31/10/08 - GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK

Review by Steven Stanley:
Halloween in the York that put the York in New York - the most haunted town in the UK! After going to a couple of great acoustic shows earlier in the year (most notably Charleston), when this gig was announced nobody wasted any hesitation in getting tickets. Everyone I could think of was there and it made for an awesome meetup.

Myself, my parents and Big T picked Karl up from the station and setoff for York... blasting out Foreigner as we went, Karl kept up his 'OS!' record by losing once more just like he did all summer. We got into York and camped in a great pub all day - Lendal Cellars, had a great meal, drank and had a laugh with Chels, Lizy and Rose who also joined us. From there we upgraded to the Hilton in Darren's hotel room to watch the 'America 2008' DVD extras. We had a great time and it reminded me of how we were chilling out before the acoustic show in Charleston as well. Sometimes seated gigs are such a refreshing change.

(Below) Big T in Lendal Cellars. If you notice the fake cobweb above him thats because it was Halloween - he stood up & it scared the shit out of him :)

We got to the venue not long before the show started and more or less every UK Bryan Adams fan I'd ever met was there (including Jack, Nat, Mave, Mel, Chris, Katie, Andraea, Barry & Nic)! The venue was a theatre that really didn't look anything special AT ALL from the outside - it was inside though, it was a really pretty little theatre. If you'd have told me Bryan Adams would play there one day I would have never believed you! We had pretty good seats (wasn't a bad seat in the house to be fair!) and had to wait while 8.30 until the show started...

The gig, quite simply - amazing. Before the show he asked for requests... myself and Mikala requested 'No One Makes It Right' - and he only went and played it! The piano work from Gary on the song really did it justice... first time ever live for that song. 'When The Night Comes' (another one of my requests along with many other people!) was also done - again, amazing. So many funny things happened during this show with lots of heckles just like at Charleston. Top heckles compiled by Karl & myself included;

- Bryan asking (in a friendly way) a guy not to video before he played 'no one makes it right'. Darren told him to get the Sheriff after him.
- Sue with her 'Bryan do you want to come in our box?' banner.
- Bryan asking why women go to the toilet together and bloke shouted out 'they come back smiling'.
- Bryan saying 'i'm just gonna change my guitar if thats ok' and some woman replied 'alright, go on then'.
- Bryan saying how he wrote lots of songs in Jim's basement that the cat pissed all over, Karl said 'what like "Smelly Cat". everyone laughed but i don't think Bryan got it.
- Bryan asking 'whats behind the red curtain?' and some bloke shouted 'thats where the cat pisses'.
- Bryan saying he had a sore throat and some woman shouting 'do you want some vicks rubbing on your chest love?'

(Above) Big T, Ducky, Rose, Chels, Nat & Karl sit down and enjoy beers after the show

It was a great great show - finished with a drink or 3 until the early hours after the show. Cheers to everyone who made it such a great night - you know who you are :)

Setlist:
Tonight We Have The Stars (with Gary Breit)
Back To You (with Gary Breit)
Here I Am (with Gary Breit)
Let's Make A Night To Remember (with Gary Breit)
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
I Thought I'd Seen Everything
When You Love Someone (with Gary Breit)
Heat Of The Night (with Gary Breit)
She's Got A Way (with Gary Breit)
One Night Love Affair (with Gary Breit)
Please Forgive Me (with Gary Breit)
Cuts Like A Knife
When The Night Comes
Summer Of '69 (with Gary Breit)
Walk On By
It's Only Love (with Gary Breit)
Heaven (with Gary Breit)
No One Makes It Right (with Gary Breit - first time ever live)
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You (with Gary Breit)
Run To You (with Gary Breit)
Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman? (with Gary Breit)
Somebody (with Gary Breit)
Straight From The Heart
All For Love

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Pictures by Steven Stanley & Mel

York Castle (well part of it!)

BA onstage

Bryan doing his first ever show in York

Bryan on guitar

Big T in his robe holding hsi beloved rubber duck (just don't ask)

Me and Lizy