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.
unforgettable night with Europe remembering our youth times
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.
