Im glad use all enjoyed urself at the paolo gigs in blackpool Jacq can you buy the live cd at the gig u are going to? Im going to the glasgow paolo gig on 15th october and i was just wondering if i could buy one there? x

I had to rush off after the gig on Sunday (transport wouldn't wait) so I missed out on buying the live cd - I'm absolutely gutted! Does anyone know if I can buy a copy anywhere?

What a concert, the memories will stay with me forever, but so they don't fade I need that cd!

Cheers

doug.

quote:

Originally posted by Wonderful74:
I had to rush off after the gig on Sunday (transport wouldn't wait) so I missed out on buying the live cd - I'm absolutely gutted! Does anyone know if I can buy a copy anywhere?

What a concert, the memories will stay with me forever, but so they don't fade I need that cd!

Cheers

doug.

Hey, Doug, you can still buy a copy of it HERE.

Thanks Seegrim, I've just ordered it, can't wait.

Hopefully I'll write my "short" review this evening, and I'll try and upload some of the pics.

Michelle I have a special pic which you are just going to lurvvveeee!!!!

I am on the edge of my seat waiting to hear all about it Jacq. I am very much missing our guys.

Ok so basically my other half knew what was good for him, and after my whining and moping around because no one else wanted to go to Blackpool, he arranged for us to go for the weekend as a family. He let me know on Sat morn and I packed faster than you can say Viperooni. It is a lovely easy drive down (even easier if your're a passenger) and I brainwashed the kids the entire way with These Streets and S.S.U. playing one after the other.

We had a great day on the Sat at the Pleasure Beach acting like bigger kids than the kids, and generally having a ball. Didn't leave until closing time and by the time we got to our wee B&B it was after midnight!!

Eek, I had less than 24 hours till I came face to face (hopefully) with Paolo and the Vipers, and I couldn't afford to lose out on any beauty sleep.

Sunday morning, we were all up bright and early for brekkie,then it was back to the room to get ready, camera check, fully charged batteries check, Nutini items to sign check.

We headed off to the venue about 1-ish just to check it out and immediately spotted the tour buses with the "Paolo Nutini crew" sign taped on the side.

The Winter Gardens is huge and there are several theatres inside so many performances can take place in the same evening. I immediately spotted that the back entrance was no where near the entrance for us meer mortals, so would have to make a decision on whether to queue or be on Viper lookout round the back.

We went for lunch before the other half took the kids sight seeing for the rest of the day, and I tried to act inconspicous as I walked past the tour buses for the 3rd time that day...

To be honest I felt like such a chump because I was myself, I'd been excited earlier in the day, but it felt very strange to be checking out the venue without fellow boardies for company.

So anyway as I walked up the side of the venue I noticed Gavin and Seamus walking towards me.

I was very nearly going to walk straight past them out of sheer embarrassment at being by myself but then I remembered I was missing Seamus's sig from my S.S.U. album cover.

So I walked over said hello and introduced myself as Jacq, to which Gavin replied, "Hi I'm Gavin" I said "I know, I've met you before", to which he started apologising, not realising that I meant I obviously knew his name, not that he should have known mine. Had wee bit more chat, then I asked Seamus to sign my cd, just as Donny and Dave came off the bus. I said hi to them, and Dave and Gavin headed inside the venue, whilst I chatted with Donny and asked him to sign my CD (finally signed by Paolo and all full time Vipers). I then got a pic with Seamus and Donny (taken by Donny) who needs more practice at picture taking. Thanked them for their time and let them head off inside.

Then Mick came off the bus (this was getting too easy, all I had to do was stand right there). I've chatted to Mick more than the others in the past, so always find it easier to talk to him, so we talked for 5 mins or so about why I'd came down to Blackpool, and his planned holiday which sounds wonderful, and about the plans for the next album.

I didn't get him to sign anything but asked him for a wee pic before he headed back on the bus.

Then Fraser appeared from goodness knows where, again some random chat ensued, I always think he is very bemused when he meets fans who quite simply are skulking about hours before the gig even starts. Asked him politely for a pic, and made a joke bout him not wearing one of his trademark shirts.

After taking a stroll I headed back to the venue as the family were going to meet me there again before I went inside, and Mick was heading into the venue with what must be his lucky mascot, he told me Paolo wasn't there yet, that he was still to arrive in his helicopter.

