Thanks to Lithium Sunset for the Ticket Stub
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Thanks to Lithium Sunset for the Ticket Stub |
Dave has just called me from outside the RAH after tonight's show. I will leave Dave to tell you about the show when he gets back home but here are a few brief highlights!
The stage at the RAH is only about 4' high (not at all like the arena gigs) and only a few feet from the first row of seats. Dave was in the first row (Kenny's side). Paul Carrack was the opening act again (Dave shook Paul's hand and nicked his set list).
When Sting came out the whole crowd were up (3 or 4 photographer's were squashed in the rush) the security tried to get everyone back to their seats but they were ignored, much to the annoyance of the photographer's!
The set list was just the same as were the band but the additions were the two backing singer and.......wait for it.........a CHOIR!! Dave says about 40 to 50 people but he can't be sure (if you have seen the south bank show then my guess is this is the same choir). He say's that is the best Sting concert he has every been too......shame I can't type in green!
ISHICSC, three people on stage which included twins. Dave happily snapped away with the camera. The RAH told a few people "we don't allow photography" but the didn't stop Dave or take the film or camera away. Dave shook hands with Sting (twice) and with all of the band (not the choir!!). Dave's words......BRILLIANT....FANTASTIC....WONDERFUL......THE BEST EVER......
So for anyone who is going to London you are in for a TREAT.
This is Wendy signing off.......tired, with a headache, green with envy....can't wait for Saturday!
Hi All - London calling!
Wow, what a day! What a show! Sorry Wendy, wish you were here!
After taking time out to call into the Outlandos office to drop off a copy of the Sunday Times 'Vietnam' interview and some Xmas cards, the day's events really started outside the Royal Albert Hall. It was good to once again meet Wendy's cousin, Jeff Melick from Toronto based band 'Pilate' - Jeff plays lead guitar and sings, and what's more he's a great guy - so check 'Pilate' out! Enough plugging I hear you say so lets move on.
We expected Sting and band to turn up for their sound check at 4pm, and sure enough a small crowd was gathering in anticipation. It was good to see some of our new friends from the mailing list again including, Martin and Iris from Germany, Markus from Holland, Darren from Norwich (is Darren the only person to have seen the Grotesque???) and many other regulars such as Stina from Madrid and the inevitable Paul Carter and John Dickson! Dominic Miller arrived first and signed autographs as he made his way through the crowd and in through the Artists entrance. Five minutes later it was Sting's car that pulled up, and out stepped the man himself displaying a freshly shaved head - but thankfully, no goatee.
Sting was in a very good mood, taking some good natured ribbing about his new 'haircut', and when asked about the absence of his 'beard', he advised that his wife didn't like it so it had to go. He signed autographs for everyone that preferred something to sign - self included, and the camera flashes were busy zapping away in the gloom. Shortly afterwards Kenny, and Vinnie arrived together and it was time for Jeff and I to head for the nearest hostelry, The Tavern on the Park, to while away the hours until show time in the company of Darren and Suzie.
7.15 soon arrived and after a short walk, Jeff and I breezed into the Albert Hall. We swear, they never even looked at Jeff's ticket, and, as usual, there were no security checks for cameras etc. Jeff took a reality check - in Canada they would expect a full body pat down and a pass-over with a metal scanner - how on earth do you tape shows over there? My ticket was one of the best in the house - row 3, which with the first two rows having been removed effectively meant front row, whereas Jeff was also in the 'arena' area in row 26. There was plenty of room though for Jeff to join me in the front row while Paul Carrack, now recovered from the cold that caused the cancellation in Manchester played a tight, and very good set. I can tell you what he played because I have his set list in front of me which I grabbed along with a handshake as he bounded off stage at the end of his set, so here goes:
The Royal Albert Hall is simply the best Sting gig in the UK. The capacity is about 3000, and the arena or main floor area cannot hold more than a few hundred. The stage is only four feet high, the front rows and a pretty good portion of the arena is full of Outlandos and DSA fan club members. When you turn and look around from the stage the view is impressive. The hall is circular, and 'wrap-around' with the sides going straight up with several tiers of private boxes seating between 10-15 people each. Above the boxes is an open seating area, and above that a small standing area for those that don't suffer from vertigo. The photographers crouched at the front of the stage as the lights dimmed and the band made their way onto the stage. That was our cue - out of our seats and up to the stage, claim your space, put your coat and camera on the stage and you are ready to go. The official photographers were not pleased, as they were soon pushed out of the way but who cares? At the stage front you are so close that Sting almost treads on your hands as he walks around, and on several occasions the neck of his bass swings so close it ruffles my hair. I notice that Sting has a very hairy chest - at last something about him that Wendy might not like - though I doubt it! I was also surprised to see that Sting has two almost identically battered Fender Precision basses. One seemed to go out of tune mid way through the show and Danny Q had to bring on the replacement bass, which looked identical right down to the scratches and scrapes.
