Victoria Halls, Stoke-on-Trent - 8th June 2007

[grant]

4 Hours and 8 Minutes To Go!!

On my way very soon, just finishing a cup of coffee. camera, flash cards and batteries are at the ready.

Talk soon

Grant

[elizabeth786]

Have a great time at the concert guys- I can't wait to see your pictures, and read your reviews!

[Mark]

Hi Grant

By the time you read this you will have been to the concert and hopefully will have had a good time. Did you see you happened to be with Hayley from Bedlam this time, was it Kathryn ?

Hear from you soon.

Best wishes
Mark

[Stephany]

Hey Grant (and everyone else going!)
I hope you have a smashing evening with Hayley.
We all envy you and I'm looking forward to seeing your report & pictures.

Best wishes from France,
Stephany

[grant]

Hayley in Stoke
Part 1

I don’t drive to many concerts, preferring to take the train ‘cos its free! Stoke is only an hours drive away making an overnight stay more expensive and there are no trains home late at night. So this time the car had to do!

Set off just before 4pm and, despite Friday night traffic, made good time, arriving at the agreed time of 5pm. Danny’s suggested car park is soon located and the car parked. Gordon is already there; George, Denise and party arrive about 5.20 and we set off to follow Danny’s directions to ‘Minh’s Buffet’ with tummies rumbling!

Another house point for Danny! The venue is excellent and the food superb. Gordon has his eyes on the sweets and we haven’t had starters yet! Quite full, we wander back to the Victoria Hall, an unusual venue of some years with a modern glass atrium added.

Roger is soon located and we make our way in side and, shortly afterwards Danny appears and introduces himself. Seems I was right about the similarity between Danny’s log in “dkeeno” and the concert organiser Daniel Keen. They are one and the same!! and Danny has spent much of the afternoon with Hayley including collecting her and Erika from Stoke railway station. Lucky blighter!!

Time now to take our seats in the Hall – a very interesting building seating over 1000 people and most seats are taken. The stage is quite high, in fact it’s level with my chin and only a couple of feet away from my front row seat, so I’m probably going to have a stiff neck, but at least I’m only a few feet from Hayley. George’s party are next to me with Gordon on the opposite side of the gangway and Roger has an isle seat 8 rows back.

Hayley’s musicians tonight are Al Gurr and Fiona Swadling as it appears that Fiona and Ian are in Bermuda. (alright for some!). Tonight, Hayley is wearing the same black dress she wore at St George’s last December, so I won’t describe it again.

Hayley opened the first set with classical favourite “Pokarekare Ana” and then, as this concert is in aid of her “Bikes For Ghana” project, chatted a little bit about UNICEF; about how she got involved and about the scheme itself. Caccini’s “Ave Maria” came next followed by “Scarborough Fair”. I was hoping she would do the ‘hand on heart’ ending but she didn’t. maybe next time?

Time for another little chat now and to introduce the next song “One Fine Day”. Hayley explaining that she had chosen to record it in English so that people would be able to understand what the song was about. After that came “Let Me Lie” followed by “Santa Lucia”. Hayley giggled when she said that now she was going to sing one in Italian and proceeded to explain what the song is about. From her expressive movements and facial expressions I would say that Hayley really enjoys singing this song.

The final song before the interval was “Danny Boy” the first half seeming to have literally flown by. We stayed in the hall chatting during the interval and I was quite surprised when a young chap called Bill introduced himself, saying that he had recognised us from the Forum although he was not a member but that he had liked my “Beauty and the Beast Rose” story.

[grant]

Part 2

Hayley reappeared in THAT stunning blue gown that everyone raves about. Now, actually seeing Hayley wearing it, I can understand why. She looks totally amazing. It’s also the first time I’ve seen Hayley in concert wearing a full length gown. Oh Boy!!

Hayley opened the second half with “Prayer” another one of my favourites – we are certainly getting a good selection from all three international albums. I was a little surprised by Hayley’s next choice as we had though perhaps “Summer Fly” would be kept off the programme for a time but Hayley has obviously ‘nailed’ it since Monday, well, more or less, there was a tiny hiccup which I doubt many would have noticed.

Of course, at the end I got a bit carried away with a resounding YES!! At which Hayley smiled. I can only imagine what she was thinking, something like “yes, they know!!"

