Jarre UK.com

AKROPOLIS CONCERT REPORT

Wednesday 20th June 2001 - The Main Concert

Location: Thesion Square
Reporters: Martin & Tracy F from Jarrelook

"and from your on the spot reporter down with the real Greek Jarre fans in the square..."

Having been lucky enough to receive two of the 50 free tickets for the full dress rehearsal (thanks Spooky xxx) and then attended the opening night of the show proper, Tracy and I decided to let someone else get a look in for the second full show night. That said on the day we were quite dejected not to be going so our lives lightened a little when we bumped into Stratos Koufos who informed us that the show was to be screened in it's entirety on CCTV for the Greek fans in a square a little way down from the Acropolis. Tracy did a swift recall during the afternoon whilst I sat on our hotel balcony sipping rum and coke listening to Metamorphoses at full volume on my headphones. She's good like that you know...!

The venue duly noted we set off a little before six and arrived at the square in time to get front row seats. I was rather glad we had for within half an hour every one of the woefully inadequate number of chairs had been taken and a large standing crowd was beginning to form behind us between the chair area and the road some 50 meters distant. The air buzzed with suppressed excitement and as the sun began to set the image on the small projection screen slowly began to become visible. Occasional bursts of ambient Herodion sound broke the disco "Muzak" played in from the control van to our side.

The sun was low enough in the sky by now and the image from the amphitheatre cameras were quite clear when suddenly we heard the first piatto roll so familiar to us from the previous nights and the Muzak was replaced permanently by the ambient "Waiting For Cousteau" along with the buzz of the Herodion audience. This and the picture were arriving at us relayed by a radio link on top of the rock above the amphitheatre. The buzz of anticipation in our crowd heightened noticeably too and Tracy set off to get us a supply of beers in... she was gone an age for she had to try to get through a crowd now standing so close and so deep that it was positively claustrophobic!!! She got back to us only just as the last piatto roll sounded and very soon the show was under way.

The buzz of excitement went suddenly to silence as Jarre hit out with Oxygene and then a huge cheer went up all around us as the familiar melody was recognised by fan and newcomer alike. On my right a young Greek classical music student filmed the show on his video camera, to my left two young Greek guys with their own band sat in awe as the lighting and projection images unfolded to the music. But they were fans not so much of Jarre, more of Patrick Rondat... so naturally Mssr. Jarre was a new experience for them.

As each song finished the audience in our square clapped for all the world as if they were up there in the arena, and our ambiance and warmth far outweighed the cold silence generated by the arena "suits" - Athens cognoscenti out as much to be seen as to see. And then it was time for Chronologie Part 3 and as the laser harp unfolded I turned to look towards the Parthenon away on our right and caught the briefest glimpse of the green beam punching it's way up towards the heavens as if for all the world to relay Jean Michel's magic to Athena herself. A low gasp came from all around us as few there will have ever witnessed the laser harp before.

With every beat heavy song the audience clapped, stamped their feet and generally had a monster good time. Father's held babes in arms and rocked them to the music, mothers held young children and swung their arms, grandparents alongside grandchildren - at least three generations standing in family groups watching Jarre in awe! And when we came to Chronologie Part 6 much later in the second half we could clearly here people pick up on the melody line and try to sing along with Jean Michel's tiny red accordion.

And hey!!! I almost forgot half time... time for more beers and a trip to syphon off the first few! But just before half time came Vivaldi and my relatively quiet Greek friends on the left erupted as Rondat fired off electric mayhem... But I digress... a trip through the huge crowd to the bar on the opposite side of the road.... everyone in high good humour and barely a drink in sight! Then through the crowd and across the road to walk into one of many bars, all TOTALLY empty!!! Everyone was out on the square apart that is from some poor soul being carted off in an ambulance... a victim of who knows what but quite possibly the excitement of the occasion.

And so to part 2... I will not describe every moment of the half, every song, just a few impressions that linger with me... The frenzy of the Greek orchestra on stage during Gloria... the dedication of Oxygene Part 13 to Ms. Mercouri in Greek, the shouts of, "We want Ethnicolor" clear for all to hear over the crystal clear PA... ( you know who you are and so do I !!! )... and the majesty and sheer emotion of Akropolis, it's reverent impact far clearer to the locals than to me for did not Jarre dedicate this song in the Greek people's own language too? But during Akropolis did you see the two young girls in the choir singing their heads off but smiling, no - almost laughing - at each other so much I can't begin to tell how they could even sing! What a magical occasion for them... for how long will they remember their night on stage with Jean Michel!!!

And with Rendez-Vous 4 and another dose of "Mr. Speeeeeeeedy" as my Greek metal heads called him, it was all over... we had both shared a night of pure JMJ magic in the wonderfully hospitable company of the true Greek Jarre fans... not stuffed in amongst a bunch of haughty and often sour suits out to impress rather than to enjoy. Now don't misunderstand, I had enjoyed both the proceeding nights hugely despite the total lack of soul in the Herodion... the spectacle close up was awesome not least because of the unusual intimacy of the venue and Jarre's proximity to me... but down in the square the atmosphere was one of unashamed enjoyment - enjoyment of the Master's music and his consummate showmanship - and I would not have missed it for all the world. It is just so sad that the people who most appreciate Jean Michel could not afford to pay for a ticket to see him, people like the young man who had traveled half way across Greece just to be there, not even knowing beforehand that the show would be beamed down to our little enclave via CCTV.

Mssr. Jarre, if you ever read this, those guys want you back... and soon!

Martin & Tracy F

Jarrelook, the UK Jean Michel Jarre tribute band...

E-mail: m.tj@virgin.net
Website: http://www.jarrelook.fsnet.co.uk

Web-Master: Duncan M G Walls 'Dunkie' (ICQ: 114076586)
Assistant Web-Master: Robin Hosgood (ICQ: 29538207)