David MoyaWalking Through Valencia to see Europe
After a beautiful day in Valencia, we went for dinner near the Central Market, close to El Barrio del Carmen. The city was full of life, especially on a Friday night.
Once we finished eating, we walked to the Viveros Gardens for a concert. Our route took us through El Carmen and into the old Turia riverbed. We hardly saw any cars on the way. Most of the streets were pedestrian-only and bike-friendly, which made the walk relaxing.
When we got to the gardens, the atmosphere was amazing. People of all ages had come to enjoy the show. Many were speaking Valencian, so we guessed most had traveled from nearby towns.
Drinks were affordable, and the evening temperature was perfect. You could feel the excitement in the air — everyone was waiting for Europe, the legendary band.
It felt like many in the crowd, just like my friends and I, first got into music thanks to Europe. There was no opening act — it was all about them that night.
The Show Begins: Europe Takes the Stage in Valencia
When the band stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted with emotion. This was Europe’s first-ever concert in Valencia, and the energy was electric.
They opened with “On Broken Wings”, a powerful track from their iconic album The Final Countdown. From the very first note, the audience was fully engaged, singing along and soaking in the moment.
Next came an even more legendary hit: “Rock the Night”. The crowd went wild. Voices echoed across the Viveros Gardens as everyone joined in. It was clear that this song held a special place in the hearts of many fans.
After that, they performed “Walk the Earth”, a more recent track. While it may not be a classic for the older fans, it’s a favorite among long-time followers. The song had a strong Deep Purple-style vibe and worked beautifully live. It was powerful, atmospheric, and surprisingly emotional.
Following that, they launched into “Scream of Anger”, one of the heaviest songs in their catalogue — and one of my personal favorites from the album Wings of Tomorrow.
The band was absolutely spot on. The performance was tight, powerful, and full of energy. Every member delivered with precision, capturing the raw intensity of the original track while giving it new life on stage. It was a standout moment in the set.
Next up was another classic: “Sign of the Times.” The crowd stayed fully engaged, with many singing along to every word. The band kept delivering hit after hit, creating a strong sense of nostalgia for fans of their ’80s and ’90s albums.
That said, I have to admit — Europe’s newer material holds up incredibly well. Songs like Walk the Earth prove that the band hasn’t lost their edge. If anything, they’ve matured musically without losing their identity. Europe is a band that has aged with grace, blending the energy of their early days with the experience of decades on stage.
After that came “Hold Your Head Up”, one of their more recent tracks from their 2023 release. While it’s a newer addition to their setlist, it fits right in with the band’s hard rock legacy.
The song is pure energy — a powerful, riff-driven anthem that had the crowd nodding along instantly. Once again, the performance was flawless. Europe proved that even after decades, they can still deliver true hard rock at the highest level.
Next, they slowed things down with one of their most iconic ballads: “Carrie.” As soon as the first notes played, the mood shifted. The entire audience fell silent for a moment, caught in the emotion of the song.
This is the kind of track that hits deep — and it showed. You could spot more than a few teary eyes in the crowd. And yes, I actually saw a hard rocker crying. That’s the kind of impact a song like Carrie can still have, even decades later.
After the emotional moment with Carrie, the band brought the energy back up with “War of Kings”, the title track from their 2015 release.
While it may not be considered a classic by casual fans, it’s a confident and powerful song that shows Europe’s continued evolution. The performance was tight and commanding, with a darker, heavier tone that gave the setlist a refreshing dynamic. It’s clear the band takes just as much pride in their recent work as in their early hits.
After that came “Stormwind,” a classic track from their Wings of Tomorrow album. With its powerful riffs and unmistakably ’80s metal vibe, it carried a strong Dio-like energy. The performance was spotless — sharp, energetic, and true to the original recording.
They followed it with another gem from the same album: the classic ballad “Open Your Heart.” A much more mellow track, it offered a perfect contrast to “Stormwind.” The band delivered it with sensitivity and precision — another flawless performance that showcased their range and musical maturity.
Next up was another classic: “More Than Meets the Eye,” from their 1988 album Out of This World. It’s a fan favorite with that signature late-’80s hard rock sound, and once again, the band delivered it flawlessly. The energy, the execution — everything was spot on.
The next track was “Last Look at Eden,” the powerful title track from their 2009 album. Already a hard-hitting song on the record, it felt even heavier and more intense live. The band brought a darker, dramatic energy to the performance that truly elevated the track on stage.
Then it was back to the classics — first with “Ready or Not,” driven by its sharp, punchy riff contrasted against catchy synth lines. Right after came the power ballad “Superstitious,” one of their most beloved hits. Both songs were performed with energy and precision, capturing the essence of Europe’s late-’80s sound and bringing the crowd right back to that golden era.
For the encore, they saved two of their most iconic tracks: “Cherokee” and, of course, “The Final Countdown.” If there had been a roof, it would’ve come down. The crowd went absolutely wild — chanting, singing, and soaking up every second. The energy was off the charts, with a mix of nostalgia, emotion, and pure joy filling the air. It was the perfect way to end an unforgettable night.
What can I say about Europe? Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much — but they completely blew me away. The band is in top form, full of energy and presence. It’s like time hasn’t touched them. Their setlist was incredibly well-balanced, mixing beloved classics with powerful newer material that stood strong on its own. If you’re a fan of hard rock or classic rock, this is a band you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Europe isn’t just living off their past — they’re still very much alive on stage, and they still rock.
