Brisbane Concert

[sandralgill]

Who is going to the Riverstage Concert.....

[DoubtfulMiracle]

Me! First time seeing Stevie solo and I can't wait

I've got tickets in the second row, a little off centre - I'm hoping it will still be a good enough posi and that I'll be able to squish forward to the stage. Anyone here in the front row, please gently encourage your neighbours to get off their seats

[Aussie W/Heart]

Me too!! also my first time seeing Stevie Solo Section A1 row G... i'm not exactly sure if that row G actually means row 7 if i'm that far back from the stage i better be next to an isle, so i can sprint to the stage in time for the Edge Walk.... Anyway i can hardly contain my excitement, this time next week we will be THERE

[DoubtfulMiracle]

Happy Concert Day everyone!

A beautiful day here in Brisbane, heading into a lovely clear night with temperatures in the low 20s. Perfect Stevie-watching conditions!

I hope everyone that's going has a blast, and I'll try to get a bit of a review up tonight when I get home. I suck at photos though, so you'll just have to be transported by my words

[DoubtfulMiracle]

I'm baaaack! Seems trite to say it was a terrific show, but you know it was A few of the more interesting points:

- After Stand Back, Stevie does her now-standard disclaimer that 'this is not a greatest hits show'. She then goes on to remind us that she's a sequencing guru, always has been, so she's been able to mix her new songs and the old ones we all know and love seamlessly into the set. She mentions something along the lines of putting all the songs into a 'sequencing machine', and makes a cute little whirring/spinning noise to mimic the machine doing its thing.

- During Dave's set, a couple of kookaburras decided to set up shop in the rafters over the stage. At least one of them is still up there during Dreams, since it drops a nice little gift onto the stage not far in front of Stevie's microphone. The kookaburras continue to be a constant source of concern (refer 'Soldier's Angel' below).

- Stevie leads into Moonlight by saying that this song will get the longest intro because this city is important to it. She tells the seeing-Twilight-in-Melbourne-story, followed by the writing-Moonlight-in-my-Brisbane-hotel story. She acknowledges in regard to Twilight that 'when you hate em, you hate em, but when you love em, you love em'. When she talks about writing the song in Brisbane, she says something along the lines of 'in a hotel, which I can't remember the name of, because... I can't remember anything anymore.'

- You can tell Soldier's Angel is so very important to Stevie - she tells us about her first visit to Walter Reed with earnest. She perhaps might've mentioned that it was an Army hospital, but I think people have got the gist by the time she finishes. Well, all except the two ignorant gits a couple of rows back from me, who think we've paid to listen to them chat. But nevermind them - it is a very powerful song, and I would take the live version over the album version any day. Unfortunately, the aforementioned kookaburra chooses this rather inopportune time to make a donation of its own.

- Stevie launches into her Annabel Lee intro without much intro - she pretty much just starts muttering about an old friend she was hanging out with in the 17th century, and you can see why some people still thinks she consumes drugs. But I love that a 63-year-old woman can still sometimes sound like a giddy 16-year-old. And I think the song goes over well with the audience, even though you can tell most of them haven't heard it before.

- Nice, giggly intro to FWIW focused on filming the video clip. Stevie struggles with the Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion, but makes clear that it was very hot while they were shooting. There is a bit of snuggling with Dave at the end of the song - nothing too serious, but it prompts my mother to comment that, 'I bet that relationship's a bit more than platonic'.

- Stevie tells the story of Landslide, and talks about the importance of songwriting. On that note, she dedicates Landslide not just to one person, but 'to all of you, and to this city' because otherwise Stevie 'would just be sitting at home'. She seems genuinely grateful, and it's a bit cool to think part of the seed for all this was planted two years ago in our home town. And I know it sometimes feels like Landslide's had the life squeezed out of it, but I'll be damned if I didn't well up again. Just beautiful.

