JB's Summer Concerts, Jun 2012

[aresnz]

I thought that last night's concert was so much better. Don't get me wrong, Scarborough was good, but there were a few things that weren't quite right - the venue itself, the moat, very small audience. John is an artist who very much relies on feedback from his audience, and that was one of the things that was missing, for me anyway, in Scarborough.

Glasgow was worlds apart. The seating was much nearer to the stage - and no dratted moat! He had his family on the front row, and pulled them into the show on several occasions, including getting Greg up to sing "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" - it was as much a surprise for Greg as for everyone else! John spoke throughout in Scottish - which is always a bonus!

The audience was a bit more of a challenge though - several times people just wandered up to the stage and tried to get John's attention. They were mostly very swiftly dealt with by security. And lots of them had had WAY too much to drink. We saw one young chap get arrested at the gates after the concert for being D&D. Outside the gates, a car almost identical to John's was waiting, and when Mark drove out, the other car started up and followed him. Someone admitted on Twitter that it was their mother and her friend. John replied to the Tweet and seemed OK about it, but it did creep me out slightly.

Anyway, mustn't grumble, John was back to his 110% effort last night, which was really good to see. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as did my friends. Hopefully John can now get a bit of rest before the biggie tomorrow, for which he's been nominated by the London Evening Standard as one of this weekend's hot tickets!

Have just heard the Blackpool is cancelled - OH NOOOOO!!!! I expect that John is really disappointed. Still, that means I can lie in bed a bit longer, and work out how to get back to London in one hit, today.

Some have said the Glasgow concert was one of John's best. What was the bit with John getting off stage to take pic with this one lady? Any idea? It's always better being closer to the stage. So a woman and friend were trying to follow John? sheesh... stalking much...

[mkillo]

Can they then build the stage in London today already? Is the weather better there? Oh my, I think everyone will be disappointed. But I am flying in from Germany, so I really hope London happens!

The Blackpool venue suffered because of its very windy Seaside location.

[rheidol]

Can they then build the stage in London today already? Is the weather better there? Oh my, I think everyone will be disappointed. But I am flying in from Germany, so I really hope London happens!

John's the final concert of a Festival that's been running for a while, so there would be less rigging to do - and it's in a sheltered area, so the wind should be less of an issue. Hope you all have a fab time there!

[Snow]

I thought that last night's concert was so much better. Don't get me wrong, Scarborough was good, but there were a few things that weren't quite right - the venue itself, the moat, very small audience.

aye the venue wasn't that great, the moat was wierd. if i'd realised i was going to be *that* far away when i booked the ticket, i would have reconsidered going. at least in part. i know they had a camera and showed him close up on the TV screens but it's not the same. i had difficulty picking him out from the set in the first part as he had a dark blue suit and was against a dark background . with poor vision and rain i couldn't see him for most of that bit. wished they'd had better lighting.

at least his voice made up for it

Glasgow was worlds apart. The seating was much nearer to the stage - and no dratted moat! He had his family on the front row, and pulled them into the show on several occasions, including getting Greg up to sing "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" - it was as much a surprise for Greg as for everyone else! John spoke throughout in Scottish - which is always a bonus!

i am very glad Glasgow turned out so well

The audience was a bit more of a challenge though - several times people just wandered up to the stage and tried to get John's attention.

They were mostly very swiftly dealt with by security.

good!

Outside the gates, a car almost identical to John's was waiting, and when Mark drove out, the other car started up and followed him. Someone admitted on Twitter that it was their mother and her friend.

that's bad, creepy, wrong and unnerving in equal measure. boundaries, people!!

Have just heard the Blackpool is cancelled - OH NOOOOO!!!!

yep, read that this morning and was gutted for JB & those who had tickets

i know from experience how windy it can be there and i'm not surprised they couldn't get the stage set up safely.

[BevB66x]

Some have said the Glasgow concert was one of John's best..

Well, I've been to quite a few (facepalm), including all of his concert tours, and I would definitely agree. He was on fire!!!

What was the bit with John getting off stage to take pic with this one lady? Any idea? It's always better being closer to the stage.

The audience was quite vocal, but there was one lady who was being particularly persistent with her shout-outs. John spotted her and started a conversation (as you do.... ). She said that she was 72, and that she had been waiting for John for all of her life! He called her forward, and came down off the stage and had a little chat. He asked if she had been to any of his other events. I think he was expecting a "no", but she paused briefly and then said, "I've been to them all.........and I NEVER thought I'd ever get to meet you!" John looked bowled over. He repeated what she had said, for the audience's benefit, and then gave her a hug and a kiss, and then carried on with the concert. It was a very sweet moment.

So a woman and friend were trying to follow John? sheesh... stalking much...

I know. I was totally creeped out by it.

[rheidol]

What was the bit with John getting off stage to take pic with this one lady? Any idea? It's always better being closer to the stage.

The audience was quite vocal, but there was one lady who was being particularly persistent with her shout-outs. John spotted her and started a conversation (as you do.... ). She said that she was 72, and that she had been waiting for John for all of her life! He called her forward, and came down off the stage and had a little chat. He asked if she had been to any of his other events. I think he was expecting a "no", but she paused briefly and then said, "I've been to them all.........and I NEVER thought I'd ever get to meet you!" John looked bowled over. He repeated what she had said, for the audience's benefit, and then gave her a hug and a kiss, and then carried on with the concert. It was a very sweet moment.

So a woman and friend were trying to follow John? sheesh... stalking much...

I know. I was totally creeped out by it.

Sorry to hear about the blatant stalky behaviour - how rude some people are! - but delighted with the rest of your report - thanks!

[rheidol]

Happy Horn players:

https://twitter.com/TheJHorns/status/21 ... 61/photo/1



And VERY happy string players!

https://twitter.com/jrccooper/status/21 ... 18/photo/1

[rheidol]

There's a lot of the Glasgow concert on YouTube now (have heard all, but haven't seen it yet!) starting here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLIwPh-sVHM



Thank you very much, nice lady who posted them!

[Anita07]

Got a day off today, def need this to recover from the madness of the last few days. I had a fantastic time with many happy memories. There were lots of familiar faces last night, so sorry haven't been able to catch up with everyone.

The concert last night was fantastic, although John said he had to cut three songs due to Hampton Court demand to finish by certain time, but I don't think made any different to the show itself, great performance from him as always. The moment just before the song Fireflies and he actually accidentally swallowed a fly was quite funny, shouldn’t laugh really.

Anita

[gabby]

So planned to make a week end of it in Blackpool only to have it ruined by the weather .
Tbh I thought the venue was what looked like a tempory structure built with its back to the Irish sea , we walked behind it on the prom on Saturday morning and it didn't look very permenant to us .
What was so annoying was the flyer sent out pre connect that actually stated the concert will not be cancelled due to the weather !!!!!
Totally understand the safety issues which lead to the cancellation , but do think the council should have had a back up plan - as it was them that cancelled .
So all in all gutted really , took the time off work , spent a lot of money on the weekend and no jb
ok we do get our money back , but not the extortionate booking fee
Oh well fingers crossed for next year but have to say will not be risking another outdoor concert
Gabby