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Post by grant on Aug 27, 2012 7:48:23 GMT
Nice! Thanks Grant!! Libby has just shamed me into doing a concert report for the Official Forum. That's the one we all seem to forget. But there are Hayley fans there who don't go anywhere else, so it is worth reaching out to them.
Martin D Yes I know - I read it i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif You should post it here too. There are very few comments other than mine and it's always good to hear different viewpoints even though you were sitting next to me all night!  Best wishes Grant |
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Post by jimg on Aug 27, 2012 8:04:36 GMT
Hi Dave,
I found this posted by a fan of The Three_Phantoms
An excerpt from the SC4 listings for 2nd September
The programme is only 1 hour and 5 mins. to cover 3 shows if this is the only programme.
Jim
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Post by comet on Aug 27, 2012 9:01:15 GMT
Libby You are in fact right about the balance between Hayley's voice and the other instruments. We were seated centre stage and about 60 feet from the mid range speakers which were pointed directly past and above us. We can't have everything, you pick your seat and take your chances, you either get a good view and good pictures or you can sit a hundred feet or more back from the stage and get good sound, Graham was at the back of the seated area and I am sure he heard much better sound than we did. Under the circumstances, ANY recording is better than nothing. We can't exactly move in with tripods and microphone stands and block the view or disturb other members of the audience, much as I would like to, or better still get a direct recording from the mixing desk or Hayley's mike transmitter, now there's a thought...........  |
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hammer
Junior Member 
Posts: 56
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Post by hammer on Aug 27, 2012 9:57:40 GMT
Hi everyone, it was good to see you again. Once again a great concert from Hayley, but it reminded me of Deep Purple at Knebworth in 1985, where it rained all day and was one of the most miserable expriences of my life. At least this time I had Hayley to look forward to , and not a bunch of Heavy rockers!
The day started well as John and I greeted Hayley when she arrived, and she was her usual charming self. Unfortunetly my pen ran out when she attempted to sign my ticket, the same thing happend to me when I met Paul McCartney. Typical!!
I would like to make special mention about Tim, he always makes a point of coming to say hello and always has the time to have a chat. What a nice man!
As reports have already mentioned, it was a great show, despite the rain, and Hayley was in top form. And we took her advice, when we got back to the hotel we had a steaming hot bath, and soon forgot the rain and cold, and could think back to the great show we had seen.
Thanks to Grant and Martin for the pictures and videos, keep them coming!
See you all soon, Mike
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Post by martindn on Aug 27, 2012 12:01:13 GMT
Hi Mike, I hadn't realised you were there! Greeti ngs anyway!
I hope you didn't find it a miserable experience. I certainly didn't, it takes a lot more than a bit of rain to stop me from enjoying a Hayley concert.
Martin D
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Post by martindn on Aug 27, 2012 12:24:10 GMT
Well Grant, I don't think there is much or anything new in the report I wrote for the official forum. But at the risk of boring you all, here it is. Like Grant's, it iis a 3 parter.
First of all, the weather was not good. Well, it started out OK, it was sunny when I left Leicester at about 12.30pm. I was held up on the M6 near Stoke on Trent by the normally 3 lane motorway being reduced to one lane by a broken down coach in the middle lane. That cost me about an hour.
I eventually arrived at the OK Diner, an American style diner on the A55 a couple of miles from the venue, at about 3.30pm. I was met there by John from Oxford, a friend and fellow hayley fan who has recently married.
He told me that he had been to the venue. I was to discover this was a wonderfully haphazardly organised concert. My ticket said "doors open 6pm" (doors? it was a grass field). The website said 5pm. but John got in a 2pm, and was able to greet Hayley on her arrival.
Anyway, we were soon joined by 3 other friends (Grant, Paddy and Paul (Comet), and after our meal we headed for the venue. When we arrived we could hear music. Very familiar music. Hayley, singing "Summer Fly".
We walked straight in, and found our way to our seats. At no point before or during the show were we ever asked to show a ticket. I had two for good measure, as my wife Sue had baled out, since she had to work.
The soundcheck was in full cry. Hayley was there in front of us. Obviously, this was not the finished product, but I can listen to Hayley's voice forever.
At one point she sang a fabulous rendition of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water". WOW I though, I must video that when she sings it in the show. Except she never did. Pity. I couldn't help appauding her at the end, and several others joined in. I now wish I had videoed the sound check, although it would be unfair on the musicians to make it public. It is a rehearsal after all.
I should have said that the first spots of rain fell as we arrived at the venue. At about 6pm, when the soundcheck ended, the rain intensified and became torrential. I had stopped at Knutsford service on my way and bought an umbrella, since I had forgotten to put one in the car. It was put to good use, although I also had my cagoule and overtrousers that i use when I go mountain walking. I needed them all.