During the opening song, Hounds of Winter, Jeff manages to make the journey from row 26 to right behind myself and Markus. Being so close the sound we hear is primarily the stage monitors not the main PA - as close to natural as possible. Sting is relaxed, smiling, in superb voice and clearly enjoying the show and seeing the crowd respond so quickly and enthusiastically. Truly, his voice is in awesome shape and can never have been better than during this tour.
As the band begins the fourth song, Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot, a gospel choir of approximately 40 people (thanks for counting Suzie!) files on around the back of the stage set. They were down in the mix a little, but along with the return of the two female backing singers, Monica Price and A.N. Other they were a very pleasant surprise. As the song finishes, Sting walks round in front of us, I hold up my hand and to my amazement he shakes it. A proper handshake too with Sting maintaining his grip (he's got a hell of a grip!). He then launches straight into If You Love Somebody followed by Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.
During You Still Touch Me, the band come to the front to perform the acoustic version, with Kenny taking his seat directly in front of Markus, and I. Kenny laughs and jokes as he shakes hands with us both, and one or two others. Kenny and Clark are making plenty of eye contact with Markus and laughing, smiling and acknowledging him. Kenny is so close it is difficult to get all of his head and shoulders into the camera viewfinder. I say a silent prayer - please let these photographs come out! Jeff is passing his camera through to me to get unblocked shots - he can't believe it. He is used to seeing bands play at venues like the Molson Arena in Toronto, and is staggered at how close we are. The last time he saw Sting was at Rich Stadium in Buffalo, when they supported the Grateful Dead so the intimacy of the RAH is a great bonus for him.
During I'm So Happy, Sting chooses two identical twins holding up a sign from the third or fourth row and a woman from the same area. No need to walk round to the side, the stage is so low that they simply hop up and drop down afterwards. They sound good too, with the now usual patter from Sting. Then straight into Synchronicity followed by Roxanne on which Butch and Clark cut loose, and Sting treats us to one of his patented Sting 'jumps' to bring the song to and end. The BOTN/WTWIRD medley is extended to what he has been playing and Sting has time to do his slow shuffle across the stage and then shuffle half way back again. Midway through a raucous version of Demolition Man, we even get a high kick out of him as Sting rocks away on stage. During Englishman In New York, he seems to be accompanied by all of the 3000 audience in belting out the lyrics before bringing the show to an end. The choir who have been on stage since the fourth song join the band in filing off stage. After a few brief minutes, the band return and launch into a vibrant version of If I Ever Lose My Faith, and then with the briefest of halts move easily into Every Breath You Take. After this we move into what for me is once again the highlight of the show - Lithium Sunset. Sting introduces the band for a second time, and Paul Carrack returns to help out on vocals. Sting, Butch and Clark do their running on the spot routine, and then join Paul in a heads down and together, pushing each other 'test of strength' in the middle of the stage before the band brings the song to a rousing end - "I See Mercury Falling, I See Mercury Falling"....The band take their applause troop past to go offstage and I get another handshake from Sting and from Paul Carrack.
After a few moments the band returns, Dominic sits on the drum podium and plays Bass, while Sting plays a perfect version of Fragile. For the final solo he walks over to us and stands directly in front and above me. You can read "Chet Atkins, Gibson" on the inside of his guitar he is so close, and then...its over. The band take their bows and shake hands with everyone at the front, Vinnie, Dominic, Butch, Monica, all take my hand as well as many others as they leave the stage.
