Lazy Sundays in Hagley Park Concert 17th Feb 2013

[Ross]

The lovely summer weather in Christchurch was almost ruined today for Fiona's concert but luckily the rain never came and the temperature was pleasant which was great for an outdoor concert in Hagley Park.
This was a free concert so a good crowd of around 2000 turned up for another great concert from Fiona and the band. Great to see Ian there back from the cold London lol.
John videoed the concert so expect a you tube video sometime soon.



The concert started at 3pm and Fiona started with a new song for the band called Sweet Georgia Brown a 1925 jazz by Bernie and Pinkard.
Then a regular song from Fiona called Tangissimo.
Then a beautiful rendition of The Love Theme from Paradiso.



Tchavolo Swing was next and then Memories with Fiona suggesting we all think of being in France sitting on the pavement drinking.
Another new song for the band was the jazz song Caravan (sung by Duke Ellington 1936 and composed by Juan Tizol).
Then an older song called Far Away written when Fiona was homesick a few years ago.
Then one of my favourites Firefly.
And the first half was finished with the all time classic Memories Of Martin and Mary.

The second half opened with the new song Full Moon and then Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler On the Roof.



My Pal The Gypsy was great and then my all time favourite (and I think the crowd agreed) Cathedral Tango
The next song was brand new and ties in with Fiona thinking her next album will have a Swing theme. It is called Swing Driven Thing and was a Gypsy Waltz.



Next was the beautiful The Willow Tree which was appropriate as the song was written about the Botanical Gardens where the venue was.
Then the last song was the fast paced Dark Eyes.

But the enthusiastic crowd wouldn't let Fiona leave without an encore and so the last song was Calm before the Storm and with the two year anniversary of the February quake coming up it was a great way to finish the concert.

Afterwards I managed to see Ian and Fiona and told them I will see them at the next concert in March i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Richard]

Hello Ross!

Many thanks for your report and the photographs. They were a little too big for the forum, so I reduced their width to 800 pixels and made the images clickable to enlarge.

Best wishes,

Richard

[Richard]

Fiona has posted a blog about this concert on her website. Guess who gets a mention!

www.fionapears.com/blog/the-day-after

The day after....
- 18th February 2013



Yesterday was awesome! Thanks to everyone involved yesterday at 'Lazy Sundays'. Myself and the band had a blast and it was just amazing to see over 3,000 people on the lawn, the biggest ever crowd they've had apparently! I met so many lovely people; thanks to every single one of you for coming along and to those of you who came up and said such lovely things…I think it's time for a new CD given that we almost sold out again yesterday!

Fyi, there is a large concert in the planning…..I think it's about time as the Theatre Royal show was two years ago tomorrow. Thinking of you all in Christchurch….

Here are a few photos from yesterday, many thanks to Gavin James (GJKiwi Photography) and Ross Walkham for these awesome shots! We also hope to upload some video of the concert in the near future so please check back soon….

Love and hugs,

Fiona
xx

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge. Photographs © Gavin James, GJKiwi Photography.

Richard

[Richard]

Fiona has uploaded a short video of this concert:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKbEd9dYOWs

Richard

[martindn]

Fabulous! There is only one Fiona. Great stuff, loved it.

Martin D