Euro blog 2 - A Journey Through Time
August 2022

Florence show
Photo © Jo Hackett

Rome show
Photo © Stefano Tocco

The moment we descended with the beautiful Italian landscape beneath us, we felt that wonderful excitement Italy always gives. The rows of tall poplar trees, canopies of pines, rustic farmsteads and rolling hills beckoned. We were so glad to be back after all this time...

Historic Florence welcomed us with open arms as our lovely Italian team took us out for a fantastic meal. The following day we played our first show to an amazingly appreciative crowd in the gorgeous Piazza Della Santissima Annunziata, close to the famous Duomo.

Our next stop, Udine was equally atmospheric, playing in the grounds of an old castle with a fantastic view of the majestic Alps. We continued to feel that sensation of wonder as we traveled south to the picturesque old town of Loreto, with its beautiful cathedral, mysteriously dedicated to the 'Black Madonna'. This was the base for our next gig, set within the walls of an old fort in Porto Recanati. The band played yet another blinder to a fabulous crowd beneath those battlements.

Our journey continued on through those amazing tree covered mountains with Medieval hilltop towns clinging to rocky outcrops in the heart of Italy, until we reached Terni. Here we played in an Ancient Roman amphitheatre, once the arena for lions and gladiators, but now the stage for us... once again receiving the most fantastic response. The music and cries of joy echoing through those ruined archways must have awoken the ghosts of that place...

Even the ultra modern space age Auditorium Parco Della Musica venue in Rome was built around the site of an Ancient Roman villa. In that place we had an audience of more than 3,500, all expressing their total appreciation of every note... It was a heart-stopping experience! We were now joined by our special friend Vania Santi, who also accompanied us to Sicily...

What a fantastic venue there in the exquisite town of Taormina... A majestic ruined theatre originally built by the Ancient Greeks and extended by the Romans. The sun set behind those massive walls, archways and columns with the backdrop of the huge smoking volcano, Etna. This has to be one of the most spectacular venues in the world! We felt an incredible quickening of the spirit as we took to the stage, and the band played a totally magical show with a fabulously explosive response from everyone there...

Thank you Italy for a totally inspirational week, playing through time in the most incredible places imaginable to the most wonderful crowds! My special thanks to Sergio Fornasari, Massimo Sala, Vania Santi, Claudio Gentili, Stefania Corini, Manuel Cortellesi, Alessandra Rocco, John Giddings, the promotors and everyone who made this unforgettable tour possible.

Malta coming up next...