Tokio Hotel Rocks

Tokio Hotel has weighed their scaled very seriously. It was a true spinning entertainment. No voice tests, but they did test the instruments starting at 12:46. Bill, Tom, Gustav, and Georg did rehearsals under the sun this 21st of June, with 31° , nonstop, with Bill as conductor, who gave firm and professional instructions to the 3 others, as well as to the technicians. They rehearsed the “mise en scene.” Bill wore his new hairstyle (which he has had since May) with shorter layers and more black, sometimes moving his head down, and putting his hair straight. Soberly wearing classic blue jeans and a plain black T-shirt, Bill wore sunglasses in order to protect himself from the bright light which reflected off the metal surface of the Parc des Princes. The atmosphere was laid-back, with Bill smiling, and at the end of certain songs, he’d let out little “lalalas”. For 2 long hours this went on. Tom, Gustav, and Georg were granted several supplementary minutes of rehearsal, while Bill left to the lodge. TH left PdP a bit before 15:00.
They reappeared at around 18:37, and locked themselves up immediately in their lodge, constantly guarded by one French vigil and one or two bodyguards from the VSD Hamburg.
Their lodging, being the famous locker room of the PSG, with the well-known bathtub-jacuzzi. Among those privileged to be in with them were Andreas, the twins’ best friend, who manages the fan club, the makeup lady, Benjamin Ebel, and David Jost.
Tokio Hotel didn’t go out after that, not even to see BP Zoom.

BP Zoom
It took us about half an our to penetrate the fortress of the Parc des Princes and join BP Zoom. Passing in front of the imposing Tokio Hotel scene, you realize that it’s a big event. The only ones who seem to manage the pressure of the day, are the four boys who greet us in the referee’s lodge, which has become theirs for this day. They seem calm, it isn’t the first time for Lionel (singer), Ludovic (guitarist), Jules (bassist), and Raphael (drummer) to play on such a big scene; this band has already opened with Sum 41, Superbus, Kyo, La Grande Sophie, and The Stranglers. And soon they will release their second album.

2 years of tours and more than 200 concerts, brings the to the present. “What’s funny is that there were Tokio Hotel fans who left us messages on Myspace. Messages of encouragement saying that they would throw tomatoes on stage while we sung… The closer the date, the more crazy messages we received from crazy people who wanted places here today. There was even one who said she was from this magazine (we don’t care). But the best, was this girl who said she came from Poland, especially to see us and that if they didn’t let her come in, she would suicide.” In response to the question: “Are you stressed?” Jules answered: “In any case, we are!” Lionel is tired and tells us: “Today it’s the conditions of AC/DC. I expected it, but…it’s like my DVDs.” We hear noises, Tokio Hotel has arrived. Their lodge is close by, guarded by 6 men. BP Zoom even had to sign a contract where a clause states that they aren’t allowed to touch Bill’s hair. The question is the following: how did it happen that that ended up in the contract???
On the road to the catering. We are behind the scene and Tokio Hotel starts the rehearsals, which last for about 2 hours. 15:00, it’s BP Zoom’s turn. We are told that they are only allowed 30 minutes. Here, everything is in order, and the backstage resembles the launch tower at Nasa. Control screens are everywhere. After the voice and instrument tests, they were able to rehearse “Le mur du son”, the boys returned to their lodges. Now they must wait for 19:15. We chat with the boys and they tell us that they will shoot a clip in Paris on the 6 and 7th of July. Also, there are places you can win to assit the shooting on their Myspace page.

Since 15:30, the doors to the Parc des Princes have opened, and the noise is even louder. 19:00. BP Zoom heads towards the stage. After an intro, they start their album “Tout casse” which raises the arms of the public. And naturally the hands move from left to right during their song “Le mur du son.” Above them, there’s a curtain of lights which will be on for the second part. Lionel doesn’t let himself be intimidated by the messages of support for Tokio Hotel. At the right a banner “BP Zoom your fans are here” reminds him that this set is their and he orders to “shake the walls of the stadium.” Calmed by “Dis-moi”, the public panics during “Etoile d’argent” and then there’s the electric “Appel aux Plasticines.” BP Zoom manages it: their game on stage and their looks which don’t leave the spectators makes this first part a true concert. Lionel: “Do you want rock’n'roll?” A storm of riffs and a recapture from AC/DC “If You Want Blood.” An obscure title for many, but the energy that BP Zoom brings to this big song unites the whole Parc des Princes. The public is now standing up, pointing to the sky the Moloch sign and chanting “you’ve got it!”

20:20
Outside, horns are blown followed by long screams.
The group is predicted to be on stage at 20:30 or 20:25, but still no sign of them. Meanwhile, their 3 bodyguards pace in front of the lodge, a light stress arises. 20:30. The German chef of the guard from VSD Hamburg is there and you can also read the stress written on his face. The door opens…then closes. The minutes pass and the public screams the band’s name. In this situation of waiting, all the eyes of the staff of the Parc are riveted on the door, which opens at 20:36.

First the bodyguard and then there they are. First Bill. Transformed. The boy is ready for this magical moment, that of the show. He had prepared himself at the hotel. He’s wearing black pants slightly flared at the bottom, and a vinyl band on the side. Underneath his jacket, he’s wearing a red shirt. His gaze is drawn into the long hall which leads to the stage. He’s concentrating. Tom follows. His long baggy jeans amplifies his “cool” swaggers. His cap of the day is a “Hater.” His long T-shirt leaves you to guess and over looked message of his inflamed heart. Gustav is stupefying. He is simply dressed in a white shirt and a beige bermuda. He’s usually the first to enter on stage. Georg follows closely, in a white T-shirt with a dark illustration imprinted on, dressed in simple grey-beige pants. The guard behind ends the procession.

The Parc des Princes is in a fever. Cheeks are pink, and hearts are ready to explode. Paramedics are there, ready for those who won’t be able to resist the pressure that was inflicted on them for several days. This Music Festival with Tokio Hotel is our reward. It’s 25° and everywhere there’s messages of support: “Tokio Hotel Das Ist Mein Leben,” “Vergesst Uns Nicht.” We are far from the hot messages from certain concerts (the famous Fick mich…). We have come from far, among the posters and banners, we recognize those from the Italian fan club, or the official Swiss forum fans, or from England, with their flag of the UK Street Team.

Under an azure sky, the Parc has adopted the colors of Germany: the higher tribune is black, underneath is red, and the ditch/lawn is full of yellow balloons. A present from France to the band, so they can see the colors of their country being waved underneath their eyes.

Then the tribune at the right gives the alert. They are here! From high up, the public can see the passage which leads to the stage. soon,t hey will appear on the big plateau, constituted of a central stage and a higher stage, which is smaller and you can access by two staircases on each extremity. 2 giant screens are installed on each side of the stage, underneath there are two other staircases.

20:43, a sound of thunder is released, as well as screams. The curtain full of lights is raised, accompanied by a roaring voice “Wilkommen in Tokio Hotel 1000 European Tour.” An alarm is heard. Gustav is once again the first on stage. Tom and Georg follow him right after and take their usual places. Facing the public, Tom on the left and Georg to the right. The curtain lets Georg appear. Once the curtain is done it’s ascension, multiple explosions take place on the front of the stage, meanwhile, behind, on the superior stage, a shadow emerges from the ground. There’s Bill who starts Ich brech aus. His way of moving and uprooting himself up from the floor will soon become legendary. Some people judge it badly, but the fact is that it gives the songs an incisive side, as early as the first few notes. Would we prefer to see him taped to his mic and immobile? Tom and Gustav (they must mean Georg) are calmly positioned in front. Tom turns around from time to time, smiling at each explosion which comes from the superior stage. And here’s Bill who starts his descent on the stairs at the left, meanwhile the drum’s rhythm accelerates. A first song marked by the emotion and the scream, but also by the series of explosions of fireworks which Tokio Hotel had promised their fans a few months earlier. It’s their first concert in a stadium, and to celebrate this event, they decided to be accompanied by a true pyrotechnical show.
And then, blue invades the scene. The curtain of lights is full of colors when the band starts Der letzte Tag. A wave shakes the public, and then all at once all arms are in the air, clapping hangs meanwhile Bill goes through the stage. Some can’t see anything anymore, and are perched on the backs of friends or parents who sometimes display the band’s T-shirt. Everywhere, messages appear in the form of posters, banners, or drawings. Mainly with “Danke schön” or “ich liebe dich” addressed mainly to Bill and Tom.
In the Parc, it’s still as hot as before, and Bill finally takes of his jacket. He gives us several words: “Bonjour tout le monde, ca va?” which are then followed by 1000 Meere, and the clip is projected on the screens. And now you can see his T-shirt for the concert! That of the dead head which Bill wears regularly. It’s a T-shirt anti-perspiration, equipped with a zipper, to facilitate the changing of clothes.

During the concert Bill will say several words before each song. Now, he tells us that it’s one of the first songs which they composed and that they still have so much pleasure in playing.
When the first few notes of Leb’ die Sekunde are heard, Tom who has been very good up till now, ignites. But today, he will not have sex with his Flying V guitar. He puts it up in the air and continues playing. The band has decided to give the concert a party atmosphere and continues to launch pyrotechnic effects. On stage, a mini-fire work of red and white is followed by bright sparks. Georg and Tom declare war and face each other. Meanwhile the drums continue, Bill advances to the front of the stage, which stretches out into the lawn, cutting it in two. It smiles while advancing to the middle. He has fun with the crown in the refrain, letting the crown sing lines.

Back on stage, Bill starts the presentation with the next song, telling us that we all need someone who loves us by our sides.
Then Totgeliebt starts, and in the ditch, the tribunes, everywhere, arms are raised from left to right. On the background screen, a burning cross is glowing. His necklace illuminates his face. Bill crosses the stage to salute the left tribune. Tom and Gustav are carried on by Bill’s movement and exchange places. Bill always finishes with a smile on his lips.

The first few notes of Wir sterben niemals aus are heard. At the same instant the stadium is covered in white. The image focuses and it’s a sea of black hearts on a white background which has invaded the concert. Bill starts the ascension of the left staircase. Maybe to see this sea of hearts beating for him. It is true that the band didn’t appear very surprised by this, but Tom will wait for Heilig to thank the fans. You must remind yourself that this kind of operation is usually brought forth by the fans’ initiative. Our band is hard to surprise. Tom thanks the public by joining his fingers to form a heart which he offers to the public with a smile…

AFTER
When they turned on the lights to the stadium, the public who was left understood that there wouldn’t be any more pyrotechnic surprises, and that everything was over. Some stay for a few dozen minutes meanwhile staff is packing the material, and the trucks are ready to leave.

200 fans, among the most informed, went to the VIP entrance to try to see Bill, Tom, Georg, and Gustav leave, because often they change and eat a bit in their lodge before leaving.
At all the exits there are poster salesmen, and merch stands from the official boutique, which propose CDs, DVDs, T-shirts, hats…and and they distribute “pochettes” (?) from the Official Photo Album.
We can see the police taking a dozen or more suspects, handcuffed, suspected of robberies, harassment, or sexual touching, taking during the show. Some took away those who were sticking to some of the young girls. Obviously they hadn’t come for the music…

Not many had gone to the hippodrome d’Auteuil, which was situated nearby, and had preferred to keep in their ears this 113 unforgettable souvenir.

Others went directly the hotel Park Hyatt. At around midnight, at both entrances, back and front, there were about 400 to 500 fans, some with parents who had accompanied them. They were all along the walls, between red and white security tape, and in waiting lines organized by the police and even the BAC, on the sidewalk facing the hotel, between two police cars.

Bill, Tom, Gustav, and Georg arrived by the principal entrance at around 23:00 without stopping or signing autographs.
On the second floor, fans were seen at the window of a room which they had reserved in order to try to approach the boys…and suppositions of all sorts were made when we saw pretty women, well-dressed, come in and then out, high-heels and sexy dresses: were they there for the band or were they simply hotel clients?

Tokio Hotel left by the back entrance at around 2:00 in the morning. They put a black van in front as a bait, for the fans to regroup around before leaving from behind accompanied by Andreas.
But about 50 courageous fans stayed, even sleeping against the hotel walls. They saw them pass 3 times, but they didn’t stop. Many were foreigners, Portuguese, Spanish, or German.
End
Oh and, did I mention that Gustav’s parents and Georg’s mom were at the concert?

Hey, I’m sorry this wasn’t perfect, the original article was so much better that it even made me feel like I’d been there . Oh well, at least you have a little idea of what it was like?<3