After that came Shenandoah along with the ‘100 verses and the doors are locked’ joke. Pity it didn’t work quite so well with such a large audience, but it was clear that Hayley was really enjoying herself and went on to explain that she was a Kiwi (I guess some people still don’t know that!) and about Lord of the Rings being filmed there so, of course, her next song was “May It Be”

“In Trutina” followed, then those dreaded words “For my last song ….” Hayley introduced this as a Maori lullaby, of course, Hine e Hine. 13 songs and the evening seemed over in a flash.

Danny re-appeared on stage and thanked everybody, announcing that the evening so far had raised a magnificent £14,000 and Hayley was presented with a bouquet of flowers. At one point we thought that was going to be it as they all left the stage, but rapturous applause and deafening cries of More!! More!! Brought them back

Hayley holding up one finger offered “One more? Would you like a Joni Mitchell song? Yes, lets have a Joni Mitchell song”. So the finale was “Both Sides Now” Even after that, the audience was so enraptured that Hayley, Fiona and Al returned to stage for a final bow, before we drifted slowly out into the foyer.

You want more? OK, maybe later!

[Steve H]

Thanks Grant,

I can't wait for part three and some pics! but it's off to bed now.

WE WANT MORE !
Steve H

[grant]

Part 3

We know that Hayley is going to do a meet and greet and that she has a radio interview lined up first. We also know that Danny is taking Hayley and Erika to Manchester airport where they are staying overnight ready for the flight to Jersey for tomorrow night’s concert. WOW! It tires me just thinking about it!

Up to now, I have not taken a single picture, although I don’t like taking pictures during the concert anyway. This setup for Hayley looks a bit too organised, a table in a roped off area, a very large queue and an even larger group of spectators. It is now 9.50pm and we understand that the timetable has Hayley leaving at 10pm. Somehow you just know that it isn’t going to happen that way!

I pluck up courage to ask a member of staff where I can stand “… to get some pictures for HWI?” Looking my best ‘official photographer’ persona. They seem relaxed however so nothing to do now but wait for Hayley.

Hayley soon appeared and took up station at the allocated table she has changed into a top and jeans and, from memory, I think it is the same top she wore at the signing in Australia that Graeme attended. Getting pictures isn’t that easy but I still managed to take 60+ in the forty or so minutes Hayley spent signing, chatting, standing up for pictures. Tirelessly, ever smiling, never complaining. But it’s one of the things I so love about her and love her for. Even though she was now running over half an hour late, there was no way she would abandon ship before everyone that wanted to had had their ‘moment'.

Tonight, ours was to be very brief a few snatched pictures with friends, the usual compliments of course, a special request from me regarding Telford (NO!! you’ll have to wait and see) a revelation from Roger which Hayley said made her feel old and it was time to part once more.

Another great evening with Hayley had come and gone. For some of us it had been the second in a week and for me, just over a week to the next one and quite a big HWI gathering.

I’ve already uploaded my pictures onto the computer, seems there are quite a few good ones so watch this space. Gordon also took quite a few so between us we should be able to keep you interested for a while.

God bless and night night!

Grant

[meldy]

Thanks Grant, seems like another fabulous performance by Hayley Must have been tiring having to spend all that time signing and greeting then running late, but Hayley is a professional and she handles it very well. Can't wait for the pictures.

Meldy

[grant]

Couldn't resist giving you all a taster!



Steve H please note this picture is being provided well before "humanly possible"

Best wishes
Grant

[comet]

Delightful picture Grant

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.......................

comet

[Andrew]

Hi Grant,

Now you're talking... What a lovely picture!

Thanks,

Andrew

[graemek]

Hi Grant & well done. Summer Fly someone has to video !!!!

Yes, that's certainly the top Hayley was wearing in Readings Melbourne. One of her favourites clearly.
Loved your report.

Await the coming shots from your very able hand.
from Australia,
Graeme

[mariannek]

Hi Grant,
You are super human, believe me ! I know !
What a gorgeous photo !!!
So loved reading your report. *One fine day* that must have been an absolute treat, right ?!!!
And to think I will have to wait until the end of the year or even until next year !!! Impossible !!! *Many SIGHS*
Thank you so much for sharing , Grant !!!
Sleep tight, sweet dreams, love, Marianne

[Dori]

Wow, Hayley must really love that top - she always wears it!! Might I add, she looks absolutely beautiful in it....
Dori