This is how it was. They have come just only
to gathering and they are not caring who will be on stage tonight.
We are running to Andy. Dima is becoming feeble with the flowers,
completely forgetting to whom he must give them. Sasha is getting
him out from the stupor and our bouquet is coming to Andy. Oh, how
great is he looking! We are telling Andy that we are not allowed to
enter the club. Andy is looking rushing but he is talking only one
thing: “I’m very sorry. I’m sorry. I’m pity. This is the club’s
policy. You need invitations.” And then he is going upstairs to the
club.
Who was that man who make a blunder that we are not allowed because
we don’t have invitations? Was it promoter who didn’t want to ask
for us? Was it the club’s management who didn’t want to see us
inside?
In the surge of despair I’m screaming: “Andy, we do have the
invitations!!!” Heh, my English, where you have been before? Andy is
turning around: “You have the invitations?!” - “Yes” - I’ve said, -
“We have been looking for them through the entire city last night!”
Andy is coming downstairs a bit. There is a surprise in his eyes:
“So, what’s the problem?!” – “Facecontrol!” – We screaming all.
Oh my God! Andy is resolutely saying: “I’ll immediately talk with
management!” and going away. We are staying in confusion: what will
be next? Ten minutes is passing by and than Andy is coming to us
together with a girl, the club presenter.
The girl is obviously fretting, asking us to be more quiet and calm
down and leading us to the opposite side of the railings. Oh! Andy
is staying and getting wet under the rain. Hmmm… Truck is saving him
and reputation of Russia by opening his umbrella over Andy.
The girl is saying that they’ll be let us entering one by one. They
are moving railings slightly. So, at the end we are getting closer
and Truck is saying: “This is our dude!” Andy is nodding and smiling
to each one of us and we are getting inside one after another. Too
sad, that not all of us have entered.
So, club. Well?! Nothing special!!! It was written on the
invitations - dress-code: silver and orange. At the end there were
only strip girls and us dressed with this colors (to several people
credit, not all of us were dressed like this).
We are coming to dance floor. There are a lot of people there. From
where?! We saw that around 50 people went inside the club, but there
are ten times it is more in a club. ?! Are they local people?!
We are pushing each other, dancing a bit, fretting. There are a lot
of people around us with photo and video cameras.
The prize draw is beginning. But do we need it? I’m gritting my
teeth to avoid their knocking. People around is worrying, taking
part in a draw – they are wanting to St. Moritz. But we are wanting
to see Andy.
Chivas Rigal’s bottles haven’t got to us (we haven’t wanted them).
It is announced that in a few minutes the holiday voucher will be
raffled. Oh my God, when will Andy come to the stage? Dancing a bit,
we are trying to get closer to the stage.
The girl is announcing: “The draw will be holding by our guest…” and
here is HE!!! OMG!!!! He is dressed in a red leather and latex,
tight trousers, red gloves up to the elbows, boots from Dr. Martens.
He is looking fantastic!
He is pulling the the piece of paper from the drum with the winner’s
number (have a good trip to him!). He is smiling, it seems he is out
of place a little!
YES!!!!!! It is started! Again it is failure in my memory. I don’t
remember how, but I’m already near the stage, right beside him! So,
where are all our friends? Olya, Tanya, Leva are on the left, Dima,
Twilight 0.2, Truck are on the right. Sasha is behind. Come here!!!!
Don’t be shy, when will you be able to see such show?!!! Uh, all the
people are here. I can relax.
Divinely……………………………………………………………………………………………………
What was it? A miracle. Wonderful songs. Angelic Andy’s voice.
Andy’s funny grimaces he pulled from time to time. Fairy tale. Andy
on stage is a magic!
Love to hate you was ruined. During the beginning of the song
someone has said: “Ah… so, that is who he is!” It would be better if
no one have recognized him. The madammes which are climbing the
stage, trying to sing without knowing the lyrics. Their wooing of
the star body is brrrrr. Praise to Andy – he has sung the song to
the end. If I would be at his place I would have gone away till the
order would be restored. Heh.
When the song came to an end, I stretched my hand with the palm up
to Andy. He have bended down and shaked his head, so his hairs has
touched my palm. It was funny and tickly!
So, he is gone. And we are screaming in a friendly manner: “We want
more!” Twilight 0.2 have shown us track list. The encore song is
“Breath Of Life”.
Ok, I see. “Breath Of Life! Breath Of Life! Breath Of Life!”
Oh my God! Andy comes to the stage on his knees! Such an actor… He
is almost slipping on the wet of sweat and spilled water floor. I’m
becoming tense, what if he, God forbid, banging? Uuuh, it’s ok now!
So “Breath Of Life” is coming to an end. I’m trying to shoot some
pics. It is shame and awkward to blind him with the flashes so
often, so I’m shooting small videos.
That is all. Sadly, all comes to an end.
While we went to the bar we were lost all our buddies. We can’t call
them because of loud music. That was a problem. I’m sending SMS and
receiving the answer: “We are in the toilet room”. How curious.
Yes, they all are really sitting in a rest room from where the doors
are leading to the toilet rooms. Armchair and quiet. We are sharing
our impressions with each other, looking through the pics we made.
All are looking worn out but satisfied.
We have tired. But there must be the DJ set soon.
We are sending Truck to find out about it. His reconnaissance has
reported that DJ set is cancelled. Andy is very tired. So, well!!!
I can’t remember who was that genius who offered to make a group
photos with Andy! Hooray ten times!
We all are going upstairs. Andy is sitting at the table in the chill
out zone. He is gladly responding to our request, coming to us and
sitting down.
What am I doing? Of course I’m sitting together with him!!! He is
turning to me and smiling. I’m melting. He is embracing me and I am,
of course, embracing him.
The cameras are clicking. That is all. It’s time to stand up. I’m
saying on parting: “I’ll see you tomorrow in Piter!” Andy is
laughing: “Oh, yes!”
Cloakroom. Street. There is bum-bum-bum in my ears and red latex and
his smile in my eyes.
Taxi. Home. Bed.
I don’t want to sleep completely… Tomorrow we are going to Piter…
The eyes are closing… To sleep… Lights… … Eyes wide electric baby…….
All dyed in cobalt blue…… Stole from the Army Navy…… store Army Navy
store…………
Andy Bell: *
I was shocked. My performance in the
jerky closed club in Moscow was so upsetting. First of all, I had no
idea that this club was for VIP people only, whatever they call it.
Just think of that, such practice still exists in Russia! When I
came to the club, I saw a crowd of Erasure fans standing outside,
fanclub members, with some of them I met in the morning. They
couldn't enter the club before the concert because of face control
or some other bullshit. I told the promoters that I would not sing
until they let all these people with tickets in. They replied: you
know Andy, these people are not dressed properly and they aren't
wearing any diamonds! So what, does that mean they can't listen to
my music?! After a small scandal from my side all of these fans got
into the club. When I came to St.Petersburg, it was all the same. My
official statement: next time I will come to Russia with a huge
stadium show of Erasure, and the promoters won't have a chance to
make fools out of me and my fans!
* - from the interview given to
"Fuzz" magazine
Erasure.ru would like to thank:
Natasha Chickolini, Kira Laskari, Volodina Lena, Alexandra
Ilioukhina. Chris Smith and Philip Larsen. Olga Sudakova and Boris
Mayorov for translations. Truckdriver, Olga, Tanya, Marina and all
from Erasure Rus mailing list. And of course our lovely Mr. Andy
Bell! |
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