The show's headliner, Roger Hodgson, the former front man for Supertramp, warmed up the crowd with that band's hits from the 1970s and 1980s. He drew on hits like "Dreamer," "It's Raining Again" and "Take the Long Way Home" to win over appreciative fans.
People danced and sang along with both Mitchell and Hodgson as they romped their way through songs they made popular decades ago.
"A lot of us know his songs word for word," said Bonnie Verge, a front-row Supertramp fan.
"It's great here. This is a very nice part of the world here," Hodgson told the Niagara crowd.
MANNHEIM – 2008 (with orchestra) Click here to view photos and more info about the show.
Take the Long Way Home
Give A Little Bit
Hide In Your Shell
Easy Does It (Solo)
Sister Moonshine (Solo)
Breakfast In America
Along Came Mary (Solo)
Logical Song
Lord Is It Mine
Child of Vision (Solo)
Two Of Us
Don’t leave me now
Dreamer
Fools Overture
School
It’s Raining Again
Give A Little Bit
Posted 10/14/08
A very warm, enthusiastic audience welcomed Roger in Moscow. They showed a great appreciation for all his songs, including his solo songs like Lovers in the Wind and Along Came Mary. In fact, these songs were a highlight of the concert for the Muscovites. It was a fun but challenging show because our sound engineer was not allowed into Russia due to a technicality with his passport. Despite all our efforts to get him in, he spent the night in the airport and was shipped back to Athens in the morning. So we had to use the house sound engineer, who luckily did speak some English. For those of you who are musicians, you will understand how challenging it would be to have to work with a complete stranger. But Roger, being the versatile professional and amazing musician that he is, pulled it off in grand style. In no time he had the Russians on their feet at the front of the stage.
One of the press came back to interview Roger after the concert and thanked him for the lightness that he brought to everyone and asked him how he did that.
Those of you who have been to Roger's concerts know what he meant, and those of you who have been to Russia know what a compliment that truly is.
Moscow October 13, 2008 Set List
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Lovers in the wind
Hide in your shell
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had Everything Planned
Breakfast in America
Along came Mary
The Logical Song
The More I look
Child Of Vision
If Everyone Was listening
Even in the Quietest Moments
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
******
School
Two of us
Give A Little Bit
Posted 10/12/08
Roger was noticeably touched by how respectful and warm the audience was last night. Greece is a place that Roger had visited once before, yet this was his first performance there and by the reception he received he will definitely be back. The city is beautiful and thriving and the people here have huge hearts and you can feel their love for life. Since the Olympics were here, the world has woken up to Greece and the vast history and rich culture and beauty.
Athens 2008 Set List
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Lovers in the wind
Hide in your shell
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had Everything Planned
Breakfast in America
Along came Mary
The Logical Song
The More I look
Child Of Vision
Even in the Quietest Moments
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
******
School
It's Raining Again
Posted 09/14/08
Paris Band Set List September 13, 2008
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
In Jeopardy
Hide in your shell
The More I Look
Easy does it - solo
Sister Moonshine
Breakfast
Logical Song
Child of Vision
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
Fool's Overture
--------------------------
School
It's Raining Again
WOW what a big sound tonight in Paris. Roger headlined the La Fete de L'Humanite festival in Paris. It is the biggest festival in all of France - Roger and his band performed for a massive crowd (80,000-plus people).
It reminded me of the festivals I went to as a kid. We arrived for an early 11 a.m. sound check only to see people coming with their blankets to stake out their spot for the day. The audience was on a grassy area shaped like a bowl so people could sit on the hillside and see everything that was going on, and the sound was fantastic.
Roger finished the night off with "It's Raining Again" and the umbrellas went up all over the audience. Three generations came to hear the classic songs they love and dance and sing along, and Roger's endearing French was received with open hearts.
The big news of the night - Roger announced from stage that he will return on March 24th, 2009 for one concert only at the Olympia in Paris.
Oo la la...
Posted 09/06/08
BRASILIA SEPT 4
As a special treat in honor of his tour in Brazil, Roger has put together a band. Roger and his newly-formed band performed their first gig together in Brasilia and received the warmest Brazilian welcome. After Roger's 1998 tour of South America, he had promised his fans that he would return soon. I know it won't be another 10 years before he comes back since he is feeling so touched by the passion of the people in Brazil. And for those who are at the shows, you have to love when he speaks Portuguese with an English accent!
