September 14th, the very last “Siste Dans” concert in Stavanger – my 172nd concert and the only one without a real concert report. But a report really isn’t necessary, as the concert is/was streamed live on the internet. And I want to just enjoy the concert without having to take notes and think about what is worth mentioning in the report. However, I’ll append the setlist below after the concert of course – at least if someone writes it down. =;-)

There’s no doubt at all that the last concert will be terrific. Just like we know for sure that in the end, we’ll all be crying our eyes out, arm in arm. And that’s how it must be. You should quit while you’re ahead – even if it hurts.

Thank you so much, dear Kaizers, for ten years filled with fabulous music, awesome concerts and lots of experiences, adventures, and friendships that were all due to you guys. Thanks to everyone who was part of it and who I got to know; no matter if just very briefly here and there at a concert or by mail or again and again for years. Thank you for the amazing friendships that came about – they will persist, for sure!

I wrote down my conclusion and thank you in Stavanger Aftenblad already. I’ll try to translate the article as well within the next weeks. But first, it’s time for the last one.

We knew it right from the beginning: “Some day all of this will be over …” Of course I’d hope that this day was still in the far future. But it’s not. So we’ll cry together tonight and say good bye, before we start looking forward to the new projects that are coming. And – even though it might be years away – to a reunion concert.

We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when – but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day!

Thanks to Greg for the setlist!

1. Aldri Vodka Violeta
2. Siste Dans
3. Bøn Fra Helvete
4. Tusen Dråper Regn
5. En For Orgelet, En For Meg
6. Diamant Til Kull
7. Støv og Sand
8. I ett Med Verden
9. Tokyo Ice Til Clementine
10. Kontroll På Kontinentet
11. Evig Pint
12. KGB
13. Dr. Mowinckel
14. Bris
15. Bak et Hallelujah
16. Salt og Pepper
17. Drøm Videre, Violeta
18. Forloveren
19. Mr. Kaizer (Hans Constanze og Meg)
20. Svarte Katter og Flosshatter
21. Dieter Meyers Inst.
22. Hjerteknuser
—
23. Begravelsespolka
24. Resistansen
25. 170
—
26. Maestro
27. Die Polizei
28. Ompa Til Du Dør

I guess I’ll just skip the introductory sentence today – “now it was time for the second-to-last concert” just sounds way too depressing …

But we got another amazing show! I heard differing opinions, but I thought the show was even better than the one on Thursday. The setlist was maybe a tiny little bit weaker, but then I thought the atmosphere was better. And I was in a much better mood. =:-)

It seems like the crew is starting to have their “final concert” fun now – the concert actually started with a (play) fight at the side of the stage while the band played Aldri vodka. The next songs were as usual, no surprises there. In the introduction in Forloveren, Janove got the audience to do “czk czk” again, like he did on the last European tour. Followed up with: “That sounds a bit like jazz! Let’s not do too much of it …” And Omen was actually playing on the “organ, keyboard, piano, and toilet paper” today – ’cause he was busy cleaning his helmet during the introduction.

For some reason that I didn’t catch, Killmaster invited us all backstage after the show – or actually into “his backstage”. And he gave us his number so we could call him to get in. =;-)

In Kontroll på kontinentet, we got a crew jury verdict again – but this time, the White Russian went for the “10” right away instead for the “OK”. So consequently, “the guy with the 6.2” was fired …

They get lots of song wished, from fans and friends and family – yes, even aunts and uncles! But the best wish they got was for a demo version, specifically, of an Evig Pint song – yep, we got Salt & Pepper again, yippie! =:-) And in the middle of the song, the Jackal pointed out: “And remember, this is just a demo!”

