11/05/05 - BIRMINGHAM NEC

Review by Steven Stanley:
After a great show in Oberhausen a few weeks ago it was time to see Bryan a bit closer to home for a change in Birmingham! I decided to go to the show late and not bother queuing to get my usual good position but I still had a good time nonetheless. The support act Keith Urban was great and by the time Bryan hit the stage I had a decent spot near the front.

The boys opened up with the usual songs... 'Room Service' sounding as good as ever along with 'Kids Wanna Rock'. Of course the 'Back To You Bounce' was great as always and a nice surprise in the set was 'This Time' with Bryan walking around the stage with just his microphone. The WYGG was Hayley from Northfields in Birmingham.. Bryan took the piss out of her heavy brummy accent a bit and she was a good laugh. She was a packer in her Dad's factory or somethin! She couldn't sing either but she was a great laugh! Best song of the night for me was 'I Was Only Dreamin''... it's the song that means to most to be of BA's that he's done recently and it was awesome to hear live with cool little solos by Keith and nice keyboard work by Gary.

The usual encores followed... 'Room Service' acoustic surprisingly rocking as always... nice surprise at the end when Bryan brought the band band on to close the show with a rocker... 'There Will Never Be Another Tonight'... absolutely awesome.

**********

Review by Katherine Banks:

It was nothing short of amazing!!!!

At about half 1 when we started queueing, there were about 20 people already in line. It was really hot and sunny so was quite nice to sit around in, as there were some ducks and rabbits running around 'amusing people'!
There weren't any security, or stewards, or any system of organisation so we all just queued against the pavement. There also wasn't the usual burger bar or merchandise stall, so everyone was bored senseless (had to resort to I-spy!)

At quarter to 5 everyone started standing up so we made a line outside the doors ready with our tickets. Then much to our confusion we had to run inside as soon as they opened the doors, then queue another hour untill 6 inside. This part was very badly organised as people who had just arrived were able to get to the front, and there was only 2 stewards trying to control a load of badfans!!!! So after making 2 lines they let us all through, only to come to another 6 lines!!! We chose the one which meant we'd be closer to Bryans side of the stage, which is where we always stand.

Loads of people were really annoyed, one woman even started crying! Then FINALLY they let us through gradually, and everyone sprinted to the front, although we had to walk in front of the stewards :-)
I managed to get right to the front against the barrier, but my friend Jon had to stand behind me as there was no room! Still, this was closer than I had ever been before!!!!!

The stewards at the front of the arena were really helpful and they were very chatty so I have to say thankyou to those guys :-) At about half 7 Keith Urban came onstage with his band. The Room Service curtain was up, and so was this huge black curtain with Keith Urbans logo on it (a monkey holding a guitar). They were really really good!!! Keith is an amazing guitarist and the band kept it together really well, They even had a banjo at one point! Then Keith told us this was the first time they had ever played in Europe, and that they're doing a tour in the UK this September. At about quarter past 8 they came offstage as the roadies went around changing the set for Bryan.

It was a really good crowd, most people at the front were die hard fans and couldn't wait to see Bryan again! At quarter to 9, the moment we had all been waiting for was here......and opening with Room Service they ran onstage all in black t-shirts and jeans. The crowd were going wild and by now the arena was full to bursting point. After Room Service, I think it was CSTTWS then LMANTR, until he stopped to say hello to everyone, and joke about someone who was holding some knickers up in the front row. When he sang Room Service, he changed the words to 'You can be in Philidelphia, you can even be in Birmingham' It sounded really funny as it didn't fit and he had us all in stitches. Keith, Norm, Gary and Mickey were all on top form as they lead us into One Night Love Affair, then Kids Wanna Rock. Bryan said it was 25 years since the band had got together and they wanted to play some reckless songs. Funnily enough though, during ONLA, Bryans mic slipped when he was with Keith, and he didn't know. They had to remove it and fix it, and when they put it back in the wrong place Bryan ran around the stage trying to find it!!!
They also played Nowhere Fast.

Because me and Jon always stand in the same place, we were SURE Bryan recognised us again, and when I held my phone up for my Mum to listen to Back To You he made a funny face at me onstage :-) Bryan then went on the acoustic for Heaven, Everything I do, Back To You and some others I can't quite remember! And the big surprise was when he played This Time, which was really good live, and the guys really enjoyed playing that one.

