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21/10/04 - AECC, ABERDEEN Review
by Chelsey Evans:
After
the 3 hour drive during rush-hour, we were running a bit late to get to the show.
As we drove around looking for a parking space, I could see the queue of people
snaking back, far, far away from the doors. Luckily eough, just as we got to the
queue, an extra door was opened and we walked straight in!
I bought a
programme and eagerly ran through to the hall to check it out. We were relatively
early, so we managed to get a decent spot just to the left of the stage.
The
band walked out, everyone went wild, and went straight into 'Room Service'. The
soul-less venue transformed into a sea of arms waving around and people cheering
their appreciation. 'Room Service' went almost straight into 'Open Road', which
was fantastic. I was surprised to see that not many people knew the words to the
new songs, but my loud voice probably made up for them. '18 Til I Die', one of
my favourite songs, was perfect before slowing it down with 'Let's Make A Night...'
Before singing 'There Will Never Be Another Tonight', Bryan asked us if we
wouldn't mind him singing some songs from the unplugged album. As if he had to
ask! 'Back To You' sounded even better than on Unplugged. Then came the song which
really made everyone go crazy... 'Summer of 69'. Bryan introduced the song by
saying "This is NOT about the summer of that year. Leave it to your imagination",
making everyone laugh.I was hoping for a full acoustic version (Bryan had his
acoustic guitar) but when the drums came thundering in after the second verse,
I was hopping about with the people around me.
The stage set up was excellent,
and allowed me to take some amazing photos. One of the highlights of the night
was 'Everything I Do'. We got to the last line before Bryan, and he just started
laughing and let us finish it.
The 'na na na' part of 'Cuts Like A Knife'
seemed to go on forever because the audience wasn't singing loud enough, but we
got there eventually. 
When he said he needed someone to get up onstage, I almost peed my pants.
I had expected this, and was well prepared to jump around like a lunatic to try
and get up there. When he picked me, I panicked and was very close to vomiting
all over him. However, he was very sweet and made me feel totally at ease, singing
in front of thousands of people. I still don't think it has totally sunk in yet,
but when it does, I'll probably have a heart atack.
Anyway, I can't really
remember much of 'Not Romeo Not Juliet' because I had been shown offstage and
was trying very hard not to pass out. I did catch the end though. Although it
is one of my least favourites from the album, it was very good live. 'Heaven'
was breathtaking, especially towards the end. Bryan's voice was on top form all
night and the ending of 'Heaven' only proved the fact that his voice is still
in fantastic shape even after years of touring.
Bryan's Tina Turner impressions
were hilarious, and when Keith got carried away with the guitar solo, the whole
band just stopped. I got the impression that the guys were having a really great
time.
During 'The Best Of Me', Bryan came down to the barrier and was
reaching out to the crowd. I managed to get a high five while trying to take as
many photos as possible. The band went offstage and returned to play 'Flying'
which almost made me cry. It was played so beautifully.
When Bryan started
to sing 'All For Love'... I think I actually squealed with excitement. He sang
it acoustically all by himself. He looked pretty lonely without the band, and
I was secretly hoping that Sting would turn up to help him, alas, he sang the
song alone (with a little help from the crowd!).
The show ended with
'Straight From The Heart', which Bryan introduced by telling us it was his first
big hit and he wrote it when he was 18. After the final chord died out, he thanked
us all for coming on a Thursday night and said goodbye.
My first BA gig,
but definitely not my last!
Soundcheck:
I
Was Only Dreamin'
Not Romeo Not Juliet Setlist:
Room
Service
Open Road
18 Til I Die
Let's Make A Night To Remember
Can't
Stop This Thing We Started
There Will Never Be Another Tonight
Back To You
Summer
Of '69
Everything I Do
Cuts Like A Knife
When You're Gone (with Chelsey
from Edinburgh)
Not Romeo Not Juliet
Heaven
It's Only Love
The Only
Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Cloud #9
Run To You
The Best Of Me
Flying
All
For Love
Straight From The Heart | | |
