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Post by Mark on Jul 11, 2007 8:26:49 GMT
Hi everyone Thanks so much for your reports and photos. Gordon, despite the poor view, it sounds as though you may have spread the HWI word to the couple you sat next to - its a good feeling when you can talk to people in the audience at a Hayley concert with such knowledge about her. I often find that people want to know more and I have to say, I for one am always proud to oblige Grant, you have surpassed yourself yet again, particularly with part 3 of your report. Sorry to keep going on about my experience at Porthcawl in this thread but, I felt very much like you did in terms of both Hayley's voice being supurb and a very special time afterwards. . How does she manage to always make it so special These last 2 concerts just seem to have been - "different" somehow, if you know what I mean Well done again to Steve & Stuart for some lovely photography - how lucky we are to have such a record of so many of Hayley's performances Very best regards Mark
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Post by Richard on Jul 11, 2007 9:23:21 GMT
Hello everybody! Many thanks for your brilliant reports and photographs. You all excelled yourselves again in spite of the difficult conditions, and I'm pleased Hayley was in great form. Well done for clarifying the chocolate situation! Another triumph for Hayley and HWI! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifBest Wishes, Richard
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Post by grant on Jul 11, 2007 9:23:56 GMT
PART 3Back to Christchurch. Dave has agreed to take some pictures of Hayley and I really can’t describe how it felt to be standing next to her, wearing that wonderful gown, with my arm around her. Hello Grant Well done again for your deliciously descriptive account. But I didn't see you pop back to Christchurch at the end!! Steve & Stuart - thanks for the concert photos taken in very difficult circumstances. The post-concert ones are particulary stunning (I must get a better camera!). Best Wishes Martin Well I did say I was "Totally Hayleywowed" didn't I!! Corrected now Best wishes Grant
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mac
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Post by mac on Jul 11, 2007 9:29:10 GMT
Okay, does she always do a signing at the end? It would have been nice to have met her But anyway, it was a pretty amazing show! An understatement, obviously, but I'm still shaking with excitement two days after! And thanks, Grant, for that amazing report! I think I actually saw you there! Which row were you in? It would have been amazing to meet you too!!
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Post by postscript on Jul 11, 2007 9:32:05 GMT
Post #161 I'm inclined to think you gained from the fact it was a ten day or so festival. The lighting and sound weren't in for Hayley for a one-night stand. They were there for a period of time and several shows.
If this is the case and particularly if it is either equipment or staff or both that was the result of the higher quality lighting and sound I think Hayley's management should give serious consideration to a higher seat pricing in churches--particularly if this enables seat allocation rather than first-come first-served.
She is in Shrewsbury for two weekends. How are these sales going? They should be able to assess demand versus price 'put-off' in relation to the added costs of hiring more expensive equipment or people--usually they come together as they know their own equipment and the more expensive the equipment the more likely they will want their own people running it.
I was late for Llangollen and ended up with a mere £15 ticket way back. Compared with Carreras and Baez Hayley has outsold. Ideally Hayley's management should be able to assess from past sales charts price fall-off rate. There is publicity fodder from being 'sold out' but perhaps she is at the point when she can afford the higher cost of better quality presentation especially if her voice is now strengthening for both volume and above all quantity through the evening.
There is another aspect of Hayley, harking back to my early days of 2005 with her. In the meet and greet I had not recognised Ian Tilley--shows how much my attention was on Hayley--and he introduced himself to me as her 'Musical Director'. Now the three are back together again, has his input once more added enhancement to her delivery?
Peter S.
PS: It has just occurred to me that there might be a problem with pre-allocated seating in churches due to entertainment licensing and theatre safety laws. Grant, your area? Could vary according to churches and their pro-activivity in peripheral interests. Peter S.
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Post by grant on Jul 11, 2007 9:44:10 GMT
Hi Peter
You raise some interesting points, though I don't think your assumptions are totally correct. It may be that the lighting and sound crews were there throughout the festival, but each artist will have different requirements.
I sat in throughout a very entertaining two hour sound check and it was clear that a lot of work was going on to create the levels that were needed for Hayley and the relevant musical instruments.
I've heard the expression "reverb" before, Hayley seems to quote that a lot but "We've decided to go short stick" from one of the techies had me completely foxed!
Incidentally, Hayley is in Shrewsbury for two consecutive NIGHTS not two consecutive weekends and whilst on the subject of churches/cathedrals/abbeys, Shrewsbury has already introduced a two tier system (with the higher price seats sold out already, I believe) I am advised that a similar system will be in place for Beverley.
