Shepherds Bush Empire - 31 August 2007

[drew]

comet said:

Hi Folks.
To take video like this you sacrificed your own enjoyment of this wonderful event, your concentration is on keeping the subject in the viewfinder.
comet

Thanks Comet. If only I had sacrificed my enjoyment you might all have had perfect videos. It was just a matter of point and click, with the occasional glance down at the monitor concealed underneath my coat, and a bit of fumbling trying to find the zoom. I probably had some strange looks from some of the audience around me. It was especially difficult with some of the lighting. Was that flash of red 'the lady in red' or was it just the red spotlight on the glitterball? Holding the camera viewfinder up to my eye was not an option as the concert started with a '(camera) policelady' 5 yards away from me in the standing area of the circle. It was only during 'God Defend New Zealand' that the camera came out of the wardrobe as everybody stood up. By that time it was too late for confiscation.

The camera displays a red light when recording so Hayley might have seen this tiny red star up in the gods. It certainly appears that she is looking directly at the camera in some of the shots. Thank you Hayley.

If you have the monitor open and exposed it is fairly obvious what you are doing. At Blicking last summer I was spotted from about 50 yards whilst trying to capture Il Divo as the skies began to turn dark. Fortunately it was just a matter of switching off rather than giving up the equipment. (By that time I had already experienced Hayley's set from the front row, without video.)

Ideally I should have crept up to the second circle at the Empire with a tripod tucked under the other armpit.

The only thing that I missed out on last Friday was the camaraderie of the front row and Roger's hands on my shoulders (no I mean being able to see Hayley at the piano).

[Stephany]

comet said:

Hi Folks.
This is as good a place in this thread as any to thank Drew on behalf of everyone who has watched and heard and enjoyed these great pieces of video from Shepherds Bush Empire Theatre.

To take video like this you sacrificed your own enjoyment of this wonderful event, your concentration is on keeping the subject in the viewfinder. Which was not always easy as Hayley was certainly moving about the stage. You watch the show through the viewfinder and you missed the big LIVE VIEW for us. There were a couple of moments in some of the videos when you would think Hayley had spotted the camera as she seems to look straight into the lens . I would imagine you were thrilled to watch some of the videos yourself and possibly only then realised how good the concert had been. We will all be eternally grateful for your commitment to the subject of the evening and your efforts to record it for us and those who come after us.

THANKS Drew you are a STAR

comet

I second every single word! Well-done Comet - and thanks a million again Drew.

Stephany

[Jeff]

I've just worked my way through the last 55 pages and all I can say is WOW ! Well done everyone, but especially Drew , an awesome achievement. I suggest you now have a good rest and watch England retain the World Cup (well I can dream can't I ?!)

P.S. I believe there is a football match happening this weekend too, half of them injured as usual, but I prefer to watch real men !!

[chrisw]

Jeff,

Never happen - not with the All Blacks playing

[gordon]

Hi All,

After returning from Ireland I have finally finished looking at the reports,photos and videos.I would add my thanks to everyone and in the words of young Mr Grace from the 1970's comedy TV series ARE YOU BEING SERVED?, "You've all done very well".

Gordon

[Raymond]

graemek said:

Are you cashting ashpershuns on my shpelling Komet?

Grayum

Only English is allowed on this forum.

Raymond

[Dave]

raymond said:

graemek said:

Are you cashting ashpershuns on my shpelling Komet?

Grayum

Only English is allowed on this forum.

Raymond

But shlight drunkennesh ish permitted *hic*

Cheers, Dave

[adamm09]

Friday’s concert was the first time I’d seen Hayley perform live and I wasn’t disappointed. Hayley has the voice of an angel, which is an overused phrase but describes her voice perfectly. She also comes across as such a lovely person, and has such a gracious and natural manner on stage. I can’t believe you lucky people got to meet her! The only problem I had with the concert was the occasional raucous atmosphere, particularly during some of the quieter songs. I guess this was always going to be a problem considering the format of the gig.

This is the first time I have been on this website, and you guys are doing a great job. Congrats!

[roger]

Hello Adamm09 and welcome to the forum. So, it seems there were 21 forum members present although we didn't know it until now! What a pity you didn't join us because, as we now know, there would have been no difficulty in getting you into the party. Unfortunately, such privileges cannot always be guaranteed.

Hopefully we will see you at future concerts. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy being a part of this forum and I look forward to your future posts. And many thanks for your encouraginging words!

Best wishes,
Roger

[Stephany]

Hello Adamm09 and a very warm welcome to the forum from me too!

I hope you enjoy being part of this very friendly community.
Of course I look forward to meeting you at another Hayley concert!

Best wishes from Paris,
Stephany

[Mark]

Hi Adam09

A very warm welcome to the forum from me too. What a concert to go to for the first time seeing Hayley

I look forward to your future posts and to perhaps seeing you soon at a Hayley concert somewhere.

Best regards

Mark

[Stephany]

It was certainly a huge concert to go to for a first time!
Mark, I love your new avatar by the way

Stephany

[postscript]

Hi everyone!

Just a passing drop-in as courtesy to answer Roger's question about why so many turned up--from one who didn't! Only Postscript would do that, surely?!

I don't want to sound pig-headed, especially as it is after the event so I can't prove anything, but what actually happened--as far as all reports go, well done and thank you everyone--is exactly what I personally had envisaged would happen--in principle!

I am therefore exceedingly exasperated that I wasn't there but there we are, we can't always do what we want, even when its down the road.

Glad you all had a great time and wow! it certainly was something as it now runs to 56 pages--longest report yet?

Also, as I noticed earlier when I wasn't logged in, just lurking so didn't comment when I first discovered the statistic--175 and now 202 members. Super. To those I haven't yet said 'hi!' to or aren't yet aware of this guy called Postscript, welcome. I'll interchange chat later, but not too much later, I hope.

Peter S.

[Mark]

Hi Stephany

Mark, I love your new avatar by the way

Stephany

Thanks so much for noticing - you may remember that the photo I have chosen is my all time favourite of Hayley & me

Lots of love
Mark x

[martindn]

I would like to thank all of you who have contributed photos, videos and reviews to this thread. It helps those of us who weren't there to understand what we have missed, and what we have to look forward to at future concerts. Hayley just gets better and better.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread, even though it has taken me several days to fully catch up with it. So thank you again.
P.S. I know it shows no disrespect, but how CAN people talk through something as wonderful and moving as Hayley performing Sonny live?

Martin

Martin