Kaizers actually discussed on stage whether the concert was better than yesterday’s, and the conclusion was that it was – because Hellraizer had bought some deodorant today …

Next it was time for the song that can only be started by jumping off a barrel. So I had my phone out already to write Hjerte… – but no! Wrong! Whut?! That’s not Hjerteknuser, but De Involverte! Also a song I love, because they played it so much early in their career … awesome. And quite surprising after that misleading introduction. *g*

Then there was some talk about what a nostalgic person the Jackal is – but then, everything that’s happening now will be in the past 10 minutes from now, so that’s nostalgia in the making! And next, only the Jackal and “han med barten” (“he with the beard”) would sing a song for us … well, these two and 5000 others, of course. =;-) Because the song was Kvite russer, and everyone was singing along.

The Jackal wondered if we all knew each other at the concert – well, almost, I would say … it’s the Kaizerfamily after all! And then “han med barten” started playing again. Jackal: “Oh gosh, that sounds sad! The guy with the beard is in a bad mood again …”

After Dieter Meyers, the Jackal thanked the crew and the support bands. And also us in the audience: “Thank you for allowing us to play for you for 15 years. And for becoming more and more! We started with 11 people in the audience at Cementen, and now it’s 5000 here. And we’re still 6 people in the band …”

Then it was actually time for Hjerteknuser – the song that can only start when a crystal glass breaks on the floor. And again, half of the splinters went into the aisle. Well, it might be a nice effect to start the song like that, but it’s definitely a dangerous thing to do …

Lots of activity in the aisle before the encores started (while the audience was singing White Stripes?!). They brought in another barrel (in the aisle), half of the crew was there, and the photographers gathered again – huh?! Turned out that the Jackal sang the whole first part of the song (before the tap dancing part) in the audience! Moving from the stage to the FOH. Okay, of course it was quite hard to see from the floor, but it was a nice little extra – and probably the time of their lives for those people who stood in the center of the action. =:-)

Then during the tap dance part, the Jackal suddenly got out of step – which really surprised me ’cause I hadn’t seen that happen before. A second later I realized though how that came about: parts of the crew were in the aisle, dancing along. *rofl*

Resistansen was as awesome as always; the Jackal maybe dragged it out a bit more than at the last concerts. First, the audience was showing the band how to do it, and then we got the Kaizers vs. floor vs. stands again. But actually slowing down in the end this time, not speeding up.

During Maestro, the Jackal changed the lyrics into “Sving din hammer – Stavanger!” and proclaimed: “Let’s go for the kill, boys!” Guess we were easy prey …

Ompa after Die Polizei worked a bit better for me tonight, because the Jackal had the audience sing all alone until the chorus. That was quite awesome! And after they were done, the Jackal first presented all of the band members to the audience separately before the others had to basically drag him to the front to also get a little bit of attention from the audience. =;-) Which he seemed to like quite good – so then he didn’t want to leave the stage. But Killmaster solved that problem quickly by grabbing him and just carrying him off. *g*

As I wrote in the beginning – I loved the show, and I thought it was even better than the one on Thursday. So let’s see what we’ll get at the final show … =:-/

The setlist:

• Aldri vodka, Violeta
• Siste dans
• Bøn fra helvete
• Tusen dråper regn
• En for orgelet, en for meg
• Forloveren
• Knekker deg til sist
• Delikatessen
• Blitzregn Baby
• Tokyo Ice til Clementine
• Kontroll på kontinentet
• Evig pint
• KGB
• Djevelens orkester
• Salt og pepper
• Drøm videre, Violeta
• De involverte
• Min kvite russer
• Svarte katter & flosshatter
• Dieter Meyers Inst.
• Hjerteknuser
  ————
• Begravelsespolka
• Resistansen
• 170
  ————
• Maestro
• Die Polizei
• Ompa til du dør

First one of the last set of concerts … I was in a slightly weird mood, so this report might sound a bit strange, sorry for that. The concert was splendid, the setlist was amazing, but the ending with first Die Polizei and then Ompa til du dør just doesn’t work for me. It’s way too emotional, I can’t enjoy Ompa, and so I just felt terrible afterwards – which isn’t necessarily the best way to end a concert. =:-(

Still, this was just awesome. We got Salt & Pepper! A song I’ve longed for for years … and now they finally played it again, while I was there, and we were standing in the front and went crazy. So yes, we did have an awesome time at the concert … and it’ll be really hard for Kaizers to top this one!

