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Smell of the Crowd by Maddy Bell
Copyright© 2022 Madeline Bell
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Wheels in Time
It was a bit strange, the not having a warm up act, you get into a routine then suddenly everything changes.
"Come on Gab, we're on,” Mist hissed – hey that rhymes.
"Already?”
"Yep already.”
She might be doing some yodelling with us now but she's still my assistant cum minder cum dresser.
"Okay, lets show Fulda what we're made of.” Well them and my friends somewhere out in the auditorium.
The last notes of Isolde faded away.
"So i hope you enjoyed that, we're gonna have a short break but we'll be right back.”
There was the, by now, expected cheering as the lights went down on the stage and up in the hall itself, the seven of us quickly making our exit.
"Phew!”
"They're a lively bunch tonight,” Marcus stated.
"You seen your people out there Erd?” Big Jo queried.
"As if I get a chance to look,” I snorted back.
Well its true, what with the lights, not tripping over my own feet and actually singing, seeing more than a few faces at the front of the stage is about it. There's a couple of hundred people out there and anyway, I'm pretty sure Dad'll be somewhere up the back.
Robert joined us in the backstage area where we were regaining our composure and topping up fluid levels.
"Great set guys, Fab's really happy with it so far.”
"Just as well, we don't get a second pop,” Stefan noted.
"Keep it up then, I need to get back, I'll catch you afterwards.”
With that he was gone.
"He's a bit hyper tonight,” Mist observed.
"He can smell the euros,” Little Jo offered.
"Well it would be nice to make a little extra,” Marcus mentioned.
Whilst I'm not doing this for the money, I can't disagree with that.
As usual a single bright pool of light came up in the middle of the stage with me stood in it.
"Welcome back Fulda, you ready for some more?”
A cheer came back, it would be disappointing if it didn't, what would I say?
"Before we return to the music, lets introduce you to the band, on bass, Big Jo!”
We've got pretty slick at this now, the lights, the couple of bars from each, even Mist has slotted in with her little harmony bit.
"And lastly, lead guitar and vocals, Stefan!”
As usual Stefan did his bit then the lighting came up to reveal the whole band. Of course, its not quite over, the pantomime of my introduction still needed to be run.
"So now we've been properly introduced...”
We got the usual laughter and jeering as our banter went back and forth.
“... our songbird, Erdbeer!” Stefan concluded
The lights lowered to the single spot, the noise of our audience receded and the guys started to play, the second half of our concert was under way.
'Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever'
For some reason it felt more, I dunno, personal tonight, the crowd clapped and cheered as I paused waiting for the rather more, er, animated treatment of the second verse. Not only that but I'm sure I did see Dad too, not up at the back but there amongst the beating heart of the crowd. Maybe I was seeing things, when I looked back a moment later he was nowhere to be seen.
The second half felt even more energised, we might not be well known but the good folks of Hesse seem to like what we do. But finally we reached the end, the encores, Robert had been adamant that we end with the Nena number and now it was that time.
I pushed my microphone skyward as the final strains of Debora floated across the Saal, the noise abated, replaced by an excited buzz.
"Thank you Fulda, we hope you've enjoyed yourselves tonight, we certainly have.“ i waved the mic out at the crowd and got a responding cheer.
"You did? Great that makes me happy, so, as you've been so kind to us tonight here at the Kreuz, we'll leave you with one more. This is one of my favourites, sing along if you want, thank you again for having us, Luftballons!“
Marcus started the intro and instead of passively listening, some of the crowd joined in from the start.
'Hast du etwas Zeit für mich?
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von neunundneunzig Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst du vielleicht grad an mich?
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von neunundneunzig Luftballons
Und dass sowas von sowas kommt'
"Come on everybody!“ i encouraged and i think almost the whole room joined in for the conclusion.
