London Palladium - Valentines Tour - 15 Feb 2009

[Dean McCarten]

Feb 16, 2009 0:45:53 GMT @roger said:

Apparently there were one or two VIPs in the audience (Debbie Wiseman and Don Black were mentioned) which may explain the back-stage party which followed the concert

Did your invite get lost in the post Roger?

Glad you had a good time

Cheers
Dean

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

It was a fantastic show last night. It was great meeting so many of Jonathan's fans by the stage door, and there was a nice little crowd from both camps when Jonathan and Hayley arrived at about 4:15. Hayley came out of the tour bus with pen in hand, and happily signed autographs and chatted with all of us before she went in for the soundcheck. Jonathan spent several minutes with his fans, and I also shook his hand before he went inside.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole show, but the real highlight for me was Hayley's beautiful performance of 'I Know You By Heart'. She was in fine voice throughout the concert, and so was Jonathan. I have to agree that their voices blended perfectly in all the duets, and my favourite was 'Amigos Para Siempre'. Raven also gave a magnificent performance, as did Andy Moore on guitar and Tim Evans on piano.

We didn't wait for Hayley and Jonathan afterwards because there was a big after-show party, so some of us went for a drink instead. Thanks Steve! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

There should be some more photographs soon, so watch this space.

Richard

[Martin]

Despite the persistant rain whilst we were waiting for Hayley to arrive at the stage door, the rest of the evening soon made up for this minor discomfort. In fact, Hayley was late arriving but as fate has it the rain stopped minutes before Hayley appeared. Who said she wasn't an Angel?

There is something special about appearing at the London Palladium and I think both Hayley and Jonathan relaised this because the concert was just brilliant and the one or two minor rough edges that you expect at the start of a tour were now gone. Everyone performed beyond all expectations.

This indeed was a very special evening and the chemistry between Hayley and Jonathan was plain for all to see.

I have to admit though that before this tour I was never really a fan of Jonathan but after now seeing two legs of the tour, and last night in particular, I can honestly say that this is no longer the case. Jonathan's power and strength last night was very impressive and he sincerely gave all to every song he sang. I got the impression that last night was a very emotional occasion for him.

But, so was Hayley and I do not think I have ever seen Hayley give such an impressive performance as last evening. The emotion and feeling put into every song was felt by all.

Unfortunately, we were unable to meet with Hayley afterwards due to a scheduled after show party but these things occasionally happen and rest assured, there are always going to be other opportunities.

Sadly now, I have only one more concert to attend before Hayley starts her tours overseas but I will be looking forward to Leamington at the end of May. At least we will have HSJS2 to look forward to next month.

Martin

[cathyk2002]

Feb 16, 2009 4:16:45 GMT Dave said:

EDIT Oh... I just had to add this final one.... it shows some of the passion - just look at Jonathan!!!

Cheers, Dave

Lovin' your camerawork Dave - excellent pic of Jonathan giving it his all as he does so well - shame Hayley hadn't turned around a bit though.

I noticed in your earlier pics that Jonathan had on his British Heart Foundation red heart pin badge that I gave him too thought he might have just worn it on 14th at Bristol, but was nice to see it still attached to his lapel !!

[dilog]

Feb 15, 2009 23:55:43 GMT graemek said:

Feb 15, 2009 23:38:42 GMT Andrew said:

Hi Graeme,

Well spotted... Hmmm... shame about her lack of comments about Hayley!

Andrew

Yes Andrew but it's only fairly short. Dilog is normally a very detailed writer.

Or else Hayley didn't turn up.

Graeme

HI Folks

That was a very quick review as I could not Twitter last night and had 2 guests staying with me - London JA events always turn into open house for me

Will be doing a full review for ClassicalX and will post a link for you when it is up

Di

[Sing]

thank u very much for the pics and reviews...this concert looks and sounds as though it was amazing- I've only managed to be able to go to Reading (which was fabulous to me though) i wish i could have been there...

btw...i've found some more pictures of this concert on gettyimages.com
there are only a few but they're very good

///Sing

[Steve H]

Hi All,

The London Palladium is to be my only Valentines Concert, so I had only one attempt to capture the event on camera for you. I will be posting the results over the next couple of days.

I will start with the arrivals at the stage door!

Kirsty from Raven Arrives first!