There wasn’t really a lot of talking. The first that I noted down was that during the introduction in Forloveren, Helge was introduced as “on the piano, organ, accordion, and peanuts”. *gg* And there was a lot of confetti during the song again – seems we really started a trend in London! =;-)

Then the Jackal announced that today, everything goes. Hits, album songs, B sides – so we got Medisin & Psykiatri, Kavaler, and Tokyo Ice. Yay! Just awesome, and it’s been a while since I heard anything from Våre Demoner live. The atmosphere was just awesome – even though it was obvious that some people in the audience had never heard these songs before. =;-)

After Philemon Arthur & the Dung, thus the 15th (!) song, the Jackal asked if we were satisfied with the opening of the concert. *rofl* Oh yes, definitely! Especially since he then continued to explain that the next song had been requested by a whole lot of people, especially someone who sent in a mail some months ago (no, that wasn’t me, by the way *g*) – and then we got Salt & Pepper. And that’s basically where this report could end, because after that, it couldn’t get any better anymore for me … =:-D

I still liked their remark that the next day, they would not play the same songs again (except for Salt & Pepper again, maybe?? *g*). “No, tomorrow we’ll play all cover songs!” *rofl* And then we got a tiny bit Metallica. =;-)

Another nice surprise in the setlist was Den andre er meg – including Ragnhild on vocals. Svarte katter was impressive as always; Omen played a bit with this soap bubbles again, and after it was over, he thanked the crowd. Or actually, he sat at his organ, not moving, while the Jackal translated what he was saying. *gg*

Then the Jackal got his acoustic guitar and started explaining what usually happens when the singer brings out his acoustic guitar – the intro always sounds the same. But then he wouldn’t know how to continue, because it’s just not his style.

Before Hjerteknuser, the Jackal asked for a crystal glass. Someone in the crew, please? Magnus? Fritz? Stein Cato? Of course he got one, thanked Stein Cato =;-), and took a sip of the wine – “Damn, that’s good!” So then he was explaining a bit about … uh, don’t remember. *g* Always interrupted by a sip and “damn, that’s good!” Until Hellraizer walked up to him and wanted to try the wine as well – and obviously it WAS good, because he didn’t give back the glass until he had finished the wine. =;-) Jackal: “Argh, those guitar players! In my next band, I won’t have guitar players!” And then the talking continued, while Hellraizer and Killmaster started a discussion in the background. The Jackal asked what this was about – “oh, nothing really. We just decided that in our next band, we won’t have a singer!”

Then we got some talk about Bryne vs. Viking, even though they had been told by the management to NOT do that, but well … you gotta take some booohs as well once in a while. =;-)

Finally, we got some really intense encores – started by Omen standing at the microphone stand and breathing into the mike, but not saying anything (and the Jackal wasn’t on stage yet to translate *g*), and then Hellraizer actually breaking the crowbar during 170.

And then, as final conclusion, another beautiful version of Die Polizei followed by Ompa til du dør. As mentioned above, it doesn’t work for me because I cannot enjoy Ompa after Die Polizei, but still – and awesome show.

The full setlist:

• Aldri vodka, Violeta
• Siste dans
• Bøn fra helvete
• Tusen dråper regn
• En for orgelet, en for meg
• Forloveren
• Medisin & psykiatri
• Kavaler
• Enden av november
• Tokyo Ice til Clementine
• Kontroll på kontinentet
• Evig pint
• Støv og sand
• KGB
• Philemon Arthur & the Dung
• Salt og pepper
• Drøm videre, Violeta
• Den andre er meg
• Svarte katter & flosshatter
• Dieter Meyers Inst.
• Hjerteknuser
  ————
• Begravelsespolka
• Resistansen
• 170
  ————
• Maestro
• Die Polizei
• Ompa til du dør

Originally, this concert was planned as a closed event without any tickets on sale. But at some point, someone realized that it wouldn’t make sense to play in front of a basically empty arena, so they did start to sell some tickets. When I arrived just before the support band was supposed to start, there were maybe a few hundred people in the whole arena. When Kaizers started, it was still quite empty – well, they started at 7 pm already! It did fill up a bit throughout the concert, but there were still a lot of empty seats …

Honestly, I didn’t expect anything from the concert. Of course they’d play the festival setlist without huge surprises – and they did. They wouldn’t play two and a half hours – and they didn’t. But almost two, which surprised me. And there would hardly be any talking in between the songs – WRONG.

