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23/02/98
- RIVERSIDE COLISEUM, KAMLOOPS
Review by Bryan
King:
Make the scenic four hour drive from Vancouver to Kamloops. One
break on the way includes a snow ball fight in the mountains. Everyone's
well-rested and ready to go.
Pull into town and check into hotel. We walk ten minutes down to
the Riverside Coliseum where show is. No luck in finding a way in
to hear soundcheck for us, but a friend of mine did get inside and
saw the soundcheck. Lucky guy.
As we walk around the arena, a female security guard plays the role
of "tough cop" as she tells us to keep away from the loading
bay area. We see three tour buses, trucks to carry the gear and
lots of people with all-access passes, but no sign of Bryan or the
band. We hear something inside, but no songs. We head back to hotel
for some food. Showtime's about two hours away. Sings are made by
some for the show.
7:15. Get to the arena which holds about 5, 500 people. I've never
seen Bryan is such a small place - should be a cool show. No bridge
behind the stage we learn for one reason for another. Probably the
venue's too small. Seats are filling behind the stage so it's close
to a sell out.
We're in row 5 for the show on Keith's side of the stage and figure
if security doesn't allow us to approach the stage, we're still
pretty close. Security guy tells us that the show is due to begin
at 8 pm. Venue's almost full by 7:45 when the lights go down. Earlier
than we thought.... Show time!!! Bass drum begins, lights come up,
there's Bryan, there's the band as they launch into the standard
show starter: "The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me is You".
Some fans make it up to the stage, the four of us together get told
to head back to our seats when we approach. We walk back slowly
but don't go back to our seats. Security lets a few more people
through to the stage so we try again. Security lets us through and
we're right at the stage on Keith's side. Not bad for the first
show. Bryan makes notions to the security that fans can come up
front if they want. Bryan's paying the bill, Bryan gets what he
wants.
Show is great since it's the first one in a long time for many of
us. It's the first show for ever for some in the group so they're
in a good position. Keith comes to stage front. Ladies rub his leg
- ALOT - guys try to touch the guitar. Bryan comes over, but not
as close as Keith.
Throughout the show three of our group gets a guitar pick from Keith
who gives us lots of interaction. The women love it!
Bryan sees the signs some of the group made, but the one Ian is
the one that he picks up to show the crowd. It says "I'm in
HEAVEN...with a beer". The smallest sign gets the most attention.
Go figure.
Show lasts 2 hours on the nose which seems short. Crowd's pretty
lame as the people as close as row four are whining because they
can't see over the people standing up in front of the stage. All
seats in the stands are being sat in. Finally, after an awesome
version of "Heaven" (the best slow number of the show
in my opinion) the crowd stands up and gives Bryan what he deserves;
a standing ovation.
"Summer of '69" closes the show with everyone dancing
and signing along. Although we would have liked more, the lights
come up - show's over.
We see Jody the soundman and I remark to him that it's a shorter
show than usual (BA gives at least two hours fifteen minutes in
Europe and elsewhere). He says Bryan is still sick (as he has been
for the majority of the Canadian tour) and hasn't had the time off
required to rest his weary voice. We couldn't tell he was that sick,
but apparently he was. Too bad, but he still sounded good.
After the show we file out and walk around the arena to where the
buses are. Lots of security around the venue tell us to get to the
top of the roadway where Bryan and band would be leaving if they
haven't already. We get different reports from different people.
Bryan's left - he hasn't left. The band's gone, Bryan's not. Bryan's
gone, the band's not. Whatever... We stick it out in the cold to
see what happens. There are about 20 of us in total gathered around
so we chit-chat about the show for a while.
After about 30 minutes of waiting a white van drives by. Before
we know it, Danny the percussionist is waving good-bye. We see figures
in the back seats, but the van doesn't stop. We don't know if they
are going to the hotel or to the airport. We wait some more as we
understand that Bryan hasn't left the arena.
About 10 minutes after the band van drives off, security tell us
to back up off the road, that Bryan's vehicle is coming out and
not to rush the van. Fair enough.
The van drives up and Bryan is looking out the passenger window
which is rolled down. His security man comes out and says Bryan
will sign some autographs if we just line up next to the van. We
do so. Each person has something to sign and Bryan quickly signs
"BA" on concert tickets, CD books, photos, whatever is
put in front of him. It's obvious he's in a hurry so the fans don't
delay him, even though we'd all love to talk to him. "Thanks
for the show" I say and he says "thanks". I get a
signed concert ticket.
Although I have written for BadNews and Michelle from BN tells me
Bryan knows my name, I don't introduce myself since it's not the
time. He didn't ask, I didn't offer it. Maybe I'll get a chance
to meet him again. Maybe not...who knows?
We head over the hotel where we think they are staying, but no sign
of the band. We're told that the road crew stayed there the night
before, but that the band is flying in and out of Vancouver to the
shows in BC. We're a little bummed out, but by the night's end,
we had stage-front spots in the show, three guitar picks and initialed
ticket stubs. Not bad for one night. Two more shows to go. We get
some late-night dinner, talk about the show, walk back to the hotel
in the cold. Some of us sleep, some can't due to the excitement
they're still feeling.
Next day, a six hour drive up north to Prince George.
Setlist:
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Do To You
Let's Make A Night To Remember
18 Til I Die
Back To You
When You Love Someone
I'm Ready
I Think About You
This Time
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
It's Only Love
Everything I Do
Touch The Hand
Kids Wanna Rock
Cuts Like A Knife
Hey Elvis
Run To You
*Audience Band*
Somebody
Fits Ya Good
Heaven
Summer Of '69
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