CONCERT REPORT: Brighton, AUGUST 28th 2013
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:54 am
Okay, Brighton report of sorts coming up, if I don't fall asleep at the keyboard. I arrived at Victoria Station about 4.20 pm, envisaging a 55 minute trip to Brighton followed by a leisurely stroll down the pier and a walk along the seafront followed by a sociable hour and a drink with all the people I planned to meet there. It was the perfect day for this. Anyway, after wrestling with a ticket machine for six minutes, I joined the queue and missed the 4.36 pm train. Not wishing to wait another 30 minutes I decided to take the fast train to East Croydon where I might have more options. On arrival at Croydon, I found that someone had just been found dead under a train nearby, thus severely delaying all trains heading south. For sixty minutes total pandemonium ensued and clueless staff could offer no words of consolation. At approximately 6.30 pm a Brighton train was finally announced, and hey presto I arrived in Brighton dead on 7.30 pm where I snatched a cheese and tomato roll and banana from Marks and Spencer.
Fortunately, Leonard didn't come on stage till 7.40 pm , so when I arrived he was still singing "Dance Me To the End of Love". A few of us listened to it by the door, until we were allowed in. It was easy enough to find my seat in the front row just off-centre, where I imagined I would be surrounded by Leonard’s most adoring female fans. As it turned out, I was surrounded by some well-travelled guys and the general smell of sweat, booze, and aftershave, which was not totally conducive to a romantic atmosphere. Nonetheless, I was right in front of the Webb Sisters and Sharon, with a perfect view of Leonard. Throughout the concert camera usage was mercifully minimal, and the audience were very respectful (even though the guy next to me sometimes shouted "woooaaahhh" at inappropriate moments). I realised that compared to O2, the Brighton Centre is relatively tiny; in fact it felt like the most intimate Leonard show that I’ve ever experienced. Leonard was in excellent voice and great spirits. It still astounds me how such perfection can be achieved night after night after night, with everyone looking and sounding immaculate. The set-list seemed to be identical to Bournemouth, with the addition of "Save the Last Dance For Me". I do feel that some crucial songs have been omitted , which overall diminishes the concert – I especially regret the omission of "Anthem", "Sisters of Mercy", "Hey That’s No Way Too Say Goodbye", "Democracy", and "Heart With No Companion". Furthermore, I would love to hear "I Can’t Forget", "Show Me The Place", and many more (plus I miss TWS cartwheel!). I certainly hope that some changes to the set-list are made before the London show.
At the interval the bar had the largest crowd I’ve ever seen, so a drink was out of the question. Fortunately I ran into Graham Webb, who was kind enough to buy me an ice-cream. I also met a handful of Forum people who were there…namely Padma, Karen and Chrissie. It didn't escape my notice that the queue for the ladies loo was so long that ladies were dashing into the men's loo and using the cubicles. Before the break ended, it was good to be able to direct my friends (birthday girl) Ulla and Susan to two unoccupied seats in the second row which meant a lot to them, so whoever who had to forego those seats can feel that their absence achieved something worthwhile. The highlight of the show was undoubtedly Sharon Robinson’s “Alexandra Leaving” which got a standing ovation. Leonard talked about his plan to start smoking again when he's eighty years old, and how he imagines his first cigarette being brought to him onstage on a silver tray by a nurse wearing white stockings. I’m not sure why Leonard still has to do all these false endings and comebacks, since that was the cue for an early surge towards the stage and everyone standing up. I quickly had three tall and enthusiastic ladies waving a banner in front of me, but resigned myself to the occasion and boogied the rest of the night away. Amen.
Fortunately, Leonard didn't come on stage till 7.40 pm , so when I arrived he was still singing "Dance Me To the End of Love". A few of us listened to it by the door, until we were allowed in. It was easy enough to find my seat in the front row just off-centre, where I imagined I would be surrounded by Leonard’s most adoring female fans. As it turned out, I was surrounded by some well-travelled guys and the general smell of sweat, booze, and aftershave, which was not totally conducive to a romantic atmosphere. Nonetheless, I was right in front of the Webb Sisters and Sharon, with a perfect view of Leonard. Throughout the concert camera usage was mercifully minimal, and the audience were very respectful (even though the guy next to me sometimes shouted "woooaaahhh" at inappropriate moments). I realised that compared to O2, the Brighton Centre is relatively tiny; in fact it felt like the most intimate Leonard show that I’ve ever experienced. Leonard was in excellent voice and great spirits. It still astounds me how such perfection can be achieved night after night after night, with everyone looking and sounding immaculate. The set-list seemed to be identical to Bournemouth, with the addition of "Save the Last Dance For Me". I do feel that some crucial songs have been omitted , which overall diminishes the concert – I especially regret the omission of "Anthem", "Sisters of Mercy", "Hey That’s No Way Too Say Goodbye", "Democracy", and "Heart With No Companion". Furthermore, I would love to hear "I Can’t Forget", "Show Me The Place", and many more (plus I miss TWS cartwheel!). I certainly hope that some changes to the set-list are made before the London show.
At the interval the bar had the largest crowd I’ve ever seen, so a drink was out of the question. Fortunately I ran into Graham Webb, who was kind enough to buy me an ice-cream. I also met a handful of Forum people who were there…namely Padma, Karen and Chrissie. It didn't escape my notice that the queue for the ladies loo was so long that ladies were dashing into the men's loo and using the cubicles. Before the break ended, it was good to be able to direct my friends (birthday girl) Ulla and Susan to two unoccupied seats in the second row which meant a lot to them, so whoever who had to forego those seats can feel that their absence achieved something worthwhile. The highlight of the show was undoubtedly Sharon Robinson’s “Alexandra Leaving” which got a standing ovation. Leonard talked about his plan to start smoking again when he's eighty years old, and how he imagines his first cigarette being brought to him onstage on a silver tray by a nurse wearing white stockings. I’m not sure why Leonard still has to do all these false endings and comebacks, since that was the cue for an early surge towards the stage and everyone standing up. I quickly had three tall and enthusiastic ladies waving a banner in front of me, but resigned myself to the occasion and boogied the rest of the night away. Amen.
I guess no reason to be green with envy.