It seems like the event was for a German company – not quite sure. But Kaizers had been told (or at least they said they had been told … you know to take everything they say with a pinch of salt *g*) that half of the audience was German. So they started speaking English instead of Norwegian when explaining that Susanne Sundfør had unfortunately canceled but Hellraizer was prepared to take her part – after all, he’s got years of experience in show business, can sing, dance, everything! Then the Jackal noticed he was speaking English and explained why. “So, can all you foreigners make some noise? Oh wait, that’s only six or seven of you!” Back to Norwegian then. “But who said we should speak English??” Hellraizer explained – it was just a practical joke …

But then, the Jackal had actually practiced the next song in German for the occasion! So we got “Eins für die Orgel und eins für mich” as next song, and he consistently used the German title. *g*

Before the “blues songs”, the Jackal explained that they are six men in Kaizers that like very different genres and styles and … whatever. I couldn’t really concentrate on what he was talking about, because … well, after he mentioned that they are six people, Omen started counting, using his fingers, and NEVER getting it right. *rofl* And after he was done with that, he got his crowbar and a hammer and went to work on opening his water bottle. Which he kept trying throughout the whole concert – and when he finally made it, he got quite some cheers. =;-) (Though honestly – I really felt like telling one of the others “go help that poor guy!!!” *g*)

At some point in time the Jackal told us that they came prepared and actually had a translator behind the stage, as they were told there were so many Germans in the audience. It was the front man of Rammstein! But for only six people it was not worth to bring him out …

Next up was the only surprise in the setlist – Enden av November. A song before its time, because well … it’s only the middle of September.

Then it was time to admire Hellraizer’s guitar, which he bought in LA. There was quite some talk about what songs you are allowed to play in a music store when you buy a guitar, and that not everybody gets to buy a guitar everywhere! But hey, Hellraizer was actually allowed to buy this guitar in LA! Then Killmaster walked up to the Jackal, wanting to talk about his guitar. “Uh, sure … where did you buy that one? Klepp?” *rofl* They took up the subject later again, discussing how many people have played Metallica songs when buying a guitar in Stavanger, which lead to “… and James Hetfield is here tonight! Thanks for all your inspiration!” *gg* Yes, they were in a quite talkative mood. =;-)

In Kontroll på kontinentet, we got the jury voting again; but before that, it was the war of guitar players with the Jackal trying to keep them separated. *g* Guys, your acting is great, you just might want to add a REASON why you are mad at each other to the act. =;-)

As at the last concerts, we got a competition between Kaizers, floor, and stands in Resistansen again. Except that this time, it was Kaizers, floor, and “Germans”. Because Kaizers decided that the stands were full of Germans that payed double price for the seated tickets. So we competed again who was the loudest – until the Jackal concluded: “Kaizers are the loudest. Thank you, everyone, and good night.” And off they went. =:-O OK, only for a few seconds, then they gave us a second chance. Namely to hold one tone – but no, it didn’t work. Someone was singing wrong! And that is really NOT acceptable. So we were supposed to really make sure that we sing correctly, so we don’t ruin it for everybody. And everyone who’s singing wrong will be kicked out!

It worked fine – “everyone from Norway managed it! Now the Germans on the stands …” And then the Jackal explained that he would direct the tone, starting on one side on the stands and going round to the other side. Which worked just perfectly! And after you invent a “hold the tone” la ola, you play with it, of course, so he was just going back and forth and from one side to the other, and the “Germans” played along. Awesome! Why do I have the feeling that we’ll get to see that again? =;-)

After Svarte katter, the Jackal thanked Omen, very politely, explaining all the great things that Omen gave to the band and how much that helped and how nice that is of him – while Omen was polishing his finger nails. *g*

For some reason, Hellraizer announced Hjerteknuser backwards – but for a change, we did not get any kind of “and when this thing drops the song starts”. =;-) And before the reprise, the Jackal managed to get all the “Germans” on the stands to get up and wave their arms as well.

