Pula - Croatia - 2025 June 28th
A NONE TYPICLE CONCERT REVIEW
I arrived a couple of days before the actual concert. I was thinking that since I´m here, why not make a small holiday out of it. So I did. On the first day after my arrival I inspected the Arena, a 2,000 years old ´colosseum´ from the time of the Romanian Empire. The frame work for the stage and the chairs were already there, due to the fact Tom Jones had performed there two days before. They are actually having concerts there quiet often, as I was told.
During my visit I managed to take some pictures of the venue and place them here on iMikeidea JEAN-MICHEL JARRE Club Denmark. I also talked to some of the local crew, trying to get as much as possible information regarding the concert. I even managed to get on stage and take some pictures.
So the next day I invited fans who were already in Pula to meet to enjoy a drink of two and talk endlessly about our hero with equally minded persons. In the end only Małgorzata Vegafour turned up but nevertheless we had a great afternoon. We enjoined dinner and explored the arena and its surrounding. While being inside the arena we met with Colin Neal. He happened to be sitting just a few seats from Malgorzata. We agreed on meeting each other at the concert next evening.
Nice view on the stage!
On the stage watching the imagionary audience
A few workers from the local crew
Colin and I talking in the middle of the arena.
The next morning, shortly after my breakfast, I encountered a man wearing a JMJ t-shirt from this tour. I tried to get his attention by saying ´hey, Jean-Michel Jarre´, I Always like to meet fellow Jarre-fans and have a chat, but he didn´t hear me. Luckily his wife did, and I signed her to tap on her hubbies shoulder in order to get his attention while I was walking towards them. Luckily they stop and he turned to me wearing sunglasses. I asked him if he was here for the concert, which he confirmed. I asked him where he was from. France Paris, was his answer. So I asked what other shows he was at and he replied ´all of them!´ And was like wow. And then his wife casually mentioned that he was actually working at the concert! So I had another good look at my new French ´friend´ and only just then I recognised him: "Ah, you´re Patrick!" Patrick Pelamourgues! I shook his hand and told him that it was nice to meet him. We had a short talk and then I gave him and his wife the space to go to their breakfast.
At lunchtime later that day, I saw another younger guy wearing a JMJ t-shirt from this tour. I was, of course, curious and started a conversation with him. As it turned out he was from Belgium so I was able to speak to him in both our native tongues. He too was working at the concert as a technician for the JMJ crew. As it turned out the whole technical JMJ crew was staying in my hotel! What are the odds!?
Malgorzata and me posing in front of one of the scarce posters nearby the Pul Arena
Malgorzata and I had agreed on meeting each other at 16h30 at the terras of caffe/bar Le Resistance, which had a perfect view on the stage, there was only 1,5m wide opening in the fence and I found a seat on the terras exactly at that point. Here is where local guy
Mario Rosanda Ros joined us. And we had an excellent view on the first part on the soundcheck, watching Patrick and JMJ onstage doing their thing. Halfway through he soundcheck we decided to go down to the main entrance of the arena, in the hope to catch a glimpse or maybe more from JMJ while leaving the venue. Especially Malgorzata was hoping of more, she as desperately needed another picture with JMJ for her already large collection of pictures with JMJ. When we reached JMJs Mercedes Mario recognised a female friend from his neighbourhood, she turned out to be the drive of JMJs Mercedes. Together with a local photographer, previous colleague of (again) Mario, we waited a full hour right next to the car. When JMJ finally arrived he went straight into the car with Fiona explaining it was just too hot and JMJ was very tired because of the heat. And off they went. Malgorzata was devastated.
JMJ trying to escape the heat just after finishing the soundcheck
Shortly after we ran into Colin and Zita Pita. We decided to go our own way at that point, everybody wanted to do something else before the show and we agreed on meeting each other at 20h30 at the front seats. I went to grab myself a bite to eat and buy a tour t-shirt before the whole crowd would be in line for the merchandising stand. I had heard that in Budapest or Poland the line for the merchandising was incredibly long.
We all met at 20h30, we had a small chat. We also met Christophe from Poland and then everybody went to his personal seat, getting ready for the concert. Now about the concert I can tell you everything about it, but it will be quiet the same as all the others reviews, and might spoil it for those who want to be surprised. All I can add is that it was a great show, I love the setlist which spans his entire career and hasn´t have one dull moment. All though the laser harp is missing this tour for the first time since it was introduced, to my own surprise I have to honestly confess: I didn´t miss it. The crowd was very much alive and although we were all seated, within minutes people started to get out of their seats and started dancing. At almost the end of the concert JMJ asked if we wanted more and the people scream loud they wanted, with JMJ noticing Colin and asked, to Colins own surprise, `are you okay Colin?´ and Rendez-Vous 4 was started. As far I was able to check no songs were left out or were added to the current setlist.
Once the whole show was done we all met in front of the stage and just shared our experiences and enthusiasm. I got to say hello to my two new ´friends´ from the crew while they were working onstage. We also managed shoot the Happy Birthday video and then left the venue. Outside we found ourselves nearby JMJs Mercedes again, along with many other fans. JMJ decided to take the time to meet the people, sign autographs and have pictures taken. This was Malgorzata´s moment! She yelled at Fiona, who recognised her and shouted ´Hello Malgorzata, how great to see you´ and she made sure Malgorzata to the opportunity to take her picture with JMJ. I managed to have a small chat with Fiona about my JMJ project from last year on which she promised to reply on later.
Malgorzata´s latest picture with JMJ!
Mario continued the evening with his wife and children, who were also at the concert. We had lost Colin and Zita in the crowd. And Christophe, Malgorzata and I ended up on some terras, celebrating the successful evening with a well-deserved Croation beer.
Next morning I encountered Patrick at breakfast, we had a quick chat. Finished my breakfast and I pursued the taxi driver to drive by JMJs hotel before bringing me to the Pula airport. We arrived at the hotel, and as I expected no sign of JMJ, Fiona or his car. So I continued my journey to the airport, to head back home, in order to get ready for Brussels next Tuesday.
The hotel JMJ stayed in, sadley enough I couldn´t stay longer, I had to catch my flight back home...
Who do I see at the Fan-Meeting in Brussels?
What I can say is it's been very hot in Brussels today, 35 degs and tomorrow is due to be hotter still 
What I can say is it's been very hot in Brussels today, 35 degs and tomorrow is due to be hotter still
years before JMJ was born.
