We arrived to Schaffhausen in the afternoon just on time to see the venue before the area was closed. I saw some paintings already hanging above the stage and took a few pictures and suddenly the band appeared on stage and started their soundcheck. After a moment I realized Mika was there as well. I was sure the security would ask us to go outside the area but they only asked us not to take any photos and we were allowed to watch the soundcheck. Mika explained they have a new guitarist and that they need to do a longer soundcheck than they usually do. He didn’t sing only one or two songs but many songs and it felt like a real surprise gig and I absolutely loved watching it!

It was very special to see him practicing, doing his job and guiding the band looking so casual in his jeans. He seemed to be in a very good mood, he said some comments to us and the audience didn’t seem to disturb him. He spontaneously did some lines from Elle Me dit in English and it was amazing, everyone was cheering and he looked surprised (“oh, you liked it?”) and we said “YES!” and secretly started to hope he would sing it in English in the evening. 

Marion and I were standing stunned and speechless during the whole soundcheck, not capable of saying more than a few very obvious lines to each other. The whole situation made us laugh out loud afterwards and it was so cool to see we both and everyone there thought it was one of the most special Mika moments ever. It was definitely worth traveling just to see the soundcheck and we still had the show to see in the evening.

This was a festival once again so waiting for the gig meant watching the other festival artists, in this case all of them bands. The third band was called The Rambling Wheels and they had the attitude! I totally loved their show, and not only because they had a song called The Girl With the Tattoo. After them the audience was ready to see Mika, and the crowd loved him.

Mika had so much fun on stage, it was awesome to watch. The whole band did well and I loved seeing them participating so much. The stage was much smaller than in Nyon and they seemed to fill it with their joking and laughing. The new guitarist did well. I can’t understand how he looked so relaxed at his first gig together with Mika and his band (we were told it was literally his first day). Blame It On The Girls was great. I rarely listen to the album version but I like the video and I always love the song at gigs.

I loved hearing Rain one more time this summer because the new version is so good and I was especially pleased Mika did Touches You because we haven’t heard it much lately. He talked a lot before Happy Ending and in the end he really did Elle Me Dit in English and it was quite amazing to hear a new song during the last gig. It was a good way to end the festival tour. Mika mentioned several times this was his last festival and maybe for that reason was extra kind and sweet.