Brian May (Vredenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands 23 sep 1998)

What a great picture.

Brings back some good memories. I was working in Holland at the time and went to the Groningen show. I was right at the front within touching distance of the stage. I can remember Brian playing Sleeping on the sidewalk somewhere in the middle of the set. The show was excellent along with the atmosphere.After the show there was about 6 of us waiting for the band to come out. After about 30 mins the band started to come out with Brian last. He stopped and chatted for a few minutes and signed something for everyone. A very nice memory
Later in the tour I was at the Newcastle gig and Brian was getting upset with a few fans at the front. Sleeping on the Sidewalk was also played here bur as a encore. I waited around at the end but you could tell Brian was in a different mood. No chat or autographs, I think at this stage the band was starting to feel the strain of touring. It was a very good show overall,but I think when Brian got annoyed in the middle of Another World the atmosphere changed slightly. He played Sail away sweet sister at Newcastle, not sure if it was played anywhere else on the tour.

I was at the Utrecht show as well.
Very nice atmosphere, very crowded, I was at the middle front of the stage with my girlfriend and we could indeed literally touch his guitar if we wanted to.
After the gig I waited outside with my girlfriend, but it took some time before Brian got out. Quite some people were there for autographs. I remember getting an autograph on my 'Made In Heaven' vinyl sleeve and on my 'Back To The Light' musicsheetbook right before he stepped into the bus.
When Brian left most fans left as well, but we stayed another 15 minutes with a small group of 5 or so people.
After 15 minutes a roadie got to us and gave each of us a drumhead from Eric Singer's drumkit. They were changed after the gig in Utrecht, I assume.
Both my and my girlfriend's drumhead are now hanging in our house, both autographed by Eric and the text "BM '98" and including some blackening from the flames of his sticks when they were put on fire during the drum solo (though this has faded a bit by now)

I wasn't planning on going to Groningen the day after, although I had a school exchange that weekend in Groningen. It however turned out that nothing was scheduled on the first evening, so I went to the show after all. I enjoyed this show as well, Brian seemed to have very much funat both shows, but the Groningen show was less intimate as the Utrecht show. I remember being very surprised when he started playing Sleeping On The Sidewalk, as he didn't play it in Utrecht.
After the show I again waited for Brian and the band to come outside, and they did. They were all very friendly and I managed to get another autograph on my 'Driven By You' 12" that I took with me to the school exchange just in case I would be able to go to the show.