19 concerts in 18 cities all around Sweden, 29 songs played live, 5 unstoppable, energetic guys on and approximately 260 000 loud fans off stage from at least 25 countries* practicing their Swedish, a great management, a fab crew, an adorable support act, a top class security team, a working number system, hundreds of hours waiting in front of venues and tons of happy faces. But who cares about numbers (– I mean in general)? We have uncountable wonderful memories from this tour!
As you all know it from the beginning, the front row on all concerts was quite international. Some fans travelled to Sweden to see only 1 show, others attended more gigs and there were even hardcores (e.g. Sandra Knospe and Liv Lindgren) who went to see GT on all concerts.
I tried to contact as many front row fans as I could and asked them to share their thoughts / feelings regarding the tour in 2-3 sentences (it wasn’t too easy to squeeze everything in, I know), as well as photos of themselves from the tour. I couldn’t reach everyone, but I bet these words below and those happy faces in the video represent all GT fans’ thoughts and happiness.
Per, Micke, Göran, Anders & Mats, tack för en helt fantastisk, jävligt bra turné! Det blir aldrig som man tänkt sej. Det blev mycket bättre! We hope to see you together on stage again – next time sooner, not 9 years later… 😉 (Think about a release party for the live DVD with a “rarities” concert mentioned in the Micke Syd interview.)
Take this video, as well as the fans’ words as a HUGE THANK YOU for the tour!
Argentina
Cecilia Vazquez: ”It was very special. I´m listening to GT since I was 13 and I never thought to see them live. Suddenly, it was my birthday (turned 34), I was in Halmstad and GT were in front of me playing the songs I’ve been listening to for years. I was crying for 15 minutes, since they played Kung av sand, hahahaha. I never expected that kind of power on stage, they are terrific! And one more time, I met a lot of friends. I think one of the best part to be a fan is enjoying the music that I love and having fun with friends at the same time.”
Cristian Dario Brizuela: ”It was great travelling so far and enjoy your music. Thank you for making my life so happy! I hope to be present at the next tour!!! GT thanks & thanks for being so kind, Åsa!!!”
Emilio Gimenez Bahl: ”The tour was another dream come true. The most important was to show my daughters they exist and are real, not just a video on my TV. I’m thankful because they (5 and 8 years old) experienced for the first time the music I’ve been listening to unconditionally for the last 18 years. An Argentinian that moved to Gothenburg in 2011.”
Gerardo Contijoch: ”Seeing GT live is one of the most amazing experiences I had in my life. If anything could top it, it certainly would be another GT tour! You can never go wrong with GT!”
German Divonis (Benke): ”Got the possibility to travel to see GT live for me was a dream come true. I’ve been waiting for that since 20 years ago (the very first time I listened to GT was in ’93). I’ve got a wife and kids and it was so hard for me to travel alone. But Gyllene Tider fulfilled all my expectations!”
Jorge Daniel Diaz: ”I finally had a chance to enjoy GT live! It was amazing sharing it with many friends in the front row, where you can feel their power. Also, I must congratulate the fans who organized the number system, that’s GREAT!”
Lionel Zeta & Brenda Donatti: ”We just wanna say THANK U so much for a fantastic tour! It was amazing! Only 5 shows for us (we would have liked to do the whole tour), but we had a blast! Ullevi will always be in our heart. Thanx for the m&g and for every single moment.”
Maria Francovig Valero: ”Sitting right here at the airport, there’s a collection of images of the wonderful times I have spent this summer! Seeing Gyllene Tider live had always been a dream for me, and now that it finally happened l must admit that you guys topped all I’ve ever dreamt of! I believe we were all sharing the same energy and that was what made this sommartider so special! All I know is I’m up for another magical summer… hopefully soon! Thank you Per, Göran, Anders, MP and Micke for these outstanding and magical summer nights! GT för alltid!!!”
Paula Cafiero Högström: ”4 concerts this time for me! With old friends from near and far, with new nice ppl who may become friends soon…, with my husband!!! And even with my kids for the first time! With an amazing Swedish summer that has been longed for a couple of years now… There are no words that can fulfill what I feel! Memories for life now in my luggage! I feel thankful, grateful, lucky and blessed! It’s so nice to have been part of this! DEEP THANKS GT! (Paula from Argentina but living in Malmö!)”
Sebastián Baioni: ”I’ve been at 4 concerts and this is the end of my holidays, but I can’t be sad. I had more than I expected and a lot of fun with friends who are as crazy as me, enjoying good music, good company and visiting amazing places.”
Silvana Gilarski: ”I love GT from the first moment I heard them! It was really touching to be there, my dream came true! From the bottom of my heart I wanna say thanks for this great tour and for making me so happy! Don’t ever stop!!!”
