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It all started when I heard that R.E.M. were going to be touring in Europe.
Last time I saw them was 4 years ago. That was twice in Vienna, once in Koper, Slovenia, and in Budapest, Hungary..
The years have passed, I remained a fan, but some excitement has vanished..

I got my ticket for this show in Vienna in front of the Schloss Schönbrunn just in time and of course I was looking forward to the day July 8th..
I got there around 6:15 p.m. and went straight to a side entrance..
There were already some fans waiting. I had received an email from the fan club which offered me a soundboard pass. With this pass I would be able to get into a special area, reserved only for fan club members. But this area wouldn't be right in front of the stage so I wasn't sure if I would use the pass at all. And I was already having a nice position for running in as soon as the gates were opened and I didn't want to lose that. (I would have to go to the will call window to the main entrance in order to get the pass.).
So I waited and waited..

.
It was almost 6 p.m. when I overheard the woman from the staff receiving information about fan club wristbands through her walkie talkie..
I was getting nervous. Fan club members can get in earlier?.
Damn, why didn't I get my pass! I have to get it! .
I talk to the woman, ask her how much time I have until the rest of the people are let in and I take a run to the main entrance. Fortunately there isn't a cue..
I receive my wristband, sprint back to the side entrance (cause this is the only entrance where fan club members are let in). .
As soon as I get in, I hear a voice from the walkie talkie saying: from now on all gates are open-let everybody in! I rush towards the stage and sit down in the first row..
YEAH!.

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The place fills up..
I am glad I am sitting down..

It talkes a LOOOONG time until the support band starts to play. It's the Bambi Molesters. .
They play too long. Finally thery're finished and the stage gets cleared up for R.E.M...

.
Here they are! .
It's some time between 9 or 10 I think but time doesn't matter anymore..
They rock with Begin The Begin. And so on and so on....
I'm having the time of my life..
They play my old favorite songs , new songs and not so old songs..
Suddenly they leave the stage, but after a little while they return..
A few more songs and then It's The End Of The World..
Michael throws the microphone into the crowd. Actually right in my direction. But the two guys on my right grab it and sing aloud to the song. I join in..

Then it's over...

They leave and don't come back..

Read about the Padova show