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06/06/06 - ST JAMES PARK,
NEWCASTLE Review
by Steven Stanley:
It didn't stop us all being excited that Bryan was playing such a legendary venue... and as Karl Watson predicted... he cheated and played just to a corner of the stadium. I was full of scepticism about how lame and embarassing this setup was going to be, but that just wasn't the case in the end.
I went to the show with 18 regulars Nat, Rich and Chelsey. We didn't bother queuing as we knew we'd get a decent spot anyway (because the stage for these summer shows is so immensely big). We spent the majority of the day in 'Shearer's Bar & Restaurant', which is a place dedicated to Newcastle scoring legend Alan Shearer. In it, state of the art bar and restaurant littered with plasma TV's... 80% showing 'Live In Lisbon', 20% showing 'Sky Sports News'. The music was blaring out of the place (including the odd Bryan tune), so we had a great afternoon sipping beer, eating food and catching up in the blazing Newcastle sunshine.
At around 6.30/7pm we decided to go into the stadium and get a place and catch the support acts. As I said earlier, I expected a lame setup... but this was no ordinary stand the stage was facing. It was the biggest cantilever structure in Europe, 3 tiers high with a beautiful glass roof. You could see it for miles around outside Newcastle... the thing was HUGE. Far bigger than any indoor arena in the whole of Europe. It was a very unique looking venue thats for sure. By the time Beverley Knight (who was great!) hit the stage (still an hour before Bryan came on)... the crowd looked like this:
Already 3 times as many people as what attended the Huddersfield show I was at.... and believe me when I say an hour later the thing was rammed. All in all well over 20,000 people were there to see Bryan come swaggering onstage to 'So Far So Good', armed with the meanest filthiest guitar he has... the Gretsch G6120...
From then on it was all familiar territory, but made that much sweeter by 20,000+ mad Geordies. I saw two young lads goin' ape shit during the rockers and causing people around them to move out of the way. But to be fair it's a rock gig... or it should be... if you don't like it ya shouldn't be down there. I gave em the thumbs up anyway! It was all harking back to the days of the Gateshead shows in the early 90's... fantastic atmosphere. Far far better than the show I went to see in Huddersfield last week.
'Can't Stop' was given a meaty gritty backbone with the use of the green Gretsch G6196 and 'Back To You' was awesome as always with us bouncing like maniacs. The intro to '69 went on forever which really got the atmosphere buzzing... complete with pitch wide sprints and high fives. Thank god he's seen sense and plays it how it should be played.... LOUD!
The atmosphere was that good that Bryan skipped 'Everything I Do' and went straight into 'Cuts Like A Knife'.... I was ecstatic! I was straight onto the phone to 18 headquarters and Mr Adrian O'Neill. 2 seconds later I was greeted with the reply... "if he skips WYG as well see you in Swindon!". Unfortunately 2 minutes later he sang WYG so I sent Adrian a text saying "see you in Lincoln! :("... which is where we will be watching England's first World Cup game this weekend.
Bryan picked a WYGG who actually worked in the stadium and was wearing a 'Bryan Pick Me' shirt... which is a first for Bryan cos he never normally picks girls with 'pick me' signs or tops. 'Shes Only Happy' (great Keith dancing once again), 'Hearts On Fire' and 'Heaven were all great as normal, then it was time for Beverley Knight to duet with Bryan on 'It's Only Love'. What an outstanding voice she has. Absolutely awesome. Sadly though, the highlight of the show was gone again... Keith's solo :(
'The Only Thing' was next and was loud as hell like always. The way the roof was built on that stand only emphasised the noise even more. To be fair though, the speaker stacks were even bigger than Nico-Zou's ego ;) Speaking of Nico-Zou... everybody in Europe apart from him were praying Bryan had forgot to play 'Everything I Do'... but alas, he came out for the encore and off we were..."look into my eyes"... something which anybody who saw Rich found hard to do, as the tit was wearing shades with the Scottish flag on em ;) The mid-tempo-dom continued through 'Cloud #9' then at last everyone burst into life again when 'Run To You' was played. What a tune that is. Final bows for the band anyway...