Then Natalie from Raven is next



Hayley arrives as the rain finally stops!



Hayley exits the people carrier pen in hand!

Steve H [/size]

[Steve H]

Hayley



Jonathan



Hayley



Jonathan

Steve H [/size]

[natalie]

Wonderful photos thank you

[Steve H]

Hayley



Jonathan





Hayley

Steve H [/size]

[Steve H]

Hayley



Kirsty

Steve H

[grant]

Just Another Sunday!

Just as it had the previous Sunday for the Reading concert, my day will begin with more Sunday rail services or, should I say, lack of them! Derby to London on a fast train would normally take ninety minutes on a good day, today it will take a little under three and a half hours!

Consequently, I have resigned myself to the fact that it will take something of a miracle to enable me to get to the Palladium in time to see Hayley when she arrives. First, I have to get to Croydon to check into my Travelodge which I may not be able to do until three o’clock, then fight my way back into London with many underground lines closed for engineering work. A quick ‘phone call to Gordon will at least enable me to find the HWI party and join them for a meal.

So it was I eventually found myself on the ‘two-eleven’ train from London Bridge. On time and fast, I was getting off at East Croydon sixteen minutes later and three minutes after that, presenting myself to the pretty little receptionist at the hotel who promptly checked me in without requiring me to wait until the normal check-in time of 3pm.

Now it began to dawn that it may just be worth making a bit of an effort to get back into central London. I changed quickly – doesn’t matter what the room looks like – just go!! Back to the station at a gallop – yes! There’s a train in two minutes and twenty minutes after getting off the train from London, I’m getting on one going back. It’s a stopper, drat! But no, we made good progress and came to a stand at London Bridge at 3.06.

Back to the underground and the Northern line, I have to change at Bank. Twenty past three and I’m stood on the Central line platform. I may just make it. Everything is working for me so far. Have I discovered “Hayleypower”? I don’t know, but something or someone seems to be working hard to get me to my destination as fast as possible. All I can do is go along with it.

I emerged onto Argyll Street at 3.36pm having taken just 85 minutes to do a round trip from London to Croydon and back and survived the underground on a Sunday. It’s raining that same heavy drizzle that we had after the show in Bradford but no time to worry about that now, the Palladium is just up ahead. Round the corner to the stage door where there are quite a few fans waiting. Richard, Gordon, Martin, Steve and Larry are already there and it is soon confirmed to my utmost relief that Hayley has not yet arrived! Phew!!

The rain continued on and off, mostly on, for the next 45 minutes but miraculously stopped for good a few minutes before the minibus appeared. In the meantime we had seen Kirsty and Natalie from Raven arrive. Stephanie also arrived under her own steam.

As has already been mentioned, Hayley exited the minibus first in matching red hat and coat, already with ‘sharpie’ in hand and was quickly surrounded. As they were running a little late, Hayley didn’t stay chatting for too long but long enough to say hello. I managed to pass on “Love and best wishes” from Graeme and Marianne in Australia, so if you’re reading this Graeme, Hayley says “Hi!”

The Palladium stage door is below street level and down a flight of metal steps, so we were somewhat annoyed when one very inconsiderate fan called to Hayley who by now was at the bottom of the steps. Of course, Hayley being Hayley obliged and climbed back up but she shouldn’t have had to! That sort of behaviour is unacceptable in my book.

With Hayley disappearing inside, Jonathan is still surrounded by fans so we waited for a few minutes in order to say hello as he went inside. It seems to me that Jon’s fans are not dissimilar to us, both in age range and in the affection and respect they show for Jonathan. It’s also good that there has been quite a bit of “cross-forum” interaction both on screen and on the pavement. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

With everyone safely arrived and inside the theatre, it’s time to find somewhere to eat. There’s a Garfunkel’s just around the corner – that’ll do!

More after tea!

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

Thank you everyone for your reviews and comment on the Palladium concert and thank you Steve for the usual fantastic photo's.

Edit: Sorry Dave forgot to include you!

Best wishes
Grant

[Steve H]

Thanks Grant,

Now to start the photographs taken inside the palladium, I used both the Sony DSLR 700 and a Sony H7 compact. both performed well in the more than adequate lighting conditions.

Steve H

[Martin]

Thanks to Steve and Dave for stupendous photos, particularly the close-ups. I liked one photo so much that I ...................

Martin