After meeting back up with the other half to disucss their plans for the evening I headed inside the venue and joined the queue. It was a painful decision to join the queue as I was more than gutted that I hadn't had the chance to meet Paolo before the gig as I wanted to ask him a few things about some new cover songs he's been performing, plus speak to him about the film I'd discussed with him previously, plus anything else I could have thought of to keep his attention.

The lovely couple in front of me started chatting to me and the time soon passed until the doors opened, and everyone raced past each other to get to their spot.

The Ballroom was magnificant, and unlike any venue I've seen Paolo perform in before, but I've noticed that on this tour he has chosen to perform in many venues like this, it definitely goes with the feel of the album.

Will and The People opened the show and were as brilliant as they were when they supported Paolo previously.

One Eskimo followed and have a more laid back sound, the lead singer has a great voice, and one track of theirs has stuck in my head ever since!!

At 9.30 the real show kicked off, the Vipers took to the stage it seemed all at once, and then my eyes were drawn to my right where Paolo normally appears from, yet he appeared from behind the drums on the other side which threw me slighty before they burst into Alloway Grove!!!

Paolo was wearing the hat which I believe he was sporting in Japan earlier this year. I couldn't help think, doesn't he sweat enough as it is??

At the end of Alloway Grove, Paolo reached for a drink and couldn't hide his disgust when there was only a bottle of water awaiting him, after a quick swig it was tossed to the floor as he threw a glance into the darkness left of stage.


After Alloway Grove, Paolo went straight into High Hopes, where he joined Seamus on the drums, first time I've seen that, I loved it!!!

Paolo also performed a new version of Loving You, very funky and makes it sound so so different.

He also performed Smokey Joe's cafe (first time I've heard that live), Sleepwalking, Funky Cigarette, followed by Coming Up Easy of course, Chamber Music, Growing Up Beside You, Down In Mexico, Candy, PFOL, 10/10, No Other Way, These Streets Chamber Music, which he acted as conductor while Donny and Dave played the guitar peice. Please note I've not got these all in order, but think I've remembered all the songs they performed.

It's such a changed performance from when there was just 4 of the boys on stage, whereas now there are 9 of them, when you include Tom and Ben. I've also noticed more has went into the stage set up this time round, with the addition of the disco ball, fancy lighting and the curtain dramatically dropping to the floor before the start of one track.

He of course finished with JDBH before heading off stage. The crowd of course were waiting on his return and eagerly cheered the band back on stage. They returned and played Worried Man, Tricks of the Trade and finished with the fantastic new version of Last Request that I was really looking forward to!

The crowd were responsive to all the tracks Paolo and the guys performed, yet were very well behaved compared to crowds I'm used to. I'm used to having no room to move and crowds which jump 2 feet into the air while they dance, but Blackpool allow for personal space and don't dance as badly as us Scots!!

Paolo ended the show thanking the crowd, and graciously accepting a celtic t shirt thrown on stage before saying he was heading off to get "Maaaaad with it".

Everyone left happy.... ok, I did, and can't imagine everyone else didn't also.

Scores of people headed straight to place their order for the live CD which would be ready 30 mins later and I headed over to the merchandise stall where I feasted my eyes on all the items I didn't own. When I finally got to the front of the queue I was about to purchase a mug, a keyring, badges etc. I eagerly pulled out my purse only to find no cash in it...... aaarrrggghh!!! I had forgotten to take the cash from my other purse before I'd left in the morning!! Oh well.

I spotted the live CD on display, and quickly snatched it with my greedy hands. I quickly spotted some very familiar faces and was so pleased to see them yet also filled with dread as I couldn't find Sambista! Thankfully I found her the next morn on the drive home, I don't think I'd have posted the pics if I couldn't find her on it!!

Once I picked up my CD I arranged to meet my other half and the family outside. Time to head home I thought.

I met up with my other half, the kids and his aunt (who lives in Blackpool and had went to a show with him and the kids). When his aunt asked what we were doing next, I joked, well if I had my way, I'd be heading round the back door, but no way was my other half going to agree, what with us having the kids there. Let's go then she said, and she marched purposefully round the back. You don't argue with your aunt do you? So I followed her gleefully.

His aunt has no shame. I was hanging back trying to act normal and casual, she was straight in there flirting with Brian the roadie and chatting to the door man, (she didn't even know who Paolo was at this point). Seamus came out for a cig and said hi, and some girls flocked round him while he sat outside. My aunt-in-law got the info she (or I) was looking for. Paolo was taking a shower and he'd be out shortly! I couldn't beleive it, I was sure he'd have been straight out the door, and yet 40 mins after the gig had finished he was still inside (apparently).

