THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS’ 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2025 (DAY 1)
A cold Wednesday in the Netherlands, and in a few hours , the Legendary Pink Dots’ 45th Anniversary Tour begins. It will be complicated – you heard the joke about how many elephants can squeeze into a Volvo? Nobody is chucking here…
There is a mountain of boxes to squeeze into our modest rented van, and as someone who never came close to solving a Rubic’s Cube, I’m glad that Erik and Joep are taking care of things.
Tonight’s destination is the Mezz venue in the charming city of Breda. Do pass on the word!
Incidentally, caption for the first image…. ‘Hand baggage’ ( I.e. It fits under the seat on a budget airline)
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY TWO
The first show of a new tour holds a special kind of terror.
Preparation may have gone into the night for 3 days or 3 months but it can never be enough. Despite all this, we had a fine tome in Breda last night.
Sure there were moments when I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me,but the spirit and intensity was there – and that’s what counts.
Today sees us make the gentle trip down the highway to Brussels for a show at Botanique, so I’m enjoying a rare lie in. And….ladies and gentlemen, RAISE GLASSES! It’s Erik’s birthday!
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY THREE
I was truly shocked when I first set eyes on the performance space at Botanique n Brussels last night.
For reasons that escape me , the stage was in the middle of the room and audience would be watching from 4 sides.
It meant that one section of the crowd would always be staring at my back.
Logic told me that a show in those conditions could never work.
How wrong could I be? The turnout ensured the venue was packed and I had the time of my life pacing around the platform, randomly choosing who to address.
Such a warm responsive audience in the Belgian capital too – I love playing there…
Truly a night to remember!
Today we head into France to see some friends well off the beaten track. It will just the aperitif for tomorrow’s show in Paris which is always a special celebration.
Incidentally the picture depicts our breakfast stop yesterday- the first time I’ve eaten in a windmill.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY FOUR
According to our list The Dots’ had a rare day off on the last day of January.
In reality we played a ‘secret’ show in the village of Tincques in Northern France.
I must say I love events like this… Chinese whispers 2025 style, buzzing through cyberspace and the little cavern was packed. We played a satisfying 90 minute show before the entire audience crossed a path to the old farmhouse for a late dinner. There was even a bat flying around in the ( medieval?) cavern.A big Thank you to Marc who made this happen!
Even so, it will be quite the contrast tonight for our París show at Petit Bain. It’s always an exciting event. If you’re in the city, we’d love to see you.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY FIVE
It’s 9.30 am , somewhere to the South of Paris in one of those hotels that gather
in clusters to talk amongst themselves in order to invent jokes to play on unwary visitors.
Last night this hotel hit the jackpot. Four highly satisfied Pink Dots emerged from the van after a fine night at the excellent Petit Bain, only to be told that 3 single rooms were ready and waiting.
According to the man at the Reception Desk, there were no more rooms available.
I always develop a cold sweat at such moments but somehow, after around 15 minutes of mouse clicking, a vacant room somehow materialised.
I type this in the cold light of the Parisian Suburban morning, having felt a little concerned by the alarm I heard around an hour ago.Nothing serious- the elevator had broken down ( I hope it was empty like the juice dispenser). I did enjoy that final croissant however…
Tonight we play in Lyon at the wonderful Sonic .. another floating venue! Hope to see you there!
ps… Ok, not a spectacular picture, but below depicts the view from window…Seems like the guests fled…
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY SIX
Lyon is a beautiful city boasting two great rivers,spectacular hills and that impressive architecture that can only be found in France. However, for me, the most beautiful corner of the metropolis is the little red boat on the bank of the Saone known as the Sonic.
I’ve lost count of the number of times The Pink Dots have played in this venue over the years.It’s an intimate space that has always been packed for us and the hospitality and reception we’ve enjoyed there has been wonderful. It was no exception last night with an uproarious event that left us all wearing wide grins as we trudged back to the hotel.
Times have never been easy for the Sonic which has always battled the odds yet never flagged in its mission to bring lesser known wonders to what is fundamentally a conservative city. Long May the Sonic thrive!