Stunned, we exchange views with the others. Yells of "Awesome", "Great Show", "Best Yet", ring around the arena, and I have to agree - put all of the events together and it was without any doubt whatsoever, the best show I have ever seen Sting perform (without the Police of course!). Saturday will be even better - front row centre stage tickets, so this time we'll be below Sting and Dominic, the crowd will be up for it again (it will mostly be the same people in the arena area plus Mr Sunset!) and importantly, Wendy will be there to share the whole experience this time. The adrenalin is pumping already - I can't wait.
With loads of excitement I took the plane to London/Heathrow after I got the first message from Wendy (& Dave on location) of what was happening in Kensington on the 5th. I told them to keep my seat warm and so it was as I arrived on Friday afternoon.
Most of the gang already arrived one day earlier and the place to meet them (Martin, Sandra, Iris, Bettina, Ruediger, Wanda, Shelley, Scott, Tammi, Wendy & Dave, Stina, Hiroko & Mario, Lorena, Ana, Annet, Melanie, Markus, Claudia, Diana, Sjoerd, Darren, Sue, Paul, Dagmar, Amir, Andrew, James, Tina, Dee.....and sorry if I forgot somebody, but it's a big family ) is stage door one (the artists door).
Every day around 5 o'clock in the freezing cold we waited for the band to arrive......but it's worth it just for this one fabulous shot or autograph. With a group it's easier to share the suffering.
6.45 p.m. is the time to get in, in this beautiful theatre. One day I spend my concert in a box at the 3rd floor of the hall, the second night sitting in the stalls at the height of the stage, which were really great place to see it all: the hall, the fans and of course Sting and band.
There's nothing better though, then being in the Arena in the front row seats. These seats were only used during Paul Carrack, but as soon as he left, the stage all of us would storm for the stage.
And I can tell you, it's fu...ng great to stand just one meter from this bald guy on the stage and the other band members also within reach. If only, those who've never been there before, only could see this hall and stage.....you'd probably go mad. Isn't this right Wendy?!
I just going to give you an general impression of the 5 London gigs which I attended cause it's too much and I also don't remember exactly what happened on which date. One special thanks I have to give to Stina on this place again, cause she got me with a tickets trick into arena the last and best night. Thanks a lot, cause otherwise I would have to stay in my seat in the stalls.
As every night Sting started off with "Hounds Of Winter", "I Hung My Head" etc.... By the time they arrived at "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" the East London Gospel Choir (approx. 40 people) would come on stage for the backing vocals and Paul Carrack also joined to sing his part. Believe me this extended version of LYSBYP is brilliant!!! For some extra volume during the show the choir stayed at above the stage until "Fragile". "You Still Touch Me" was played every night acousticly. The only change to the set list was on Saturday. After the first encore, Sting took Mr. Larry Adler on stage.....performing "Shape Of My Heart". A big surprise for all of us this extra track. "When The World" has changed a bit too and "Lithium Sunset" with Paul Carrack was one of the highlights of the evening.
There are too many impressions of the concerts and I'll keep it brief, cause I would be repeating myself. But I also want to give you an idea how a day in London looks like before one enters the Royal Albert Hall, cause it's just as fun. You make a lot of new contacts, get to know the band and crew better and sometimes see or speek to some celebrity. Had a nice short talk with Ian Copeland.......Sting is coming back to New York this winter for some gigs....Miles always looked dangerous at me as soon I come too near his office....., but some nice gazes with Kenny & Vinnie and made a photo session with Dominic and Wanda. Hope they worked out fine, cause I'm a terrible photographer.....and not just that.
The last night I finally got a BIG glimpse of Trudie and Sting was dressed like "Calimero" (sorry if you don't get the joke), but he had a hat wide over his ears and a little cap to keep himself warm against the cold. He had been having a cold for some days, couldn't and wasn't allowed to talk much, all to save his power for the gig. We didn't notice any problems with his voice during the gigs though.
Well, after everybody had left the Hall around midnight often we continued our conversations in a pub nearby if we weren't too tired. Unfortunately pubs in England close damned early, so it's difficult to find a appropriate location after midnight.
All in all I had a great time in London, too little sleep, too much cold weather, but luckily it didn't rain all week, but it was all worth it!!
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