2024 European Tour – One Last Time …… Or Is It?

The first seeds of attending this concert were probably sown on a Northern Line tube train on 6 September 2023 as myself and Neal Webb returned from a Slim Chance gig at The Water Rats in Kings Cross discussing the possibility of travelling to Europe in a group for what possibly could be a final concert, but where would suit the majority?

Rod, I believe at this time had already announced 3 dates of his “One Last Time European tour”. But these were in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic which had little appeal to us, but 5 days later after following further announcements, Amsterdam was part of the new venues added – but why did this appeal to me more than anywhere else?

Well, several reasons, I had heard about many of the Smiler crew going there in 2016 and loving it. It was probably one of the last concerts that Martin Baker attended, so a sentimental return may be an attraction for some. Also, it probably would be attended by our Dutch friends Jos & Marga Banens who had joined us at Rod’s concert at Birmingham in December 2022 and it would be great to meet up with them again. Plus of course, for us, we had never been to Amsterdam and had always found Dutch people friendly and spoke English better than some born and bred in England!

On 11 September a What’s App group was created – sadly a few of our regular concert crowd wouldn’t be able to make it, but the interest was keen but we felt we would be restricted by how many tickets we could buy through the official fan club. Luckily 3 of us were still members (mine had elapsed), with a limit of 4 tickets per person, we also needed a minimum of 2 more for Denise and Kerry Baker (Martin’s wife & daughter) which fortunately Jos was able to get for us.

With concert tickets booked, the hotel was next, and the Holiday Inn Express close to the arena seemed the favourite with most of us. The final part of the jigsaw was how were we getting there and it seemed flying was the best option. Flights booked from Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Birmingham. Time to relax and watch the days go by.

With 3 months to go before the concert the idea of us all getting t-shirts came up. Yve Paige soon suggested pictures to be placed on the front, then an image on the back with the wording “Smiler on tour Amsterdam 2024”. Thanks to Robert Baker’s printing company everyone ordered their shirts, we were all set for 11 June when we were all set to fly.

Alterations to flight times (not of our making) meant it was 3a.m. alarm call. Our taxi came on time, as I engaged in conversation with the driver, whilst driving grabbed his phone to show us a Tik-Tok recording of him flying a self-made kite on Streatham Common with loud music accompanying it!

As we were staying 4 nights (as opposed to 2 for most of the rest of the group) we had suitcases to check in. Whilst in the queue, Neal would see us for an early hello. He though needed Liz and Maxine to arrive as they had his flight tickets.

All checked through, a spot of breakfast from Pret and we were on our way for a 50 minute flight to Schiphol airport. Smoothly through then board a bus out to the hotel. We had an advantage as Sharon & Keith were slightly ahead of us with their flight from Bristol they would communicate which number bus to take.

A short while later the Luton crew of Yve, Jayne and Maureen arrived with a story to tell. Their journey started with a hic-up as Yve’s bag was deemed too big and had to pay extra as she was carrying as a cabin bag. Once at Schiphol airport part way through the revolving doors to customs an alarm went off and a message that everyone should leave the building was announced, as the doors closed on Yve her case was on the outside but the handle shut in the door. A panic, pushing and pulling it needed a kind man to help get her case through in one piece. Maureen though jokingly said “I didn’t want to bring the drugs in myself”. Yve fearing she may be whisked off and strip searched, but luckily no one in authority heard the quip, and they rushed out of the airport in one piece.

Paul Baker arrived from Birmingham joining us for a snack in the hotel bar and a chat, Mark would soon join us even though he was staying elsewhere in Amsterdam. Stories exchanged and more laughter would follow as our party was now into full swing.

After a brief afternoon rest, 13 of us would go to a bar for a meal and a few drinks, some would stay out later than others. Denise and Kerry had caught a later flight from Birmingham and would join in with the late shift, but our 3a.m. alarm clock had taken it’s toll and we retired to what was a comfortable bed and tidy hotel room.

The day of the concert had arrived, Liz and Maureen came to breakfast late, whilst we set out plans to go into central Amsterdam. Nine of us headed out to catch the train, whilst Liz and Maureen would follow via the Metro a good hour or so later.

Neal, having been to the 2016 concert suggested we head to the Old Town which as we wandered our journey amusingly lead us down a street where Keith would draw attention from a rather scantily clad lady posturing at him from her doorway! Humour soon followed, as Keith was not going to the concert, we suggested there was no reason why he had not already found his entertainment for the evening.

Once by the canal we sat at a café in a biting wind as the rain started to fall as we waited for Liz and Maureen to join us.

With the group altogether, we decided the best idea was to go for an hour boat ride then have a meal before returning to the hotel. The “Lovers Canal Cruise” (recommended by the local constabulary) was fun and informative. The humour before boarding came from Neal when he commented on the advertising board from his view with the “C” of canal obscured!

We found an Italian restaurant nearby once we got off the boat but it certainly didn’t cope with our booking too well for our group of 10 as wrong food appeared and Alison and Jacquie would have to be patient before being served, once all paid for we headed back to the train station.

