Post by carol on Jun 2, 2012 12:08:00 GMT
We got to Maidstone at 6o'clock and found Vera, Mick, and Robbie sitting outside the pub next door, so we had a drink and a natter to pass the time before we went in.
We saw Elaine and Brian sitting at a table further up on their own, but couldn't seem to catch their eye to speak to them. Eventually, it was time to go and get our table, so we went in, just behind Elaine and Brian , who were shown to the first table. That must have been very pleasing for them, as earlier Elaine had told Vera that they were up in the balcony.
We were then mortified to discover, even though Vera had been the first person to book, and had been promised a front table, that because there were 5 of us, we had been allotted a table in the far corner, at the furthest point from the stage.
We spent the next 10 minutes complaining, begging, pleading, doing whatver we had to do to get our front table that had been promised to us, and finally, the poor downtrodden waitress very reluctantly put 5 chairs on a small table right where Gareth would be standing to sing.
After ordering our food, Vera and I went to the loo, and when I was washing my hands, a lady with a very bright and cheery smile said to me, " Oh isn't it hot in here." I recognised her from her picture straightaway, it was Ali, and she knew me as well, so we had a very nice chat about Gareth, and I told her that I love everything he sings, and was so looking forward to hearing the new songs.
I am not going to bore you with the supporting acts, they did their best, but then when Gareth came on, well perfection, class, and many other words I could use to describe his performance!. I was sitting so close, I could feel his breath, his glass was almost touching me, and as always when Gareth sings, he is totally immersed in the song, he doesn't look at any of us, he is in his own little world, and he sings right from his soul.
He started with POTOS, he also sang Sunshine, AOU, Can't believe it's over , Summer of 69, Living on a Prayer, can't remember them all sorry, but what I do remember vividly were the new songs. They are quite unilke anything Gareth has done before, they build up so powerfully, very up tempo, and full of soul and emotion. If you think POTS was good, you will be amazed by these, these songs don't need to grow on you, they hit the spot right away with tremendous impact, and are totally unforgettable. Even Keith was taken aback by just how good they are.
Gareth appeared to finish the set, and went off stage, but then they returned, and asked if there was anything special we wanted. I plucked up all my courage, and said Someone Like you. I have been asking him on twitter and Facebook, but don't; think he saw the messages, so I took myh chance. Mike the pianist didn't know it, but Gareth grinned and said, "we will try." Needless to say they did an amazing job, Gareth is fantastic in this song always, and it is my favourite at the moment.
At the end he sang SITS, and before I knew it Gareth had held the mike out to me, and said " Come on carol, Sing." Well I have never done karaoke in my life, I hate my voice, but I didn't want to spoil the party, so I did my best, he was giving me his cheeky grin, and I had to sing a whole chorus, he then moved onto Vera, bless her, and finally he went to Elaine, and the song ended. They were a wonderful group of people, they gave us all a clap after. God bless their ears!!!
He ran off stage and had not said there would be a meet and greet, so we didn't know whether to wait or not. The car park was closing at 11.30pm, I wasn't worried about a photo, I have loads with Gareth, but I wanted to give him a hug and tell him how good he was. He had struggled with his speech that night, I wanted to say we don't care, we love you any way, bless him, so we waited.
Vera and I were standing at the back cos we never like to push forward, but there was less than 10 minutes before the car park closed, and suddenly all the fans in front of us decided they were going to rush upstairs to him, cos he was with his family.
Disturbing his privacy didn't seem right to me, so Vera and I opted to go without seing him, we felt the interaction we had during his performance were special memories to treasure, and we were content with that.
As we left the building, a man with a round cheery face spoke to us, no idea who he was. He said he had videod our karaoke with Gareth, well done ladies, I alomost thought it might be H , joke Debbie hahah ;D and it would be on Youtube today I hope he was joking! LOl
A lovely young girl called I think either Kayleigh or Kerry, sorry hun can't remember your name, although you knew mine, took the trouble to come round to the car park and tell us that Gareth was now meeting the fans, we could come back, but we decided not to, It meant moving the car onto a double yellow line, so we went home.
Thankyou my lovely friend Vera for booking our seats, and if Gareth is reading this, thank you Gareth for another wonderful fun filled evening and fantastic performance.