...and we are left with just Bryan and his guitar. Last time Bryan was in Newcastle on the 'Room Service Tour' he treated us to a bit of 'Fog On The Tyne'... no such gems this time around. I was hoping for maybe some Byker Grove magic or PJ & Duncan's 'Lets Get Ready To Rhumble'... but it wasn't to be! Nonetheless though a few special moments were to be had. There was a huge cellphone moment during 'Please Forgive Me' which looked awesome with 20,000+ people under that huge stand. He really was ready to go after 'Straight From The Heart' (he'd already took off his guitar twice already) but he stayed on and did 'I Think About You' acoustically as premiered at Bridgend a few days ago. Another great acoustic song... but I'd have still swapped it for 'Lonely Nights'. I cannot believe he dropped that. After the show I met the 'Bryan Adams Experience' guys again... was nice to see them again. Overall for the average punter, a great summers night out in a historic stadium. Setlist: ********** Review
by Kate Brown (The Evening Chronicle): Canadian rocker Bryan Adams thrilled audiences at St James' Park last night with hits from a career that spans more than 25 years. Adams, dressed casually in classic jeans and T-shirt, took to the stage with lead guitarist, Keith Scott and drummer Mickey Curry and the audience showed their appreciation for the rock legend with their resounding roars. But it wasn't until the classic, 18 Til I Die, began that the stadium really seemed to come alive, with the crowd starting to chant lyrics and clap along to the song, which echoed with intensity. In the words of Bryan Adams himself, it really did feel like a fantastic night for a concert. Everyone was on their feet as hit after hit was played, with a good mix of classic rock songs and ballads. The anthemic Summer of `69, was a huge crowd pleaser. The atmosphere during this number was electric and this was an undoubted highlight of the concert. While it was impossible for any song to surpass his seminal hit, Adams made a good attempt with, Run To You, and guitarist Scott was successful in upstaging him with his dynamic playing, filled with passion and spirit. As the introduction to the well-known hit, Heaven, began, the crowd eagerly chanted `Oh thinking about our younger years' to the bewilderment of Adams who had yet to start singing. This beautiful ballad provided the perfect excuse for the fans to get their lighters out and sway to the music. One lucky audience member was invited on to the stage and given the chance to sing with the rock God himself on the wonderful, Baby When You're Gone. Despite failing to match the vocal standards of ex-Spice Girl Mel C, this starstruck fan compensated for any lack of ability, with her enthusiasm and energy.
********** Pre
concert article by The Journal: A colossal stage was taking shape at St James's Park last night as Newcastle United prepared to host its biggest concert in more than 10 years. In preparation for a one-night-only concert by rock star Bryan Adams tonight, more than 20 staff have been putting up the platform. Stretching the 80-metre width of the pitch, and more than 60 metres deep, it will ensure the stage is surrounded by the expected 20,000 crowd. Newcastle United chief operating officer Russell Cushing said: "We've previously staged Queen, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. "But this is the biggest concert for a long while." The Canadian musician reached global stardom with hit songs Summer Of 69, Run To You, and (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.
(Above) Christopher Tuttle covers up the grass at St James' Organisers said a few tickets were still available from the Box Office and at the turnstiles. Newcastle United assistant secretary Lee Charnley said the position of the stage covering a section of the pitch allowed a fantastic view for the crowd. There will be 2,250 ticket-holders also standing on the pitch to watch the performance. He said: "There are more than 20 people working to put up the stage. It has to move around the country with Bryan Adams during his tour." Promoter Malcolm Spencer of Squareleg Entertainment, said: "Bryan is definitely looking forward to performing in Newcastle. He knows the stadium well and the city, and knows it has some of the best crowds. "The way the stage is being set up will give a wall of people in front of the stage. It's definitely going to be a spectacle for the crowd." ********** Review
by Neil McKay (The Journal): The last time a rock concert was held at St James' Park, it was the late Freddie Mercury who was strutting across the stage as frontman to Queen. At that time, the home to Newcastle United was a crumbling, antiquated apology for a football stadium and the team's hopes for success rested on the teenage shoulders of a prodigy called Paul Gascoigne. Fast-forward 20 years and the all-seater 52,000 capacity stadium is second to none, Gazza has been signing copies of his latest autobiography, and Canadian rocker Bryan Adams thrilled an audience maybe a quarter of the size of the crowd which flocked to see Queen all those years ago. Nevertheless, the people who did go to last night's concert went home happy after enjoying a fine summer's evening of uncomplicated rock and roll. Adams' honesty, hard work and straightforward, clean-cut style of blue-collar guitar rock perhaps typifies the character of his nation, but he held the crowd in the palm of his hand from the moment a roar signified his entry onto the stage, facing what used to be known as the Leazes End, at 8.50pm. Beginning with 'So Far So Good', he launched into a blistering, guitar-led set which soon had the audience on their feet. The weather helped, of course. As he told his fans, many of whom were crowding at the front of the stage: "It is a fantastic night for a concert. The last night I was in Newcastle, it was pouring down with rain, and we passed a pub where the girls were walking by wearing next to nothing. It must be a Northern thing." 