VIVO RIO!!!
Well, Roger rocked Rio tonight! He played 2 hours and to everyone's great joy, he closed his set with FOOL'S OVERTURE. Fans have been waiting a long time for him to perform Fool's live again and no one was disappointed! This really capped off the special night here in Brazil.
BAND SET LIST 09/05/08
(Click photo to enlarge)
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
In Jeopardy
Hide in your shell
Lovers in the wind
Soapbox Opera
You make me love you
Easy does it - solo
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had everything planned
Breakfast
Along came Mary
Logical
The More I Look
Child of Vision
Lord is it mine - solo
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
Fool’s Overture
--------------------------
School
It's Raining Again
Posted 08/25/08
WOW what a night!
Tonight was the second night of the 17-day Zeltfestival in Bochum. Roger's sold-out show had the fans on their feet cheering him on. Roger was clearly very relaxed and feeling right at home in German. The audience was so warm, he commented that he wanted to take them with him on his tour.
And on the closing song of his set, "It's Raining Again," 7 children walked on stage to sing, "It's Raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring, he went to bed and he bumped his head and he couldn't get up in the morning." The audience was clearly moved by the children and gave them a big applause. Tonight was a memorable night that they will cherish....
Here's what Sandra and Ralf of Neuss, Germany had to say:
Dear Roger,
Thank you very much for the wonderful concert at the "Zeltfestival" at Bochum. As you told us, we even felt your songs as a journey back to the times where we were growing up to become adults. Best regards to you and your great musician Aaron!
Click photos to view larger size
Posted 08/24/08
Well, Roger's back on tour after a brief 3-week trip back home.
It started off with a BIG welcome back to Germany - over 20,000 people turned up at the Rock for Nature Festival in Schwabish Hall, sponsored by the coalition of bio farmers. This concert was more than just about the music - Roger had a chance to express himself and share some of his personal beliefs and philosophies on organic food and he also shared some words encouraging people to live from their hearts and love and care more for each other and the planet.
As he played his first note, the sheets of rain poured down from the sky and the umbrellas went up. Roger didn't miss a beat as the crew moved his equipment further and further back on the stage, as the rain was blowing in despite the cover. Spontaneously, he chose "It's Raining Again" for his third song and voila - it stopped!
Joe Cocker performed tonight also and we were all happy to see his saxophonist, Norbert Fimpel, again (a saxophonist Roger toured with in South America and you can see him on Roger's DVD performing "Fool's Overture" in the bonus section.)
Well, tomorrow we're off to Bochum. It should be a very special show with a surprise or two!
Posted 08/01/08
Gijon, Spain 2008 Setlist
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Hide in your shell
Lovers in the wind
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had Everything Planned
Breakfast in America
Along came Mary
The Logical Song
The More I look
Child Of Vision
Lord is it mine
The Awakening
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
It's Raining Again
School
Two of Us
( Give a little bit )
Posted 07/25/08
San Feliu, Spain July 24, 2008 Setlist
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Hide in your shell
Lovers in the wind
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had Everything Planned
Breakfast in America
Along came Mary
The Logical Song
The More I look
Awakening
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
It's Raining Again
******
School
Two of us
Give a little bit
Posted 07/24/08
It was a magical night in Vigo Spain with a full amphitheater (7000 to 8000 people). The crowd was very passionate and many were on their feet from the start. They loved it much when Roger said “Good evening” to them in the local Galician language, and he spoke Spanish during the concert. This venue had a great PA and Roger’s voice, sounding better than ever, soared across the whole park. As a special treat, Roger was joined by Carlos Nunez and his brother, Jorge, to play "The Moon Says Hello" (which was co-written by Roger, Carlos and Jorge 8 years ago) and "Time Waits for No One" (written by Roger). These songs brought a mystical energy to the evening and were deeply appreciated by everyone there. The city council members came backstage to express their gratitude after the show. The local promoter said it’s the best show there in the 8 years he has been there. Many people had tears in their eyes. At the end of the concert Roger gave a teddy bear, which had been given to him as a gift earlier in the tour, to a little girl near the front of the stage. It was a touching moment in an evening that was full heart and emotion and of course, wonderful music.