The WYGG wasn't me :-( but Byan picked a girl from Birmingham called Hayley, who worked in a factory packing who was a bit drunk and could NOT sing to save her life!!!! She was so awful, even Bryan couldn't stop laughing to sing!!!! It was funny though and Bryan was in fits.

When the guys went offstage the first time, they came back on to play TOTTLGOMIY, Run To You and The Best Of Me. When Bryan came down to the front, he went the other way first, so I was waiting for him singing along. Then when he ran down our end, I had my hand oustretched and he came and looked for me!!!!!!! Yes me!!!!! Then grabbed my hand and leaned back away from everyone!!!! At first I was really confused, as I didn't know what he wanted me to do, he was just pulling away from me holding my hand looking at me singing!!!!!! It wa so surreal!!!! Then I realised that he wanted to jump up on the barrier in front of me! So I pulled him up onto the step, and he didn't let go of my hand the whole time!!!!!! Then he leaned right over me, as I got completely squashed, and I had his crotch right in my face hahahahaha. I gave him a huge hug, and as he was lying all over me he got Jon to sing into the microphone and he shook his hand!!!! Then I REACHED ROUND AND GRABBED HIS BUM!!!!!! Teehee!!!! I couldn't believe I'd done it, I was shaking so much!!! Then he stood upright, let go of my hand and gave me and Jon high fives!!!! WOW!!!!

Then he came back along later and gave us high fives again, but we were both shaking so much we couldn't speak!!! Then he got back onstage and we said goodbye to the band, so it was just Bryan on his own with the acoustic.
He then explained that one of the Roadies was seriously ill, with a debilitating disease and he needed a special wheelchair. So some of the profits of this concert were going to buy him a new wheelchair and to the charity involved with the disorder which I thought was very touching.

He then played All For Love, Straight From the Heart, I was Only Dreaming and Room Service acoustic. Straight from the heart was amazing because he had the harmonica and it sounded brilliant. Then finally he said he was going to bring the guys back onstage for one more song, which was There Will Never Be Another Tonight which totally rocked the arena, amazing song to end it on.

Then he picked up a little cuddly tiger someone threw at him and then left the stage. It was so fantastic, and me and Jon just couldn't talking about what Bryan had done with us!!!!!! We were on such a high!!!! We also met some really nice people (especially these 2 guys who were hilarious and kept us entertained in the queue)

An amazing night and I think it was the best concert I have ever been to :-)

**********

Review by Maria and Moya:

MOYA:
Graham and I picked Maria up from the airport on May 10 and drove back home for a meal and a good night’s sleep before the gig the next day. We were both very excited and really wanted to have a restful night before setting off. We left home at 8.00 and had a very good drive to the NEC arriving at about 9.30. We drove around and were directed to the East Car Park by two security men. We found the car park relatively easily, parked up (next to toilets!) and looked around at where we were. Both Maria and I thought we were too far away from the Arena, so I ran down a private road to talk to two other security men. They told me that we were in the wrong place and directed me to where we should be. As we drove off again and followed the directions, we realised the two guys had re-directed us to where we were in the first place. What a hassle!!! We spoke to them again, and they said none of the car parks, only the East Car Park were open for parking. The parking place where they were was only available to people who had booked meals. I tried so hard to talk him into letting us park there, and I thought I had “cracked it”, but he didn’t relent and we had to go back to the East Car Park. All this was taking time. We parked up again, and set off to find the Arena, the walk took us 7 minutes. By this time it was 10.00 and we arrived at the Arena to find a small crowd of people. Maria counted 18 people before, us and we were “well pleased”.

After a while, one of the women came to us and said could she give us a number. “Oh, well, we have all had these numbers before haven’t we? and do they work, do they heck!! I actually commented to her that I didn’t think it would work. We let her write the number on our hands, and to our astonishment, I was no. 28 and Maria was no. 29. How come? there were only 18 people before us. Maria and I heard that this person was going to be late, and the other person was going to be late, so in actual fact, numbers were being saved!!! We didn’t think this was quite right. However, we settled down and accepted the situation and waited. It was a lovely day and a mother and daughter saved our places whilst we went walking and had a look around to have a leisurely coffee. After some time we found somewhere to have a drink and looked around. We saw two young ladies from Germany who we had seen in Oberhausen. These two young ladies don’t queue, but appear at the front of the arena, right in the middle of the stage!!!!! I was astounded when I saw them and started to nudge Maria, and she said “Yes I’ve seen them”. We were curious as to whether they would appear in the queue. We had our drink and walked back.

