Mark Knopfler

Well, I didn’t REALLY know what to expect from that: Mark Knopfler, former head and singer/guitar player from Dire Straits, was to play in Zurich. Of course I know all the old DS-Songs. Of course I know several songs from his solo-albums. But actually seeing one of the biggest guitar heroes of all times is something different. And just as unspectacular his music seems at the first instance the concert begun: Lights out – band’s on stage. No big intro, no laser beams, no films on an oversize silver screen. Just 7 guys on stage who instantly begin to play. And they played. And played. And played. It was only after 2 hours and 15 minutes when they finally left the stage – it’s been quite a while since I have seen a concert during that long.
After 5 or 6 songs from his solo-career Mark began to play several old DS songs. What It Is, Romeo and Juliet, Telegraph Road, Sultans of Swing and others. The audience couldn’t get enough, and we got more of it. Amongst the encores was Brothers in Arms, a song about the Falkland war fought by the UK in 1983.
What had begun as a very wet and demoralising day ended with a wonderful music-event that I will always remember.
I took these pictures last night in Zurich, no comment on the videos.