150

and again Rock'n'Roll is calling for the new young generation, who shall lead that music into a new era. Mando Diao certainly belong to these bands, who have risen up with that kinda rockmusic inspired by the sixties and this not bad at all. 
The current european tour is completely sold out. And within the venue tonight there are mainly young kids aged between 15 and 25, who are squasihing themselves almost to death to be as close as possible to their new heroes. It actually looks pretty dangerous, and many bodys are carried across the barriere into the photopit half unconcious.. The hysteria already starts at the set of the supportact Razorlight, who win the first goal with their visual aspect more than with their music.

                                                         

The name Razorlight sounds hard and heavy, but it ain't in reallity. Their singer looks like Jim Morrison's grandson, and for a second you get the impression he's wearing long john's on stage instead of white jeans. At least it would have been funny. Apart from that the whole band seems rather a bit colourless, also what's up to the music. First when the singer takes off his t-shirt and shows his muscles, the noise level of screaming girls gets over the top. 
The headliner starts the set with a certain exitment having a huge curtain hiding the stage 'till after the first tunes. But Mando Diao rather go for understatement. These boys present themselves in black and white with a Beatles hairstyle. And even the movements on stage remind  me on the Fave Four. Over 7.000 fans get mad seeing their heroes up there on stage. And if only one of them steps a little forward, it's getting outta hand. 

Mando Diao are from Sweden and not from England, like some might think. Although the band goes for britpop/rock. Almost two years they have been kept away from the scene, before their debutalbum 'Bring Em In' came out in Europe in 2004. Gustaf Norén (Voc)  and Björn Dixgård (Git)  are the musical and spiritual heads of the group. And Gustaf said once: 'We really think, that our record is better then everything from the Who, the Kinks or the Small Faces. And it's rounder than many albums of the Beatles and the Stones.' Okay, this is maybe a bit overdriven by an egomaniac. But they are young and motivated. And I'm sure, we still can expect a lot of them in the future. Fact is, Mando Diao have released their fourth album 'Ode To Ochracy' last august. And their status is growing fast. By the way, the name of the band has no translation. It's a pure phantasy word invented by guitarist Björn, though it rather reminds us about some sort of a spanish expression. Never mind. They come from the north and not from LA or from England nor from any exotic southern country. But they are energetic like our southern neighbours. 
In the end there is only one negative aspect I can figure out.... 

                                    

After about three quarter of a hour and another 20 unconcious girls in the first rows, at least in my ears all those songs sound somehow the same. There are no edges no interruptions. It's a very straight line. Shame, but apart from that, I'm very much convinced, that Mando Diao have a huge potential still to put out. Anyway for my part I'm off here before the encore, just not to get inbetween the whole crowd comiing out and also not to be late for a date.... okay, this doesn't belong here, does it?!!!

Last word: I'm pretty sure, Mando Diao could be around for quite a while in the scene. I say - 'could' -