NIGHTWISH / KAMELOT - Floor Jansen

NIGHTWISH / KAMELOT - Floor Jansen Injects New Vibrancy: Tour Ends In Florida





By Mark Gromen



It began at Universal Studios, in California, last January
and concluded outside Disney World, across the continent, in Orlando (on
October 14th). Despite the amusement park locales, the members of
NIGHTWISH would certainly not characterize the Imaginerum US tour as
magical ("Bit of a survival tour," said founder/keyboardist Tuomas
Holopainen, prior to the gig). In fact, the nightmarish scenario
(scaretale?), of dismissing singer Anette Olzon mid-stream (replaced
on-the-fly by former AFTER FOREVER/ REVAMP vocalist Floor Jansen),
launched a roller coaster ride to rival any found within those family
friendly parks, or the one in a fantasy film based on their most recent
studio album. NASCAR would be proud, retread and keep racing at high
speed!






This was my sixth Nightwish show this year and apart from the
pyro-laden spectacle, in a filled German hockey arena, it was easily the
most vibrant. Much of that has to do with Jansen's stage presence (and
renewed spirits from the guys). It's obvious that she's a rocker. At her
best, the departed Olzon had a perky playfulness (sadly missing of
late). Few in North America got to see the band with original singer
Tarja Turunen, but her opera background instilled a commanding aura
onstage. Part cheerleader, sultry vixen and headbanger, Jansen's
movements never seem forced. She could be excused for a static
choreographed performance, but it never materializes. When the music
warrants, Floor offers pinwheeling hair or fists in the air. Given she's
only been in the band a couple of weeks, the fit is amazing. Can't wait
to see what comes from protracted rehearsals.






Early Sunday evening at the House Of Blues in Downtown Disney, the
collective of adult eating/drinking establishments outside the gates of
the nearby Magic Kingdom, doors opening at 6pm and Florida natives
KAMELOT onstage an hour later. Upstairs, in the nearly 2000 standing
room-only capacity wooden theater, the Finns and crew members (apart
from guitarist Emppu Vuorinen) are hunched around a table littered with
one dollar bills, "gambling" with a set of poker dice. No one is going
to amass a fortune, nor will anyone become destitute with such minimal
stakes. Rolling a Royal Flush elicits everyone breaking into the Indiana
Jones theme! It's more a way to while away the hours and bond with one
another, pre-show. Four unopened bottles of Layer Cake Shiraz are on the
catering table, along with sandwich fixings, tortilla chips and salsa,
bottled water and a couple of Coronas. Party mode is reserved for
afterwards.






The merch table (offering $10, end-of-tour discounted T-shirts) was
more crowded than some shows I've attended, the line snaking down the
stairs. Not sure which screams of pleasure were louder, the Disney bound
tots aboard the flight down to Orlando, or the squeals from the front
row, each intent on seeing their favorite characters. The audience was
absolutely bonkers, from the get-go! Virtually a hometown gig for
Kamelot, they stroll onstage as the intro rolls, drummer Casey Grillo
hammering his fists down on the cymbals to emphasize the emotions
pumping through the band. The new line-up, is punctuated by singer Tommy
Karevik (SEVENTH WONDER), who displayed his humorous side this evening,
cracking jokes on more than one occasion, to the delight of a rabid
audience. 'Rule The World' opened, followed quickly by 'Ghost Opera'.
Mostly red, the lights improved for 'The Human Stain', once we
photographers left. With a trio of birthdays in the past week, the House
Of Blues sang "Happy Birthday' to Grillo, bassist Sean Tibbetts and
back-up singer Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE). The blue hued 'Sacrimony', which
everyone would be able to purchase, a few days later (on Silverthorn),
featured three singers: Karevik, Ryd and the death metal growls of
Alissa White-Gluz. Storming through their allotted 45 minutes, Karevik
often sang from a crouch, at the front of the stage, getting as close to
his public as possible. Well, not really, as 'Forever' began with the
vocalist in the photo pit, singing from the rail. Purple, accented by
strobes, the crowd thrust hands skyward, Oliver Palotai (keys) and corn
rolled Tibbetts hair flailing before Karevik got everyone to sing along
("whoa whoa"). Then he punched out the titular rhythm on Thom
Youngblood's fretboard. Finished, the guitarist gave him a pick, which
the singer deposited into the crowd. A "Kamelot" chant broke out,
Karevik blowing kisses to the crowd. Two winged, snare drumming females
kicked off the blood red lit 'March Of Mephisto', their finale, much to
the chagrin of the crowd ("We want one more!"). As they took their final
bows, Thom held his young son in his arms. Now they start a headlining
tour of their own. The band is hot: Kamelot have never been better
onstage!






