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13/05/05 - EARLS COURT,
LONDON Review
by Steven Stanley: Myself and Karl went for a scout round anyway and went a walk around Stamford Bridge (Chelsea's ground) and to the shops. Karl also got issued the put down by a squirrel (see photos on the left!). It was boring in the queue so later on we went back to Stamford Bridge with Dave and bought a Zola footy to kick around at the security!!! The queue seemed to be fairly organised all day until about 45 minutes before we went in. We were issued with wrist bands like at Wembley, then people who came late ran around the side of us as the USELESS security guards said they could. This caused many people to get crushed... loads of harsh words and shouting ensued... by far the biggest cockup I've ever been involved. Speaking to other people apparently Birmingham was bad too... but not as bad as this. Once we were let in we had to run up the stairs and into the room with security who took our tickets. Then down the hall we had to be padded down and searched.... once through there we had to run through an empty hall (which was as big as the old Wembley Arena!!!) past food stands etc etc etc... then through the curtains we could see the arena we needed. We all ran down to the stage end only to find it blocked off... so I sprinted past security as fast as I could at the other end. People were sent flying everywhere as everyone was running into each other... total and utter mayhem as nobody knew how the hell to get into the arena. Eventually the entrance was found... the floor was still fairly empty when I got on there... I managed to get a fairly central spot at the barrier, Bryan's side. I was soon joined by Karl, Steph and Dave who I managed to save spaces for. Roberta and her Italian friends were there too along with Elli from Germany. It didn't take long for the support act Keith Urban to come onstage (who's performance was filmed by the BBC)... he is a great live act and guitarist. It was also the biggest reception I've ever seen for a support act... far better than what he got in Birmingham which was also good... but nothing like this. The stage was cleared in just 15 minutes though for Bryan's early start to accomodate for this tours slightly longer setlist.
He opened with a storming version of 'Room Service' that was out of this world. The immense crowd just lapped up the energy and gave an already great song a new lease of life. Bryan kept the momentum going and instead of slowing things down a little with the usual 'Open Road', the band launched into 'One Night Love Affair'... although this was performed the night before in Birmingham this version was far better... just outstanding. The whole floor was bouncing. Bryan then started 'Open Road' and threw the harmonica into the crowd. '18 Til I Die' was just a big crowd sing-along... it sounded as loud as the Wembley '96 bootleg with '18 TIL I DIE' reverberating around the 20,000 strong Earls Court. The same thing happened with 'Let's Make A Night To Remember'. 'Can't Stop' was ace and at the end I thought he was gonna drag me onstage again because I told him I would stop the song... he asked me about 3 times if I wanted to!... but he ended it instead... probably because he wanted to keep the crowd energy going as he launched into 'Kids'. Once again it didn't disappoint with great solos by Bryan and Keith. Next was a surprise in the form of 'Somebody'... not played this early in the set since the early 90's at least. The acoustic then came out and Bryan started to play '69 slowly like he usually does. But as soon as the crowd heard those famous notes they went WILD. I know most crowds do... but this was different, just this immense roar. Bryan took note of it and instead slammed into the rock version with a big sing along.... the band weren't expecting it but just carried on with Bryan! It was a great great version. He should keep doing it like this, the half acoustic version is getting a bit old now. The 'Back To You' bounce was the best I've ever been involved in... the whole floor did it and the whole band too.... Bryan encouraged the crowd to keep going as the atmosphere was electric. By the end of this song I could hardly speak or stand... I was absolutely totalled! For the first time ever I was glad that Bryan brought out his other acoustic for 'Everything I Do'... and a brief chat. He mentioned that London was his home now and thanked us for making him feel at home. He also said some people might be fedup of 'Everything I Do'... but in his own words "I don't give it shit!". 'This Time' and 'Cuts' were great as always then it was time for 'When You're Gone'. The WYGG was a bit shy I think and didn't know the words though.
'I Was Only Dreamin'' was awesome once again and so was the classic version of 'Heaven' he has reverted back to recently. As the gig was good fast we didn't really miss 'Nowhere Fast' but he made up for it by playing 'Blessing In Disguise'... the best version I've heard yet. He slowed in down in the middle for an audience singalong and some funny moves! 'It's Only Love' great as always along with 'The Only Thing'. At the end of this song Bryan threw me his guitar again like he did in Oberhausen (see pic below!)... if he gives it me a 3rd time I'll have to keep it lol! Bryan came up to us on 'The Best Of Me' which was cool and then he did a great acoustic set including 'The Way You Make Me Feel', which hasn't been done for about 3 years. We were all hoping for 'Friday Night In London' again but it didn't happen... nevermind! Still a great show! Bryan stopped and signed afterwards and was in a great mood. He was pleased to see everybody and left in his Range Rover pulling faces at us!
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® 2005 18 Til I Die.co.uk. All
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Pictures by Steven Stanley
The famous Earls Court... Bryan's now played every venue in London!
A squirrel take an interest in me and Karl!
We celebrated little Amy's 5th birthday with a party in the queue... anyone with a pic of me in hat please keep it to yourself... THAT MEANS YOU VAL! Cheers for the cake and booze tho :)
Support act Keith Urban
The huge crowd at Earls Court awaits Bryan
Excellent shot of Keith and Bryan
Keith playing off the mike stand
The WYGG
Mickey takes a bow!
The band takes a bow |
