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Post by James on Dec 22, 2007 19:17:07 GMT
Now it's that nostalgic time of year, why not take a chance to look back and consider which you think was the best Hayley concert of the year.
I've included tours such as Japan and Celtic Woman as one "concert" and selected a range of others from the threads. I'm sure even those who haven't been fortunate enough to see her live will have an impression of which one they would like to have seen from the reports on the forum.
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Post by roger on Dec 22, 2007 19:34:05 GMT
Hi James,
This might be one of the hardest polls ever. There have been so many Hayley highlights during the year (some of which I attended and some I didn't). Every event is a memorable occasion and each one could be considered the best for one reason or another.
All things considered, I have to give my vote to Shepherds Bush. To see Hayley performing some very different material was amazing. And I cannot forget the VIP treatment that we were all goven by Steve Abbott.
Whether it be at Shepherds Bush or at any other event, one of the highlights for me was to meet so many members from around the world. I hope to meet many more in the year to come.
Roger
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Post by grant on Dec 23, 2007 0:52:33 GMT
Hi James WOW! This is a tough one! My first thought, like Roger, was Shepherds Bush, but then I got to thinking. There have been so many special moments for me over the concerts that I have attended, I have come to the conclusion that, for me, it will probably have to be a combination of performance; special personal moments and the overall effect of the evening. But which one? At Telford there was the G&B chocolate interlude; Cardiff, the privilege of watching Hayley actually working the song out and time in the Green Room later; Shepherds Bush and of course "Sonny" who could ever forget that? BUT I have voted for Chichester (which was not on your list James) for the following reasons. I was there for the sound check and Hayley acknowledged me when she came onto stage (as did Fiona and Ian) It seemed to be the concert where we (including Ian) noticed the development in Hayley's voice AND the sound throughout the concert was superb It holds a special memory for me as being the time I had my photograph taken with her wearing THE green dress. Just let me relive that for a moment .....  Aaaah! that's better. Now, where was I? Oh yes, it was also the first time that Hayley spoke my name, even though I had to prompt her, that was a bit special. So yes, my vote goes to Chichester! Best wishes Grant |
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Post by Richard on Dec 23, 2007 9:20:18 GMT
Hello everybody!  The Shepherds Bush concert was remarkable for many reasons, as described by Roger, but I had to choose Croydon as the best of the six I went to this year. The guest artists were good and they didn't try to steal the show from Hayley.  Richard  |
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Post by gordon on Dec 23, 2007 10:41:30 GMT
Hi James,
My vote has gone to Hurtwood Park. It was the only outdoor venue I attended this year and the weather was fantastic .
Furthermore I was there in time for the sound check which was almost a concert in itself and for the second half of the evening Hayley was wearing the red dress which is my favourite.
Gordon
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HWI Management Team
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Post by Martin on Dec 23, 2007 11:04:34 GMT
Shepherds Bush gets my vote. It was a unique concert for many reasons but upmost because it showed a different side of Hayley's remarkable talent and variety that I hadn't seen before.
Martin
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Post by grant on Dec 23, 2007 11:58:46 GMT
Hi James, My vote has gone to Hurtwood Park. It was the only outdoor venue I attended this year and the weather was fantastic . Furthermore I was there in time for the sound check which was almost a concert in itself and for the second half of the evening Hayley was wearing the red dress which is my favourite. Gordon Hi Gordon Good choice! I forgot to mention that Hurtwood Park was where I had my first hug with Hayley. That's the trouble though, every concert has something special about it for each of us! Best wishes Grant |
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Post by James on Dec 23, 2007 13:07:28 GMT
Hi everyone, thanks for your comments so far. Having started this poll, I really should be casting my own vote! Hurtwood Park was the first time I saw Hayley and it was obviously a special occasion. The venue was ideal, the weather great, Hayley was on top form and the orchestra supported her admirably. There was also the unexpected bonus of meeting her (something I never expected when I booked to see the concert). Shepherd's Bush was the second concert, only a few days later and this was where I first met many of the HWI members. This was memorable for many different reasons, including the more "party" feel and the demonstration of Hayley's range and versatility as a performer. There was also the "VIP treatment" alluded to by Roger and it was here that I first had my picture taken with Hayley. Fast forward to December and Croydon. This was a great venue, front row seat and Hayley on top form. The support act (Blake) was good, without ever detracting from Hayley being the star of the show. This was a long afternoon and evening with HWI members and the first chance to meet Jill. It was also the venue where I got my own kiwi drawn in her book. It's easy to drift off topic with all the special memories, but in the end I've voted for a recent one - Southampton: -The venue was intimate. -There was no support other than Al and Fiona, so it was a purely Hayley concert and we had a large number of songs. -I had a front row seat only feet away from Hayley, including her encore performance on the piano of Sonny. -The meet and greet afterwards lasted a good while (and was indoors in the warm!) where Hayley seemed pleased to spend time with us and pose for pictures. It was also the first time that she actually spoke my name (it's very memorable when she does that isn't it Grant?) even if it was after prompting. So there you have it, a hard decision...on second thoughts...  |
