Concert Reviews
Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK
May 6, 2004
Walked from Hammersmith station around the corner to the Novatel hotel, checked in and started to prepare for the show that night. Karen came up to our room to say goodbye before having a look at the Apollo, where the show was, and then catching her train to Manchester. Rose and I walked down to the Apollo about 7ish with Shelley and Stan. There were some touters selling tickets and the Telegraph magazine with David in it outside the venue. This show was sold out. I met Margaret, Jane C, Greta, Marijke, and bumped into Jojo again. I gave Jojo another birthday present as the one I gave her in Bournemouth got stolen from her seat at the concert by some low life! Could not believe someone would do that as we were all supposedly there for the same reason - to see David and have fun.
I went in to my seat (A22) about 7.50, which was next to the "Fabulous Baker Girls" I sat next to the lovely Agi (Hi Agi!!)and had a great time! This was the best concert I had been to atmosphere wise. David came on singing Hush, then Echo Valley etc. A couple of girls down the front were saying 'this is next, that is next' and David heard them, so instead of the scheduled song he did what we called G12 something or rather, which was Sweet Lil Angel. David was in a good mood, very chatty, and some idiot told him to hurry up!!!! There were a few idiots who kept yelling out and talking amongst themselves constantly or talking on their mobile phones during the show, and David responded to them, but kept his cool. He wasn't rude, but he was blunt. Like he said, it was HIS show, and if they weren't having a good time or didn't want to be there then he would make sure that they got a refund if they left now. He was more polite than I think they deserved. We all paid for our tickets, and we all had the right to hear David talk or sing. This heckling was the only thing that disappointed me during the whole 3 shows. Everyone else was having a ball, as you can see from the photo I took of the left half of the front row at the stage. They were all hanging on his every word.
During the acoustic part David again asked people not to sing while he did ITILY, the way HE thinks it should be sung! Again, some idiots started singing with him, so he stopped, put his guitar down and started on the next set with the band. Agi gave me a tissue when he sang Last Kiss, and we both cried. The show was finished all too soon again, with only one encore How Can I Be Sure. They didn't film at tonight's show, doing that the next night. It will be good to get the DVD when it comes out later in the year and re-live it all. I was hoping that they would do some filming on the night I was there, but never mind.
After the show a crowd of us hung around the side of the Apollo (yes, groupie time again) in case David came out on the balcony like he had done after other shows in previous years. When he hadn't appeared by almost midnight, Rose and I went back to the hotel to see who was there for drinks. We met up with Margaret, Elaine, Helena, Di, Carol and a few others, sorry I can't remember your names. I stayed there with them chatting until about 1.30am and thought I had better go and try to get some sleep before I have to leave for home in the morning. While we were there some of the band came in and were chatting and drinking with us. Lisa is lovely to talk to. So down to earth.
I couldn't sleep (surprise surprise) so I lay there looking at all the pix I had taken and listening to CDs on my walkman. I missed my family sooooo much but on the other hand I didn't want this trip to end, I was having such a great time living my dream. I think I slept for 1/2 to 1 hour.
Suey
Australia
