Southampton - 13th December 2007

[Stuart H]

Hello everybody.

Time for me to post some pictures from a "Hayleypacked" weekend.

A few pictures from the first half of the concert. The first one shows the intimate performance area. The audience on the front row were in for a treat but photography would have been a NoNo! (Even moving wasnt advisable!)

Stuart

[dutchjoyce]

FANTASTIC PICTURES!!!
Thanks to Grant and Steve
Greetz JOYCE

[dutchjoyce]

Nice Pictures!!!!!!!!
Thank you Stuart!!
Greetz Joyce.

[Stuart H]

Here are a few from the second half. Hayley was wearing her green Celtic dress, which must be one of her favourites.

Stuart

[Stuart H]

Here are some more from the second half.

Is Hayley waving to her HWI friends in the front row?

[Steve H]

One from the last song.

... and now some from the encore Sonny.

Steve H

[Steve H]

Finally to complete my in concert shots, here are three more from Sonny.

Steve H

[James]

Well, after a hectic weekend, time for me to add some thoughts and observations of the Southampton show rather than repeat what others have already said.

On arrival at the venue, we found we were the first 4 HWI members to arrive. Peering through the doors to the theatre, we could see that the seating looked quite steep and it was an intimate cosy venue. It was possibly the best type of venue to see Hayley perform in - so intimate that she must have been able to see the whole crowd. A few concert goers even commented that she could almost have performed without a microphone. The front row (B) was on a level with the performer i.e. it was more of an ampitheatre than a stage.

Several others soon arrived, including Paul who ever so humbly showed us his painting (which had been finished at 4pm that day) which amazed everyone.

You'll have already seen the set list in previous posts and a description of the concert. Suffice to say that she was on good form as ever and it was difficult to tell she was tired and had only just got back from Brunei.

My observations to add:

1) Hayley nearly stumbled through a crack in the floor with a giggle "Oh gosh, I'm falling through the stage!" I think she may have also added a gag about that spoiling her grand finale exit (anyone else remember that or is my memory playing tricks?)

2)

stephany said:

The Turner Sims Hall seems an appropriate venue for 'Sonny'...fingers crossed

I believe this was only the second time she has performed it solo in public in the UK (the first being at Shepherd's Bush). What an encore.

stuey said:

The audience on the front row were in for a treat but photography would have been a NoNo! (Even moving wasnt advisable!)

It was indeed a treat Stuart and you are right, I couldn't really dig out my camera for the encore due to the proximity to the piano and also because my brain wasn't really functioning at the time.

3) It was nice to see a couple of numbers from Al and Fiona, and also Al's solo jazz number. I'm not usually a jazz fan but I could appreciate his skill and the humour with which he introduced it. It was nice to be able to watch the musicianship as well because unfortunately for the accompanying musicians, there is only one place to look when Hayley is on stage.

4) Santa Lucia - this was a great performance and this song shows Hayley and Al interacting together really well. She joked afterwards "maybe not so fast next time Al!" It will be interesting to see if this remains in the set list when Ian is accompanying her.

After The Show

The Venue was well set up to see Hayley afterwards in the warm indoors rather than outside as at Croydon. We waited a while as Roger, Paul and Steve went backstage with the picture. Hayley then came out and we waited for her to sign for other non HWI members including a young man I had found myself sitting next to. It was his first Hayely concert and she is his all time favourite classical singer (good taste sir!) It soon became our turn and I waited with Stephany who had a book to be signed. She asked Hayley for a Kiwi, similar to the one I had got in Croydon (I think I got the idea from Joyce's picture of Passchendaele) and asked for it to be French! Hayley thought for a moment how to make it French so I suggested a beret, an idea with which Hayley concurred as you have seen in Stephany's scan.

I had brought along Pure to sign as it has a light background and I thought would be easy to see her signature. I also asked why Hayley's eyes were blue in that when they are green in real life (and on subsequent albums). She wasn't sure...

Anyway, the moment was over in a flash as ever (but the memories will linger for a long time) and so I asked for a quick photo to add to my collection. Many thanks to Ray for his patience with us and support of both HWI members waiting to see Hayley and of course his support of Hayley herself.

To finish, I can understand why the local reporter was so enthused:

dave said:

NEW Zealand songstress Hayley Westenra could have sold out this intimate Southampton venue several times over.

Perhaps Hayley could do a "mini season" there? I'll be the first in line for a "season ticket".

All good things must come to an end, so it was off home before a Saturday trip to Bath...

[Stuart H]

For me, the highlight of the evening as Sonny. These pictures show how Hayley is gaining confidence as a singer / pianist.

[Stuart H]

And a few more from the encore.

Stuart

[Nordly]

thank you, its nice seeing more pics!

[starbuck]

Thanks For all the pictures from those who are less fortunate in being able to see a concert.

Merry Christmas To All!!

Monte

[grant]

Wonderful pictures Steve and Stuart - I can see what you mean about the effect of poor lighting conditions, but you both seem to have overcome the difficult conditions.

David, you appear to have had some sun on Sunday, was it any less cold? Great pictures too.

Here are a few more from me.

Last few still to come.

Best wishes
Grant

[Stuart H]

A final group from the concert for now, in black and white. The effects of the harsh coloured lighting at both Southampton and Bath can be reduced using B&W.

Stuart

[david]

Hi all,

Wow, some wonderful reports and photos here, thank you Grant, Mark, Dave, Stuart and Steve for sharing with us. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Stuart, I really do like your black and white photos there, they're very effective, almost haunting in their own way.

Best wishes
David