KONZERTBERICHT Rotterdam 01.01.2007

[Hepie]

hier dann mein review, in Englisch.. Es ist ziemlich lang, aber ich wollte den ganze Tag beschreiben..

Wow, Wednesday the 31. October 2007 it began. One day before our second Take That concert of this tour. We all decided we would just forget the bad things from Barcelona, and on with the next. So on Wednesday, I went to Jodee in Wateringen, Sarah was also going to join us. It wasn't a pleasant drive, as the car was beginning to do some strange things..I nearly was in tears in Jo's house, because of that. 2 years ago, I had a caraccident in Cologne. Something under the hood exploded, and flew next to us on the highway, so since then, everytime the car does strange things, I panick, eventhough it is another car.
In the evening we were on the board, and then Jose texted Sarah, that How was in Hamburg on stage, naked. So we were sreaming our heads of..  We went on the German site, and there it stood also. Oh, gosh, does this mean Howard will be there in Rotterdam too??????
Then on the board we read about that there were Spanish fans queueing already. Our aim was to queue too, so, I took a shower in 5 minutes and on we went to Ahoy. It was a nightmare to get there, eventhough we had a navigationsystem. But we got there, as most of the Joss Stone's fans left. When we arrived in the queue there were the nice Spanish girls, and a few others, who also had read the boards. We decided to sleep there, and we became a real attraction to the Joss Stone public, it was fun!
We immediately settled in, with weather aprons above us. The Spanish also had some, the girls in front of us and we, so it was warm and cosy. I decided to sleep, because I had a headache, and I could actually sleep for about 5 hours, as I heard. Sarah did not sleep at all, she was really hyper, and Jo a bit. After us more girls started to arrive. We thought of a numbersystem that would work, but first we did it with numbers on our hands. The girls had a blast that night, Paul *Takethatboy* was also queueing with us, amazing!! He is soo nice to talk too, and a laugh we had the whole day..When I woke up, the row clearly was longer, the security was there the night, putting up the barriers. We walked around a bit, socialized. Then Jo and I decided to talk to security about our numbersystem. They already heard it, but then we talked about getting them kind of tickets, which we made, that could not be copied. We were afraid markes were to easy to copy. So, she said it was fantastic! They would co-operate with us, how amazing was that?? So we explained it to everyone, and everyone was co-operative. The whole day went perfect! I got in contact with some Scottish people, Susan and Nicola, ladies, you are great! What a fun we had at the concert, and a cry we had there too. So great meeting you! Also a few Irish were there, great seeing you! Jo and I talked to security off and on, about the doors opening, our numbersystem etc.
Later on 2 grey busses arrived, we were talking to Paul and decided to walk away to the bsarea, but then a few started screaming, so walking turned into running. Paul ran like crazy!! The guys were in the busses, and when running, the had to drive near us, because of the small space there was, so I stopped running and walked. I thought Gary was in the second bus, and I just thought, noooo, he cannot see me like this, my hair not styled, no make up, just a white face with pimples..As if he would care, but I did...  Then in the second bus, the dancers arrived, with we believed Grace in it. Then after that, everything was calm again. 
The security told us, that the management said, that photographing was not allowed. I was like what???? But we asked 4 sec. people, and they all said the same. I said, ok, but you say that everytime. No, this time they had instructions, that you would be removed if you took any pictures. I believed him, which I shouldn't have done clearly. But I learned my lesson.
At 17.00 hrs we decided to chech the numbers again, and that people could only leave for about 5 minutes, because of the doors opening very soon. that went perfect! Everybody co-operated in that too. Then we sat there really calm, with loads of space, no pushing..Great! At 18.20 hrs, we still sat there that way, I never experienced that, normally we would have been packed cows. Then the security people started to take their places. Loads of security. We all stood in queues at the gates. Then the scanned the tickets, and then it was running like crazy. Me being stopped by a security guy, yeah right, no one is keeping me from the first row and Mr Barlow!!
Jo and I stood first row!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Oh, the sleeping there turned out to a succes, this was the aim. Sarah was behind us, and loads of people that slept there, or arrive early did! What was even more fun, we stood next to the Spanish people, who also did the numbers in Spain!! GREAT!! Let the party start!!
Jamie Scott was great, but for me a bit to slow. But he certainly had an amazing night, with us cheering like crazy for him..
Then the magic began!!
How dreadful it was to see no fourth mic. You see it on pictures and don't like it, but when you see it in front of you...awful.
Well, Reach Out started, I could only see Gary..He is still gorgeous and did not change a bit in 2 weeks.. 
On to It only takes a minute, the guys in the audience had a blast too seeing the dancers..I must say, I am glad the dancers are normal dancers, not too skinny, and they are very good! The poledancer, I wish I could do that, or then again no, probably not wise to do that.