I was in a good seat, second row of the priority seating. So settled down to wait. The concert was schedules to start at 8pm.
To be continued....
Martin D
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Post by martindn on Aug 27, 2012 12:40:59 GMT
The rain abated a bit before the concert started. And it started early, around 7.30pm. We noticed the orchestra arriving at about that time, which was the North Wales Youth Orchestra, many of the members still at school. They played anumber of orchestral peices over the next hour, including the second movement of Dvorac's new World Symphony. They were good.
Next up was Sioned Terry, a local mezzo-soprano from North Wales, much in the Katherine Jenkins mould. She sang several numbers, and to be honest, I don't think she was any worse than Katherine.
And then disaster. The rain had obviously done to the electrics what rain does. The stage lights went out, and the sound vanished too. Reminded me of a time years ago, in France, celebrating Bastille Day (14 July) when the sound and lights for the show in the town sqaure failed repeatedly because of the torrential rain. I remember Sue and I, dancing alone in the square, soaked to the skin in the pouring rain.....
Anyway, this time they managed to fix it in a few minutes. And then Hayley appeared. She launched into "1000 Winds", and the set list was very similar to what she had done the last time I saw her, on her UK tour in March.
Thanks to Grant of HWI, who sat beside me taking notes, I can publish the full set list.
Thousand Winds
Whispers In A Dream
The Mummers' Dance
Who Painted The Moon Black
Songbird (dedicated by Abigail to her mum and dad)
La Califfa
My Heart Belongs To You
interval
Summer Fly
Pokarekare Ana
Amazing Grace
I Dreamed A Dream
Both Sides Now
Wuthering Heights
Except that after the interval, the second half was opened by operatic vocal quartet Amore. They were excellent, They even go us clapping along to "Funiculai Funicula", that well known Italian song about mountain railways.
Then, Hayley came back. As always, time went by too quickly. And before long, she was into "Wuthering Heights" which is her favoured final song.
Except there were encores of course. And this is where things got even more interesting. Hayley went off stage, and reappeared with a woolly scarf. I had thought she must have been feeling the cold, as the temperature had dropped a lot, and she was wearing only her thin stage dresses. She said she would sing a song she hadn't sung solo since she was about 14, and that her accompaniment would simply be Tim (her Musical Director) on the piano. I didn't recognise the song at first, as she sang a full intro. Then the penny dropped. It was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz. And it was exquisite, probably the highlight of the evening.
Then she left the stage again, and no amount of clapping would bring her back. But, strangely, the orchestra stayed put. Then the lights went out and there was a firework display. I couldn't really see it, the penalty I paid for being so close to the stage. the fireworks were behind the stage.
Then, afterward, wonderfully, Hayley came back. She asked us if we would like another song. Daft question, of course we would! And we got "Never Saw Blue", a song I love.
I should have mentioned that the MC was Rhys Merion, a famous Welsh tenor, who has organised the whole festival Gwyl Gobaith, or Festival of Hope. He spoke mainly in Welsh of course, with the important bits repeated in English. Rhys had just sone a 200 mile walk from Swansea to Caerarfon in aid of the Welsh Air Ambulance, breaking his journey the previous evening at Portmerion, where there had been a charity dinner that was also attended by Hayley, who we hear sang four songs. He thanked Hayley for giving her time to support the charity, saying that Hayley had supported the New Zeland air ambulance, and knew what a wonderful cause that it was.
Anyway, the next thing was that we were all asked to stand for the Welsh National Anthem. I will confess I couldn't sing it. I didn't know the worlds. Not sure whther Hayley did either, but she was there on the stage with Rhys and Sioned and her lips were moving. Amore were significantly absent. I had managed an earlier community singing of that great Welsh hymn "Guide Me o Thou great Redeemer", I knew the words of that one since I had led worship in our church the previous sunday, and that was the first hymn I chose, having recently returned form a holiday in Wales.
And then, that was the end. It had not stopped raining except briefly throught the concert. A pity. It might have deterred some concert goers. In particular there was a whole section of seating reserved for "corporate" concert goers who had their own marquee and a slap up meal, but only a few bothered with the concert and then only Hayley's first set. I heard an argument earlier between a steward and some people who were settled in those seats, and they had to move because the seats were reserved. I never saw those seats occupied again.
To be continued....
Martin D
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Post by martindn on Aug 27, 2012 12:45:36 GMT
Well, what happens after a Hayley concert? We hope to meet Hayley and thank her of course. Often there are orgainised signings, and they are a joy to attend. But not this time.
The show had seriously overrun. It was supposed to end at 10.30, but it was almost that time when Hayley's second set began. So it was late. And we knew Hayley was being driven home to London, a good 3 1/2 hours away. So we didn't want to delay her. But thought it would be nice to say "Hi" if briefly.
So we headed backstage. Five of us. Nobody stopped us. And then the heavens opened. The rain came down torrentially, and we spotted Hayley, who told us she had something to do but would be back She looked comical in her stage dress and green wellington boots (gumboots) in place of the Anuna Seth heels she had worn on stage.
We dived for the nearest shelter, which was a tent wherein were the orchestra, packing their instruments away in the hope of making a run for their coach which was in the car park. A lady steward asked what we were doing there. We explained that we were friends of Hayley, who had known her for years, just wanting a quick word with her.
She was concerned about a lady in a wheelchair trying to get to the backstage area. we knew instantly who that was, and that yes, Hayley would like to see her, along with her husband and daughter, long time Hayley fans who we had seen many times, although they are not regular contributors to any of the forums. So they duly arrived, and then up bounced Hayley beaming her smile. We each had a brief word with her, conscious that she had a long journey home ahead of her, and it was getting late.
I mentioned that it must have been cold for her up on stage in those thin clothes, I was shivering with multiple layers of mountain gear and waterproofs, and she gave an non-commital reply which I think meant "yes it was, but i don't want to make anything of it, it is part of the job". Typical Hayley.
And so that was it. Back to the cars when the rain abated a bit, for the drive home. Got away just before midnight, arrived home a couple of minutes before 2am.
Was it worth it? Absolutely! There is nothing like a Hayley concert. There is nobody else like her, nobody who comes close in my opinion. Such a fabulous singer, such a lovely person, beautiful in every way you can define it. And modest too, I don't know how she does it.
Martin D
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hammer
Junior Member
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Post by hammer on Aug 27, 2012 13:06:45 GMT
no Martin, like you I can put up with anything to watch Hayley, and she certainly made me forget the rain, so no , it was not a miserable experience( I am not sure Alison, my wife flt the same though), but it's such a shame with all the effort everybody put in to stage the show, that typically the weather couldn't stay nice for a few more hours. Still, I am sure I will be there at the next open air gig come rain or shine! Mike
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Post by martindn on Aug 27, 2012 13:38:20 GMT
Well, here's another video for you. I don't know quite how I have avoided having a video of Hayley performing this song on my Youtube channel. I have made several failed attempts I think. And it is one that is close to my heart, being the first song that I ever heard Hayley sing. The same is true I suspect for a lot of people, but in my case my first hearing was live! I'm not a betting man but if I was asked to put money on the song that Hayley has performed at her live shows the most often, I would go for this one with a lot of confidence. It has been a solid favourite for a decade I think. If you look carefully as Hayley sings, you can see her breath condensing on this video. Gives you an idea of the temperature. I must apologise for the two "blackouts", which fortunately are brief. They were caused by the young girl sitting in front of me moving across to speak to her mum. Comet, who was behind me said afterwads that he thought I was going to bat her out of the way. But no, I wouldn't do that. I think this is a very beautiful performance by Hayley. Hope you like it. youtu.be/CMo-z1DNjogOh, and if you get in too soon after this posting you might see a bit of camera shake. I have invoked YouTub'e stabilise feature, so it should improve after a while. And I hope the sound balance is a bit better this time Libby. At least there are not drums! Martin D |
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hammer
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Post by hammer on Aug 27, 2012 14:27:17 GMT
thanks Martin for the videos, they are superb quality. Mike
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Post by Bamafan on Aug 27, 2012 23:48:38 GMT
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Aug 28, 2012 4:29:44 GMT
Hello Mike and Martin D  Mike, I am so glad you attended this concert and enjoyed yourself! Thanks for your report...fancy you meeting Paul McCartney...as well! Martin D, thanks for your report...and for another great video! Well done all around; and sincerely appreciated  Have a great day, Joe |
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Post by Libby on Aug 28, 2012 4:36:34 GMT
Nice! Thanks Grant!! Libby has just shamed me into doing a concert report for the Official Forum. That's the one we all seem to forget. But there are Hayley fans there who don't go anywhere else, so it is worth reaching out to them.
Martin D Yes I know - I read it i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif You should post it here too. There are very few comments other than mine and it's always good to hear different viewpoints even though you were sitting next to me all night! Best wishes Grant Martin, if you feel shamed about it, that has nothing to do with me.  |
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Post by Richard on Aug 28, 2012 7:45:31 GMT
From Twitter: Richard |
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Great performance! :wink:
