Birmingham - Sun 19 Dec 2010

[dutchjoyce]

Hi all,


What a disappointing day.......
This morning, after heavy snowfall in the Netherlands, everything started looking good....
I decided not to go by car, but by train.
After one and a half hour i arrived at Amsterdam International Airport, and no problems so far.
After cueing for check in, some people with I phones, found out that the arrival plane from Birmingham was cancelled. That plane should bring me from Amsterdam to Birmingham.
Check in desk opened at 13.05.....and the flight was still on the screens. After some phonecalls, they told us that this flight was cancelled....................
No concert for me.....
Next time ....better luck...

To all going , enjoy the concert, and say hi to Hayley !!!

Greetz Joyce

[gordon]

Hi Joyce,

Sorry to hear that your flight was cancelled,I know it must be a real disapointment for you especially when things seemed to be ok at first.
I hope that you will be able to see Hayley again in the not too distant future.

Best Wishes.

Gordon

[Dori]

Oh Joyce.....so sad to hear that! Don't worry. Hayley will perform in Birmingham again!

Dori

[Mark]

Hi Joyce

Oh dear - so sorry to hear that. How cruel, to even get to the airport and the check-in desk, then only to be told the flight was cancelled. You must be very disappointed.

Very best wishes

Mark

[martindn]

Sorry to hear you couldn't make it Joyce. You missed an awesome concert.

I was right in the front row, which was perhaps some might think too near, only 4 feet or so from Hayley (usually, only Sue was closer to her than I was). Photographs would probably not work too well, since I was looking up at her. But WOW, didn't she sound fantastic (she looked pretty good too). Totally blown away once again.

This was the first time I had heard Rhydian sing live too, and he has gone up in my estimation.

But really it was all about the worlds finest female singer, and one of the worlds finest concert halls, and being close enough to Hayley to hear her directly. I will post more detail later.

All I can say is that she was on top form, and the whole show was magical. It was a privilege to be there.


Martin D

[BenCMitchell]

Hi folks

Tonights concert was amazing! Here is the short report:

Compared to other concerts, I didn't need to be up early and catch a coach or a bus, as I am currently studying in Birmingham. After spending a couple of hours at college practising, it got to 4.45 and I decided to leave to meet the team at the 'Figure of Eight'. As soon as I left college I realised that I had left my ticket back at the house! Oh no!! After hurrying back to the house and cycling all the way back in, it had got to 5.45 by the time I met up with Grant, Karsten, Steve etc. After having a drink and a chat about general things, we decided to head over to Symphony Hall at about 6.30. After waiting around for the doors to open, Steve and I took to our seats on the 3rd row in from the stage. At 7.35, the lights dimmed and the audience applauded the choirs from the Edgbaston Girls schools as they lined up on stage. After singing 2 songs, the choirs exited, and Hayley's band walked on stage, minus one member of the Raven quartet, to applause. Hayley then walked on stage, to loud applause. Other members will have to fill in, as I can't remember the order of songs that she sang! Soon, Hayley's special guest, Rhydian, came onstage to sing 2 solo songs to a backing track.

After the 20 minute interval, the girl choirs came back onstage, and accompanied Hayley, now in a red dress. Again, I'm sorry guys, I just can't remember which songs she sang, I was kinda caught in the moment! Rhydian again sang 2 confident solo songs. The penultimate song of the evening involved Hayley and Rhydian singing a duet accompanied by her band. After the standing ovation, Hayley (joined by Rhydian) invited all those with programmes to sing with her 'The First Nowell'. Even those without programmes stood to sing, and Hayley and Rhydian actually stopped singing in the final verse to allow the audience to finish. Afterwards, after a final loud applause, Hayley and Rhydian left the stage.

After the concert, the HWI'ers banded together to work out where Hayley and her crew would be leaving from. After some confusion, a Symphony Hall assistant informed us that Hayley had already left. Fans of Rhydian were lined up outside the hall for pictures. Sounding suspicious, the group failed to give up hope, and we all congregated again out by the entrance to the stage door, where we eventually saw the tour bus leaving. It was a shame that Hayley was unable to chat to us, but it was bitterly cold outside.

After some words, I departed, to collect my bike and cycle home.

Sorry this report is so vague and lacking detail! I have a big day tomorrow, as I've got to pack for going home!

It was truly a flawless performance, as always from Hayley and her band, and a perfect way to end the first term of my second year at college!

I look forward to reading the other reports from those who attended.

Bye for now.

cheers,
Ben

[martindn]

Hi Ben,

I must have seen you there but failed to say hello to you, although Sue said she spoke to you. Sorry about that. Oh, and hello. Glad you enjoyed the show, it was awesome wasn't it.

Martin D

[Jillian]

Hi everyone,

I read on a Rhydian forum that the duet was 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'. Apparently, a Rhydian fan was trying to record it but was jumped on by security (well, not literally! ha ha). A pity - as I would have liked to have seen that.

Thank you Karsten for your photograph and report! I look forward to hearing more about the epic journey that was Birmingham! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers,
Jillian

[Joe]

Hello Joyce,

I am so sorry that your flight was cancelled Some other time then

To Karsten...many thanks for that "first photo" i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Hello Martin and Ben...thanks for your reports on the evening. Too bad Hayley could not stay after the performance...but the last few days of hectic travel for her would affect anyone.

Looking forward to more lovely photos and reports!

Thanks again friends,
Joe

[keithp]

Am currently sat in Birmingham Airport trying to find out if/how I will get back up to Edinburgh today.

What another fantastic show. Roads were a little tricky as were the paths in the area of Symphony Hall but well worth the effort to get there. Hayley was brilliant as always, looking and sounding fantastic. I'm still not sold on Rhydian in concert. He sounds great but there is something that makes me not want to watch him (don't ask what it is lol). Fortunately, even when Hayley is not on stage with him, there is always Raven to look at Also, I am always a little disappointed when a live show features an artist using a backing track, I know Rhydian was singing live but I always feel a little shortchanged

We missed out on Raven's special number because of the 'missing' Steph which was a shame as I really enjoyed that on Friday night.

Again, Hayley on stage set list included a second encore which didn't happen. Perhaps she is saving it for the Barbican (sadly I won't be there).

Managed to catch up with a few other forum members before and during the show as Mum and I were sat in the front row not far from Grant, Martin, Karsten, Graham etc etc. Apologies for not catching up afterwards but with my travel back to Edinburgh planned for this morning we decided to head straight off.

All in all another excellent night out (apart from Mum having a fall on the way back to the car park).

Looking forward to any more reports and photos that may appear later in the day.

[Karsten]

Hi Joyce,

I'm very sorry for you - to be stopped so close before getting here.

Many thanks for the reports, so I can restrict myself to the pictures...

Needless to say that I expected again the best and wasn't disappointed by all on stage

[Karsten]

I think there will be a few more posts by Steve and I'm looking forward to Grant's report, of course.

Bye, Karsten

[Richard]

Thanks for the photographs, Karsten!

Joyce, I'm very sorry to hear your flight was cancelled.

Steve, as you've taken some photographs, would you like to create a gallery on our website for this concert?

Best wishes,

Richard

[postscript]

So sorry, Joyce for your disappointment.

Peter S.

[postscript]

Fully understand how your were feeling, Ben. With Hayley on stage you become mesmerised and totally absorbed. I try to write notes and when I do I then find I can't read them afterwards!

Peter S.