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		08/06/06 - COUNTY GROUND, SWINDON Review by Katherine Banks: W-O-W what a gig! My day started at 8am, train to Swindon from where I had to navigate my way around the Magic Roundabout to the County Ground stadium – it looked pretty run down and old, but I’m guessing that last night there must have at least been 22,000 people packed in there. Joined the queue at No. 20 and waited for Ross to arrive, as he did 30 mins later. It was absolutely scorching, and the queuing area was so exposed, there was no shade – so we went off to Tescos in search of food supplies and paper to make banners. Now the thing about this gig was that it was heavily supported by the local GWR FM radio station, there were so many promotions people out and they interviewed nearly everybody in the queue – they even reported people sprinting for the barrier on the radio! Anyway we were in Tescos and what should we happen upon but a portable white board! Who needs paper, when you can erase you message and write another one? Genius! So with our glowsticks, white board and pom poms we headed back to the queue for an afternoon of sun bathing. Oooh and we also had 8 mini jaffa cakes in a 6-pack, which we took as a sign that today was gonna be our lucky day…By the time we got back all the merchandise and vendors were out, and the queue was starting to get pretty big – it was as if everybody in Swindon had a ticket! Soon it was 5pm and the security were really professional and friendly, they assured us (without any prompting) that the numbered people would get in first and although it was a bit of a shove to get in, everybody who had queued early got to the front row. The pitch was uncovered funnily enough, but I had heard that Swindon Town had just been relegated so its not as if they were gonna be that bothered anyway ;-). At the barrier we were told to wait 5 feet back from it, for some weird reason, then all of a sudden everyone just leapt for it and me and Ross were stuck dead in the middle, where the cables running through the pitch were – but we were front row and dead centre so we didn’t care! We put the final touches to our ‘THESE KIDS WANNA ROCK!’ banner and waited in the heat for the support bands. (Above) Lidia, Ross & Kat await Bryan Just before the first band came on, GWR FM got onstage with a huge England flag and were rousing the crowd, getting us to sing We Will Rock You, and embarrassingly, Is This The Way To Amarillo? Well after the cheese-fest we were raring to go, and as 10 Reasons to Live ran on, the crowd were pretty wild. Their first song, something to do with ‘gimme money’ was really catchy and I remembered it from Bridgend, which is always a test of a good song – and they finished with ‘Plastic’ which was their single due out end of August, so watch out for it cos they were pretty professional for a new band. Halfway through some girls screamed that they loved the guy with brown hair, where the lead singer pointed out that there were 4 brown haired guys on stage lol. After a quick change around Beverly Knight came on, and she seemed overwhelmed at just how huge the crowd was. She was absolutely wicked and really got the crowd going and singing along, belting out some of her hits, ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’, ‘Gold’. Halfway through, her heel snapped off her boot and as the pro she is, she sang that her shoe was broken and carried on dancing around the stage! A guy quickly ran on with a pair of trainers for her, and after a quick change she was soon on her last song, ‘Come As You Are’ which went down really well with the crowd. After thanking us for being such a great audience, she ran offstage and it was nearly time for Bryan. Soon the opening guitar for So Far So Good was heard and the guys all walked onstage, where you could see that they were visibly surprised at the capacity of the stadium – there wasn’t a seat left empty and the pitch was completely full. We were going crazy in the front row, and a couple of people were getting a bit pissy cos we were jumping up and down and singing too loud – spoilsports! We held up our white board and Bryan noticed it, but he didn’t make anything of it. Then it was straight into Somebody, which only made the crowd go wilder. Afterwards Bryan explained that this was his first time in Swindon, and he couldn’t believe why he hadn’t been here before, which led to a lot of ‘Yeah rights!’ from the crowd. His gay little cup of tea was on standby too, constantly being replaced by a roadie who looked like Dave Grohl. Then it was straight on to the Rickenbacker for This Time and Lonely Nights, which was a first time hearing for me and it sounded awesome. Bryan was clearly making eye contact with the whole of the front row, and he was loving the response from the crowd. 18 Til I Die was a highlight as the guys all had so much energy, compared to Bridgend they were in a much better mood, Keith was licking the guitar and playing off the cameras, and even Norm had a smile on his sex face a couple of times! Let’s Make A Night To Remember was a bit lame, but I always expect it to be, as its so slow but I did enjoy a slow of pace. Trying to get Ross onstage, we wrote ‘CAN’T STOP IT? I CAN!’ on our board and as Bryan came forwards he read it, and it looked like he was going to! But alas, they ended with the audience screaming for more and with a few jumps for measure. Back To You was immense, we changed out board to ‘MAKE ME BOUNCE!’ which Bryan loved (dirty old man lol) and the bounce was definitely there, most of the audience were jumping as Bryan bounced onstage. Then as they finished, Bryan went to the side of the stage and requested the orange Gretsch, which hadn’t been put out. Then him and Keith looked at each other and played the guitars off each other, making them ‘speak’ which they were pissing themselves laughing at. Then they stopped, Bryan looked at us in the front row, then went straight into Kids Wanna Rock. It was F**NG awesome, highlight of the show, especially as he had dropped it for the past few months!! It was the best version I had ever seen, Bryan and Keith dragged the solo out for no less than 4 minutes – the crowd were absolutely crazy – I’ve no idea why he would even consider leaving it out! Then it was straight into the classic Summer Of ’69, a general crowd favourite which was excellent full rock. When You’re Gone was a change of plan, as the auction for the chance to sing with Bryan onstage for the NSPCC was won by the boyfriend of a woman who had chosen Swindon to sing at. Her name was Janet, she was in property development, and was from Durham which roused a few boos from the crowd. But noting that her boyfriend had generously donated £7500 to the charity, her popularity was regained lol and she gave an average rendition, but was funny when Bryan looked like he was trying to pole dance her leg. She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancing was totally complete with Keiths dancing, and I mean serious dancing, he worked the whole of the stage and got a bit carried away in the moment! The guitar swing around the neck went perfectly, and as they ended, Bryan did a purrrrr down the mic, then ended with a serious of howls and barks down the mic which was hilarious! Next was Hearts On Fire which Bryan explained that this was the dirtiest, meanest, filthiest guitar you’re ever gonna hear – and it certainly was – they really enjoyed rocking out this one, and the guitar solo in the middle somehow ended up with Bryan on his back on the floor and Keith next to him, then it turned into a big-boys-play-fight with wrestling and guitar strums! It ended with them laughing again, they were just so happy tonight! It’s Only Love of course was with Beverly Knight still in her trainers, and as it was the last time they were doing it they gave it their all, Keith and Beverly having a vocal-guitar battle which I think was a draw ;-) Bryan exclaimed ‘I love this girl!’ before she bowed and ran offstage. The Only Thing really rocked the crowd up, my favourite as Bryan pointed right at me when saying ‘you’ to which I went all giggly and melted lol. The first encore came and before they went off I managed to catch Keiths plectrum, returning with the anthem EID which prompted thousands of mobile phone lights across the stadium. The disco ball was used for Cloud No. 9 and Run To You was its usual gritty self, the guys bathed in an evil red glow. Unfortunately there was no Best Of Me which Ross was extremely disappointed at, wanting to cop a feel of Bryans firm ass. The band did their final bows, with Bryan jumping onto Keiths back and piggyback riding him around the stage, with a ‘rock on’ fist in the air! Mickey also threw his towel into the audience and then they were off. The crowd were so pumped that as soon as Bryan went off, they were chanting his name again! Then as soon as he came out, he asked everyone to hold up their mobile phones, to which there were thousands of glittering lights across the stadium. He then asked for the stage front lights to be turned off, and when they didn’t for ages, he said ‘For fs sake Jools turn the lights off!’ then he was getting the crowd to chant OFF OFF OFF for the stadium lights to go off, and he said it was probably some guy sitting backstage, with his feet up, with a cup of tea thinking, only a few more minutes and I’m off! The lights went off as he started to which there was a massive cheer, and he played the full length version of Please Forgive Me acoustically, which was really ethereal with just a light on him and all the moths flying around in the summer air. As he finished he explained that he was only allowed to play 2 songs, but since they didn’t turn the lights off he decided to play a couple more, which the crowd loved. He said he needed some help on the next song, which was All For Love, where Ross completely embarrassed himself by singing out loud in a high pitched girly voice when it was completely quiet! Even Bryan had to laugh cos he was so loud! Then the harmonica came out and Straight From The Heart was performed perfectly, ending the concert with I Think About You – which he really gave all his effort in and was a fantastic end to such an energetic and happy concert atmosphere. Then he threw his plectrum to the front row and ran offstage, after the bows and kisses to the audience – he genuinely seemed overwhelmed at the support and mood of the crowd. So after he’d gone, I managed to get one of the camera men to get us the plectrum and Ross is now the proud new owner lol….a fantastic end to an electric concert which I don’t think many people will forget for a long time! Setlist: So Far So Good Somebody This Time Lonely Nights Open Road 18 Til I Die Let's Make A Night To Remember Can't Stop This Thing We Started Back To You Kids Wanna Rock Summer Of '69 Cut's Like A Knife When You're Gone (with Janet from Durham) She's Only Happy When She's Dancin' Hearts On Fire Heaven It's Only Love (with Beverley