Posted 07/24/08"
Berlin, Germany July 22, 2008 Setlist
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Hide in your shell
Lovers in the wind
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had Everything Planned
The Logical Song
Along came Mary
Breakfast in America
The More I look
Awakening
Don't leave me now
Child Of Vision
Dreamer
You make me Love You
It's Raining Again
******
School
Two of us
Give a little bit
Posted 07/18/08
Roger Hodgson Cordoba, Spain 2008 Setlist
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Hide in your shell
Lovers in the wind
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had everything planned
The Logical Song
Along came Mary
Breakfast in America
The More I look
Child Of Vision
Lord is it mine
Even in the Quietest Moments
Awakening
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
It's Raining Again
******
School
Two of Us
Give a little bit
Posted 07/16/08
Wow - there was dancing and singing in the streets of Gaia tonight!!
Gaia, Portugal 2008 Setlist
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Lovers in the wind
Hide in your shell
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
The Logical Song
Along came Mary
Breakfast in America
The More I look
Know who you are
Child Of Vision
Lord is it mine
Awakening
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
It's Raining Again
******
School
Two of Us
Give a little bit
Posted 07/10/08
CARCASSONE 07/09/08
Roger Hodgson conquered France last night in the magical city of Carcassonne. The venue was full of fans coming to welcome him back to France and sing along with the minstrel.
After the concert, the Mayor of the town honored Roger and presented him with a special commemorative medal of the city. He thanked Roger for the wonderful night and spoke how the beauty of Roger's songs light up his face and take him back into the past of his youth. He said that everyone was very happy with emotion and nostalgia and the songs remind him of so many good things. The evening was magical for the mayor and he felt Roger was not alone on stage - but it was like a group. He expressed to Roger that Roger is a part of his life.
There were many who shared this sentiment as a caravan of excited contest winners from the French website were greeted by Roger after his performance for a handshake and photo.
The website had taken a poll of which songs they most wanted to hear and Roger did not disappoint them, performing Awakening, The More I Look, and Rosie had Everything Planned from their wish list.
Posted 07/09/08
OFFENBURG 7/8/2008
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Lovers in the wind
Hide in your shell
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had Everything Planned
Oh Brother
Along came Mary
The Logical Song
INTERMISSION
The Meaning
Breakfast in America
The More I look
Child Of Vision
Lord is it mine
The Awakening
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
It's Raining Again
******
School
Two of Us
Give a little bit
Posted 07/08/08
A special night for fans as Roger sang the beautiful "Know Who You Are," from the album Famous Last Words, for his fans in Pozuelo.
Setlist
Take the long way home
Give a little bit
Lovers in the wind
Hide in your shell
Easy does it
Sister Moonshine
Rosie had Everything Planned
Breakfast in America
Along came Mary
The Logical Song
The More I look
Child Of Vision
Only Because of You / Lord is it mine
Know who you are
Don't leave me now
Dreamer
It's Raining Again
******
School
Two of Us
Give a little bit
KNOW WHO YOU ARE
Know who you are - there’s a world wants to know you
Know where to go - there’s a world wants to touch you
Feel all you can - let your heart speak and guide you
Don’t be afraid of the love deep inside you
Bring it out for everyone
When you smile you can see the sun
Bring it out for all to hear
Because you’ve so much to give
And there’s so much to know
But if you wait for your moment
Well it may never show
Know who you are - there’s a new song inside you
Weep if you can - let the tears fall behind you
Bring it out for everyone
When you smile we can see the sun
Bring it out for all to hear
Because you’ve so much to say
And you’ve so much to do
And everyone’s waiting
Yes it’s all up to you
Know who you are - there’s a world deep inside you
Trust if you can - there’s a friend here to guide you.....
Posted 07/04/08
ESTIVAL 2008
Around 6.000 people filled the city square despite the severe storm advisory issued by the National Weather Bureau, which had been in effect all day. Periodic downpouring of rain during Roger's concert did not dampen the spirits of all who were there. This show was broadcast live on television and radio and hosted many long-time as well as new fans from Switzerland and Italy. Roger returned for three encores, giving a little bit more to his fans who had long awaited his visit and did not want him to leave despite the fact that it was "raining again."