Today is a driving day. The destination is Strasbourg which is roughly halfway to Munich where we play tomorrow at the Backstage.
We’re told that ticket sales have been a little underwhelming in Munich so do pass on the word about the show coming up!
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS’ 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2025 (DAY 7)
A day off. A day for looking out of the van window as we sped down the highway to Strasbourg. A day for letting hair down , putting feet up , ordering in a delicious Indian meal, sharing stories with Randall and finally passing out at around 10pm.
Such days are rare and to be cherished.
Today we head to Munich and the Backstage Club. We had a wonderful show there in 2023 but that South German metropolis can be unpredictable with regard to the size of the audience.. Do pass on the word, we want it to be a celebration tonight!
Incidentally the picture depicts a character encountered on the road yesterday- it didn’t move around so much.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 8
A Tuesday Night in Munich, early February, is every bit as cold as it sounds.
Consequently it was a small but hardy band of souls who braved the weather and encouraged us to play all we had in our locker at the Backstage Club. Intimate shows like that certainly have their value .
We’re at a part of the tour where the drives are longer and yesterday’s haul from Strasbourg felt like a bit of an obstacle course at times, though it was nothing compared to one of The Dots’ first ever shows in Bavaria.
It was 39 years ago that we made our way from Paris to a small venue in the village of Schwindkirchen ( Rockhaus), breaking down on the way. We reached our destination at 11pm and had to run the gauntlet of angry punters who had waited for hours but were beginning to demand the return of their 5 dm entry price.
Such is the romance of life on the road.
Today we head South to Bologna and a show at the Freakout Club. It will be long but breathtaking.
The picture is captures the scene at the end of the soundcheck in Munich.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 9
It’s 1 am . The tiredness is all consuming after a blistering show at The (wonderful) Freakout Club in Bologna. We’re in the hotel, desperate to fall down, thirsting for sleep…But , damn it, THE CODES TO OPEN THE ROOMS DO NOT WORK.
After around five clicks of the given number, a sinister voice kicks in . ‘Operation failed’.
PANIC! The place appears to be completely empty .
Thankfully Joep had a number he could call and we managed to open one of the rooms but Voice of Doom was back when we attempted to open the second one. ‘The Battery is low, please replace’. Uh, uh..
‘The Battery is low, please replace’ . The door was laughing at us. On the 4th attempt, the gates relented.
Off to Florence today and the VHS Retro Club. It was a very late confirmation, so please pass on the word!
The picture depicts a view from the road yesterday.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 10
A challenging night in Florence. For many months we believed a show had been confirmed and was being promoted in the city when that was actually not the case. We found out no event was scheduled far too late, and our hastily organised appearance at the VHS Retro Club was given the green light with no possibility of advertising . The result? A hardy ( but lovely) attendance of around 30 people . I’m proud to say we gave them a memorable night with a fiery performance. We say ‘Arrivederci Italia’ and make our way towards Hungary today . The Pink Dots have an appointment at the Instant Club in Budapest tomorrow night.
The pic below was taken at breakfast yesterday, and reminded of how we used to do things!
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 11
Yesterday was a Driving Day. Bologna to Budapest can be done in a single run, but we opted for a little comfort and stopped in the town of Maribor, Slovenia.
It’s a place that sparked memories for me as my first venture out of the U.K. as a teenager took me through this picturesque town.
Back then Maribor was part of Yugoslavia and the first step in a harrowing drive through that country en route to Istanbul .There were no highways at that time and it was normal to see a truck overtaking another truck with a string of vehicles following, only for a third one to suddenly appear on the horizon causing panic moves all round. Too often the results were catastrophic, and wreckage could be seen everywhere in the rocks to the left and right of the road.
Our vehicle was a minibus for 10 people , all keen for adventure on a mini ‘Hippy Trail’. Nobody had counted on that.
I wrote the words for ‘Black Highway’ after that experience, but they sat in a drawer for years – waiting for The Legendary Pink Dots to form.
The picture depicts my view from the window right now.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 12
Greetings from a hotel room on the edge of Budapest on a sleepy Sunday morning.
Last night was ,well, seismic…
We played the Hungarian capital many times but this was certainly my favourite show here. A fabulous venue, a brilliant responsive audience, and a level of hospitality in the high thousands. We all loved every second of last night’s show.
This is why we play live!
Today we head South to the lovely city of Pecs. We had a great show there back in 2023 so we’re looking forward to another special night in the intimate Nappali venue.
The picture was taken seconds ago .. this morning’s view!
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 13
Sunday night in Pecs. The old narrow streets were empty. The lights were low. It could have been a different century.
Such a rarefied atmosphere suits the Pink Dots well.
The Nappali Club is exquisitely intimate and somehow calls for a different kind of show to one in a big city.
Consequently we pushed the Strangeometer into the red with lots of experimentation ,random flights into the ether, plus the odd attempt at astral projection. It was highly satisfying!
But the wheels are back on the highway today with a 5 hour run to Brno in the Czech Republic.Venue is Kabinet Muz.. do pass it on!
As for the obscure pic, we stayed upstairs at Nappali and nobody could quite put a date on that funky lamp.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 14
Last night in Brno was spectacular. Despite the show being confirmed recently, Kabinet Muz was packed to the rafters as The Pink Dots were again reminded of why the Czech Republic just might be their favourite country to play.
That ‘special relationship’ goes back to the Velvet Revolution when we appeared at the Eden Hall in a very different Prague to the city we’ll visit tomorrow.
Maybe I’m being over-romantic, but I always felt drawn to this special corner of Europe, having visited Czechoslovakia back in the 70s, felt moved when Vaclav Havel introduced poetry into parliamentary circles following the Revolution and witnessed the tantalising changes over the years.
Even so today we drive South to Vienna and a show at Replugged. It’s another city that’s very close to my heart.
Today’s obscure pic depicts a monument outside our hotel as it appeared to us last night.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 15
The downside of touring in the treacherous months of January and February manifests itself in the microscopic guests that sneak into the bus. There is just no protection against the would be saboteurs that cannot be seen.
After a fabulous show in Vienna last night, I initially put my bout of machine gun sneezing down to a small irritation.
It was only when my head hit the pillow that my temperature began to rise.
With medication I feel a little steadier this morning, but there may be the odd high note that escapes me tonight in Prague.
There’s hardly a place I look forward to visiting more than the Czech capital… I WILL battle through this.
The pic below was taken along yesterday’s Scenic Route from Brno to Vienna.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 16
An absolute stormer at Futurum in Prague!
A large enthusiastic turnout in a wonderful venue and I reckon we rose to the occasion.
Even so, just 2 hours before taking the stage, I envisioned a very different outcome. That was when the ‘chills’ set in as a result of this nasty virus. I’ve been there before on a few occasions and the worrying question always nags , ‘Should I go on?’
I applied various medications and I’m happy to say everything DID calm down. Ultimately there were a number of higher notes that escaped me , and I remain a little nasal in my delivery, but I’m glad I overcame the fleeting doubt.
This morning it all feels like a heavy cold but at least there was no fever last night.
Off to Berlin today and a show at one of my favourite venues in the World- The Quasimodo Club. Do pass the word on!
The pic is from last night courtesy of Joep!
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY BETWEEN 16 & 18
Well… In keeping with THAT number, unfortunate events did occur. The sudden panic that I’d lost my passport, followed by getting lost in the hotel, other gremlins… mischievous nasty gremlins..
But then I get to the show in wonderful Berlin, a city I go back with and love dearly… Sure I needed a little medication, but it was one hell of a night. A great turnout too – driving us onwards and upwards. Don’t talk to me about ‘Berliner Cool’… there was a fire burning in Quasimodo last night.
As for the pic? Well… it’s Valentines Day. Send the Planet a card. She/He/They need a lot of love right now…
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 18
The Pink Dots hadn’t been to Hannover in many years and the welcome afforded to us at the Subkultur Club yesterday was fantastic.
The venue was sold out and the audience drove us to new heights although I ALMOST ruined the glorious climax.
It was the final song and I was stalking the edge of the stage, revelling in a cathedral of noise, when I accidentally stepped on the switch that provided the power.
The result was the equivalent of a power cut. Like a massive invisible hand swiping the stage as an enormous invisible head shook slowly high above Hannover. The all seeing , all knowing Computer said ‘NEIN’.
The only solution was to play the song once more with me being a little more careful. A marvellous night!
We go to Dresden today for a show at Jazz Tonne.. hopefully we’ll see you there.
The pic captures Erik at a magical moment from last night’s show.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 19
I’m typing this missive in an Ibis hotel room high above the city of Dresden. It was a fine show in the attractive Jazztonne Club on the edge of the ‘Altstadt’ last night, and by now I feel like I’m clear of the virus that knocked me down a few days ago.
Dresden has a tragic past and much of it had to be rebuilt after World War 2. Nevertheless the sense of history and the sheer power and beauty of the old city centre is breathtaking.
Even so, touring means every stop is a brief one and today we drive 5 hours West to Stuttgart for a show at Kipepeo. Do pass on the word!
The pic is from our visit to Dresden but , well, you have to be there!!!
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 20
Sometimes The Pink Dots play a show that will be a talking point in the van for years to come. Sure, a Tour will always be an adventure, but some shows are destined to lodge themselves in the collective memory for good or ill.
Our visit to the cozy but exotic Kipepeo venue in Stuttgart last night will live on for the right reasons!
There was no stage, but a carefully placed
toy zebra and a vase of flowers providing the ‘fourth wall’. We were bathed in a delightful liquid light show; there was an inviting area with armchairs.
The hospitality we were afforded was out of this World. So much love packed into a small corner of an industrial estate, like a single star in the sky on the darkest of nights.
Thank you Martin and all who made last night so special.
Today we head to Heidelberg simply to enjoy the ambience of a historic, beautiful city. You heard it right… A DAY OFF!
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 21
A lazy Monday with no deadline to meet, no show to play and no significant distance to cover.
We spent our day off in the ancient and beautiful city of Heidelberg after a slow drive along the Scenic Route.
Some of the pictures taken can be found below. Today we have a short drive to Russelsheim, close to Frankfurt. The venue is Das Rind.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 22
A delightful Tuesday Night show at Das Rind, Russelsheim…
I’m embarrassed to admit I hadn’t heard of the small town situated between Frankfurt and Mainz before the tour, yet it’s famous for a huge car factory that literally goes back decades.
Despite the cold weather, it was a great turnout at Das Rind and we were afforded wonderful hospitality – happily, I think we rose to the occasion.
Today we make the modest drive to Cologne ( Sonic Ballroom )- we’re close to the end of the Tour now, and the finale promises to be a little frantic!
The picture below sits on the wall of this hotel room and shows the small town in its glory.
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 24
Never has so much spray-paint been applied to a single monument. How many stickers can a wall take?
Quite simply, to read the names of bands bidding for attention on the walls of Cologne’s Sonic Ballroom would take a year.
Even so, the place was packed to the rafters for our show last night and we thrived in the intense environment.
We’re hoping for a similar experience tonight in Hamburg for our show at the delightful Hafenklang – another venue which could rightfully considered to be an institution by now. The penultimate date of the Tour .. just where did February go?
The picture below is from the highly decorated inside of the Sonic Ballroom
THE LEGENDARY PINK DOTS 45th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DAY 25
When is the end of the tour NOT the end of the tour?
Well… last night’s show in Hamburg bore all the hallmarks of a glorious close of the curtains. An excited, healthy throng at the Hafenklang Club , an explosive set followed by emotional greetings afforded to old friends.
We’ll drive back to the Netherlands today before dropping off the rented van tomorrow morning.
Full Circle. Except it isn’t…
Tomorrow we also fly off to Lithuania for a show in St.Catherine’s Church on Sunday. It will be a frenetic weekend.
And the pic? Let’s just say that today’s hotel is in the suburbs…
