Grant beat me to it!
i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Anyway, here is my report for the evening:
I woke up at about 8am, mild butterflies in the stomach, just like the feeling on the morning of my first concert! My alarm on my phone read "todays the day! get up!!!¡¨. So up I got, not really knowing what to do. My mind was everywhere! I decided to have breakfast first (bacon and sausage sandwich). After, I showered, changed into my concert gear, (black shirt, suit trousers, etc) and collected up all that was laid out the night before - MP3, phone, camera, etc.
After calling goodbye to a hung-over (again) flatmate, who replied with a grunt, I left my student digs at about 9.45, for the walk to the coach station. It was a brisk day, a few clouds in the day, but pleasant. I had 'Pure' enchanting me along the 30 minute walk to the coach station. After boarding, I (as well as the butterflies) fell asleep to the sounds of HSJS'K.
After arriving at Banbury at 11.40am, I had a good 2 hours to fill, so I thought I would have a wonder and explore. Thankfully, the coach station is right next to the canal, and I had a lovely walk up, taking a few pictures, watching someone pull their house boat about 200 yards up the canal. I then realised that I had done the same mistake as I had done at Dudley! I had forgotten to print off any directions to the concert venue!! There is always something I forget, but in the end I was quite glad that I had done that in a way, because it meant that I came across plenty of interesting features whilst on the hunt for St. Mary¡¦s. The town centre was heaving, and I had trouble getting through the crowds of people to proceed on up the high street. I had remembered from looking at Google maps a few nights before that I was going in the general direction at least. I found a church, and thought that I had found St. Mary's, of which I felt confident, but a casual wonder further up the street brought me, purely by chance, to St. Mary's! I am thanking my curiosity for wanting to have a further look up the street, as I would never have found it!
After taking a couple of photos of the entrance to the church, I preceded inside, where I met Karsten, enjoying the warmth of the church! After about 10 minutes, Paddy turned up, and introductions commenced. We were wondering whether the church would be closed for the sound check, and unfortunately it would be, but that didn't phase us, so we proceded outside, where we were joined by Martin (introductions again). We then spent the next half an hour or so waiting for Grant to arrive, which he eventually did! We then spent the next 15 minutes or so debating whether the main entrance was the only entrance for Hayley to gain access, all the while waiting for Mark to arrive, again, of which he eventually did! (intros). After all who were arriving for the early meet had arrived, we waited and debated again where the mini-bus would be stopping. Some time later the mini-bus arrived, and we gathered just before the entrance to the church grounds. Hayley was welcomed by Grant and Karsten's cameras, as well as my own (the lighting was terrible ¡V a grey day made worse by trees blocking out what light there was), but Karsten and Grant managed to get some brilliant photo's nonetheless. (Mine were shocking!) After a hurried hello, of which Hayley signed a couple of posters, and Andy had some photos taken, they all whisked into the church for the sound check. We all proceeded to follow Mark to the local Wetherspoons.
The Wetherspoons we chose was packed! We all sat down at different tables within close proximity with each other, and continued to talk about all things Hayley. We eventually found some tables which we pushed together to make six, and we ordered (I tried quite cheekily to get a student discount!) We had a lovely relaxed meal (apart from a waiter who knocked a pint of fosters all over Martin¡¦s food, who then continued to use the menu¡¦s to sweep the spilt beer onto the floor!).
After the meal, we all continued back to the church to start queuing. Grant, Karsten and Martin went ahead, whilst Paddy and Mark waited for me to draw out some funds to pay Mark for the Bath concert. We encountered the girls from Raven out looking for a place to eat, and they seemed to settle on a place called 'Top Wok'. We found a small gathering queued at the doors when we arrived, which quickly grew to go beyond the church gates and along the pavement. We waited for a good hour or so, keeping an eye out for Nicola, whom I was looking forward to meeting. At 6.15, the church doors opened (15 minutes early ¡V how considerate!) and continued inside to get the third pew row, which offered a brilliant view of the stage, and sat down, waiting for others to filter in and find their seats. The programs for this concert were very well presented and produced, with a small bibliography for Hayley and her band, along with an HWI mention in the special thanks on the back page! We talked amongst ourselves until 7.25pm (early start) when the steward made a general speech (of which he said that there was strictly no photography, which confused us) and introduced the St. Mary's Youth Choir.'
I annoyingly cannot remember what the choir sang (accompanied by Tim on keyboard) before Hayley came onstage. Some of the other members can help me on that!
When the choirs had finished their pieces (which they sang brilliantly!), the steward introduced Hayley, wearing her lovely silver dress, to loud applause. Hayley then proceeded to say a few words on her tour and being back in Banbury before getting started on her usual set. The set was, as far as I know, the same as the other venues before. After 3 songs (Veni Veni Emmanuel, The Little Drummer Boy and The Christmas Song), Raven had the spotlight. I cannot describe in words how lovely Hayley sang those songs. I am very glad that I heard the new songs live before I listened to them on the CD (Which is in the post - come on HMV!!!). As usual, my eyes were closed, but my hands stayed still! Raven¡¦s first set was amazing!! Again, I am a little tired, and I can't remember what they played, but I was enthralled and flabbergasted by the standard of playing!!
Hayley then continued with 'Ave Maria', 'The Little Road to Bethlehem', 'Corpus Christi Carol' and 'The Coventry Carol', accompanied by the Youth choir, of which were beautifully sung. I particularly liked the 'jolly' feel of 'The Little Road to Bethlehem'. I opened my eyes for this one and watched what Andy was doing on the fret-board. He is sooo lucky to be part of Hayley's band, as are all the other performers! The interval then commenced.
The second interval commenced with Raven taking centre stage, with yet more virtuosic flare and expertise! Their rendition of 'The Godfather' theme was a highlight for me, as well as their acting skills! Their album is on my Christmas wish list, along with many others!
After Raven finished their opener to the second interval, Hayley commenced (now wearing her red ¡¥dress¡¦ ¡V sorry folks, the others who attended can clarify which I mean!). Her performance of 'River' was perhaps the best of the whole concert for me - it was mesmerising - I was in a trance. Hayley stated beforehand that she was trying to play the piano - she was doing much more than trying, she was succeeding!!! She then continued with the Eva Cassidy song 'I Know You By Heart', which was beautifully sung. I opened my eyes to watch what Andy's hands were doing on the fret board - I am now determined to learn that song! She then continued with 'O Holy night' which was sung with so much stamina! I was on a cloud again. She just kept hitting those high notes effortlessly. I was completely in awe. Next was 'Sleigh Ride', which was very good fun. Hayley was bobbing about with her sleigh bells, and I could tell she was having the time of her life! I can't wait to hear it again! The last 2 pieces , 'Peace shall Come' and 'Love Came Down at Christmas' were the final 2.
After a huge round of applause, in which Hayley was presented with a bunch of flowers by one of the children from the Youth Choir, Hayley then sang 'Silent Night' as an encore, to the delight of the audience. After, the applause lasted a good few minutes, during which she praised her band.
After the concert, Raven did an official signing, of which Karsten and I took some photo's (the lighting wasn't great). After about 15 minutes, Hayley appeared at the stage and all the kids flocked to her for photos and signings. I chose to wait until all this had died down and chose to take a few more pictures of Raven, as well as to have them sign the program, of which they did happily. During the time it took for the commotion surrounding Hayley to die down, Tim and Andy signed my program. I also asked both of them whether a songbook would be produced for 'Winter Magic', of which they weren¡¦t sure. Andy suggested I contact Hannah at Bedlam, which I will do sometime. It was interesting talking to Andy, as he was trained classically to begin with, and he seemed interested that I was studying guitar at Birmingham. By the time I had got round to waiting for Hayley to sign my program, most of the crowd had disappeared to leave the HWI¡¦ers and a few others. I had a nice quick talk with Hayley about how I had stopped myself from conducting this time, of which she seemed a bit lost, until I mentioned Dudley, which brought the memory back. She seemed to recognise me vaguely, but not by name, but when I said the signing was to be made out to me, she seemed to remember. I also asked her on the possibility of a songbook for winter Magic, of which she said that that was something not totally in hers or Bedlams control, so I would just have to wait and see!
Shortly after, she and the rest departed,and I was very kindly offered a lift back to Birmingham, instead of having to wait for the 1.40am coach back! I would just have boarded about now if that had been the case!
Anyway, tonight was an amazing night that I will never forget, and I am already counting the days until Bath!
It was great to finally meet up with Martin, Paddy and Mark, and to also meet up again with Karsten and Grant! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to say hello Nicola!
Thanks folks, that's all from me! I know I have made a few mistakes here and there, so I will leave it to the others to correct me! Some of them are due to tiredness, as I'm sure you understand!
Right, I'm going to get some sleep - I have a days worth of practice to catch up on!
Cheers
Ben
