I attended the international BANANAS press conference in my hometown Berlin on 20th August. It started at 4 pm and there were maybe 100 various media sorts including journalists and photographers at the "Hotel Intercontinental".

The event was filmed for television and parts (incl. parts of the show! ) were already being screened the same evening at 11.30 pm! The press conference ended at 5 pm, with a further 10 minute photoshoot at 7.15 pm, for which the band sat in front of their drum kit.

Deep Purple were already in Berlin on 19th August,. and did a 3 hour soundcheck that day. As a result, the sound was quiet excellent during the Columbiahalle show on the next day.

Three songs were filmed for TV and promotional reasons. The promotional concert was planned to last 70 minutes, but in the end weighed in at 90 minutes.

Songs not included on the original setlist were I've Got Your Number / Black Night (both played as an encore).

review & photos:
Christian Meyer zu Natrup