As a seasoned gig attendee I always try and approach something new with an open mind and no pre conceived notion as to what the artist will be like of course this is not always possible as we all get tangled up in the urban myth of what a performer is really like.
On Wednesday I went along to the Assembly Rooms having seen The Feeling a couple of times in the last few days wanting to discover whether I had just been carried along on the crest of some kind of hysterical wave or were they in fact one of the best live acts I have seen, I have long since known that the only way you can judge a band or artist is by seeing them live, CD’s DVD’s pod casts or anything of this ilk just cannot convey the actual talent and stamina of a live gig.
I rolled up early just because it’s inbred in me to queue to ensure that prime spot, I was joined by a few very loyal fans and I am always impressed with the total devotion people have to their favourite bands... enduring cold, rain very little sleep just to see their guys and show their support travelling all over the UK and Europe just to be there.
The wait sped past mainly in little anecdotes and stories everyone had to share about the band, I had very little to offer being that dreaded thing a newbie but it appeared not to be held against me.Mid afternoon it was great to catch the guys as they got off the tour bus… these are the situations where I become most impressed with bands and artists, whilst I have no great need to meet the performers every time to some fans it is very important and the impression given at these times always sets the seal for me as to whether I will bother to see band again…a few minutes taken to chat and sign and have photos taken goes a long way and I can report of the 100’s of bands I have come across these guys are top drawer with their regard for fans ,this was not lip service it was genuine.
When the doors finally opened it was that dash for the barrier and the inevitable sigh of relief when you get there. The anticipation before the start of the set was palpable,
I could feel the excitement and this is not really normal for me… the silhouettes behind the white curtain was inspired as by the time it dropped everyone was craving that music.
The set itself was superb, I could use superlatives like best singer ever etc but this is simply not true... a good voice obviously well used over the previous months touring but it’s the charisma and stage presence that makes the man and the band… it would be wrong to see this as simply one man as the whole show is made up of 5 very talented and versatile musicians but you are not going to be able to get away from the fact that Dan does provide that quality that all bands need to springboard them to success.. good looks charm and not prone to taking himself to seriously..
The HSE nightmare of crowd surfing was a real pleasure to watch and it’s a brave man that launches himself into the arms of several thousand adoring fans but he escaped unscaved and I suspect a lot of the young ladies in the crowd were left very happy. All to soon the show was over, it had been a packed show full of all their great fun filled catchy songs… for myself although I do not hate sentimental songs I do not want a night out to be full of angst and woe I want to have fun, and this is what you are guaranteed at a Feeling gig, funnily enough I watch the live streamed show from Newcastle last night and you just cannot catch the atmosphere unless you are there ... as a spectator your draw so much energy from the band as they do you.
After the gig I followed my now friends to wait and thank the guys for the show, experience has taught me that this can be a long cold wait with sometimes little reward but I sensed this was never going to be the case, well the no reward bit anyway, it was in fact a very cold long wait. After 2hours the guys came out and to the their absolute credit they came straight to the fence that kept us out, but not for them a quick sign through the bars they made sure the came out to chat to everyone, and in fairness I have assessed that it is the same few people who usually wait and you could not blame a band thinking.. not them again, but it was obvious these guys had no such thoughts in mind , although the bread and butter to a band are the thousands who come through the door for just a one off gig, and sadly the recession has kept many people away from live music, to any artist the small circle of really loyal die hard fans are very important and the rapport that had obviously been built up left me with the overwhelming impression that none of these people, myself included were going to stop following these guys any day soon.
So I can conclude these guys are not one of the best live bands I have seen but the best and they are in illustrious company of all the big stadium names but somehow they made this more special
On Wednesday I went along to the Assembly Rooms having seen The Feeling a couple of times in the last few days wanting to discover whether I had just been carried along on the crest of some kind of hysterical wave or were they in fact one of the best live acts I have seen, I have long since known that the only way you can judge a band or artist is by seeing them live, CD’s DVD’s pod casts or anything of this ilk just cannot convey the actual talent and stamina of a live gig.
I rolled up early just because it’s inbred in me to queue to ensure that prime spot, I was joined by a few very loyal fans and I am always impressed with the total devotion people have to their favourite bands... enduring cold, rain very little sleep just to see their guys and show their support travelling all over the UK and Europe just to be there.
The wait sped past mainly in little anecdotes and stories everyone had to share about the band, I had very little to offer being that dreaded thing a newbie but it appeared not to be held against me.Mid afternoon it was great to catch the guys as they got off the tour bus… these are the situations where I become most impressed with bands and artists, whilst I have no great need to meet the performers every time to some fans it is very important and the impression given at these times always sets the seal for me as to whether I will bother to see band again…a few minutes taken to chat and sign and have photos taken goes a long way and I can report of the 100’s of bands I have come across these guys are top drawer with their regard for fans ,this was not lip service it was genuine.
When the doors finally opened it was that dash for the barrier and the inevitable sigh of relief when you get there. The anticipation before the start of the set was palpable,
I could feel the excitement and this is not really normal for me… the silhouettes behind the white curtain was inspired as by the time it dropped everyone was craving that music.
The set itself was superb, I could use superlatives like best singer ever etc but this is simply not true... a good voice obviously well used over the previous months touring but it’s the charisma and stage presence that makes the man and the band… it would be wrong to see this as simply one man as the whole show is made up of 5 very talented and versatile musicians but you are not going to be able to get away from the fact that Dan does provide that quality that all bands need to springboard them to success.. good looks charm and not prone to taking himself to seriously..
The HSE nightmare of crowd surfing was a real pleasure to watch and it’s a brave man that launches himself into the arms of several thousand adoring fans but he escaped unscaved and I suspect a lot of the young ladies in the crowd were left very happy. All to soon the show was over, it had been a packed show full of all their great fun filled catchy songs… for myself although I do not hate sentimental songs I do not want a night out to be full of angst and woe I want to have fun, and this is what you are guaranteed at a Feeling gig, funnily enough I watch the live streamed show from Newcastle last night and you just cannot catch the atmosphere unless you are there ... as a spectator your draw so much energy from the band as they do you.
After the gig I followed my now friends to wait and thank the guys for the show, experience has taught me that this can be a long cold wait with sometimes little reward but I sensed this was never going to be the case, well the no reward bit anyway, it was in fact a very cold long wait. After 2hours the guys came out and to the their absolute credit they came straight to the fence that kept us out, but not for them a quick sign through the bars they made sure the came out to chat to everyone, and in fairness I have assessed that it is the same few people who usually wait and you could not blame a band thinking.. not them again, but it was obvious these guys had no such thoughts in mind , although the bread and butter to a band are the thousands who come through the door for just a one off gig, and sadly the recession has kept many people away from live music, to any artist the small circle of really loyal die hard fans are very important and the rapport that had obviously been built up left me with the overwhelming impression that none of these people, myself included were going to stop following these guys any day soon.
So I can conclude these guys are not one of the best live bands I have seen but the best and they are in illustrious company of all the big stadium names but somehow they made this more special
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