| I
haven't noticed any reviews of Thursday night's concert in Vegas.
I don't feel very literary this morning, but I will make a few comments
that people might be interested in.
The setlist was unchanged from last tour. Perhaps that's what Graeme meant when he wrote "Nothing Changes". LOL Fashion comments - Justin had a new white shirt. Bernie's hair is shorter and she was wearing a previously unseen black dress. Graeme led the fashion parade with a cool new shirt featuring a car. Ray in black with Keds. John was wearing a black shirt and possibly new, and VERY nice black leathers. Particularly well-fitting! : ) It was a typical first night concert. Justin's voice broke several times which I hope is not a harbinger of things to come. The sound from my seat seemed out of balance with underpowered keyboards. John's vocals were hard to hear on harmonies. The upside, for me, was that Big Red was the star of the night and completely dominated the sound mix. Ah, what a joy! If you love guitar, you were in heaven. The performance was a bit shaky (not unusual for the first night). Justin and John seemed tired and a bit subdued. John was a LOT subdued, actually! Ray seemed fine and got the of the biggest ovations of the evening. A Ray crowd! The star performer award goes to Mr Graeme Edge who put on an enthusiastic and energetic performance. Whatever *he's* having, please pass some to the Jays! It saddens and concerns me that the setlist was unchanged. While I understand the need to feature the greatest hits of TMB for the needs of the casual fan, I think the Band benefits from even small changes; that it creates excitement and energy. Surprise me, boys! Surprise yourselves. MaggieMay |
Friday, March 22 - Las Vegas
Friday's concert showed improvement over opening night. The Band played together and was much tighter. Justin's voice still had noticable cracking. The setlist was the same. While Graeme received the Star Performer of the Evening award Thursday night, Friday night's coveted medal was awarded to Mr Ray Thomas, who gave an energized performance. The Vegas audiences on both Thursday and Friday night were great! People stood, clapped and danced to the extent that I looked around just to make sure I wasn't at a winery. MaggieMay |
Saturday, March 23 - Las Vegas
Tonight's show was dominated by one event. A female fan climbed on to the low stage and walked up to Justin as the Band was nearing the end of Your Wildest Dreams. The woman stood in front and to the John side of Justin as he finished the song. Security promptly came out to assist and Dan Cook, the guitar tech raced out on to the stage to Justin, however, Justin signaled them not to grab Miss Fan. He held out his hand to accept her flowers and she was escorted off stage by security. Justin then said (it was difficult to hear him, so this is what I *think* I heard) "That took a lot of nerve" and "The flowers are beautiful, thank-you". The crowd was on its feet and gave the gracious and confident Mr Hayward a ROUSING ovation! Mr Justin Hayward receives the Performer of the Evening Award. What an incredibly bizarre and upsetting event! This fan was noticed going to the stage on Ray's side and standing alone during Thursday night's concert. She was escorted to her seat. Tonight I noticed her again standing alone at the stage on John's side. I did not see her get up on the low stage - my camera chose that moment to run out of film and I was looking down as I removed the film. I believe we were all standing at the time Justin was approached. While I have read about other times fans have climbed on stage and seen it myself in Tunica, this event had a worrisome quality. A drunk impetuously walking up the steps is quite different from a person who has come prepared with flowers and has been observed standing and staring at the Band. I did not know this woman and haven't found anyone who did. Perhaps further information will be forthcoming. I will say that some of the people I talked to felt "upset" over the event, though relieved that this woman did not grab Justin and that no one was harmed. Perhaps we're all a bit more paranoid these days. And perhaps, we all have REASON to be! The crowd had been much quieter than the last two nights, but this event seemed to spark up the audience. Perversely, the event turned the evening from a good concert, to a GREAT concert. The Moodies sounded much more like the Moodies we know and love - beautiful music performed with enthusiasm and professionalism. Even before the personal flower delivery, the sound was in much better balance. Keyboards could actually be HEARD tonight! What I particularly liked was that the lead guitar still stood out in the mix. I realized tonight just how fabulous the guitar part is on Gemini Dream. I need to say that I have related the flower incident to the best of my recall. I, along with EVERYONE in the theatre was startled/frightened/angry. I did not recognize the woman. I'm sure some there will remember it differently, and I would welcome their posts. I did not see her get onto the stage, but saw her from the time she walked up to Justin. It was handled very elegantly and calmly, and I applaud Justin Hayward for his calm response. Within minutes of the woman's removal, a number of security guards came out to stand in front of the stage. No surprise there! How the Band chooses to handle venue security and personal security for the rest of the tour will be interesting. I would hate to see four fine gentlemen become prisoners in their small hotel rooms. I do not consider this a harmless event. She was carrying flowers, but could have just as easily been carrying a knife. I'm not sure a great deal can be done to prevent a wacko from getting onstage at an indoor venue without a security gate. It was obvious that the Band was placed several feet farther back from the edge of the stage than last year. A fan got to them, nonetheless! Though it was beautiful to see, and reassuring to the audience, I wish that Justin had NOT accepted this woman's flowers, had NOT said they were beautiful and had NOT waved them in the air at concerts end. I fear that his pleasance and kindness might serve to encourage similar events in the future. What will the future bring? For the interested photographers on the list, Paris HAS allowed cameras and photography this year. However, a security guard came down the front row before the beginning of the concert and told me, and others, that cameras were not allowed! I asked her if she was SURE, and she then changed her statement to no flash photography. If you can not turn off the flash on your camera, you should not bring it to Paris. But bring ALL your concern, love and goodwill! MaggieMay |
Sunday, March 24 - Las Vegas
Ed: Did I miss a review of this show? I know we were there! |