Dierks Bentley Blogs On Playing French Festival
Hey everyone, Sorry it's been a couple days since our European tour ended. Between the jet lag and immediately playing three U.S. dates, including Lollapalooza, I have been just trying to recover and regroup! Let me recap the France show and the end of our trip ...
We flew from Norway to France and as I was saying in the previous blog, it was a long travel day ... Starting in Seljord, traveling to Oslo, then to Lyon, France (via Munich, Germany), then a drive to Craponne, France. Getting to the festival grounds, though, really made everything all right. A beautiful location for a festival, up in the hills and overlooking some amazing landscape. Again, plenty of cowboy hats and jeans and Western style of clothing. Kind of feels like you are playing a festival somewhere in the mountains of California ... until people start talking! It was back to using the most basic words of communication like "hello" (bonjour) and "thank you" (merci).
Everyone at the festival, though, was easygoing and helpful. It was apparent right away that they had been doing the show for a while and that it was going to be a great night. We did our soundcheck and I did a couple of radio interviews as well as a press conference. I took some video footage of that, as it was my first time doing one with an interpreter. They'd ask her a question, she'd ask me, I'd tell her and she'd tell the press folks. Not sure what all gets lost in that process! Probably a lot. But she was a big help.
I kept trying to find her, especially when I had the bright idea that I'd write some French words down on paper so I could speak to the crowd that night. I had her help me with "I know we don't speak the same language, but we all love the same kind of music ... country music!" When I went to say it that night, I can't imagine how mangled it sounded. The audience cheered though and so I think I at least got the sentiment across. I also said, "This next song is about beer," when I introduced "Domestic Light and Cold" ... and that also got a big response! I think they said there were about 10,000-15,000 people there. We had a blast playing. It's hard not to be thinking the whole time, "Wow, we are playing a show in France right now" the whole time you are up there ... It's a long way from Lower Broadway.
After the show, we hung out for a pretty long while. I signed autographs until about 1:15 and then spent some time with the other bands, including the Honky Tonk Farmers. They put on a great show and we had a blast afterwards. They are big on homemade wine and fondue. I found it to be a pretty good combination myself! I crashed hard that night and was really looking forward to the next three days of just getting to be a regular tourist.
We spent the first day off in Le Puy, an amazing old town with a statue of the Virgin Mary sitting high on a peak over looking it. Also a church built in 500 A.D. on another peak ... I took a bunch of pics which I'll post on dierks.com next week. In looking at my pictures from the trip, most are of old churches and buildings and stuff that kind of blows your mind, as it's really old. You don't have to work very hard to imagine medieval times, as a lot of the stone structures from this time period are still around.
After a day there, we headed to Paris on the bullet train, where we spent a day and a half. We probably walked 5 miles a day over there, just taking it all in. Great coffee, good wine, lots of cheese and bread and lots to see and think about. One of the first things we all talked about when we regrouped and started heading towards the airport is how crazy expensive it is. A pint of beer was about 15 dollars. Gas is about 8 bucks a gallon. With the dollar being as weak as it is, and with stuff just costing more over there anyway in general, no one really came home with too many souvenirs! But lots of great pictures and memories.
It's hard to describe the feeling of seeing the USA from the air when you're coming back from another country. It just feels like home I guess, which is the best feeling in the world. And it makes the whole country, not just individual states or cities or towns, feel like your hometown. We landed at Chicago, got on the bus and ... headed to Columbus, Ohio, for a show! What did you think? That we would be taking some time off?! Are you crazy?!
So that's it ... Hope I've been able to share some insights about the tour and also about the trip. We were lucky to get a chance to do it and we look forward to going back to Ireland, and England and Norway and France ... and to some new places as well. Anywhere people want to hear our kind of country music.
God bless,
d
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Kristin Weir says:
Dierks you are incredible! Thanks for the insight on visiting other countries. I’ve never been overseas, but sounds like you and the band really enjoyed yourselves. Take care! Kristin in NM
alanice says:
That was a long wait. I already was in a fear we never get to read your impressions of your stay in france.
I’ve been there and I really enjoyed your show and of course meeting you backstage. I sure miss in your blog the picture of you, my friend andrea and me, you took in the backstage area.
I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in europe and hope you’ll come back for further gigs asap.
I took some videos
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v355/alanice/craponne%202008%20videos/
and so I even catched little part of your french speaking in “Domestic”. If I’m right with my memories a lady broght you some beer after that (or maybe it was while George Ducas perfomance). So I would say you did it right with your french pronunciation.
Thanks for everything and hope to see you soon
Dörthe from Germany
Bryce says:
Hi Dierks !
Thanks so much for this blog about your european tour & especially about your show in Craponne. I was one of the 15,000 people there that night & it was one of the best concerts i’ve seen in my life.
What a crazy atmosphere ! A total blast in spite of the language. There was a really great connection between you (& your band) & us.
The very best moments of the show for me: Your introducing speech in French (a very good french ! ;-p ); “Free & Easy” … WOW ! I like so much this song; the guitar of “Trying to Stop Your Leaving”; the sweetness of “Come a Little Closer”; the atmosphere during “What was I Thinkin’”; the different covers of legendary country singers & many more very good moments …
I really appreciated your kindness after the show at the stand of autographs … More of an hour (it was my 6th festival in Craponne & I never saw that) but you stayed until the last person. Not all the big stars like you would have done that. It shows that you are not only a great artist but also a great man (Thanks !).
I am really happy that you have enjoyed your stay in Craponne & in France, that you have appreciated our monuments, liked our food & wines. One of My dreams is to discover your beautiful country … maybe one day when i would have enough money to do this.
Thanks a lot again for this wonderful & unforgettable night & I hope you will come back to see us soon.
Bryce, a big french fan.
(sorry for my poor english :-/ )
Cricket says:
I think Bryce’s English is better than mine….
alanice says:
Because my comment is awaiting for moderation (don’t know why, but I guess it’s because I posted a link to my videos) I’ll add the comment without the videolink
That was a long wait. I already was in a fear we never get to read your impressions of your stay in france.
I’ve been there and I really enjoyed your show and of course meeting you backstage. Lucky me!
I sure miss in your blog the picture of you, my friend andrea and me, you took in the backstage area.
I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in europe and hope you’ll come back for further gigs asap.
I took some videos and so I even catched little part of your french speaking in “Domestic”. If I’m right with my memories a lady broght you some beer after that (or maybe it was while George Ducas perfomance). So I would say you did it right with your french pronunciation.
Thanks for everything and hope to see you soon
Dörthe from Germany
Dian Graham says:
Hey Dierks, It is so great that you take the time to tell us about your trip overseas. Even though I wasn’t there it felt as if I was by just reading about your experiences and the places you’ve seen. I do not think there is anyone like you. You take the time out of your hectic schedule to let your fans know how spent your time overseas. Lots of hugs and kisses. You’re simply the best.
Cora says:
Welcome home Dierks & crew-glad you all got back safely. Thanks for all the great updates.
Debbie says:
Thanks so much for your blog!! Sounds like you had a great time and everyone over there enjoyed your music! Glad you got to do a little sightseeing! Thanks for taking the time to fill us in on how everything went. Hope to see you this fall at Miles & Music for Kids!
Grace says:
Hey Dierks! Wow! that sounds amazing! I’m so glad you guys had a blast over there!! And to think that you guys still had the energy to Rock Ohio! thats saying something! Thats great you made it over to europe! Welcome home dude!!
-Grace
cindy white says:
Dierks, it’s nice to hear about your tour updates and all. But once your tour is done, I hope you can learn to refresh and restore and take notice of beauty.I would hate to see you burned out. Do what you can. Know that you are appreciated..BTW,thanks for mentioning Columbus,Oh on your blog..Yeh! Your an awesome being. Hugs
Mindy says:
Hi Dierks, thank u so much for being so invovled with your fans! Also thanks for rocking the Columbus show as soon as u got home it was awesome and it was great to meet you!
:) Mindy
Fred says:
Hi Dierks,
Glad to hear about you trip and how much you enjoyed it. Happy that you are back safe and sound. Look forward to the photos. Tryto get some rest.
Tania Scott- Dierks All Access Fan Club Member says:
Hey Dierks!
Yes I did think that you were going to take some time off. It’s totally insane that you got back from France and went to perform again with no jet lag recup!! How in the world do you do that? lmao I still need to find a cure for that. hahaha I can’t wait to see your photos from overseas. It is truly amazing to see all the history there, That was my favorite part while overseas this summer not to mention visiting family too. Glad you and the guys enjoyed it.
Danny - Honky Tonk Farmers says:
Hey Dude!
We can’t find enough words to thank you to talk about the Honky Tonk Farmers in your review! This is such a big honour for us to be mentioned by YOU!!! We had also a blast hanging out with yall after the show. We hope you enjoyed the swiss chocolates as much as you liked the swiss cheese fondue and the white wine!!! We’ll do it again next time you come back for sure!!!
All the best from Switzerland…
The Farmers
serena says:
G`day Mr DB,
I stumbled upon you on my country music channel,down under(Australia)and I just cant get enough of you.My husband luckily is`nt a jealous man,and my 22mnth old son says Dierks at least 50 times a day,we really would love you to come to Australia,and play a gig in our gorgeous backyard,(I know its really far fetched),but it would be a dream come true,even coming to Australia.
You are an amazing man,with a beautiful soul.
Keep safe,Keep Well,Keep Happy…….LOVE serena
Rachel Bohne says:
To whom it may concern,
After a ten year marriage that felt more as if I had joined the circus, my guilt-ridden ex told me that I could have whatever I wanted. One of my requests was a picture with Dierks Bentley. He pulled out all the stops. Dinner at the nicest restaurant with my friends, all-access passes to Lollapalooza, I was pretty impressed! The show was amazing, especially being able to watch backstage! Afterward, in the VIP area, I was slightly disappointed that I didn’t get my picture. At one point my ex was even knocking on the tour bus and asking security how to find him! Alas, Dierks showed up to greet his fans. My slightly boisterous ex yelled, “Hey Dierks, my ex-wife would love to have a picture with you!” Among the giggles in the crowd, I nervously stood next to him with a grin from ear to ear. My ex held up the camera to snap the picture, and the battery died. How is that for irony? I still had a blast and was honored to meet an artist that puts everything he has into his work. You can see it in his eyes. Look forward to meeting him again and maybe finally getting that picture!
Sincerely,
Rachel
serena says:
Hi Dierks,
Its Serena again from Australia,I cant seem to get into your fanclub as it wont recognise my post code (your zip code)and my mobile phone number and server.
I would love to join up but it wont let me in.
What can I do?
Woowisfienolo says:
Nice template. Where can i download it?