My picsof Gareth are a bit blurry, he moves such a lot, but hope to post them up later.
love carol xxxx
We saw Elaine and Brian sitting at a table further up on their own, but couldn't seem to catch their eye to speak to them. Eventually, it was time to go and get our table, so we went in, just behind Elaine and Brian , who were shown to the first table. That must have been very pleasing for them, as earlier Elaine had told Vera that they were up in the balcony.
We were then mortified to discover, even though Vera had been the first person to book, and had been promised a front table, that because there were 5 of us, we had been allotted a table in the far corner, at the furthest point from the stage.
We spent the next 10 minutes complaining, begging, pleading, doing whatver we had to do to get our front table that had been promised to us, and finally, the poor downtrodden waitress very reluctantly put 5 chairs on a small table right where Gareth would be standing to sing.
After ordering our food, Vera and I went to the loo, and when I was washing my hands, a lady with a very bright and cheery smile said to me, " Oh isn't it hot in here." I recognised her from her picture straightaway, it was Ali, and she knew me as well, so we had a very nice chat about Gareth, and I told her that I love everything he sings, and was so looking forward to hearing the new songs.
I am not going to bore you with the supporting acts, they did their best, but then when Gareth came on, well perfection, class, and many other words I could use to describe his performance!. I was sitting so close, I could feel his breath, his glass was almost touching me, and as always when Gareth sings, he is totally immersed in the song, he doesn't look at any of us, he is in his own little world, and he sings right from his soul.
He started with POTOS, he also sang Sunshine, AOU, Can't believe it's over , Summer of 69, Living on a Prayer, can't remember them all sorry, but what I do remember vividly were the new songs. They are quite unilke anything Gareth has done before, they build up so powerfully, very up tempo, and full of soul and emotion. If you think POTS was good, you will be amazed by these, these songs don't need to grow on you, they hit the spot right away with tremendous impact, and are totally unforgettable. Even Keith was taken aback by just how good they are.
Gareth appeared to finish the set, and went off stage, but then they returned, and asked if there was anything special we wanted. I plucked up all my courage, and said Someone Like you. I have been asking him on twitter and Facebook, but don't; think he saw the messages, so I took myh chance. Mike the pianist didn't know it, but Gareth grinned and said, "we will try." Needless to say they did an amazing job, Gareth is fantastic in this song always, and it is my favourite at the moment.
At the end he sang SITS, and before I knew it Gareth had held the mike out to me, and said " Come on carol, Sing." Well I have never done karaoke in my life, I hate my voice, but I didn't want to spoil the party, so I did my best, he was giving me his cheeky grin, and I had to sing a whole chorus, he then moved onto Vera, bless her, and finally he went to Elaine, and the song ended. They were a wonderful group of people, they gave us all a clap after. God bless their ears!!!
He ran off stage and had not said there would be a meet and greet, so we didn't know whether to wait or not. The car park was closing at 11.30pm, I wasn't worried about a photo, I have loads with Gareth, but I wanted to give him a hug and tell him how good he was. He had struggled with his speech that night, I wanted to say we don't care, we love you any way, bless him, so we waited.
Vera and I were standing at the back cos we never like to push forward, but there was less than 10 minutes before the car park closed, and suddenly all the fans in front of us decided they were going to rush upstairs to him, cos he was with his family.
Disturbing his privacy didn't seem right to me, so Vera and I opted to go without seing him, we felt the interaction we had during his performance were special memories to treasure, and we were content with that.
As we left the building, a man with a round cheery face spoke to us, no idea who he was. He said he had videod our karaoke with Gareth, well done ladies, I alomost thought it might be H , joke Debbie hahah ;D and it would be on Youtube today I hope he was joking! LOl
A lovely young girl called I think either Kayleigh or Kerry, sorry hun can't remember your name, although you knew mine, took the trouble to come round to the car park and tell us that Gareth was now meeting the fans, we could come back, but we decided not to, It meant moving the car onto a double yellow line, so we went home.
Thankyou my lovely friend Vera for booking our seats, and if Gareth is reading this, thank you Gareth for another wonderful fun filled evening and fantastic performance.
My picsof Gareth are a bit blurry, he moves such a lot, but hope to post them up later.
love carol xxxx
ONLY JOKING! 
