I saw them live at Ilosaarirock two days ago and wow! Even though the setlist was average, the band was on fire. And I like Floor, she is lovely and has a great voice. She's better than Anette (love her still), but not as good as Tarja, though.
They didn't save any pyrotechnics. Marco and Emppu were their quirky selves. Jukka's playing was sharp and Tuomas orchestrated things behind keyboards. Oh, and Troy Donockley played on I Want My Tears Back, Nemo, Last of the Wilds and Over the Hills and Far Away.
Some of my favourite moments were She Is My Sin, Ever Dream, middle section of I Want My Tears Back, Nemo, Amaranth and Ghost Love Score. But there were three songs above the others.
Before they started playing Bless the Child, I yelled "Wishmaster!" Then I heard the choir opening and yelled again, "Even better!" It is the song that made me fall in love with NW and I had no idea they would play it. The only flaw was Floor singing the first verse with the lyrics of the second verse. But even playing anything else than Ever Dream from Century Child is a great act of culture.
Romanticide was precedented by a humorous speech by Marco (my translation): "And now it's time for an open letter... sort of a tradition in our band. Dear wife. I know it's our anniversary. And I know you have spend the last three hours in the kitchen making dinner for me... coq au vin. But I'm not going home tonight. I'm going to a hot dog stand. Because I love sausages. This is the death of romance, Romanticide!"
DAT. OUTRO.
After the song Marco said: "Just kidding. Going to sleep beside you tonight."
And the last song of the set was Last Ride of the Day. Near the end of the song, fireworks started. It was really wonderful. And there were plenty of them.
It was my favourite gig ever... until I saw PMMP yesterday. But they don't have a thread here.