Stunning, given the 11th hour drafting, but in the Internet age,
when everyone's a critic, that there really hasn't been any negative
commentary about Floor Jansen's performances. Speaks volumes to her
professionalism. In addition to a new front woman, the song selection
(mixed throughout the tour) is stronger, including older favorites 'Dark
Chest Of Wonders' and 'Ever Dream' in the early portion of the set,
bookending the similarly lively 'Wish I Had An Angel' and Amaranth'.
Since his joining the band, Marco Hietala has done a major portion of
the speaking to the audience. Will be interesting to see if this
continues with Jansen aboard, she more used to fronting a band on her
own than either of her predecessors.


A deafening roar greeted Holopainen's entrance, dwarfed only by the
Amazonian Jansen stepping onstage, in red pleated mini-skirt and
sleeveless black top, a cape/train from the waist down. She towers over
the affable diminutive guitarist Vuorinen ("She's like two of me," he
tells me afterwards, smiling the whole time, unfazed by the situation).
Surprise, 'Dark Chest Of Wonders' followed the opening 'Storytime'. The
leggy singer justified with broad grin upon completing the high vocal
acrobatics. Hietala referenced the line-up change, adding that Jansen is
their angel. Cue, 'Wish I Had An Angel.' 'Ever Dream' started with
Jansen alone, center stage, as the keyboard accompaniment kicked in.
When the side-to-side shake of the head doesn't send the hair flopping
across her shoulders, Jansen musses her 'do by running fingers through
her bangs.





Time for bar stools onstage, for the subdued, jazz lounge 'Slow Love
Slow'. As a thunderous applause ends the unexpected hit, piper Troy
Donockley slides into a newly appearing chair for 'I Want My Tears
Back', with band and fans clapping their hands overhead. The high back
stools return, Jukka Nevalainen vacating his place by moving in front of
the kit, to hand drum a rhythm box for 'The Islander' and acoustic
rendition of 'Nemo'. Holopainen donning a top hat and Donockley opting
for a tin/penny whistle for the later, which actually needed no vocals
at all, the crowd singing it from start to finish. A short, spotlit solo
for Donockley leads into 'Last Of The Wilds', the blue lighted
instrumental featured a bombastic bottom end.


Jansen stalks the stage, commanding your attention. Never butch, at
the right moments she can also be demure. She's entirely comfortable
(confident) having the eyes of the audience on her, whether surrounded
by bandmates or solo. Never really felt that was the case with Anette
(still not enough interaction between them, although Emppu playfully
taps her on the shoulder as passes behind her, causing Floor to look the
wrong way). Anette never really hung out with the guys, like Floor was
doing with the pre-gig dice game. Then again, five years down the line
will Jansen be doing the same?



All the musicians leave the stage, which goes red, for the intro to
'Planet Hell', Jansen pinwheeling her hair once more. 'Ghost River' and
'Song Of Myself' follow. There's no encore tonight, simply ending with
the appropriately entitled 'Last Ride Of The Day', Floor reminding
everyone this is the final night of the tour. During the song, all the
members of Kamelot come onstage. Their trio of singer, armed with an
extra microphone, join Marco and Floor. The final bow is a mixing of the
two bands, arm-in-arm, hugs, handshakes and celebratory drinks are
exchanged, to yet more wild roars from those who witnessed it.



Glad I can say I was among them!





More photos from Florida can be seen here.


And now Nightwish are officially on "holiday" as a new band update
from today reads: "We've settled down here in Florida for a while to
have our vacation. This is what we wanted to tell you after North
American tour: Thank you! Good times, intense shows and lots of laughter
and love. They'll keep us going for a long time, and there's even more
to come. Let's recharge and bring our particular heaven and hell to UK
soon! Cheerio!"