- Now comes what I can only describe as my strangest concert experience ever. I'm calling it The Great Security Brouhaha of 2011. Ghosts Are Gone is pure awesome, and the so far rather subdued crowd really wants to rock. Dave is doing his best to get people up standing, but the *instant* someone stands up, security rushes to tell them to sit down. Now, this is not people rushing the stage or being obnoxious louts, just people having a bit of a boogie out of their seats. Well, it turns out we no longer have fun in Brisbane, and we certainly don't dance at concerts. The song ends, and Stevie says, 'Well, *now* we know why you're all sitting down. I wish someone had have told us at the beginning, because we're up here going, 'Do they hate us?' She has a bit of a chat about the 'situation', and the crowd naturally stands up to cheer. Stevie does not seem impressed, and mentions that she wishes the promoter had've told them in advance. I suspect her and Andrew McManus might be slightly less good friends tomorrow morning. Stevie says that although she has a rebellious spirit herself, we should probably do as the staff tell us so as to not get in trouble. She singles out a 'sweet little blonde girl' near the front who has been trying her hardest to get to the stage, but suggests that she should stay in her seat otherwise she'll get in trouble, and then Stevie will get in trouble, 'and two sweet little blonde girls will both be in trouble'. Stevie says its okay for us to sit, but we need to 'chair dance'; she gives us a little demonstration. Now my apologies if this was a Ledgie, but a guy a couple of rows back is clearly very displeased with the situation (and rightly so) - he shouts out to Stevie that 'we have paid good money to dance to you', but Stevie says, a little bit seriously, that 'it won't do any good'. So on we go.

- The band introductions were just hilarious. Waddy was giving Stevie the hurry up (he could obviously feel the 10pm curfew looming), so she tried to cut down her stories a bit. Then it just fell to pieces. Firstly, she introduces Jimmy as 'Jimmy Page'. The girls crack up, and Stevie asks, 'What? What did I say?' They fill her in, she has a laugh and tries to argue that if you're going to be called the wrong name, Jimmy Page is at least a pretty awesome guy. She later gets to Carlos, and says how he's everyone's confidant in the band, and that he's like their 'Psychiatrist... Or physiologist. No, psychologist.' The band's cracking up by this point, Stevie realises her mistake and clarifies through laughter that Carlos is not their physiologist, though maybe he'd be good at that too.

- Edge of Seventeen starts and you can see the people with their itchy Edge Walk shoes on. A few start advancing to the stage, so I say 'That's it, I'm going in.' I sneak in from my second row position to just off centre, leaning right on the stage thanks to the nice man to my right who makes a bit of extra room for me. It feels like a *lot* of us have got up there, which is awesome. Waddy and the girls give us all a big thumbs up, as if to say 'Well done for giving those security guys the bird'. I notice the sound is absolutely *terrible* that far forward, but it doesn't matter - I get my handshake, as does my 50-something year old mother, who is now behaving like a teenage groupie.

- Everyone's a little bit giddy - "Oh my god, I touched her" and other such things. A few people get a bit obnoxious during Stevie's intro to Love Is, but gosh, she does such a beautiful job. There are tears around me, and when Lori comes back our for the final bow, she has a few too.

- After another small battle with security staff, we decide to wait with the small crowd to see Stevie drive off in her supercool limo. We get some nice waves from Carlos and Lori in the interim, before Stevie comes out around 10.40pm - window down, waving, wearing sunglasses (*cue Corey Hart*) and a big smile.

So, I can see that there are more than few points there Security wankers aside, it was a really great night, and I can only hope Stevie means it when she says they will be back again.

I'll make a few points about Dave in the morning when I've had some rest. All good points though

[poetinmyheart]

^ Thanks for sharing. Security issues aside, it sounds like you had a great evening.

[Aussie W/Heart]

[QUOTE=Aussie W/Heart;1029018]Me too!! also my first time seeing Stevie Solo, Section A1 row G... i'm not exactly sure if that row G actually means row 7: if i'm that far back from the stage i better be next to an isle, so i can sprint to the stage in time for the Edge Walk:Anyway i can hardly contain my excitement, this time next week we will be THERE:

Well Ive just walked in the door after the 2 hr drive home: I had a fantastic day & night, I arrived really really early as i expected to get lost finding the venue, i only made a couple of wrong turns , anyway i first strolled around to the back entrance & waited for Stevie to arrive in her long black limo, she walked in with rollers in her hair Dave & his band were really great, the crowd rocked out to his songs. Stevie rocked & was fantastic sound wise, beautiful , & very talkative.. Such a pity all of the front platinum section sat for the most of the show, what is wrong with these people?? anyway Waddy cranked up his guitar for Edge of 17, the masses rushed the front stage, myself included i got a great posy right in front of Stevie finally the audience got off their seats, even Stevie mentioned she was starting to worry that nobody liked their music, and was happy to see everyone up dancing at the end at least.. To top the night off i received a lovely hand squeeze from Stevie.