The afternoon passed quickly, the sun was warm and there was a good atmosphere, but of course, the atmosphere would soon change. People were stood all over the place, the people who had arrived first were still pressed against the doors (just like Maria and I were in Cologne) the others were scattered around. The woman who gave us our numbers decided it was time to get in numerical order – yeh right!!! What a scrum!! Everyone was saying how we should get into order, but people whose numbers were after mine were at the side of Maria and I, still saying how we should all be our correct numerical order but still pushing past us. Human nature is fascinating, when faced with a Bryan Adams concert, it never ceases to amaze me. Some of the people started writing banners – one amusing banner said “Is that your harmonica in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see us” others were asking for How do you Feel Tonight She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancin’ and Before The Night Is Over.

Finally, the doors were opened and we all ran through. People were all over the place, I was determined to run as fast as I could and beat one person who had shoved me right out of the way before I reached the doors in Sheffield. I was so determined. I have always been pushed around and this time I was sure going to “hold my own”. I managed to get a good place, even though my heart was beating so fast I thought I might need emergency medical treatment. Maria was behind me and I grabbed on to her. Yes this was a good place I thought. We were right in front of the next set of doors. However, the people who were arrived at 6 am in the morning, were insistent that they should be first through and spoke to security about this. Security agreed to let them through first. Quiet rightly so, but then, also the ones who had come three hours before others, should also go first – but they didn’t. So, they went through first, along with others who were sticking as close as they could. That caused absolute mayhem. Everyone surged forward and the security man only let a few through and made the rest of us go back behind the barrier. My good place disappeared and I was shoved back. I always get a slow ticket taker, always. Maria was behind me. As soon as my ticket was torn, I set off extremely quickly, however, we were stopped many times to have our tickets checked. Somehow, my good position was deteriorating. I managed to get to front left and laid down until Maria was with me. This was actually a great position, because Bryan’s second microphone was directly in front of us. We had a great view. However, numbers 47 and 48 were right in the middle. By letting those people in first, others who had come early were pushed back behind people who had come about 3 hours later!!!!!!!!! I don’t know the answer to this problem, but surely if the barriers were put up earlier and people were made to stand in a line, this would not happen.

MARIA:

When we got to the front we had to sit down immediately and we were not allowed to lean on the barrier. Very nice gestures which you’ll never see in Germany were some security who gave people drinking cups to decant in your drinks, because it was forbidden to bring bottles in. So you haven’t to throw them into the bin.

MOYA:
Keith Urban came on stage at 7.30, and boy were they good. I have never heard such a good support band. They played “Country Rock” and this music is very much my taste. I have never heard such applause. There were also people who had come specially to see this band. I thought they were excellent.

MARIA:
Bryan came on stage at 8.30 and a fantastic concert begun. Forgotten was all the mayhem when they let us in.
He started with Room Service, followed by Open Road, Let’s make a night to remember and 18 til I die. These songs didn’t come as quick one after the next like he does normally. He seemed to be thinking about something or maybe it was because he had changed the setlist a bit …..as the concert progressed the programme seemed to flow better. Keith came first over to our side of the stage. The lady next to me had prepared a paper for him with “Hello K-man” and when he read this she got a welcomed smile from him. She also had made a banner for Bryan asking for I Was Only Dreamin’. Bryan noticed it and nodded his head so we already knew this song will be played sooner or later. To my surprise Only Dreamin’ sounds much better on the album than live. We missed all the background whispers which you hear when you have the headphones on.
After several songs Bryan stopped playing and introduced only himself with: “Hi my name is Bryan.” A bit later he said he would like to tell us something but couldn’t remember. After a short time of thinking he said: “Oh what I would like to say is – Hello Birmingham.” He went on playing and mentioned after Can’t Stop This Thing We Started that 2005 is a very special year for him because it’s now about 25 years of making music and touring. He also said that he will therefore play songs from the Reckless album. He further let us know that he lives in London for many years and that his friends were all pissed off with him because he is touring 10 days a month and the other time in the studio. He is working on a new album which will come out in October.
We got One Night Love Affair and Kids Wanna Rock and it seemed that the promise he gave in chat on his official site to play the same setlists as he had done in Japan came true. We did the Back To You bounce and wondered why so many people had fought for the first row and than didn’t rock as much as they could have. Summer Of ’69 s began again acoustic but later went into the full rock version. Once again he explained the song isn’t about the year. This time was such a big surprise. Bryan played only the first few tunes and then put his guitar on the floor. Sure some people thought he will come into the gap already but he didn’t. He only walked the stage singing in his microphone with one hand in his pocket.

