After yesterday’s snow chaos and the cancelled concert in the Sauerland, this afternoon the sun is shining over the snowy landscape. Manageable conditions for the drive to Isernhagen near Hanover. The journey is challenging for our Tobi, who is coming by train from Freiburg im Breisgau. Countless train cancellations mean he arrives at the venue around 7 pm. Our soundcheck is already done by then. Now we’re ready to go – our season opener.
This is our 38th time at the Bluesgarage. That makes it our personal record holder. Since 2007 we have been coming here, sometimes several times a year, and we always look forward to it.
Alongside the joy of hoping for a wonderful concert year 2026, we also have to say goodbye – but only temporarily – to our roadie Yannis, for whom today is his last working day with us. Yannis has been working as our roadie since August 2023, handling setup and teardown, looking after the band in all sorts of matters before, during and after the concert. He is the guardian angel of the sTRATS family. For him today is, if we have counted correctly, his 115th sTRATS concert.
Dear Yannis: Many heartfelt thanks for your tremendous commitment, your help and support, and especially your loveable way. We will miss you and look forward to seeing you again! All the best for the coming 18 months abroad.
And as if the farewell weren’t enough, Yannis leaves during the concert because his wife in Bremerhaven has gone into labour. We are keeping all fingers crossed. There is no news yet as this tour report is being written.
From the next concert onwards, Steven Teichert will be joining us as our new roadie. We look forward to working with him!