Then Howard came on!! How great was that?? We also got him a Get well soon card, which had been handed to him by security before the concert. Jay talked about that it was hard, not having Howard there, also for the dances in the show, there is a big gap now.
We screamed soooo loud, that Howard could not say anything, and he even had a tear in his eye! He stood there in his hospital gown, and we already knew it there.He talked about that it was frustrating for him not to be on stage, and that the guys did a great job. And he promised to get better soon. Gary's face was just priceless, as he stood a bit behind Howard. He was just laughing away. And had a bit of red cheeks also. Howard told us to enjoy the show, walked away and then showed is nacked bum!!!!WHAEEEYY!!! Gary was still laughing away, and told that he has a nice bum for a 39 year old. He certainly had, but seeing Gary's bum, he cannot complain either...
Patience began, just like in every concert, people singing soo loud. But this time Gary said; to start now with a song from our new album; Every... He wanted to say Everything Changes, which was a hilarious moment.
I'd wait for life, amazing, I just cried, hearing Gary's voice like that, and then behind me the Scottisch girl Susan cried too, and we decided to cry together, her head on my shoulders. Amazing that you can connect with people in such a short time.
Lloyd started on the Bstage, so we knew what would come. We talked to Lloyd outside, and he asked us if we had slept there. And he was amazed and made sure to tell the guys that we did, what a dedication he said, esp as he heard which concerts are still planned. Sarah made him a compliment, that he was soooo good on stage. That made him smile. 
Relight my Fire began, I just love that song, they can give it every twist, it just works. The fire was hot though. But I love the percussion in it, really great beat. And then Gary in a leather jacket and gloves, gorgeous. Mark's hat was still on fire as they ended the song and left the stage again.
Then another magic began, I think this is a fantastic part of the show. The laserlight, making a green path for the catwalk.
And then Gary beginning the song, amazing!!! Jason does the Howard bit now, which he does a great job at.
They walked to the bstage, and that's were our friend Judith stood, who could not queue with us, because of backproblems. That was really hard for her and us. But baby, we have got the UK dates!!
But she got her moment with Gary and Mark, which is great, and I just cried for her.
Gary started 'Could it be Magic', yes, officially now, this is my cryingsong every concert again. I just love Gary's voice, but with this song, the piano, it is magic. Then his long notes, is there anything he cannot sing??
The interlude was there with Do what you like, Promised and Take That and Party, yes guys, we still know it!!! Gary started Back for Good, and the crowd sang soooo loud!!!!! When it was our turn to sing, it was sooo loud. I never heard it that loud! Gary also walked off the stage and shook hands, wish I stood there, but I know what to do next week.
Everything Changes was sung, and the walked back again, over to us. Gary was crazy there, he bend over the ropes a bit and made these elbowsmovements! Fantastic!!
Jason had to start Wooden Boat. We, off the Dutch Messageboard decided it would be fun to throw socks at him, as he takes them off everytime, and some show even threw them at fans. So when he took his shoes off, we started throwing it, even Paul had some socks to throw to his man. Jay laughed and said; oh, guess some people have seen the show already. He started to sing, and he was nervous. You could hear a vibration in his voice. But he sang great.
Then the crazy bit started, I loved what they did to this song. Thank god, someone was in the DJ booth, it turned out the be Lloyd. Then Gary, hello there!! HOT HOT HOT!! The crawling started and everyone went crazy! And I mean crazy!. Sure, and the introducing of the dancers and band. One of the dancers is a Dutchie, so she got a loooud cheer.
Then Lloys came on, and I just thougt, oh, it is nearly over..Never Forget, still strange seeing Howard there..  But he will be back soon.
The guys were great, and we helped along.
Then Shine, great seeing Gary in front too. But it was annoying that a violist stood in front of me and Gary..So I had to bend down to see Gary.. 
And then Pray, yep the end..

They said we were going to be the loudest crowd so far, well I agree. It was really really really loud. Everybody sang along, fantastic. Seeing the people who were seated, standing the whole time, those arms in the air, then seeing at the beginning that Jason got a standing ovation from people who were seated at the side.
Thanks to security for giving me the setlist, he just shuffed it in my hands. 
Yep, I am biased, but our crowd was fantastic.Outside it went perfect, the whole day long, inside was perfect. A big applause to everyone who was there, we did a great job of showing they have to come to Holland again.   

Thank you guys for performing for us, amazing job you did!

PS; sorry it is that long, but I wanted to get the good feeling that we had the whole day across to everyone and show, that it is possible that way!
 

[Hepie]

Er hat es in Rotterdam schon wieder gemacht !!!!

Update: und der "arme" jason hat bei Wooden boat angeblich ne ganze Menge socken auf die Bühne geworfen gekriegt. Das ist ne gute Idee

Jay fand es lustig, und hat richtig gelächelt und gesagt; ok, some have clearly seen the show before.
Und alle waren neue Socken. :-)