Thanks to Dave & Wendy Dunn for the Ticket Stub
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Thanks to Dave & Wendy Dunn for the Ticket Stub |
Thanks to ??? for the Ticket Stub |
As we've done a few reviews lately, we won't bother with one for Saturday's show - Martin & Sandra, Lithium Sunset, Iris and Markus were all there (and still are!) so we will leave it to them to post some reviews when they get back.
It was good to see you all again on Saturday and to meet Scott and Shelley who were over from California.
Highlights - Great view, at the stage front directly below Sting. Shaking hands once again with the band - but not Sting on this occasion. For the second night running an Outlandos member was amongst those on stage - tonight Dana from London, and on Friday, Tammi from the US. Sting saying that he was starting to recognize the faces down at the front and that we now knew all his jokes. Dominic showing off absurdly to the front playing his guitar inches from our faces while Sting looked on in mock disapproval and with a "these guitar players eh?" look on his face.
Lowlights - Choir still down in the mix, or possibly we were so close to the stage monitors that we couldn't pick the PA sound up properly (not sure if this deserves to be classed a 'lowlight' though!). Security very tight about cameras, threatening to confiscate cameras/film from early on in the stage. Same set. Jeff failing to scam his way in with no ticket - but only just.
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 speak 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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