Australia
Celestte Williams: ”Before I left Australia I never imagined I was going to have such an unforgettable & awesome tour. I WAS WRONG!!! All 14 concerts were energetic, fun, and the entire band was impeccable. Sluta inte sjunga på refrängen nu…..”
Daniel Rezmann: ”The tour for me was a fantastic opportunity to see some of my favorite music performed live and being able to meet most of the band along the way. It was a wonderful opportunity to see a beautiful country, many parts of which I would never have seen were it not for the tour. And finally, it was great to catch up with some friends met on past adventures, in particular a special German girl.”
Austria
Karin Lessjak: ”It was my first GT-concert ever! Although I´m not such a crazy GT-fan (like in case of Roxette or Marie) it was really something very special! First of all it´s always so great to meet all the people you can´t see the whole year because of distance… And the other reason is something very special: I have never seen Per on stage like this! So cool! So happy! When Marie is on stage you see that she is always “the star”. So for me it looks like he enjoyed to be “the star” on stage.”
Michaela Gerhardt: ”Det har varit så jättetrevligt och kul att se er på scenen igen i Halmstad. Och ni var jättebra förstås! Kram, Michi”
Belgium
Ann De Vos: ”The one thing I like most of the GT-concerts is the positive mood/vibe all around, which is so what I need personally in my life right now, so definitely perfect timing. Thank you for sharing your music and happiness and keep on rocking!”
Brazil
Flavia Rocha: ”It all started in 1997, when I bought Halmstads Pärlor during my first time in Sweden. In 2013, a big dream came true: watching Gyllene Tider’s concert in Halmstad, where they began. TWICE! Unbelievable two front rows made this Brazilian girl cry with pure joy! TACK SÅ MYCKET!”
Canada
Katy Phillips: ”Having the opportunity to travel to Sweden and join you for part of a Gyllene Tider tour was a 17-year-old dream that finally came true. You guys were amazing! Tack för allt!”
Germany
Alexandra Neitzel, Jenni Kessler, Christina Dercks: ”Vi hoppade, vi sjöng, vi firade… och så finns det alltid en möjlighet att headbanga till Gyllene Tider. Det var underbart att sjunga på svenska igen. We had the time of our lives – how about you?”
Astrid Lenhard: ”I wanted to experience what the real “sommartider”- feeling is about, so I booked a ticket for the Stockholm-concert. I never expected that I will join a Gyllene Tider-show in the front row, but I did and it was unique & awesome!!!”
Chrissie Roehrs: ”This was one of the best summers I had for a longer time, also because the atmosphere among us fans was so great. My memories of this summer will be filled with sunshine, fun, friendship, a special rosé wine and 5 great concerts. Tack för att ni finns!”
Claudia Bastian: ”Gyllene Sommaren – I will forever remember this magical time for the wonderful sunshine, blue sky, nice people waiting in line happily displaying a number written on their hand (a system boldly tried by the best security guy and his team – and it worked out!!! So their presence will be demanded for any future project no matter when and where on this planet), exploring a bit more one of the nicest countries in the world made perfect by seeing five Golden Boys playing ten out-of-the-world gigs with songs that have become “summer” in the soundtrack of my life. TACK SÅ MYCKET for an unbelievable summer (once again) and let’s do the hattrick: play Ullevi three times in your lifetime!!!”
Gaby Hildebrandt: ”What a summer! Awesome 7 front row shows are over, I never jumped as hard as this year! Thanx GT for many great party nights, time for little chats, meeting beloved friends from all over the world again, lots of wine and more than a week of lost voice afterwards! Wanna do it again!!! NOW!”
Ivan Kelava: ”Ingen sommar utan Gessle!!! You already made me happy with this EXCELLENT new album! And now with this fantastic tour! Thanks for your music and those great great gigs! Cheers to you!”
Marta Nowicka: ”It was my first GT-concert and my first time in Stockholm. It was just great!!! I love when my dreams come true.”
Nina Wolfframm: ”As we did not have a single drop of rain at the shows I can definitely say: ni sprider solsken överallt! Thanks for the summer of my life!”
Patricia Bienko: ”Enjoying some GT-concerts in beautiful Sweden was (once again) a mind-blowing experience. Thanks for some unforgettable moments and please don’t ever stop!!!”
Sandra Knospe: ”Who would have thought that 5 1/2 weeks of summer vacation and touring can go by that fast? But time is running when you have so much fun. This was without a doubt the most wonderful summer I have ever had. Great concerts, great fun with friends and Sweden showed its best side regarding the weather, too. Truly a Gyllene Sommar. Thanks to Micke, Anders, Göran, MP and Per for 19 fantastic concerts and thanks to all others (friends and fans, Christoffer, Sven L., Linnea & band, the crew, Show Security Sweden and all other companies involved) who turned this summer into an everlasting great adventure. I could do that for the rest of my life, so please never stop touring once in a while!!!”
