Europe brings the 80s back to life in Valencia

Friday night, the Jardines de Viveros in Valencia, Spain, became a real time machine. Europe arrived as part of Conciertos de Viveros 2025, and the completely packed garden was full of fans who looked like they had walked straight out of 1986. Leather jackets, tight jeans, here and there, even some authentic 80s hairstyles; it was almost like watching a reunion of your youth.

Europe

Joey Tempest took the stage as if he had just woken up from a 40-year dream and still thought it was 1986. During “On Broken Wings”, he was so enthusiastic that you could see the passion he still has after so many years for performing. His voice, of course, is no longer what it was when he was 25, but that smile and that energy are still completely there.

“Rock the Night” did what it always does – the entire garden exploded immediately. This song from their breakthrough album “The Final Countdown” from 1985 remains simply perfect. Shortly after came “Walk the Earth” from 2017, which shows that after all these years, they still make new music that matters.

Top guitars

John Norum with his Les Paul was the highlight of the night. That man simply has something magical with that guitar. During “Open Your Heart”, you heard exactly why he belongs among the big names. That warm, full sound with that sustain he’s known for. And then that way he combines technique and feeling, from soft melodies to rock-hard solos. Mic Michaeli helped him perfectly with his synthesisers and piano, those two work perfectly together.

But “Cherokee”… that’s when the roof came off. That opening with that clean guitar riff, and then that transition to that classic Marshall sound. How he mixes blues with modern rock is simply beautiful to hear. You saw people in the garden just standing still and listening.

Ian Haugland, behind the drums, is still a beast. You hear those influences of John Bonham and Cosy Powell in his playing, especially during “Scream of Anger” and “War of Kings”. That powerful backbeat and those fill-ins around the toms, exactly what Europe needs. John Levén on bass keeps himself more in the background, but that Fender Precision sound of his forms the foundation on which everything rests.

Carrie

Halfway through the set came “Carrie”, the ballad from 1987. The entire garden sang along – even people who thought they had long forgotten the lyrics turned out to still know every word. Those are moments when you think: this is why you go to a concert.

Joey’s voice came into its own, especially during the ballads. During “Carrie” and “Open Your Heart”, you still heard that warm, full sound that made Europe great. His vibrato may no longer be as powerful as before, but the emotion is still completely there.

Bob Marley

A beautiful moment was “Superstitious” from 1988. Europe managed to weave a piece of “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley through it. Sounds weird, but it worked well. If you know the original of “Superstitious”, then you’ve already heard those reggae influences in it, so it was more logical than you’d think. It’s nice that after all these years, they still dare to experiment.

The Final Countdown

The encore began quietly with “Last Look at Eden” and “Ready or Not”, but everyone knew what was coming. And then… those first synthesiser chords of “The Final Countdown”. The entire garden exploded. People jumped, waved their arms and sang at the top of their lungs. This song from 1986 remains simply magical. Thirty years later, that intro still gives you goosebumps.

After a night like this, you understand why Europe, after forty years, still fills venues. It’s not just about nostalgia – these men still know how to play. Joey Tempest still knows how to grab an audience, John Norum remains one of the best guitarists walking around, and the rest of the band still plays as tight as a Swiss watch.

It was a night when all generations came together. Old fans who have been there for forty years, but also younger people who got to know Europe through their parents. All united by simply good rock music. In a time when many bands from the 80s struggle to stay relevant, Europe proves that quality and craftsmanship never go out of style.