Concert Report: Tori Amos, Royal Theatre, Copenhagen, 21 October 2011

So, we were going to the Tori Amos show here in Copenhagen. I had been trying to gather a bit of info on the Meet & Greets that I knew Tori does, so when we decided to head into town, I suggested we swing by the venue, just to see if something was going on or not. There were a few people hanging around - all Toriphiles - who said that nothing had been announced yet. I had packed for all eventualities, so we had Sharpies and I had something for Tori to sign, just in case. Giorgia did not though, so we went to get her the new album, and went back to the theater to hang out for a bit. I get so hyper on occasions like this, and I didn't really think anything would happen, but about 45 mins later, we all get let into the foyer and the two of us end up at the top of the queue, in 4th or 5th position. And those 45 mins didn't even feel that long, because we were having so much fun outside with Pingufo. The atmosphere was so relaxed and calm - most of the people we'd seen before were behind us in the queue, but they didn't seem to care at all. The whole thing was so different from the U2 experiences I've had - first of all of course, way less people here, and way way less screaming and pushing and shoving, which I just don't do, and which is also the reason I never got close to any of the guys, but that's okay. Back to Tori :)

So, we're standing there, with Sharpies at the ready, and my hands are shaking, because I can't really believe we're about to say 'hello' to Tori Amos. She comes out, and the first in line go up to talk to her, and we stay back, so the whole thing becomes very private, which is just amazing. Everyone is just chatting quietly among themselves, while the people with Tori get to talk to her for a bit, get their stuff signed, and a picture taken too. There was no rush at all. And then it was our turn, and I think we walked up to her with these ridiculously big grins on our faces. Thankfully, Tori sort of took charge of any conversation once past the hello's and how-are-you's, and asked us where we were from and stuff like that - about 5 mins, then we got our autographs, and our picture taken, and we said goodbye. The doors had been locked to the outside, to keep control of the situation, so we hung around the foyer together with the other people for another hour, while Tori met with all the other fans. Towards the end they let in a few stragglers, but by then time was running short, so those could either have an autograph or photo, but not both. Boy, did we feel lucky! It was such a lovely experience, she was so sweet to us, and I would definitely do this again, next time I'm going to a Tori Amos concert.

After that we went to the Cornish Pasty House for some food, and then home to get ready for the concert - we were dressing up a bit, seeing as we'd be going to the Royal Theatre, so it was black dresses, heels and nice shawls. (For those Ravelers among you, I wore my In Dreams, for the first time ever). We started off taking our seats on the wrong floor (we were first floor, not balcony, but not too much of a difference to matter), but we were second row in the center, and the view of the stage was perfect.

It was just Tori and a string quartet playing and she started off with 'Shattering Sea' from the new album, which is the first track also on the record. The setlist had a good few surprises - the highlights for me were 'I Can't See New York', followed by 'China', 'Cloud On My Tongue' and 'Sister Janet', which is one of my fave B-sides. But, it was quite fun hearing the string quartet play their instruments like percussion for 'Suede' and 'Cruel'. I really enjoyed 'Edge Of The Moon' live, and it's one of my favourites from the new album. 'Snow Cherries From France' and 'Siren' were expected, as they'd been on plenty of the previous set lists, and I very much enjoyed them - the former is just so lovely to sing, and it's one of the sweetest songs I know, and 'Siren' - well, I love that song in all the guises I've heard it in. Set list below is courtesy of www.undented.com, and I have given the respective albums and years as well.

Shattering Sea	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Scarborough Fair (solo) (Trad.)
Suede	(The Choirgirl Hotel, 1998)
Way Down (solo)	(Boys For Pele, 1996)
Snow Cherries From France	(Tales Of A Librarian, 2003)
Fearlessness	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
I Can’t See New York (solo)	(Scarlet's Walk, 2002)
China (solo)	(Little Earthquakes, 1992)
Mr. Zebra (solo)	(Boys For Pele, 1996)
Girl Disappearing	(American Doll Posse, 2007)
Cloud On My Tongue	(Under The Pink, 1994)
Star Whisperer	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Cool On Your Island (solo)	(Y Kant Tori Read, 1988)
Edge Of The Moon (solo)	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Sister Janet (solo)	(Cornflake Girl, Single 1994)
Nautical Twilight	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Siren	(Great Expectations, Soundtrack)
Winter	(Little Earthquakes, 1992)
Cruel	(The Choirgirl Hotel, 1998)
A Multitude Of Shades (String Quartet without Tori)
Baker Baker	(Under The Pink, 1994)
Time (solo)	(Strange Little Girls, 2001)
Waltzing Matilda (solo) (Trad.)
Carry	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Big Wheel	(American Doll Posse, 2007)