Then it was time for the encores. Hellraizer had lost his bet – we wanted more than just one song. “No, I didn’t lose! The Germans don’t want more!” But they managed to convince him, so we got both Drøm videre Violeta and Maestro – the latter dedicated to the people that are in the front row every day.

All in all, a concert with a LOT of talking – but that is definitely not a bad thing! The setlist was a typical festival show, the concert was over at 9 pm, but it was a really entertaining show. And I guess I won’t get that close to the stage with such little hassling in the crowd at any of the remaining concerts …

The setlist:

• Aldri vodka, Violeta
• Siste dans
• Tusen dråper regn
• Din kjole lukter bensin, mor
• En for orgelet, en for meg
• Ompa til du dør
• Støv og sand
• I ett med verden
• KGB
• Enden av november
• Kontroll på kontinentet
• Resistansen
• Svarte katter & flosshatter
• Hjerteknuser
  ————
• Begravelsespolka
• Drøm videre, Violeta
• Maestro

Next day, next concert – and this one was the first REAL Siste Dans concert in Stavanger! I had planned to be there a bit earlier this time to get a chance to really see all the action that was going on in the foyer, and also the photo exhibition upstairs, but as it started pouring (and no, I don’t mean “raining”, that would be such an understatement!) just before the doors opened and didn’t stop for about an hour, we didn’t make our way out until around 7 pm after all. So we missed Geoff Berner playing in the foyer, and I still didn’t get to try the “Siste Dans” beer. =;-)

However, I got to admire the arena – the stage side of it was all dressed in red velvet, with three big screens and two round, mirror-like, smaller screens. The screens show the usual movie clips as well as live footage from the cameras – pretty awesome! Sometimes funny though, like when both screens show Killmaster from different angles, apparently having a conversation with himself. *lol* Really awesome also the part in Svarte katter, when Omen’s shadow is right in the center screen. =:-)

The ceiling of the hall is covered with a net with small lights, and there are some huge chandeliers hanging down. And – very important, though hard to notice if you don’t know – all the huge advertising signs (it’s an ice hockey arena, after all!) are covered up with gray cloth.

I’m not 100% sure what happened before the concert, but something didn’t work out as planned – my guess is that Kaizers learned about an hour before the show that the curfew was at 11, not at midnight, as they had planned. So there was quite some stress and rushing, and Kaizers went on stage half an hour earlier than planned. And no, not as usual with the Russian Dance! Instead, the Jackal grabbed the megaphone, started singing Resistansen (leading the audience in singing along, of course), and came to the stage through the audience, from the back of the arena. Wow! Quite a surprise, and an awesome start to the show!

Then they continued as “usual”, without much talk in between the songs (they had little time, after all …), but with huge energy. I wasn’t as lucky picking my spot in the audience this time as I was on the first day; right after the start, we were surrounded by a group of drunk kids. *argh* Well, you gotta love the Norwegian audiences … *uhem* So for the first few songs, I had a hard time enjoying the show, but fortunately that changed quickly.

They did NOT play Din kjole lukter bensin mor – a sign that yes, we’d get the Siste Dans setlist. =;-) And we did! Suddenly, they dug out Hevnervalsen again – a song that they’ve played very very often in Europe, but it seemed like I hadn’t heard it forever, and it was so awesome to get to hear it again! The audience went crazy, and the Jackal went crowdsurfing for the first time in Stavanger. =:-) Seems like the aisle between stage and audience is a bit too wide though, so he couldn’t stagedive, but well; down in the aisle and up again is fine as well.