Knight) The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You Everything I Do Cloud #9 Run To You Please Forgive Me All For Love Straight From The Heart I Think About You ********* Review by Kevin Burchall (Swindon Advertiser): We all love you Bryan CANADIAN rock legend Bryan Adams made a public apology to his Swindon fans for not visiting them sooner as he kicked off his eagerly anticipated concert at Swindon Town's County Ground. The singer was visiting the town as part of his UK tour and thrilled a packed crowd with hits from a career spanning more than 25 years. But before getting into full swing the superstar said he was sorry he hadn't been to Swindon before last night. After leaving the crowd breathless with non-stop performances of So Far So Good, Somebody and This Time, Adams momentarily paused to give a brief address. "What a fabulous night for a show. You really couldn't ask for any better," he told the packed stadium. "It's the first time I've been in Swindon and I don't know why it has taken me so long, I really don't! I apologise for that. "Tonight we are going to make up for it. We have a long show and I really hope you haven't got anywhere to go." And with that it was straight back into the action. Backed up by the spine tingling play of lead guitarist Keith Scott, Adams made the stadium come alive with favourite hits such as 18 Till I Die and Can't Stop This Thing We Started, but it was the Summer of 69 that really got his legions of fans going. The song created an electric atmosphere and a duet with one of his fans, who got up on stage to sing When You're Gone whipped the crowd into a further frenzy. Not that they needed stirring up. Soul diva Beverley Knight had already done a pretty good job of that herself as the support act, rousing the near 20,000 crowd with classics such as Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Come As You Are. Adams' blend of rock songs and ballads continued to thrill his adoring fans and tracks such as Heaven and an acoustic version of Please Forgive Me provoked much arm swaying and a dazzling mobile phone effect in the darkening sky. Even the rock star's annoyance after a set of lights in the Nationwide Stand were switched on prior to the end of the show could not dampen an unforgettable night, which saw a set of 25 tracks being played in two hours. And as the lights eventually went out on a stunning night's entertainment, one Swindon woman was left counting the days until her next Bryan Adams concert. Laura Wain, 30, of Westlea, is known to her friends as Bryan's Bad Girl after having the singer's initials tattooed onto her wrist. And she admitted to still being on Cloud Number 9 after the concert. "It was fab," said Laura, who was one of the first fans to get tickets for the concert. "It is the only the fourth time I have seen him in concert, but it won't be the last. "I liked all of the really rocky numbers, but all the songs were good. "It was a brilliant concert and we were really lucky with the weather as I thought it was going to rain at one stage. "We were in the front row and we were shouting his name all the way through. I think Bryan was pleased with how it all went." ******** Review by Tim (Swindon Town Mad): Up to 17,000 music fans packed into the County Ground tonight to watch Bryan Adams live in concert on the pitch. Music fans were being allowed to stand and watch on the pitch, as well as more having seats in the North, South and Town End stand. After tonights concert the pitch should take around six weeks to recover, but will be ready for the start of the season. Tonights event should also bring in alot of much needed money to the club. Last year Elton John played live at the County Ground. ******** Jackie.... said the show was very good. Apparently during one song (maybe 'Shes Only Happy' I cant remember) BA got an Mickeys back and started riding him like a horse. 'Lonely Nights' also back in the setlist. Probably the best setlist of the tour. Also during the acoustic part BA the lights wouldnt go out and BA just said "turn the f&£ing lights off!" and the crowd started chanting "off! off! off!" to get em off... all sounds like good fun anyway. ******* HOW THE STADIUM WAS PREPARED FOR THE SHOW: June 5th: While BA had just gigged in Galway the previous night and people were looking forward to the Newcastle show, the people in Swindon were already preparing for the show. As Galway was only the previous night, the stage from Bridgend will have been used for the Swindon show. The nets are taken down: The lines for the stage are drawn out on the pitch: The stadium is cleaned ready for public use: Trucks carrying the stage gather at the Stratton Bank: A truck with stage equipment parks up outside the main office: June 6th: Tuesday arrives the day Bryan plays in Newcastle and the stage begins to take shape in Swindon. A crane is used to position key structural items. The crane manouvering framework: Another shot of the crane: Workmen help to rotate the huge pieces of stage: Another crane shot as the stage build progresses: June 8th: 2 days later and it's show day in Swindon. Key equipment (i.e. speakers, instruments, lighting etc) is shipped in by EST direct from Newcastle the day before and is installed asap. The jumbo screen is up: The back of the County Ground pitch where the lighting and sound desk are situated: Stage looking ready to go. Final touches like completion of the barrier and plastic pitch boards are left to do and it's all systems go: ********

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