'Somebody', 'This Time' and 'Open Road' were all well received, but '18 Til I Die' really had the fans off their seats, and they remained standing for the duration of the show, singing along to most of the songs. A glance at Bryan Adams' catalogue reveals he has recorded something like 150 songs or more, but the massive chart success of THAT song - 'Everything I Do' or 'the Robin Hood song' - makes one prone to forget how many other favourites are in his catalogue. Not that his fans had forgotten. The sang along to 'Let's Make A Night To Remember' - it was - 'Back To You', 'Summer Of '69', 'Cuts Like A Knife' and 'Heaven'. Adams invited a fan called Emma on stage to sing a duet of 'When You're Gone' and Emma, who told him she was "from Newcastle, at the concert with my Dad" sang with gusto and appeared as confident as if she had been accompanying rock stars infront of stadium crowds all her life. Soul singer Beverley Knight, who had warmed up the audience with a superb support act, then returned to the stage to accompany Adams in 'It's Only Love'. For an encore came 'Everything I Do' (of course) and 'Run To You'. The atmosphere was as warm as the weather and hopefully the St James' Park hierarchy will have been sufficiently encouraged to put on more concerts. As one Bryan Adams fan, nurse Gill Taylor, 43, of Tynemouth, said: "It is a fantastic venue for summer rock music. I remember when people like Queen and Bruce Springsteen played at St James' Park and it's great to have rock concerts back here. And Irene Hodgson, 57, a legal secretary from West Monkseaton, North Tyneside, said: "I was here for the Queen concert all those years ago. That was a wonderful night, but so was this." ********** Pre-concert interview with nufc.co.uk: CANADIAN superstar Bryan Adams is looking forward to playing at St. James' Park next Tuesday, and he took time out of his busy schedule to talk about his trip to Tyneside. You've played many gigs in the North East of England - what do you think of Newcastle and what are your abiding memories of the people and the place? Bryan: The last time I was up there it was really cold and raining, but what surprised me was the way girls go out with such little clothing when it's so cold! I mean, I come from Canada, and women don't do that there... maybe they should! You're someone who has dedicated most of your career to touring - do you ever get tired of it? Bryan: It's hard to get tired of it as it might be the best job anyone could possibly ask for. Getting to play gigs is all I ever wanted to do. I love singing. Full stop. How do you keep yourself motivated while you¹re on the road? Bryan: The tours are broken up so we aren't out all the time. We go out for about a week to ten days a month, so that gives us tons of time away from it to do other things. With such an extensive catalogue of tracks, how do you choose your set-list? Bryan: I choose all the songs people like and add a few new ones, its pretty easy. Do you ever feel like leaving one or two of the classics out or do you feel obliged to play them? Bryan: It's never a question of obligation, it's only a question of putting together a great show so people get their money's worth when they come out. I don't like going to shows and the band refuses to play their biggest songs. I remember when I went to see Radiohead once and they didn't play their song "Creep". If I had paid to see them, I would have been disappointed. Bruce Springsteen once said that his concert at Newcastle City Hall in 1981 was in the top three gigs he¹d ever done - what are your top three gigs? Bryan: Well, he's not wrong. it's an amazing place to do shows. I have a similar one, Sheffield Polytechnic in 1983. It was unreal. Since then, the big ones and the very small ones stand out, Wembley Stadium, Madison Square Gardens, NYC, and the Marquee Club in London. How long does it take you to unwind after a gruelling tour such as this one and what¹s the first thing you do after the final gig of a tour? Bryan: Hold it! This isn't gruelling! We're having the best time. This year we've been to some incredible places on tour, Pakistan, India, Qatar, South Africa, Bognor Regis... no complaints here. What's the audience's response when they hear the opening bars of Everything I Do? Do you ever tire of that particular song given the hype and airtime behind it? Bryan: They love it and so do I Which of your songs do you enjoying playing live the most and why? Bryan: All of them Who are your inspirations/all-time heroes when it comes to music? Bryan: There are so many. Most of the rock singers from the 60's/70s, Joe Cocker, Steve Marriot, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Bowie, Ray Davies, Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Marc Bolan, Lou Reed... the list is endless And some quick-fire questions... Age? 18 til I die Birth place? Kingston Lives? In London Family (wife/kids)? Not yet First gig you ever went to? David Bowie - Diamond Dogs First record ever you ever bought? Beatles Favourite city? Newcastle (..cough) Last film you went to see? Capote Famous friends? The odd one... Last track you listened to on your iPod? Ray Charles - I Got A Woman Last album you bought? The Arctic Monkeys ********** | |||
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® 2006 18 Til I Die.co.uk. All
rights reserved.
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Pictures by Steven Stanley & Chris Ashby
Bryan on his Gretsch
Rockin' out during '69
Keith!
'Can't Stop' on the Gretsch
K-man on a legendary 'Gibson Flying V'
BA on his strat
Bryan
'69
'Hearts On Fire'
K-man & BA
Keith having a great time
Bryan on his sunburst strat
Keith playing guitar
The gig made the headlines the next day
Bryan on guitar |