Tanja Overrath: ”Thanks for 3 wonderful concerts! Keep on rocking, för det är INTE dags att tänka på refrängen!”
Hungary
Ági Reichardt: ”This tour was the best ever experience in my life. Being the part of the front row in Ullevi and singing “När alla vännerna gått hem” with Marie Fredriksson was unforgettable. So thank you GT!”
Gyöngyvér Simon: ”This summer for me was briefly the best summer with the best music by the best band with the best fans. Tack så mycket #gtsommar!”
Patrícia Peres (RXB Team): ”I’ve been waiting for 19 years to see Gyllene Tider live and it was all worth it, as I had the July of my life with 7 incredibly fantastic, magical & unforgettable gigs! Per Håkan, Harplinge Ringo, DJ Fritzon, Anders och MP, det är NI som får jorden att gå runt! Glöm inte att det är inte dags att tänka på refrängen!”
Italy
Valeria Felluca: ”Being a Roxette fan, I was really curious to see Per on stage with his band Gyllene Tider, in a different environment, in his country and singing in his language, so basically in his world. Well, I was not disappointed at all by these guys! Super concerts in Göteborg and Malmö, great energy and high level performances! Then, thanks to GT, I spent a really special birthday in Göteborg on July 12th. Ullevi stadium turned into a magic place and Marie’s presence made that night perfect, oh what a gift! So thankful for those moments.”
Lithuania
Auryte Cekuolyte: ”Per, Micke, Anders, MP och Göran, thank you for making this July hotter for me, thank you for the memories which will make autumn and winter a lot easier to overcome!”
Peru
Diana Morales: ”Gyllene Tider, thanks for making me feel so special. I will miss you so much. See you later!”
Kemerly Grau: ”I have been waiting to attend my first GT concert for 18 years!!! Halmstad gig was out of this world. Great energy and passion on the stage! You are so very kind and reachable to the fans and it meant a lot! Peru loves you!”
Poland
Basia Konarzewska: ”I expected a cool summer with friends and some good music in Sweden, but all the things happening in “Juni, Juli, Augusti” were just unbelievable. Kick off (secret) start in Leif’s Lounge, 7 great gigs and the the final show as the cherry on the top of the GT cake. Hope we don’t have to wait for the next tour till the next decade!”
Monika Nowak: ”I attended 2 great gigs. It was the first time I saw GT live and now I have unforgettable memories for the rest of my life. That was a great experience.”
Patrycja Gajewska: ”Visual effects on the screens charmed me. I think it was an excellent idea and fantastically completed the show. Combined with the energy flow from the stage I got a huge dose of positive emotions that are still with me.”
Tomasz Wysocki (RXB Team): ”Sweden is a very important part of my Polish life and it couldn’t be different with the current GT tour. Amazing experience, though only-golden-hits-concert is not something I’m a big fan of (more pearls, please). Thanks guys for making my summer even brighter, lighter and smarter. Don’t let me wait for the new tour next 9 years!!!”
Spain
Álex Usero: ”The Gyllene Tider concerts really make you feel sommar energy. Thanks to the band, security people and queue organizers… and last but not least: my magic international front-row new and old friends. You made it!”
Estanislao: ”Gigs full of energy, the band having as much fun as we do, sunny weather, sharing all this with old and new friends, best organization ever at the entrances, etc. What else can we wish for? Just one thing: do not make us wait that long for the next GT tour! Thanks guys for an amazing summer!”
Judith S (RXB Team; living in Austria): ”I’m glad that I had the chance to see this great band live once again. Gyllene Tider rocked big time! And it’s been great to meet new and old friends, we’ll share the laughs and happy memories forever. Thank you for the nananas, riffs, beats and Farfisa.”
Mariana Gumuzio: ”I don’t know how to describe this tour, but if there’s something that I haven’t been able to lose since my last concert in Ö-vik is the big smile on my face. So if I have to say something about this tour it’s the smiles, fun and great moments that we did all share together during the queues, shows and doing tourism around Sweden. It’s been 7 incredible shows that I won’t ever forget.”
Ricardo Acosta Hernandez: ”A very kind Swedish old lady told me yesterday: “Their songs bring me back to my youth summer days, and still today the parents are showing GT’s music to their children, so now the old and new generations have come together in the concerts, and this tradition keeps growing on!” It was a pleasure for me to join and be a little part of this beautiful feeling that Gyllene Tider means in Sweden, and hope you don’t mind if I proudly say that this summer, we the international front row became Swedes! Lots of love!”
Rosa Planas Bonet: ”This tour will always be in my heart because it was the very first time we the international fans got along each other with no fighting. The whole tour had a very good atmosphere.”
