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20/01/06 - SAVE ON FOODS
MEMORIAL CENTRE, VICTORIA, BC Review
by Steven Stanley:
I picked up a copy of the local newspaper that had a review of last nights show in and went on my way! About the town there were posters aimed at middle-aged people (so to speak) promoting a new club. The idea was 'sod the BA gig and come to this place instead'... well this strange poster was the result!:
I had a great time in Victoria anyway and British Columbia in general would definately be a place I would think about coming back to for a holiday... it's beautiful and there is lots to do. Infact even for the time of year it was really warm and sunny... I was wearing a t-shirt all day. It's supposed to be the mildest place in Canada.
As already explained in the last Victoria review... I got tickets behind the stage for this show. I was just happy to be in the arena at all really but as it turned out I'd have rather been nowhere else for this show. I got to see things you don't normally see front row. I got a wider variety of photos too instead of the boring up-close ones you normally get. I could choose to watch the crowd reaction to Bryan (which during songs like 'Cloud #9' with everyones arms in the air looks amazing), or I could go down to the side of the stage like normal and get close up shots. Due to the way the arena was designed I could also see what was going on backstage.
Before the show myself, Nic, Karen and Nancy called Keith over and we had a nice lengthy chat with him which was nice of him to do. I think he actually came backout later to give us decent floor tickets but we were in the foyer. Ahh well Keith thanks anyway! The guitar tech also let me have a look at all BA's guitars and I took some great pics of them in the rack and in their cases etc. The support act Colin James was brilliant again and when he had finished I saw Bryan's Mum walk past me!
Bryan hit the stage around 9pm and once again the crowd were great just like the night before. He said since they played here last night then they were gonna play something different and launched into 'Lonely Nights' on his Rickenbacker. I went crazy! This is what I'd came 6000 miles to see! I'd seen him do this song before acoustically in Germany, but this was the only time I'd ever seen him do it full rock. Best song of the tour without doubt. Infact, Victoria went crazy for all the older songs. When he said he was gonna play 'Cuts Like A Knife' they went insane... the biggest cheer of the night... maybe it's cuz thats when he was last here.... I dunno. I know a lot of the people cheering weren't even born then though! I myself was only in nappies! Bryan talked about songs cheering people up all over the world and breifly talked about going to Pakistan next. He said he doesn't know what to expect but thinks it will be like India. He said a guy from Pakistan called him not so long ago and said (Bryan did this in a Pakistani accent it was soooo funny!) "whatever you do Bryan, please play this song!". Bryan then said... "this ain't about the year folks it's about the sexual position!!!"... the place boomed and Bryan thrashed his way through '69 on the Gretsch... which must be said.... is goddam awesome! 'The Way You Make Me Feel' was dropped in the acoustic section at the end but it wasn't missed. Gimme 'Lonely Nights' any day. I briefly stopped at the end to say goodbye to people before heading to the hotel for 2 hours sleep before my monster journey back to the UK. I did say hi to Norm as he was leaving then I left tired and hungry!
All in all it was a great show and a great tour of BC for me. As I arrived in the airport the following day (hell all the days seemed to blend together, I still don't know what day it is!) I saw loads of baddies in there! It was sad to see everyone jet back to Australia, Spain... etc etc.... but no doubt I'll see em all again. Thanks to everyone who gigged with me and everyone else who I met somewhere or other... Jim Vallance, Michelle Larsson (& her friend!), Amalia, Bryan, Keith, Norm, Bryan King, Karen Petersen, Nancy Love, Nic Hathaway, Gary, Jackie, Kathryn, Megan, Sari, Linda, Petra, Fran, Noreen, the 2 girls from Edmonton (forgotten your names sorry!), Cuki, Anne-Marie, Debra... and to everyone else who I met thanks for making it an awesome 3 days.
(Above) Bryan holds his guitar aloft as the acoustic section comes to an end along with the Canadian tour. Setlist: | |||
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Pictures by Steven Stanley
Bryan singing 'Hearts On Fire'
Setlist
Along with the picture of Bryan holding his guitar above his head at the bottom of the page, this shot is one of the best I've ever taken. It's BA's guitar rack backstage before the show. Looks great as a wallpaper!
I try to get my friend backstage but security are having none of it!
The 'Save On Foods Memorial Centre'
Thanks a bunch for the arse shot Bryan :/
K-man during 'The Only Thing'
Bryan thrashing his guitar
The big 'cellphone moment' during 'Heaven'
Bryan jammin' infront of the fans during '69 |
