“Sweet Dreams”: Dave Stewart stuns Vienna by time traveling to the 1980s

During “Sweet Dreams,” he stood at the edge of the stage at the Vienna Konzerthaus on Saturday night, smiling. With an impression that was somewhere between an entertainer at an entertainment club and a strict band director, Dave Stewart led the jubilant Vienna crowd: clapping, waving, and now do a little more please. As if it were necessary.

After nearly two hours of music history, the mood of the 1,800 fans at the Austria concert had reached boiling point, after Stewart celebrated his Eurythmics legacy with his “Sweet Dreams 40th Anniversary Tour.” The 80s party with all the successes and no pity. Only Annie Lennox wasn’t there. “She hates touring. However, he gave me his blessing on this offer.

© Thomas Zidler Kunz

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© Thomas Zidler Kunz

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Three singers — chart star Vanessa Amorosi (“Absolutely Everybody”), soul powerhouse Iris, and Stuart’s 23-year-old daughter Kaya — tried to take her place. This was usually achieved surprisingly well, backed by an all-female five-piece rhythm section.

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Especially with fast-paced songs like “Missionary Man” or “Would I Lie To You” with a bit of funk, leaving no one on the edge of their seat, and the unplugged version of “You Have Place a Chill in My Heart”, it’s Which certainly gave you goosebumps.Even the ballad-like middle section on “Thorn In My Side,” which still had some vocal weakness in Paris, sounded almost perfect in Vienna.

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Stewart, who gave the ladies the lead for the opening medley on “I’ll Never Cry Again” and only snuck onto the stage for “This Town Never Sleeps,” mostly remained lowly in the background and only took over on perfectly placed solos (“The Miracle Love”) plus explanatory breaks on the microphone. Even as he announced the utter surprise with “This is not a Eurythmics song but it was written at the same time”: Stewart brought the single “Lily Was Here” to the program specifically for Vienna. A real treat.

© Thomas Zidler Kunz

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© Thomas Zidler Kunz

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After the solid games of light and fog, the battle songs of roadie Jessi and the aforementioned video presentation that has already become obligatory during the tour, just before 10 p.m., one of the most famous keyboard sequences of the 1980s caused Vienna to panic. “Sweet Dreams,” which has been incredibly 40 years old since May, has lost none of its spark, power and sing-along factor. The fact that Dave Stewart brought the anthem to us again 23 years after the Eurythmics’ last concert in Vienna can certainly be considered a gift.

© Thomas Zidler Kunz

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© Thomas Zidler Kunz

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