'Neunundneunzig Jahre Krieg
Ließen keinen Platz für Sieger
Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr
Und auch keine Düsenflieger
Heute zieh' ich meine Runden
Seh' die Welt in Trümmern liegen
Hab' 'n Luftballon gefunden
Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen'
We did a repeat but it was time to stop.
"We have been BlauHase, thank you Fulda!”
"Mein Gott, Gabs, that was awesome,” Gret gushed, "You really can sing.”
"I did tell you,” Tal told her.
"Erm thanks, let me get changed, I need a drink.”
"Soft I hope,” Mand opined.
Spoilsport, I could actually murder a beer, my throat is parched!
I escaped my clamouring 'fans' and found refuge in the tiny changing room where Mist was already half undressed.
"Good night.”
"Yeah,” I agreed even as I struggled to reach the zip of my dress.
"Let me,” Mist told me, I turned to let her at it.
"You okay with stuff if I get an early night?”
"Sure, you are having a drink first though?” she asked as my dress slipped to the ground.
"Yeah, need to entertain my 'guests' but Dad won't want anyone out too late, not on a race night, I'm surprised he was okay with everyone coming.”
"Your parents are way cool Gab, not like mine,” she told me, gathering up my beruffled stage outfit.
"They seem okay to me.”
"You don't have to live there,” Mist sighed, "I love them, I really do but....”
I gave her a hug, "I know, Claudia.”
"I really miss her Gab, she could be a right pain sometimes but she was still my sister and since, its like, I dunno, too close.”
"They don't want to lose another daughter,” don't I sound wise.
"But they're driving me mad, coming away with you guys, I can be me instead of the perfect daughter Claudia never was.”
I could sort of see what she meant, Claudia was a bit of a wild child despite or maybe because of her illness, the certain knowledge that her life would be short. Now whether Nena will live any longer than her sister when her mother sees those piercings in her face...
The after party was a strange affair tonight, well for starters it was just BlauHase and guests and then of course the guests comprised mostly of Team Apollinaris! Well of course the usual venue people were in attendance and as it was taking place in a corner of the Saal it wasn't exactly intimate.
"You're not gonna wear that dress tomorrow?” Gret jokingly, well I think jokingly asked, "It would certainly put off the opposition.”
"Does it come in Weltmeisterin stripes?” Tali added.
Somehow i'd ended up with the two girls when Misty dragged the others off to talk with the rest of BlauHase.
"Wouldn't work with the stage lighting,” I deadpanned.
"Well you wouldn't get me wearing it,” Gret stated, "its so, er, fussy.”
"Its a stage costume,” I pointed out, "What would the audience look at if it wasn't over the top?”
"I guess.”
"I certainly wouldn't wear it outside,” I told them. Well okay I still had my boots and fishnets on but with a baggy T and an admittedly short, denim skirt.
"So what's with your friend, the holes?” Tali queried.
I gave a shrug, "Not really sure.”
"You not getting some then Gab?” Gret chimed in.
"Don't think so, quite happy with just my ears.”
"And nose,” Tali added.
Okay, I always forget about that.
"Excellent tonight Erdbeer,” Robert advised joining us.
"Er thanks Rob, this is Gret and Tali that I race with.”
"Enchanted, you don't sing do you?”
"You kidding,” Tali guffawed, "They call me in to scare off the stray cats!”
"And I can't hold a note to save myself,” Gret added.
"So what's up Rob?” he had to want something.
"I'm taking Fab back to his studio, we'll get the tape cleaned up and stuff so I can drop it into Bully tomorrow.”
"Great.”
"If I don't see you, have a good race tomorrow and I'll see you in Hanau on Monday, take care Erd, don't go breaking anything.”
"I'll try not to Rob.”
"Tape? Bully?” Tali queried.
"Well its not actually a tape,” I demurred.
"Gaby.”
"Okay, Rob knows some people so Fab, Fabien that is, recorded tonight's gig then Bully are going to make some CD's that we can sell at the other gigs next week.”
"That mean you're giving up racing?” Gret asked.