We waited with a bit more excitement and it was at this point I met lilmisfury and some of other girls who have joined the forum, but I forget their names. Whilst we were chatting Paolo popped his head out to let us know he'd be joining us in 2 mins. How gracious of him to pop his head out and update us on his delay, too funny!!!

The kids just stood there open mouthed, they couldn't believe they had actually seen him!

At this point there was maybe about 10 or so of us at the door (very manageable I thought). When Paolo came out, he was immediately swarmed by around 30 people (where do they all come from?). The security suggested to Paolo to move away from the door so the guys could get the set out the door, he moved away from the doorway to in front of where I was standing, then looked up and said "hello again" to me . I was so pleased that he recognised me again, though admittedly he didn't remember my name, tsk!! I hung back as everyone else got their signatures, pics, hugs etc, it was a bit manic so I thought it was best to let the major part of the crowd disappear to get more than a rushed signature from him.

The wee fella was holidng a card up for him to sign and he kept saying to others, wait a minute, the wee guy is waiting, I said it would be ok, we'd wait till the madness subsided. We chatted inbetween him signing stuff for other fans, and my other half did the obligatory football chat. We talked bout his new house, the film we'd previously chatted about, tattoos along with other random topics.

He then took the time to chat to the wee fella and signed his card and also his sis's. My other half was in the background taking all the pics (sigh, what a good and very very patient fella he was). The wee fella was too shy for a pic, so Paolo went to shake his hand, then offered him a high five instead to which the wee fella responded with sheer delight, and Paolo shook his hand pretending he was in pain, and saying he wouldn't be able to play guitar again, the reaction was even caught on camera ha ha!

I got my new CD signed after explaing to Paolo what it was, as he opened it all up and asked what it was, and only now that I'm typing this do I realise that we never talked about the pics inside, aaaarrrggggghhhh!

He signed another CD for me and after we said our "see you later's" he headed back inside! So he had only came out to see the fans which was just lovely, and it totally made 2 children deliriously happy until bedtime, and even the other half got to meet him. plus I had my two favourite men in my presence at the same time..... now that's a memory I'll hold dear...


Here are a couple of pics, more to follow:



Michelle, honey, this one is for you:


Brass section

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jacq 225,

quote:

Originally posted by jacq:

Michelle, honey, this one is for you:

WOW, Jacq! Now that was a very thorough and awesome account! Talk about feeling like I was there. Thank you SO much for sharing! I'm so so so glad you had a great time.

I'm smiling from ear to ear just thinking about it.

Also, the Donny pic? Rather nice to look at.

Thanks for all that. What did you say about how we write too much on here? (haha) I agree with seegrim though - it's like I'm right there with you. And don't you just love it when all you have to do is just stand there and wait for them to walk by? AH! The only thing better is when they come right over to you. Mick did that the first time I met him a couple years ago. There were a few fans queued up outside the venue and he walked across the street and came right over to us.

quote:

Originally posted by jacq:
Ok so basically my other half knew what was good for him, and after my whining and moping around because no one else wanted to go to Blackpool, he arranged for us to go for the weekend as a family....

All Hail Jacq ~ Queen Gig Reviewer!!

So glad you had such a super-smashing-great weekend.

Many thanks for sharing all the glorious detail

Oh, and that's a gorgeous pic of you and Paolo

Thanks again

Thanks for the wonderful review, jacq. I could picture every second in my head! Your pictures are great.

Oh Jacq we are sisters across the sea. Thank you so much for taking the time and taking us to the gig in Blackpool. We were experiencing the gigs here as you reported and you gave so much more detail. Give that husband a big kiss. He is a keeper. The guys and Paolo are doing the same playlist I think and continue to be the kindest, sweetest men in music. Beautiful picture of you & P-Nut (doesn't he smell wonderful) Love to you and yours, Cat

Oh, Jacq, I do love your reviews!! Sounds like it was an awesome time....and your other half sounds pretty awesome too. What fun! And thanks for the Donny photo. I love the one of Paolo with the "wee fella" too - so cute!

You and Paolo look soooo happy together Jacq! lol I can feel your excitment from this side of the pond...I hope you all don't spontaneously combust before you see him in Glasgow!

Jacq, this is a great review! I say the longer the better, even if it kept me from going to bed much later than i planned...well, will sleep on the bus on my way to work tomorrow.
Great pictures, thanks again!