MOYA:
Bryan then told us all that this was the time he looked for a girl out of the audience. Of course it was “When You’re Gone. He eventually picked a girl and she climbed on to the stage. Bryan asked her name and she told him that her name was “Hoylie” (Hayley). Bryan commented that he thought that Birmingham people usually had rather strong accents (Jokingly). Hayley was a lot of fun, maybe, she had had a few “drinkies” I don’t know, but she certainly was very natural. Bryan asked what she did and she started to tell Bryan a long story about her father owning a DIY factory and that she usually told people she was in trainee management. Actually, she told Bryan that she was a “packer”. It was hilarious, she talked to Bryan so naturally and with rather a thick Birmingham accent. She explained that her father made the strips that went between the carpets in the house. The song ensued, and Hayley sang with great gusto, but somewhat out of tune in places. Nevertheless, she was confident and such a good sport. After the song, Bryan asked who she was with. Hayley told him that she was with her boyfriend. Bryan asked if he was a big guy, and she was about to tell him when everyone laughed, and he said he wished he hadn’t asked that question!

MARIA:
Announcing It’s Only Love Bryan remembered that he first played this song together with Tina Turner in Birmingham years ago. Near to the end of this song Keith used the microphone stand to play the guitar which astonished Bryan who made a weird mime to that.
Don’t remember when this exactly happened but Bryan told us that he will have a Charity concert the following day, then play Earls Court and going on to Glasgow and Ireland where he and the band will get drunk for a week. He said: “Just to let you know in case you would have asked” or something likes that.

He again gave his guitar down after the The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You but as we already knew from Oberhausen. The lucky one who reach it has to give it back even if there was something different reported here in the newspaper review.

The encores were similar to the last concerts. Three songs together with the band and Bryan at the barrier during The Best Of Me. I watched one lady she rubbed BA’s hair with both her hands and I thought he’ll have tousled hair soon but there was obviously enough hair gel/spray. So he wasn’t fuzzy headed afterwards. Only one of us was lucky enough to touch his hand when he ran down the barrier. MOYA: and it wasn’t me again!!!!
The acoustic songs were fantastic again. Straight From The Heart was dedicated to one of the road crew who was actually from Birmingham. He had a disease relating to the nervous system, I think – I can’t remember exactly the name of the disease. Bryan said that a proportion of the night’s takings were to go towards buying a wheelchair for this person so we could all know that we had done something good.

MARIA:
Room Service acoustic is simply wonderful. First you only hear Bryan and everyone seems only to listen to his guitar and voice and the further the song goes on the audience is clapping and shouting the lyrics, first softly and then louder and louder. This sounds so great. At the end of the song Bryan added “Open 24 Hours” which made a great finale to the song.

To our all astonishment the final song was There Will Never Be Another Tonight and Bryan invited the full band back on stage again for it. What a great number and it just about brought the house down.

MOYA:
Maria and I left the NEC and walked back to the car. I am not the best driver at night, because I always get confused as to which way to go. Of course, I took the wrong turning and ended up getting back on the M42 two exits further on. Nevertheless, despite numerous road works we arrived home in good time, tired, but oh so stimulated by our latest “Bryan Adams experience”.

MARIA:
We are now waiting for our next “Bryan Adams experience” which will be different to all the concerts we’ve ever done. We have seats in Cologne and for the first time in our life we will see how the entire audience is doing during a concert.

MARIA AND MOYA (MandM).

Soundcheck:
Let's Make A Night To Remember
Open Road

Setlist:
Room Service
Open Road
18 Til I Die
Let's Make A Night To Remember
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
One Night Love Affair
Kids Wanna Rock
Back To You
Summer Of '69
Everything I Do
This Time
Cuts Like A Knife
When You're Gone (with Hayley from Northfields)
Nowhere Fast
Heaven
I Was Only Dreamin'
It's Only Love
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Cloud #9
Run To You
The Best Of Me
All For Love
Straight From The Heart
Room Service (acoustic)
There Will Never Be Another Tonight

® 2005 18 Til I Die.co.uk. All rights reserved.
Web site comments to admin@18tilidie.co.uk

Pictures by Steven Stanley

The WYGG Hayley with Bryan

Bryan on the harmonica during 'Straight From The Heart'