Tamara Montes: ”Enjoyed a fantastic evening at the Stockholm gig, singing along all these familiar tunes. Not only the show made my day, but also meeting up again with my international crazy bunch that I hadn’t seen since the Neverending Tour. I thank there was no need to run because we are not 20 anymore!!! Next goal: make Per to wear one of our wigs.”
Sweden
Angelica Stålnacke: ”This tour means a lot to me. I was only 12 years when I was with my mom at GT25. So finally I got to experience this tour, like the fan I am to Per. No voice, pain in the body, and with tears in my eyes. Everything’s worth for Per, thank you for everything you give us. I love you!”
Anja Hoppe: ”Att jag bor i Sverige och överhuvudtaget pratar svenska idag är till stor del tack vare er musik som jag (16 och Roxettefan som jag var) upptäckte i samband med comebacken 1995 och älskade från första början. 1996 var jag på semester i Sverige med familjen, men kunde inte gå på den enda logistiskt möjliga konserten då (Malmö) eftersom den var slutsåld. Men precis som 2004 fick jag möjligheten att se er i bl.a. Malmö den här gången, uppleva den underbara musiken, spelglädjen, festen tillsammans med många underbara människor som jag inte heller hade lärt känna om Roxette eller Gyllene Tider inte hade funnits – TACK!”
Åsa Florholm: ”Det var som vanligt underbart att se er. Hoppas att det blir fler turnéer! Tack!”
Christel Johansson: ”Jag har långt ifrån sett alla konserter på denna turnén, men de tre jag har upplevt från första raden har alla varit magiska på sina sätt. Micke Syds Local Fanclub tackar särskilt för trumpinnen som numera har en hedersplats i bokhyllan. Tack, och på återseende!!!”
Eliza Roszkowska Öberg: ”Kära Gyllene Tider, jag vill tacka er för att ni finns och ger oss så mycket glädje och energi! Varje konsert (14 under denna sommar för min del) har varit en underbar upplevelse. A big “Thank you!” to all of you that I could share this summer with, who danced, clapped hands and sang along and made the concerts even better!”
Erik Johansson: ”Gyllene Tider 2013 måste vara det tajtaste svenska bandet genom tiderna. Den energi och spelglädje som bandet utstrålar tar sig rakt in i hjärtat och man lämnas med ett leende av hur löjligt fenomenalt det är.”
Liv Lindgren: ”Jag har svårt att med ord beskriva hur det känns att få uppleva mitt livs stora idoler leverera en otroligt fantastisk och underbar turné. Känslostormar av lycka, glädje och eufori lämnar mig rörd och berörd. GT stort tack för den bästa sommaren i mitt liv!”
Switzerland
Cathérine Frei: ”Some time ago, a wise fan stated on “Roxette Official” that Roxette is tattooed in her heart. That’s exactly how I feel about my Swedish summer 2013. All the indescribably beautiful moments at and also alongside the concerts are a fixed part of me now and will be so for the rest of my life.”
Christine Kuehne: ”2013 has been quite an eventful year so far, therefore the GT-tour was a welcomed distraction. And sure enough, the energy of the band, as well as the simple, fun songs made me see the positive aspects of life again. Winning the meet & greet in Stockholm was just the icing on the cake.”
Karin Rubischung: ”Beautiful Stockholm… an amazing and awesome Gyllene Tider concert with Per at his best… and sharing those unforgettable moments with dear friends… I will keep these wonderful moments in my heart forever!”
UK
Mandy Sedgwick: ”There are two things that will be forever etched into my memory about the summer of 2013… Firstly a Brit finally won Wimbledon!!! And secondly the two amazing GT gigs I was lucky enough to experience at both Leifs Lounge and the Tele2 Arena. The band’s performance and energy on stage at both gigs was like nothing I’d ever seen or felt before, you absolutely blew me away. A huge THANK YOU for leaving with me such awesome everlasting memories guys! ”
Uruguay
Cristina Ferreira: ”Thanx for all the joy, smiles and good vibes you gave us from the stage. I will treasure them forever, you are the best.”
M Jo Majo: ”I felt 13 again jumping and screaming ‘in the crowd in the front row’. Thanx for a wonderful, unforgettable experience.”
USA
John Ashfield: ”Seeing Gyllene Tider in Sweden was one of the most memorable concert experiences I’ve ever had. After watching DVDs and listening to the records, it was so great to hear that stuff played live! Meeting the band, well, that was unexpected and a blast. In fact I’ve never met a band/act that had such a nice and thoughtful crew/team and other fans. People from the record label, and the management were all so cool, the swedish fans and the international fans, all so awesome.”
Thanx for your cooperation and for being so fast, guys and girls! See you next time!
*260 000 fans from the above 18 countries + Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Netherlands, Finland, Bulgaria, Mexico
