Il y a des endroits où il faut être car il y a des moments qu’il faut vivre. Et la prestation d’Alex-Henry FOSTER est ce ceux-ci au Mid Summer Prog Festival de Maastricht. Il n’y a que la météo et les absents qui semblent l’ignorer, alors que le set qui débute sous le déluge se clôture presqu’au sec. Ou quand FOSTER se la joue Moïse en parlant aux éléments et en fendant les eaux. Et en rendant surtout les âmes plus belles.
Alex-Henry FOSTER: « I left the hotel at 5 am this morning, went back to the venue to pick up our gear before heading to the Brussels Airport, which is the usual touchdown/liftoff place every time I tour in Europe with the band. I could obviously go anywhere I want, but I love the people, the vibe, and the multicultural, easygoing atmosphere floating around. Those details, as ridiculous as they might be for most, are incredibly significant for me. It’s not a matter of what’s better or worse, kind of thing; it’s a sensation. And for me, it’s based on one very particular situation, or should I say one magnificent encounter, that took place years ago, when an elderly person offered me a book from Alfred Jarry when she saw me walking in the terminal. « I think it belongs to you, » she said. I was quite surprised. « I’m sorry, ma’am, I just arrived, it must belong to someone who looks like me. » She laughed. « There’s no one who looks quite like you, so yes, it belongs to you. I just finished reading it, so it’s yours now. That’s the spirit of real literature: passing along. » I was astonished. What a generous and kind gesture (even if I’m still wondering if the unique look part of the comment was actually positive or not! Hair… It’s everyone’s love-hate story! Well… it is, right?! It was positive, I’m sure!)«
« It’s quite crazy how impactful a simple human gesture can be, how it can deeply define the evolution of one’s own personal story. The book was the sweet touch, but the emotional tactile dimension was the uplift. And it feels like it was yesterday. It was followed by a sweet Englishman who offered me a Morrissey biography in exchange for which I gave him the Nick Cave one I had just finished… A simple gesture, but one that transcends those two rockstars’ books, as Stephen and his wife Paula became so dearly precious to me thereafter… Family. »
« Besides the highly moving moment I had on stage, sharing a profoundly emotional communion with the people as we all stood together to defy the pouring rain until our connection not only cleared the sky but turned our communal instant into an iconic one, my time with the members of The Long Shadows was significantly poignant for me, as my decision to keep the band and the team for an additional two days in Maastricht allowed us to bond in a very intimate way… I don’t remember when I last laughed that much being on the road or simply wandering around for the only sake of seeing the day being stretched into a late evening one with everyone… I’ve become used to drama and complications, so it was refreshing and quite inspiring to have fun like we abundantly had, creating vivid interconnections and desires to see each other sooner than my creative schedule would rekindle us all otherwise… which tells you just how happy I was« .
« And I will need that happiness, as I’m going back to the hospital for a very important and determining series of health exams. I’m ok with it. My body might be severely broken, but my spirit is getting freer and freer, which, for me, is the most fundamental decision there is, as it’s the foundation I’m building on. Therefore, make sure to keep on eye on my different socials platforms and newsletters, as I will announce some upcoming concerts real soon. Ain’t that amazing?! Proof that my passage in the Netherlands wasn’t a one-off, but a promise to come back. Yes, life creates life!!! [Alex-Henry FOSTER]
Ceci dit, il se la joue aussi rock star le FOSTER et ses LONG SHADOWS qui, expressément, ont traversé l’Atlantique pour cette unique performance hollandaise de 70 petites minutes seulement. Si c’est probablement cher payé de l’heure quand on prend en compte le déplacement de tout le band, du crew et du matos estampillé AHFTLS arrivés la veille en droite ligne de Montréal pour un court aller-retour, le bonheur on le sait n’a pas de prix. Et quand on aime, on ne compte pas – en tous cas pas Alex-Henry FOSTER.
Le déluge est ainsi donc au rendez-vous de ce second jour de festival et il pleut comme vache qui pisse. FOSTER et ses Longues Ombres attaquent le set avec 5 minutes de retard avant que rapidement sa guitare et son clavier ne subissent les affres d’une météo peu propice au karma du matos électrique & électronique. Pas grave, les coeurs et les âmes ne sont pas en sucre et la Grand Messe n’en sera que plus solennelle: si le ciel se déchire, c’est pour mieux remplir les bénitiers et pour couper plus rapidement le vin au moment de l’offrande.
Ite missa est. 70 minutes d’extase plus tard, le grand prêtre Alex a oint – émotionnellement et musicalement – la communauté des Longues Ombres à l’issue d’une prestation aussi remarquable que sensible, aussi explosive qu’émotionnelle, aussi poignante que fusionnelle. Alex-Henry FOSTER and the Long Shadows sont définitivement entrés dans la cour des grands du prog rock, la cour de ceux qui ne procurent pas que frissons et émotions mais qui te fourrent en bonus un bâton de dynamite dans le c… pour mieux atteindre par l’énergie explosive le for intérieur de ceux dont les lyrics n’ont atteint que l’âme: Alex-Henry FOSTER, Grand Déflagrateur devant l’Eternel – marque déposée. Repartons en paix Frères et Soeurs, et implosons de bonheur jusqu’à la prochaine ritual déflagration.
