I think the crowd were amazing (apart from the bloke who stood in the aisle next to me when they all came to the front who kept whooping in my ear!!!).
Agree, sorry but I also abs.
hate this new (immature Americun habit) of 'whooping' - hate, hate hate it... it's coarse, loud and usually simply attention seeking (who can yelp or whoop loudest!) Yuk, yuk, yuk... PLEASE, grow up & keep it for American/teenage gigs, it's dreadful (take it to the limit & ask yourself what happen as when EVERYBODY does it?). It also often obscures whatever the artist is singing, playing or saying next, so self defeating! Incredibly selfish - so fits societal trends perfectly! (author = Grumpy old git)
Let's make Britain a whoop free zone... There are so many other ways of showing appreciation - the old hippy 'Yeeeeeaaaaah' !! or overhead clap or two, so artist can see appreciation - ditto applause after a solo, why do these norms have to be 'subsumed by 120 dB whoops' ?
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Leonard didn't do what I think is one of the most melancholic, moving songs of all...
Gypsy Wife, with its opportunity for Javier and Dino to really come alive in the Latin/Romantic tradition of accompaniment.
Yes, Javier did seem a bit restrained in his solos (c.f. both 02 concerts)
Sharon seemed to be really enjoying every minute along with Hattie & Charlie, whilst quite reserved sometimes in the past
Leonards voice just 'better than ever'
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Didn't mind enthusiasm getting the better of people at the back coming forward as the 2nd half developed and encores built up to a lovely atmosphere - just felt the constant interruptions definitely ruined it for a lot to the left of us (we at row L, main aisle left of centre) during the 1st half and beginning of 2nd... didn't think the stewards were anything other than reserved, well-mannered (and quietly persuasive) and tried to be firm when in a difficult situation (must have been given their rules of engagement, don't blame them:)...
Stewards were trying hard to help speed the loos by monitoring & ushering peeps forward as soon as one became available (as always womens loos should be 2 to 3 times as many as mens!)
If peeps plan ahead a bit, abs. no need for constant gob-stuffing (unless you're diabetic ) - I found I could easily survive with a dash to the bar for a pint (15 minutes) at the break and be easily seated in time for 2nd half - but yes, there
should have been twice as many bars and IMHO, no yukky greasy smelly takeways allowed back into the seated area - hate that, always will, don't try to convince me otherwise
Ever heard of sandwiches (so
easy to sneak them in), blimey, even eat them beforehand or after on the way home...
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But overall a fantastic concert made better by the slight drizzle that indeed, seemed to bring people together - are they a tight team now?
Yes they are!