Hi everyone
Thanks so far to Keith & Grant for your reports and to Steve & Grant for your photos - brilliant as always. Some may have expected me to be the first to report in last night but to be honest, although I was still buzzing from such a wonderful concert, I couldn't face switching on the computer, as I wouldn't be able to help but look at my work related e-mails and I just couldn't face that at almost midnight
So many thanks Grant for your prompt reporting.
Anyway, as Grant has already given an excellent run down of the evening, I will fill in around the edges a little and tell it from my perspective.
For once it was a very easy journey for me, only 20 miles
I arrived at around 2.45pm to find a number of HWI'ers waiting outside the stage door, along with a few other fans. It wasn't long before I spotted Hannah from Bedlam arriving in a taxi - she waved to us and after checking in, came outside to chat with us until Hayley arrived. I am sure you will hear all about what Hannah had to say regarding Hayley's forthcoming events in due course and in the appropriate thread. Anyway, it was lovely to see her again and thanks Hannah for taking the time to keep us so well informed.
Hayley soon arrived and here are a few pics that I managed to take - it always seems that I am never quite in the right place to get the best pics and once again, I had forgotten to take a zoom lens - but I am still learning
Hayley Busy signing
Hayley was in really good spirits and seemed pleased to see everyone. With talk of a signing after the show raised by Hayley herself, we were happy to say our goodbyes for now and to go off in search of something to eat and drink.
We arrived back at the venue in good time and after welcoming latecomers James and Keith, we took our seats.
The first time that I heard Hayley's voice BEFORE she came on to stage was at Shepherds Bush back in August 2007 - its something that I will never forget and to hear her do it again last night was no exception. It still sends a tingle down my spine and to me, it sets the scene for the performance to come.
The audience I thought were interacting very well last night - this tends to help make Hayley more relaxed and sort of brings out the comedian in her. Grant has already mentioned that she got herself into a bit of a tangle when introducing the band, as she of course made a point of telling everyone that Tim is from New Zealand and then she carried on with the other band members and of course, couldn't remember where each of the Raven girls live!! Kirsty picked up on this when she introduced Ravens set list - mentioning that one of the numbers was arranged by our resident composer, Natalie -"who by the way ladies and gentlemen, is from Kent" This raised a good bit of laughter
i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif It was obviously hot on stage, as by half way through the first half - Tim was fanning himself with his hand and Raven seemed to be a little uncomfortable. Hayley then asked the audience if we were hot as "its a little hot up here on stage". I have to say, that it was very warm in the auditorium.
At the interval, the exit doors were all opened and the whole place cooled down a little. Hayley came back on after the interval, following Raven, in what I call her yellow and gold dress (I think Grant referred to it as green) and started her intro to the next song, when she suddenly breaks off mid sentence and looks intently at the stage floor. "Is this water bottle top still here" she says, looking accusingly to the stage technician in the wings - "I could easily slip on this" says Hayley, as she kicks the bottle top against the feedback speaker at the front of the stage.
Just jumping ahead for a moment, after the show, I picked up the bottle top and when it was my turn to see Hayley at the signing table, I presented it to her "does this look familiar" I asked, holding up the offending item. "Ah ha", says Hayley, "from the colour, I know who it belongs to now - its yours Rachel" she said looking in the direction of the Raven table
i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifHere are Raven waiting to sign some more CD's
Anyway, a stunning show and as always, Never Saw Blue, my all time favourite, was beautifully performed. Although I was sitting on the second row and to one side, was Hayley looking right at me and smiling during that song? I can hardly believe it was so but it certainly felt like it to me - very special.
Be back with some more pics and a report on meeting Hayley afterwards a little later.
Mark
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I arrived at around 2.45pm to find a number of HWI'ers waiting outside the stage door, along with a few other fans. It wasn't long before I spotted Hannah from Bedlam arriving in a taxi - she waved to us and after checking in, came outside to chat with us until Hayley arrived. I am sure you will hear all about what Hannah had to say regarding Hayley's forthcoming events in due course and in the appropriate thread. Anyway, it was lovely to see her again and thanks Hannah for taking the time to keep us so well informed.