Hope you enjoy Llangollen.
Best wishes Grant
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Post by grant on Jul 11, 2007 9:50:22 GMT
Okay, does she always do a signing at the end? It would have been nice to have met her But anyway, it was a pretty amazing show! An understatement, obviously, but I'm still shaking with excitement two days after! And thanks, Grant, for that amazing report! I think I actually saw you there! Which row were you in? It would have been amazing to meet you too!! Hi Mac Hayley doesn't always do a signing at the end, although it's more than likely when it is her headline concert as she has always said that meeting her fans afterwards rounds off the evening for her. It was, I think, a surprise to us that she did do a signing after Chichester as she was in as part of the Festival. She did not do a signing after Canterbury, as that was also a Festival and there was a reception afterwards. That is perhaps why the events of Monday night were kept low key. Roger, Martin and I were sat on Row H on the right hand side as you face the stage and "Westenra Tartan" ties were in evidence. Look forward to meeting you someday. Best wishes Grant
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Post by postscript on Jul 11, 2007 10:01:15 GMT
Hi Grant.
Absolutely magnificient report. I don't know how I shall cope on Friday. Anyone else going to Llangollen--don't bother to answer (but do so on the Llangollen thread!)--unless for others' sakes as I shall not be on here again until I am back, perhaps Monday/Tuesday.
Somewhere you reported on schoolchildren emerging from the vestry some Haylwowed some nonchalant. I think you misinterpret the nonchalance, Grant. Were they boys or girls predominanty and could it be their way of not wishing to show their state of Hayley-wowedness!?
"I did get some good pictures, but somewhere along the way I just felt that tonight I wanted to “be with Hayley” and I actually put my camera down..' This is why i am so abysmal regarding photographs. First, even if I used my film camera the flexiblity is insufficient (sans autostabilisation mode) to do the job--my other stage work has been as 'official' photographer and I have been able to use a tripod--and my mini electronic again sans-autostabilisation and very limited!
However, I will try if there isn't anyone else covering. The real problem I have with Hayley (and in general principle with any good show) is that I usually lose myself in the show and especially pay Hayley totally rapt and undivided attention, I don't want the distraction.
Anyhow, I will have a go but your reports already leave me feeling totally inadequate!
Well done the photographic team once more despite the odds. An absolutely magnificent event very well recorded.
Peter S.
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Post by grant on Jul 11, 2007 11:44:48 GMT
Hello everyone. Here are the first few of mine from the sound check. I am delighted with the results. As I said in my review, I had to use 1600 ISO which produces a lot of grain, and a speed of a 30th of a second which usually produces some blurring with a moving subject. Anyway, I hope you like the results. This first one shows Fiona playing the piano whilst everyone else was getting themselves sorted outFiona wondering where the strings on her violin have gone to!Fiona looks on as Hayley checks her mike with a few random notesMore later
Best wishes Grant
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Post by roger on Jul 11, 2007 12:39:31 GMT
Great pictures of the soundcheck, Grant. I knew I should have got there earlier! FIONA: "Hayley? You used to play one of these things - which way up do you hold it?" HAYLEY: "Try the other way up, Fi!" FIONA: Ah, it's okay. It thinks it's still in New Zealand!" Roger
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Post by Richard on Jul 11, 2007 12:50:10 GMT
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Post by grant on Jul 11, 2007 13:14:10 GMT
Very funny Roger!! Just knew I had to post that one Anyone else?? Where are you Martin? Best wishes Grant
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Post by Belinda on Jul 11, 2007 13:23:32 GMT
Hi Grant, wonderful pics, fiona at the piano looks like it should be on a chocolate box. The pic with the violin with just fiona in looks like she is getting ready to sing the song "I Feel Pretty "she is visualising the violin as a mirror i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifBelinda
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Post by grant on Jul 11, 2007 13:24:26 GMT
Hello again!!
Here are a few more from the sound check. The straight hair was a pleasant surprise. Hayley getting into her stride. Can anyone confirm whether or not that is a Japanese pattern? Sure is purdy though!And againHayley turns away from the mike for the long note in "One Fine Day"More in a little while!
Best wishes Grant
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Martin
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HWI Management Team
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Post by Martin on Jul 11, 2007 14:20:05 GMT
Very funny Roger!! Just knew I had to post that one Anyone else?? Where are you Martin? Best wishes Grant Hi Grant I wasn't going to as Roger's was a classic - but IF you insist: "Made in Taiwan !!!. The bloke in the shop said it was a Stradivarius". Martin
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