Earls Court
Friday 13th May 2005
reviewed by Cars
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Bryan came onstage at 8.30 & as always played for well over 2 hours. This is why in other reviews I get so mad at these new bands that are incapable of doing more than an hours set. This man really knows how to work a crowd & put on a great show. If he's ever had an off night it's certainly not one I've witnessed.
His set was pretty similar to the one used at Wembley last year with a couple of different tracks chucked it. Very glad to see he didn't play an entirely acoustic version of Summer Of '69 this time around (it was half & half), though the full rocking track would have been nice.
I find it quite hard to review Bryan gigs without going into gushing mode - there really is very few words I can use to describe them outside of fantastic, brilliant, outstanding, etc, etc. Like I always say people mock until they've seen him & then they have to buy a hat & take it right off to him!
Very pleased he again played 7 tracks out of the 10 from his wonderful Reckless album, as well as proclaiming not "not give a shit" if people won't forgive him for Everything I Do (I Do It For You) before proceeding into a lovely version of it starting with just him & his 6 string! (that he bought from the five & dime I bet, luckily no fingers bled tonight!)
I was a little concerned he chose to play the God awful Blessin' In Disguise from his latest album. It makes me cringe on record but the atmosphere was so good that I didn't feel my toes curl once!
He opened with a rocking version of Room Service & ended with an acoustic version of the same song which was different to say the least. I usually hate it when acts end on acoustic numbers but to be honest he could have come back out for that 2nd encore with bagpipes, a blackboard to scrape his finger nails down whilst doing some death metal chanting & I still would have forgiven him. C'mon it's Bryan!
All in all, yet again an outstanding show. I've always said he gets better each time I see him (this was the 6th time). Although on this occassion I don't think it beat Wembley last year I think that's because I was sandwiched between the worlds worst singer behind me & the worlds worst dancer in front of me.
Highlights of the night were Kids Wanna Rock (heaviest version I've heard him play of this), When You're Gone (always a winner live with an audience member picked to "be" Mel C - why wasn't it me?!?), Back To You (his best song ever), I Was Only Dreamin' (a welcome addition to the set), Run To You (no explanation needed), Cloud Number 9 (by this point in the gig my friend was totally in love with him - hey Michelle!) & of course Best Of Me (where he jumps to the front of the crowd - Gawd bless him)
10 out of 10
Setlist:
Room Service
One Night Love Affair
Open Road
18 'Til I Die
Let's Make A Night To Remember
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Kids Wanna Rock
Somebody
Summer of '69
Back To You
Everything I Do (I Do It For You)
This Time
Cuts Like A Knife
When You're Gone
I Was Only Dreamin'
Heaven
Blessin' In Disguise
It's Only Love
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
(1st encore)
There Will Never Be Another Tonight
Cloud Number 9
Run To You
Best Of Me
(2nd encore - acoustic)
The Way You Make Me Feel
All For Love
Straight From The Heart
Room Service
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