Next up was Container – also a song they haven’t played in a while. I was waiting for the spot where the Jackal lifts up his shirt and the audience screams – but he forgot about it!! Or so I thought. Actually, he only does it the second time, and of course he did it then. *g*

De grind concluded the series of old classics, and the Jackal proclaimed that the atmosphere was just terrific. “But well, that’s just what I expected! It’s Friday, it’s Stavanger, and it’s a Kaizers show!” But if we liked the opening of the show, we would be surprised about the middle part now – which is the hardest! – because that would be even better.

Hellraizer agreed, but he also noted that both Kaizers and the audience could give even more and had yet another gear. But well, you have to slowly raise the bar throughout the concert, right?

Before they played Sigøynerblod, the guitar players got up on each their barrel – or actually, the Jackal had to help Hellraizer up on his. “He’s an old man … actually, he turns 40 TODAY!” So he got his birthday song, of course. (Even though that one actually went out to the Brit in the front – happy birthday!! *g*)

When introducing Bak et halleluja, the Jackal pointed out that that song works especially well abroad – mostly because the major part of it consists of “na na na”. *g* And we got to sing that part of course – with the Jackal up on the barrel, directing us like in old times, one side softer, one side louder, get it down, get it up, stop, start again …. hach!! =:-D

Had we been waiting for this evening as long as Kaizers had? For half a year, or even a year? No way! “Eg har lengta lenger etter deg enn du har lengta etter meg”, the Jackal stated. “I have longed for you much longer than you have longed for me.” So true. =:-)

During Dieter Meyers Inst., when we were singing the “legg meg IIIIIINN” part, the Jackal had to stop us. “Wait, no, you misunderstood. You are NOT supposed to sing nicely. You’re supposed to SCREAM!” So we did. *g* And throughout the concert we were taught that if we agree with what the Jackal says, we should not say “Ja”. But instead we should scream “YAY!”

We also got some of the same things again that we got yesterday. Of course, the Jackal asked for a scarf from the audience again to start Hjerteknuser. Except that this time, people just threw scarfs at him until he screamed “no, stop, enough!” *lol* Then we had to repeat after him again (think I forgot to mention that yesterday) – “Thank you Ida for the scarf! Janove will throw it in the air now, and when it turns in the air and falls down again, the song will start. Are you looking forward, Ida?” But then he added: “Don’t worry, Ida. You don’t need to be afraid of them. They are not dangerous – just a bit crazy …”

Also, we got the competition in Resistansen again – Kaizers vs. the stands vs. the floor. Just awesome! The Jackal concluded that even the people that were sitting are definitely into the concert. “Or wait, you are actually standing! OK, you may stand as well!”

And in Maestro, we also got the “How much do you like me now” part again. And honestly – as much as I’m sick of that song and don’t care for it at concerts – it was great fun this time, because of the incredible energy on stage …

In general, the encores were just awesome … before Maestro, Omen had to chase the crew off stage, then Thunder came and told Omen to get back at his organ. *g* And after Maestro, they played Die Polizei – which was just beautiful. Blue lighting, thousands of stars from the mirror balls, and hundreds of people with lighters and mobiles in the air … incredibly gorgeous. And melancholic. So I see why they don’t want to end on this note, but concluded with Ompa til du dør. It makes perfect sence, but it didn’t really work for me. Klump i halsen …

Still, a perfect concert… =:-) After the lights went on, a brass band suddenly started playing up in the stands. *lol* Well, nobody really cared for it, but I thought it was a nice surprise. *g*

The full setlist:

• Aldri vodka, Violeta
• Siste dans
• Bøn fra helvete
• Tusen dråper regn
• En for orgelet, en for meg
• Forloveren
• Hevnervals
• Container
• Di grind
• Tokyo Ice til Clementine
• Kontroll på kontinentet
• Evig pint
• Støv og sand
• KGB
• Sigøynerblod
• Bak et halleluja
• Prosessen
• Drøm videre, Violeta
• Svarte katter & flosshatter
• Dieter Meyers Inst.
• Hjerteknuser
  ————
• Begravelsespolka
• Resistansen
• 170
  ————
• Maestro
• Die Polizei
• Ompa til du dør