If we thought we were relaxed with our timing, that would soon alter as a panic dash to board a train as the doors started to close found 6 of the 8 of us got on board, we would soon discovered it wasn’t the right train, but a faster train going beyond where we needed to be. Suddenly that panic had got even greater – where on earth was this train going? And how far was it till we could get off? Could we be in danger of missing the concert?

After help from a lady on board, we got off at the next stop, only to board a Metro train going back to Central Amsterdam. Now we were on the wrong train company going in the wrong direction, so after realisation we got off again at the next stop then boarded one going back to the station at the arena. The fun though didn’t stop there as our tickets wouldn’t allow us through the barriers and only a plea via an intercom by Yve got the glass barriers opened for us to exit the station to be greeted by Keith and Jayne who sensibly hadn’t panicked and jumped onto the fast train. A gasp and walk back to our hotel with far less time on our hands than we had originally hoped.

With enough time “just” to compose ourselves, freshen up and change it was time to gather for the main reason we were here. By now Jos and Marga had arrived with their son Sam. With greetings and introductions, time was right to head to the arena.

With 4 groups of 4 scattered across the Ziggo Dome, we found ourselves on what was the lefthand side of the stage in Row 5 and the last 4 available seats, which meant room to move to our right and dance without disturbing anyone who might choose to stay seated.

I must say, I wasn’t too surprised by the set list we had for the night. I’m no fan of the song, but as the customary introduction of the pipes started to fade dead on 8 p.m. and the curtain started to raise the beat of Addicted To Love filled the air and there appeared a very upbeat and bouncing Rod in a gold and brown tiger print jacket with a leopard print shirt underneath. The second song was You Wear It Well after which Rod would address the arena by saying “Welcome good people of Amsterdam, you will be in for a treat tonight with 24 songs, so relax and enjoy yourselves”.

I do like to try and remember what Rod has to say at concerts perhaps more so than worry about remembering his set list. But either because he was in a foreign country, or my memory does not serve me well, there wasn’t the usual “UK style” stories told.

He would do a tribute to Jeff Beck when singing People Get Ready, by reflecting on his time in Jeff’s band “With me old mate Ronnie Wood”, and said “Please watch the screens, you will see many familiar faces from the past”. Unfortunately, our view didn’t really allow us to easily see the back drop screen.

A second tribute was paid to Christine McVie as a lead up to the song that simply always melts my emotions – I Would Rather Go Blind.

Unlike in parts of Germany, when Rod had his third change of clothing into a blue jacket and yellow shirt, he would say “You can see the colour of my clothing” as the flag of Ukraine appeared on the big screen. “We have to do whatever we can to stop Putin”. The audience applauded as pictures of Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the flag as Rod in customary fashion broke into Rhythm Of My Heart.

For those keen on fashion – Rod’s second costume change revealed a silver jacket with a white shirt with collars familiarly seen worn by Harry Hill!

Alison, Maxine and Jacquie would be dancing to my right almost throughout and got their reward as Rod left our side of the stage as Forever Young drifted into solo stints from the band. Rod would wave at the 3 girls with a broad smile. To add to their delight, he would wave a second time to them as he returned to the stage, which would be their topic of conversation for hours to come.

For the final change of clothing he would dawn a black jacket and white shirt – Certainly not to Yve’s approval as she suggested “He looked like he was going off to a funeral”!

The set list (below) as mentioned was somewhat predictable and each phase of costume change is highlighted by an *. At the end of the final encore of Sailing, as the curtain lifted one final time, perhaps only viewed by a few on the sides, the band were all laid flat out on stage, an amusing picture I managed to capture.

As we slowly left what was a full house arena, the plan was to all meet up under the Ajax sign on the Johan Cruff arena that is opposite the Ziggo Dome entrance. The scene was set for all 16 of us to all line up in our special one-off t-shirts for a photoshoot.

A brief stop in a bar that refused to play any Rod music! Before the rain started to fall and the cold wind driving us back to the bar at the hotel. It wouldn’t take long for all 20 of us now congregated to break from conversation into song as Yve played various tracks from her phone (mostly not previously heard at the gig), tune after tune we all revelled till the early hours of Thursday morning loving the experience.

Morning breakfast was to late for farewells to Neal and Maxine, but everyone else were due to leave slightly later. It had been an absolute blast which from everyone’s reaction was all worth the planning and cost. For us we still had 2 extra days to enjoy Amsterdam, a little fatigued on Thursday to do much. But a full itinerary for Friday before a very early flight home on Saturday.

To think a dreamy discussion 9 months earlier on a tube train home would become a wonderful reality just showed that a Slim Chance is always worth pursuing – as Rod once sang “Never Give Up On A Dream”.

Set-list:- Addicted To Love, You Wear It Well, Having A Party, It’s A Heartache, Tonight’s The Night, Stay With Me, *Roll And Tumble Blues, Forever Young, The First Cut Is The Deepest, I Don’t Want To Talk About It, Maggie May, I’d Rather Go Blind, Young Turks, *Proud Mary, Rhythm Of My Heart, Have I Told You Lately, *Lady Marmalade, It Takes Two, Some Guys Have All The Luck – encores – Da Ya Think I’m Sexy & Sailing.

Review By Colin Baker

All Photos By SMILER Photographer Yve Paige