[DoubtfulMiracle]

[QUOTE=Aussie W/Heart;1030039]

Originally Posted by Aussie W/Heart

Me too!! also my first time seeing Stevie Solo, Section A1 row G... i'm not exactly sure if that row G actually means row 7: if i'm that far back from the stage i better be next to an isle, so i can sprint to the stage in time for the Edge Walk:Anyway i can hardly contain my excitement, this time next week we will be THERE:

Well Ive just walked in the door after the 2 hr drive home: I had a fantastic day & night, I arrived really really early as i expected to get lost finding the venue, i only made a couple of wrong turns , anyway i first strolled around to the back entrance & waited for Stevie to arrive in her long black limo, she walked in with rollers in her hair Dave & his band were really great, the crowd rocked out to his songs. Stevie rocked & was fantastic sound wise, beautiful , & very talkative.. Such pity all of the front platinum section sat for the most of the show, what is wrong with these people?? anyway Waddy cranked up his guitar for Edge of 17, the masses rushed the front stage, myself included i got a great posy right in front of Stevie finally the audience got off their seats, even Stevie mentioned she was starting to worry that nobody liked their music, and was happy to see everyone up dancing at the end at least.. To top the night off i received a lovely hand squeeze from Stevie.

Good job

It was security for sure, not the folks in the platinum seats. I think there'll be some serious fallout there - I know I'm off tomorrow to write a few letters.

[elle]

[QUOTE=DoubtfulMiracle;1030041]

Originally Posted by Aussie W/Heart

Good job

It was security for sure, not the folks in the platinum seats. I think there'll be some serious fallout there - I know I'm off tomorrow to write a few letters.

interesting reaction from SN. Lindsey had several shows where this happened during his recent US tour - he usually called the security up to the stage and told them to f*** off. there are several videos on youtube of it. the last few shows after he realized this was happening he seemed to have had his people talk to the venues before the shows to make sure security follows what he wants. one of the venues complained afterwards on their FB page about him requesting to let people stand up, dance and go to the stage.

[Aussie W/Heart]

[QUOTE=DoubtfulMiracle;1030041]

Originally Posted by Aussie W/Heart

Good job

It was security for sure, not the folks in the platinum seats. I think there'll be some serious fallout there - I know I'm off tomorrow to write a few letters.

Yeah i forgot to mention how strict security was, i know they were carrying on way over the top with people just taking a photo or 2. So was it security telling people to sit down??? Yes i remember when the blonde girl stood up and there was some drama going on in front of Stevie, i couldn't make out what Stevie was saying because at that same time i almost got bowled over by security trying to get to the guy next to me that yelled out to Stevie we are paying good money to get up & dance & have a good time..

Doubtfulmiracle i loved your review, thanks for remembering the fine details, that I'd forgotten. its late & a long day for me..
btw, i was one of those platinum people and so wanted to get up & dance, i didn't want to be the only one, so opted to seat boogie..lol

[nevedix20]

AH thats too bad for you guys that went that you had to go through that. But it sounds like all the funny things Stevie said might have made up for that.
I would Kill for a video of that band intro.. Love it when are girl gets things muddled up and someone has to correct her.... SO funny and cute

[MacMan]

Originally Posted by DoubtfulMiracle

I'm baaaack! Seems trite to say it was a terrific show, but you know it was A few of the more interesting points:

That was great!

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by DoubtfulMiracle

I'm baaaack! Seems trite to say it was a terrific show, but you know it was A few of the more interesting points:

The part about two sweet little blonde girls getting into trouble was hilarious.

Michele

[mezzoforte]

Doubtfulmiracle, thank you so much for that review! Laughed my head off.

[aussie1981]

....Don't even get me started on the security, I was in the front row last night...Here is a clip from last night, a small incident with security .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIqHkOySCuM