Birmingham - Sun 19 Dec 2010

[Mark]

Hi everyone

Thanks so much Grant & Martindn for your reports, sounds like a wonderful concert!! Thanks also to Steve, they are some superb photos Steve - not that i know much about photography, but i would say that the light looks particularly good - those shots really are stunning.

Best wishes
mark

[Steve H]

Thanks Mark, more to come tomorrow!

Steve H

[martindn]

Thanks for the photos Steve and Karsten. Stunning as always.

Mark, I actually found the light a problem. My two attempts at videos are hopeless, partly because of the front of the stage getting in the way, so only the top part of Hayley was visible, and partly because I got the metering wrong for the lighting. Hayley was in bright light, but the background was much darker and a long way behind her. So I needed at least centre weighted, or perhaps spot metering to avoid over exposing her - unfortunately the penny didn't drop at the time. Using more zoom might have helped, at the expense of more camera shake of course.
They aren't up to YouTube quality, I'm embarassed by my poor technique, but I might upload them somewhere else - after all they are unique footage of songs that I had never heard Hayley perform before, and the sound isn't too bad.
You live and learn, but you only get one shot at these things unfortunately.

Martin D

[Jillian]

Thanks for the photos, Steve H and Karsten. Thanks also to Grant and Martind for your excellent reviews.

It sounded like a great concert - despite the dramas and sagas to make it happen!

By the way, did anyone get photos of the Hayley / Rhydian duet?

In relation to Rhydian using a backing track, I've heard that he's been extremely busy lately doing his stage productions (plus with the snow dramas) - so arranging rehearsal time with Hayley's band probably wouldn't have been an option all things considered.

On a side note, I think that it would be nice if Hayley and Rhydian would duet on Rhydian's track 'What If'. Would sound great, if you ask me. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers,
Jillian

[Joe]

Hi all,

Wow...what a treat with all of these wonderful photos! Thanks Karsten and Steve H. Great reports from Grant and Martin D!

Much appreciated guys!
Joe i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Karsten]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for your clarification. I only wanted to avoid any possible misinterpretation. Also looking forward to see you again (hopefully) next year.

Many thanks for the detailed reports and great pictures. I can only add a few to Steve's, hopefully not redundant to his forthcoming ones.

First Noel

[Karsten]

[Karsten]

Tim

[Karsten]

Andy

[Karsten]

Raven - this time unfortunately without Stephanie

Sorry for the angle.

Many thanks to all on and behind the stage - unfortunately I've no 'postable' pics of Michael and Tom,

Karsten

[Jillian]

Hi Karsten!

Thanks for fulfilling my request! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif You take such good photos!

Cheers,
Jillian

[grant]

Hi Karsten and Steve

Thanks for the stunning pictures both of you.

I do think Hayley looks super-cute with her fur lined hood framing her face.

Best wishes
Grant

[Martin]

Thanks everyone for their reports and in particular to Steve and Karsten for their dazzling photos. Can't wait for Barbican now.

Martin

[Richard]

Here's a short review from the Birmingham Mail:

Review: Hayley Westenra turns on Christmas

by Diane Parkes, Birmingham Mail

THE New Zealand singer was certainly in festive mood as she launched into a Christmas Wishes concert packed with familiar tunes.

Songs such as Sleigh Ride and Silent Night took on a new light because of the weather which saw quite a number of empty seats at this concert.

Hayley was in fine voice as she zipped through a programme featuring religious and secular Christmas songs plus some of her own tunes.

Also on the bill was former Birmingham Conservatoire pupil Rhydian Roberts whose decision to perform two songs to a recorded backing track was a little strange when there was a perfectly good set of musicians on stage.

Youngsters from the Edgbaston High School for Girls’ Choir were also given a chance to shine, blending perfectly with Hayley for the Coventry Carol.

With the audience joining in The First Nowell, we were all left feeling festive.

VERDICT: 3/5

Richard

[milewalker]

Dec 21, 2010 14:24:20 GMT Richard said:

Here's a short review from the Birmingham Mail:

Review: Hayley Westenra turns on Christmas

by Diane Parkes, Birmingham Mail

THE New Zealand singer was certainly in festive mood as she launched into a Christmas Wishes concert packed with familiar tunes.

Songs such as Sleigh Ride and Silent Night took on a new light because of the weather which saw quite a number of empty seats at this concert.

Hayley was in fine voice as she zipped through a programme featuring religious and secular Christmas songs plus some of her own tunes.

Also on the bill was former Birmingham Conservatoire pupil Rhydian Roberts whose decision to perform two songs to a recorded backing track was a little strange when there was a perfectly good set of musicians on stage.

Youngsters from the Edgbaston High School for Girls’ Choir were also given a chance to shine, blending perfectly with Hayley for the Coventry Carol.

With the audience joining in The First Nowell, we were all left feeling festive.

VERDICT: 3/5

Richard

You beat me to this one Richard!