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Post by Nordly on Dec 25, 2007 1:45:54 GMT
no clue- but I'm leaning towards other, and I'd say them all! But that doesn't help, does it   |
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Post by thomas on Dec 27, 2007 22:53:22 GMT
James, what a great idea for a poll and what a difficult one.  This year I've been to "only" four concerts, one less than last year. I hope to increase the number of concerts in 2008.  First I have to say that all the concerts I've visited so far had their special moments. At the Different Voices concert Hayley recognised me from the car she was sitting in when she arrived at Cadogan Hall and waved me "hello" even before she stepped out of the car. I also had the opportunity to attend both of the Different Voices concerts that day. Shepherds Bush was special because it was a totally "new" side of Hayley singing together with Dave Dobbyn and I was able to meet many new HWI members that I haven't met before. Not to forget our "VIP treatment" by Steve Abbott who lead us backstage so that we could spend some time with Hayley. Steve invited us later to the Walkabout which was a very generous gesture. Bath was the last concert this year. Hayley was just a guest at that concert and therefore didn't sing as many songs as I had liked her to sing.  But it was, as well as at Shepherds Bush, the nicest pre-concert gathering I attended. A pre-concert gathering itself like in Bath or like at Shepherds Bush were worth all the travelling to the UK. To meet Jill for the first time made the Bath concert also very special. But this poll is about the concert and I have to say my favorite is Telford! It was a very intimate venue. Hayley's voice was fantastic and having Fiona Pears performing togehter with her was the icing on the cake. After the show I had the opportunity to talk to Fiona and to Hayley. She had a lot of time for us and I talked to Hayley longer than after any other concert. She was very chatty, spoke some German and told my sister and me for the first time that Sophie intends to go to Germany for exchange. She was very open to us. A concert I'll never forget! Best wishes, Thomas |
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Post by graemek on Dec 28, 2007 0:23:46 GMT
Hi All, I have voted "other" as I have been to one "mini" concert this year & that was the "Readings" shop Treasure promotion. click below:hwi.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Concert&action=display&thread=1178147732&page=1#1178147732It was very special for me & also very lonely as Marianne was over in Germany & I drove down to Melbourne & back by myself. I know this is very subjective but I've resisted giving my view until several others have posted. I would have loved to have the support in the flesh of the HWI gang but i didn't have it so had to fumble my way through. However it was just wonderful & in retrospect I wouldn't have it any other way.....the difficulties made it more meaningful. Here are my main points of wonder: 1. Being within 3 m. of her while she sang 3 whole songs.(beautifully) The 1st time I had heard her sing Scarborough Fair with vocalisation. 2. Being within 3 m. of her while she was interviewed about Treasure and to see the whole audience's faces light up as she 'captured' them. 3. Being within 3 m. of her while we were allowed to question her. 4. Being within 1 m. of her while she said "bye bye Graeme". Graeme |
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Post by Stephany on Dec 28, 2007 7:14:12 GMT
Hi all, James - what an interesting poll...but quite tough! I was very intrigued to read everyone's opinions and like all of you, I think every concert is special in its own way. Having said that, Shepherds Bush got my vote - not surprisingly, I guess! It was my first Hayley concert, my first meeting with Hayley, Fiona, Ian and members of Bedlam management but also my first HWI gathering. It was a very unusual concert but I liked every second of it (okay, maybe a bit less during Dobbyn's parts). The highlights of the concert: - Pokarekare Ana (the way Hayley entered the stage with no lights and just her voice floating around the venue...amazing!) - God Defend New Zealand (Hayley was very moved during the anthem...so was I) - Sonny at the piano (that was very special) Of course, I had a tremendous time in Croydon, Southampton and Bath but Shepherds Bush is definitely first in line. Stephany |
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Post by grant on Dec 28, 2007 11:43:22 GMT
Being within 1 m. of her while she said "bye bye Graeme". Hi Graeme It's little things like that, that I think make Hayley the very special person she is. Best wishes Grant |
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Post by grant on Dec 28, 2007 11:49:14 GMT
The highlights of the concert: - Pokarekare Ana (the way Hayley entered the stage with no lights and just her voice floating around the venue...amazing!) - God Defend New Zealand (Hayley was very moved during the anthem...so was I) - Sonny at the piano (that was very special) Hi Stephany I certainly agree with you about the highlights. Trouble is, I seem to agree with every comment made by everyone else A very hard poll as you say and perhaps the reason why so few members have tackled it so far! Lots of Love Grant  |
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Post by jimg on Dec 28, 2007 17:44:34 GMT
Hi All,
I have only been to two Hayley concerts.
Shepherds Bush and Croydon.
As an overall concert Croydon was better.
But I will vote for Shepherds Bush for those moments of pure magic at the start and end.
I doubt I will ever feel such emotion at a concert as I felt hearing those first few notes of Pokarekare Ana live and in complete darkness. I suppose I still thought of her as a young girl then the spotlight picked Hayley out.
A vision in red.
A beautiful young woman.
Irene and I missed the special meeting with the other HWI members but after the show we met Hayley at the stage door a delightful young lady to whom nothing seemed to much trouble even though it was fast approaching midnight.
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But it was, as well as at Shepherds Bush, the nicest pre-concert gathering I attended. A pre-concert gathering itself like in Bath or like at Shepherds Bush were worth all the travelling to the UK. 
