Canterbury Cathedral, 27th October 2006

[roger]

Hi everyone,

As Richard has indicated, Hayley gave an outstanding performance last night despite the difficulties with the sound system. She looked very comfortable and confident as she introduced each song, often with a short but appropriate anecdote. It was such a shame that we were unable to hear what she said from the time the speakers failed (midway through her third song) and for the remainder of the first half.

Even when the system was fully operational, I have to say the sound quality was not good. I don't doubt that it sounded wonderful during the sound check when the cathedral was empty but no allowance seems to have been made for the fact that much of that sound would have been absorbed once 2200 people took their seats.

Several people commented that the piano and violin often drowned Hayley's voice. That was neither their fault nor was it Hayley's. The sound engineer should have ensured the balance was correct. Unfortunately, this is not the first occasion that difficulties such as this have arisen. We had a similar experience last year in (if I remember correctly) Tewkesbury Abbey. This, and other issues have led me to conclude that churches, abbeys and cathedrals are not suitable concert venues. A paying audience deserves better than that - and so does Hayley.

I felt especially sorry for Tim who had travelled such a huge distance to attend, and also for Elizabeth, Michelle and Emily who had never previously seen Hayley. I am so thankful that they were able to meet her which, I hope, made up for the less than perfect sound quality.

Roger

[george]

Hi

We (George, Chris & Tracey) had a great night last night. It was nice to see so many familiar faces.
We managed to get reasonable seats along with Peter. It was obvious that many unreserved seats had no view at all which I could not imagine those people being happy at all.
Here a a few shots with Hayley afterwards. It was not possible to get any shots during the performance but I think there will be some posted before long!
Grant, I hope you don't mind but I here is one of you with Hayley. I know many people are waiting to put a face to your name.











George

[Andrew]

roger said:

Hi everyone,

As Richard has indicated, Hayley gave an outstanding performance last night despite the difficulties with the sound system. She looked very comfortable and confident as she introduced each song, often with a short but appropriate anecdote. It was such a shame that we were unable to hear what she said from the time the speakers failed (midway through her third song) and for the remainder of the first half.

Even when the system was fully operational, I have to say the sound quality was not good. I don't doubt that it sounded wonderful during the sound check when the cathedral was empty but no allowance seems to have been made for the fact that much of that sound would have been absorbed once 2200 people took their seats.

Several people commented that the piano and violin often drowned Hayley's voice. That was neither their fault nor was it Hayley's. The sound engineer should have ensured the balance was correct. Unfortunately, this is not the first occasion that difficulties such as this have arisen. We had a similar experience last year in (if I remember correctly) Tewkesbury Abbey. This, and other issues have led me to conclude that churches, abbeys and cathedrals are not suitable concert venues. A paying audience deserves better than that - and so does Hayley.

I felt especially sorry for Tim who had travelled such a huge distance to attend, and also for Elizabeth, Michelle and Emily who had never previously seen Hayley. I am so thankful that they were able to meet her which, I hope, made up for the less than perfect sound quality.

Roger

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your detailed update...

Personally I think Hayley should stick to performing at castles!

The sound was absolutely DYNAMIC when she performed at Edinburgh Castle!

I would love to hear Hayley peform in a church or cathedral singing acapella... Despite your comments about the poor sound control from the sound desks in the Cathedrals, I'm sure that there must have been a certain reverence captured by Hayley singing in the Cathedrals, which would have been unique from everywhere else.

Regards,

Andrew

[Andrew]

Hi George,

Thanks for sharing your photographs... They are absolutely brilliant!

I can feel the energy emanating from all those lovely smiles!!!

Regards,

Andrew

[thomas]

Hi everyone!

Thank you Richard and Roger for your reviews and George for the nice pictures.
This was without question a great night even if the sound quality wasn't the best like you wrote. It's hard anyway to get a good sound in big buildings made of stone like cathedrals so you can't expect a sound in there like in a regular concert hall.

But anyway, meeting with Hayley for sure made up with everything. I'm a bit jealous that I've missed this one but there are more up to come this year. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
I can't wait for more fotos so hurry up Steve and Stuart.

Thomas

[grant]

Hi Hayley

I hope you pick up this thread to see all the great comments people are making about last night's concert in Canterbury Cathedral

I just had to add what a brilliant evening it was, I was particularly pleased to hear you sing "I say Grace" for the first time and also to hear you recount the tale about the kiwi climbing into the satellite dish, which of course, you refer to on the DVD.

As far as is-lay is concerned, as we spoke about yesterday, it just doesn't sound right! but I think we all still enjoyed the story and it gave us something to think about.

Hope everything goes well with the new album.

God Bless

Grant

[grant]

Hi George!

Thanks for those great pics! - I certainly don't mind you posting that one of me - Unusually, I've come out quite well, 'cos I often don't especially when close to Hayley. I always look as though I'm off the planet!!

Thanks also for offering to do my avatar for me, that will be great!

I had a thought on the train coming home though, I know we decided on a picture last night but then I thought, I see myself differently to everybody else. So I'd be quite happy to leave the choice of picture in your hands - maybe the one you've already posted?

Grant

[grant]

Great to meet up with everyone for last nights concert. It was especially nice to meet so many new faces (too many to mention all) but I will say it was a pleasure meeting you Tim and also Elizabeth, Michelle and Emily.

I hope you were happy with the time we managed to spend with Hayley - I haven't come down to earth yet!!

Hope we will see you at more concerts in the future and that your studies go well girls.

Best wishes
Grant

[elizabeth786]

Hi Everyone! The concert was wonderful- we all had a blast. My friends had never heard of Hayley before I mentioned going to the concert; they had a great time and they really enjoyed her music and meeting Hayley afterwards. Thanks to everyone who helped us find seats and showed us where it meet Hayley- it was great to meet everyone from the forum! It's always nice to put a face to the messages from on here! But, it was a really great night- I hope that I can go to another concert again soon and see all of you again. Meeting Hayley was a huge highlight of the evening- she was SO nice and inviting!
I can't say enough about the concert- It was great!!
-Elizabeth

[george]

Hi Grant

I am glad you like the photo. I think it is the best one to use as your avatar. I don't think I am able to add your avatar, I think it will need an Administrator or Moderator to use the photo I have posted and edit your profile.
I may be wrong, if so please let me know.

Regards,

George

[grant]

george said:

Hi Grant

I am glad you like the photo. I think it is the best one to use as your avatar. I don't think I am able to add your avatar, I think it will need an Administrator or Moderator to use the photo I have posted and edit your profile.
I may be wrong, if so please let me know.

Regards,

George

Thanks George - I did wonder about that.

Richard/Roger.

Are you able to help perform this little wonder of modern electronics. You could probably tell me how to do it myself but that may take longer.

Whatever needs doing, if you can do it, you have my permission and grateful thanks!!

Grant

[grant]

elizabeth786 said:

Hi Everyone! The concert was wonderful- we all had a blast. My friends had never heard of Hayley before I mentioned going to the concert; they had a great time and they really enjoyed her music and meeting Hayley afterwards. Thanks to everyone who helped us find seats and showed us where it meet Hayley- it was great to meet everyone from the forum! It's always nice to put a face to the messages from on here! But, it was a really great night- I hope that I can go to another concert again soon and see all of you again. Meeting Hayley was a huge highlight of the evening- she was SO nice and inviting!
I can't say enough about the concert- It was great!!
-Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth

Glad you enjoyed the experience. I too hope you can repeat it soon!.

Grant

[grant]

Richard.

Thanks for the review, excellently put and greatly enjoyed but a couple of salient points (for me anyway!) missed out.

• The story about the letter Hayley received about the proununciation of "Islay" - should it be 'Is-lay' or eye-lay'? Maybe we should start a thread about this (or not!)
  
• Second, the fact that Hayley "blew up" a radio mike when she came back for an encore
  

Just a thought
Grant

[roger]

grant said:

Richard/Roger.

Are you able to help perform this little wonder of modern electronics.

Grant

Hi Grant,

Your avatar has been *granted*!


Roger

[grant]

Thanks Roger

You're a star

Grant