Stoke-on-Trent - 18 October 2008

[Andrew]

Hi Dazza & Grant,

WOW!!! Talk about "hot off the press!!!" It's really GREAT to hear your initial reports from Stoke-on-Trent...

Trust me, your effervescence is fully appreciated!!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Great work for 'HWI' there guys!!! We look forward to hearing more details later...

I hope you guys actually manage to catch some sleep...

Andrew (who can't sleep thinking about tomorrow!!!)

[david]

Hi Dazza & Grant,

Great work with the initial photos and reports guys! I'm glad the concert went so well!

The "Flying Scotsman" is eagerly awaiting the "Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba Christchurch!!!" (I don't know if I can "Handel" it!!!)

David

[grant]

Part One - The Day Unfolds
Not too far for me to drive to this one – about 42 miles, so, I spent most of the morning trying to keep busy and wishing that the time for me to set off would finally arrive. Eventually, the clock dragged itself round to 1pm and, with everything necessary for the days events safely loaded, I set off. I’d anticipated a journey time of about an hour, but failed to allow for local Saturday traffic at both ends of my journey so it took a little longer and I eventually arrived a little after 2pm.

I’m soon parked and in search of familiar faces and I soon spot Thomas and Peter. The first piece of news I received was not good! The theatre café closed at 2pm and the Portofino where we had planned to eat around 5pm doesn’t open until 6pm!! Looks like a ‘Plan B’ is going to be required.

We are soon joined by Dazza, Tim and Martin with Mark arriving a little later. There is no evidence of Hayley's presence yet but I spotted Danny and we went up towards the stage door for a chat and to find out what is happening. It appears an accident on the M6 is causing delays and the tour bus is still some 30/40 minutes away. With a bit of time to kill, we popped into town to find a loo before returning to the theatre to wait for Hayley.

We didn’t have to wait long for a very smart Mercedes Sprinter Minibus/Combi to arrive with Hayley waving through the tinted glass. Once parked, out came tour manager Dave, a couple of ‘techies’ Al Gurr, Andy Moor, the four raven girls and finally, our Hayley.

It had turned quite cold and blowy and Hayley wasn’t really dressed for outside yet she still came over to chat for a few minutes until Dave decided it was time to shepherd her into the warmth of the theatre. I did manage to say how much we’d enjoyed the coverage from Ghana on the forum which seemed to please her. I also asked about the little girl seen in some of the pictures in the hope that Hayley may know how she was, but unfortunately she didn’t.

With everyone now safely inside, we waited for Graham and Morag and Andy to arrive and then followed Dazza down to the Weatherspoons for dinner.

[roger]

Thanks very much to Dazza and Grant for such speedy coverage.

This was the first time that Hayley performed Wuthering Heights (in the UK, anyway) since the Pure Tour in March and April 2004. Had I know she would do that one, I might have made more of an effort to be there. As it is, I can only hope it is on the menu for the RoD tour.

Looking forward to further coverage!

Roger

[martindn]

Hi All,

Congratulations Dazza and Grant for getting in first. Strange to think I was with you both not much more than an hour ago.

This concert was AWESOME. If it wasn't Hayley's best performance ever, it was pretty close. Wuthering Heights was never a favourite of mine, by Hayley's performance of it tonight brought tears to my eyes - far and away the best performance of that song I have ever heard. And yes, I have heard Hayley sing it before, but not since the Pure tour. Other notables, apart from the ones Grant has mentioned, were Santa Lucia, sung with so much power that Al Gurr, the pianist, asked for his monitor to be turned down! Anyone who thinks Hayley's voice lacks power should have heard that! And anyone who thinks she can no longer sing the songs from Pure and Odyssey should have been there too.

OK, at least I will be first with the setlist, although I'm sure I will have more tomorrow, including photos, including a new dress, when I can sort out what is in my camera.

Hayley (in the orange dress)

Prayer
Ave Maria (Caccini)
Scarborough Fair

Three pieces by Raven (all of which have been heard before) This was delayed somewhat by the need to carry out running repairs to the cello.

Than Hayley again

Shanandoah
Now is the Hour (first ever plic performance of this song by Hayley, with the first verse sung in Maori)
Never Saw Blue (she hasn't sung this one for a long time either)
Danny Boy

INTERVAL

3 Pieces by Raven

Hayley (in the new lime green dress)

Mummers Dance
May it Be
Pokarekare Ana
River of Dreams (a long time since I heard her sing this)
Sonny

At this point Hayley went off and there was a short performance by Raven, Hayley then returnng on the Black and Gold dress. This was a pretty quick change, but not the fastest I have ever seen, which must be the time I saw Diana Ross actually change her dress whild on stage (behinf a sheet that was held up in front of her - but that's another story).

Santa Lucia
Both Sides Now (a different arrangement to any I've heard before)
Wuthering Heights.

We only got one encore, although Grant said he had heard there would be three.

Hine e Hine

I suppose that due to the cello problems, they may have been a bit late finishing. And Hayley had a signing and a long drive ahead. She planned to set off for Aberdeen tonight, then stay the night somewhere an hour or so up the road.
Nonetheless, she managed to see everyone, although they were pushed through fairly quickly at the end. I only got a brief few seconds with her, and didn't get anything signed or the new photo I would like, although there will be other opportunities I'm sure, I would rather she saw the fisrt timers . We also saw her briefly at around 4pm, when she arrived, late, due to traffic problems on the M6.

Anyway, more tomorrow

Martin

[grant]

Part Two - The Concert
Arriving back at the theatre at around 6.45pm, people are beginning to arrive for the concert and there is a buzz of excitement around the atrium where we now find ourselves. First job is to locate the flyers but there are non to be found as we were soon to discover that Danny had secreted them all away ready for the signing. Next job, find someone selling programmes. Ah!! Over there!!

Good, got my four and I have to say they are stunning and well worth £3.00. Hopefully I, or someone will post some scans eventually. I am particularly pleased as Danny has used four of my pictures from last years concert as thumbnails across the bottom of the centre spread which features a large picture of Hayley in white.

Eventually the auditorium doors opened and we are allowed in, although it is a slow process as each door has only one girl who not only has to check tickets but also sell programmes.

It’s a pity that with such a large HWI gathering for this concert, we are spread far and wide. I have a third row isle seat which is going to give me a superb view without me having to crane my neck too much.

Eventually the hall filled up, Danny came out and said a few words and the musicians came onto stage, followed by Hayley in her newer peach coloured gown, opening with ‘Prayer’ and singing the first verse a capella. Caccini’s ‘Ave Maria’ followed then ‘Scarborough Fair’ and Hayley asked if anyone had been to the fair, adding that she must get round to it one day!

Hayley then left the stage in the very capable hands of Raven well, almost as there seemed to be a problem fixing the tiny microphone to the cello but with a few giggles they managed a quick fix. These are four very competent and accomplished musicians. I didn’t catch all the titles, but they began with Bartok’s Romanian Dances and performed several other pieces before Hayley returned.

First up was ‘Shenandoah’ “It’s got 100 verses but don’t worry, we’ve shortened it to just 3 for you tonight" giggled Hayley. Although tonight’s concert is not part of the tour, Hayley is clearly in “tour mood” and enjoying every second of performing tonight.

The next one had us guessing as Hayley turned to Andy and announced that it was time for a duet, but it soon became apparent that we were about to be treated to ‘Now Is The Hour’ – a first for me and one which is certain to become a Hayley favourite. Hayley sang it with emotion and with feeling and the goose bumps are back. Afterwards Hayley said (with a degree of relief in her voice) that it was the first time they had performed it live and she seemed happy with it. You should be Hayley, it was amazing!

Continuing with the “let’s confuse everyone” theme Hayley began talking about a collaboration with an American writer for her album ‘Odyssey’ and introduced the next song as “One I haven’t sung for quite a while” – it was ‘Never Saw Blue’ which seemed to make Mark’s day. I looked around to where he was sitting and got a thumbs up. Oh! Those special Hayley moments! Hayley closed out the first half with ‘Danny Boy’

During the interval, Dave came out and stuck the second half set list to the stage deck by Hayley's mike. To save time, it seemed a good idea to copy it down. I looked at it once and then again. There’s a song on there I’ve only ever seen printed on a CD insert. What a night this is turning out to be!

Raven opened the second half with a few more numbers before Hayley returned to stage in a new dress, a knee length pale green number with a darker green sparkly flower pattern to give us five songs ‘Mummers Dance’, ‘May It Be’, ‘Pokarekare Ana’, ‘River Of Dreams’ and ‘Sonny’. I think this was the first concert I’ve attended that ‘Sonny’ wasn’t an encore.

Time now for a classical piece from Raven whilst Hayley changed into her black and gold gown. The first time I’ve seen this gown and I truly love it. She actually commented that she’d changed again and got a wolf whistle from somewhere close to the front. ‘Santa Lucia’ and Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’ and then YES!! ‘Wuthering Heights’ I have prayed and prayed that one day Hayley would sing it in concert and tonight, I got my wish. The encore was, of course, Hine e Hine to round off on of the most unexpected and yes, perhaps one of the best Hayley concerts I’ve ever experienced.

There's more!

Best wishes
Grant

[martindn]

Right, time for a few photos of that new dress, with Hayley in it of course.











That last one looks a different colour to the rest, but perhaps is nearest to what my (red/green blind) eyes percieved. Guess whaich song she was performing.

I wonder who will give up and go to bed first! Grant, like me, has to be up for church tomorrow Today!

Martin

[grant]

The Bit With Hayley
It seems like no time at all since I set off from home and I am now looking forward to getting some pictures at the signing session. The intention is that this will be quite short – and 20 minutes is being quoted. People are asking me “will we get to see Hayley?” “I’ve never known her walk away from fans” is all I can say in response. There are a lot of people waiting and I’ve selected my spot for photographs. We don’t have to wait long for Hayley to appear with Dave close behind.

It always amazes me how Hayley can give her all in a concert and then have the energy to spend time interacting with her audience, but she does and she does it with love. Tonight was always going to be hectic and Dave did eventually have to restrict it to signing only, well, he tried but Hayley just went into overdrive and did everything faster, but then I’ve never known Hayley let anyone of her fans down.

The twenty minutes turned into thirty-five. We have to let them go. They have to be in Aberdeen tomorrow, 400 miles north and they will be stopping overnight but have to get someway north tonight.

Almost as quickly as the queue formed it has gone. Hayley has spent time with everyone who waited – no one will have gone home disappointed and hopefully, a lot of money will have been raised for tonight’s charities. Just time for Peter and I to get our programmes signed by Hayley and a grin from Dave “OK just you two and no more!”

“Have a great tour Hayley, safe journey and God bless”

Goodnight and God bless everyone
Grant

Pictures tomorrow!!

[Nordly]

I'm sorry I didn't have time to wish you all a grand concert, but mayhap I would have jinxed it!

Wow- I certainly hope to read more reviews, see more pictures, and enjoy every second of it!

I wonder if the tour will be like this?

~NL

Edit: More pictures and more review have now been posted! Thank you all!

[grant]

Hi Martin

Glad you managed some pictures of the new dress. I think the last one is reasonably accurate colour wise.

What a fantastic night!!

That was another one that "You just had to be there"!!

God bless
Grant

[grant]

[

Oct 18, 2008 23:14:15 GMT Andrew said:

Trust me, your effervescence is fully appreciated!!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Thanks Andrew. My guess is that you are in for one fantastic night tomorrow!

Enjoy it and please share it.

God bless
Grant

[grant]

Hi NL

I doubt you would have jinxed it! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Between us we have lots of photos's. No doubt we'll have some up tomorrow.

Best wishes
Grant

[Joe]

Hi Martin,

Many thanks for sharing your photos...Hayley's dress is so lovely...a very pretty design I say.

Hello Grant,

I enjoyed your review...well done as always!

My best wishes to you both!

:rollin Roll on to Aberdeen

Joe

[Martin]

Thanks Grant, Dazza and Martin for the early reports and photos. We all appreciate you staying up late to post (although I know from my own experiences it is alomost impossible to get to sleep after a Hayely concert ).

I look forward to more contributions and it has certainly wetted my appetite for the RoD tour.

Best wishes
Martin

[belleyetere]

Hi all nice to meet you again.
Where we were sitting row H2,3,4. The first half the sound was a bit muffled I do not know what the crew had done on stage before the second half but the sound was totaly different and a lot better.
We loved the new dresses and the photos which will be posted probally will not show how they sparkled in the lights.
Abigail waited in line for the signing. when it was her turn Hayley looked at her and gave her a big smile and said Hello Abigail. She had 2 programes signed one for her and one for a new singer we have found at the local school. She also had a word with Hayley about her bag she is still waiting for and Hayley said she will tell her father off tonight when she speaks to him. We droped Tim of at Longton and got home for midnight. There was very little traffic on the road last night after we left.
Robert Wendy and Abigail