"As if, trade sweaty bras and road rash for all this, you've got to be kidding.”
"You might change your mind if you get on telly or the radio,” Dieter Luchow's daughter persued.
"TV, done that and we were on the radio on Monday,” I boasted.
"Really?”
"Britta Bursche on HR3.”
"Ooh, I listen to that sometimes,” Tal enthused.
"And besides,” I went on, "What would you guys do without me at the races?”
"Win some?” Gret suggested, I think ironically.
"Well apart from that?”
"We should get off,” Dad suggested not that much later, "I hope you're going to get an early night too young woman.”
"Yes Dad, I'll get a taxi back to the hotel, where are you staying?”
"There's a Wohnmobil Parkplatz just along the street here.”
"All of you?”
"No, just me, Mand and Darren, everyone else is in some place called the B&B Hotel, strange name but it was cheap.”
"That's where we're staying!”
"Well that simplifies stuff, Dieter,” he called to the team's other adult who was talking to Animal nearby.
"Interesting chap your drummer,” Herr Luchow opined, "His family come from Lübben originally.”
"Deet, the band are in the same place as you guys, you okay if she catches a ride with you tonight and in the morning?”
"Can't see why not.”
"Excellent, well I'll round up my pair and I'll see the rest of you in the morning.”
"Okay Dave, now where's that lad got to?”
Dieter went off in search of Josh.
"And you,” Dad addressed me, "You were really...”
"Okay?” I suggested cutting in.
"I was going to say fantastic,” he continued.
"Pity Mum wasn't here.”
"You know she would be if she could.”
"I know, it still sucks though.”
He pulled me into a hug, "I know kiddo,” he kissed the top of my head, "I know.”
"Anyone fancy a coffee?” Dieter queried when we got back to the B&B Hotel, "We can get one in the bar.”
"Sure,” I allowed.
"Aye, could do with diluting tha beer like,” Josh stated.
"You haven't?”
Waugh grinned back at me, "Course not Hen but you-or face.”
"Don't mind him Gab, he does this all the time at home,” Tali mentioned.
'At home'? am I missing something, I mean I know they're an item but that sounds like they've moved on even further.
Gret just rolled her eyes, "Come on, lets find some seats.”
The bar was really just part of the reception area, a bunch of high tables with stools near the bar itself and a half dozen or so low tables with overstuffed seating on the periphery. There were a few people in, mostly up by the bar so whilst Dieter went to order our drinks, the rest of us commandeered some comfy chairs and a table.
"I half expected you guys to be in your team dresses,” I mentioned.
"The instruction came down from on high to dress casual,” Gret advised.
"He did listen then.”
"Can you imagine, me, Gret and Mand in those frocks in that place,” Tali chuckled.
"You forgot me Hen.”
"We can sort you out with a hostess dress if you want,” Gret snickered.
"Think ah'll pass.”
We didn't stay downstairs very long, after all, the idea was to get an early night before tomorrows race. I got myself ready for bed, the alarm was set for early but not silly, with Josh and co in the same hotel there was at least a safety net if I do sleep through.
So of course I couldn't get to sleep, its been a busy day what with one thing and another and my mind was still racing. Yeah, lots of stuff, exciting stuff, band stuff, well obviously meeting up with Dad and everyone tonight was pretty cool but mostly the bubble of the BlauHase tour was on my mind. I know we did that recording thing with the Bonn showcase thing but tonight we've recorded a whole gig, thats like more than a regular CD's worth of stuff, that has to be good right?
Eventually my thoughts strayed to Sunday, or is that today now? I looked across to the clock on the TV, twenty three fifty eight, tomorrow then, just. Will I be okay racing tomorrow, I know i've only been away for a week but i've only had like three rides, none of which have exactly been proper training. I've not exactly been eating great either have I, today's the first time we've not stuffed our faces with burgers or Pommes or other 'fast' food. Mind you, I could fancy Frikadel and Pommes right now.
Maddy Bell © 22.02.2022
