Annekedotes #2: What a day in London!

Whereabouts: Paris, France

Temperature: 19 °C

Listening to: Stand up comedian Amer Zahr (we had lunch with him in Beirut - very funny & intelligent comedian)

Mood: Smiley-happy

What's up:
The other day, a box of Devin Townsend's By a Thread DVD's came in. I appear on the Addicted DVD and of course I watched that one first. Let me say that I am so proud and honoured to be part of this masterpiece! It also reminded me of the day we recorded the Addicted show. It was a crazy day to say the least!

At the time we were on tour through Europe with Within Temptation. By a wondrous coincidence we were playing in London the exact same day Devin had scheduled his Addicted taping. I mean, what are the odds?? That meant I could do both shows, one at a sold out O2 Brixton Academy for a huge WT-crowd ánd Devin's DVD-gig!!
Another cool coincidence earlier that week was that we played the Manchester Academy the very same day Devin was rehearsing for his DVD shows around the corner. So when I arrived at the Manchester venue, Devin's tour manager Paul was already waiting for me and took me there straight away to rehearse with them.

In London it all came down to military precision.
After the gig in Glasgow, the night before, my band dropped me at Glasgow Airport, since we figured that flying to London would be less tyring for me than a red-eye drive with our mini-van.
The next day I started the afternoon soundchecking with Devin at the ULU. When we were finished, one of Devin's runners took me back to the O2 by tube during evening's rush hour. There was a van available, but it would take ages and we didn't have the time. Then we soundchecked at the O2, I told the runner to be back at the venue with the engine running in front of the backstage door at 8.40pm, for there were only 45 minutes between the end of our set at the Brixton Academy and the beginning of Devin's gig. I ate a sandwich, dressed up, did our show, rushed to Devin, refreshed my lipstick and off we went!

By the end of Devin's show I had sang for 2 hours in my loudest, highest, lowest, most intense voice. I was seeing stars, but I was just so happy and felt so proud. I wouldn't have wanted to miss that day for the world. By now the guys from my band were crossing town to pick me up to leave for the next show in Brussels, so we had another long drive ahead.

At the moment I'm in a completely different state of mind as I am enjoying a little leisure time with my family in France - visiting Disneyland, road trippin', relaxing and… watching all four 'By a Thread' DVD's: holiday time!!

Crazy fact:
Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie

A hug and a smile
Anneke XxX

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