We parked in Shawlands, accepting it would be a half-hour walk to the venue. Naturally, we passed several parking spaces closer on the way, but at least we avoided the crowds when they piled out after the show.
Our entrance gate was on the opposite side of the stadium from our approach. By the time we wandered round, the gates were open, but the line was still long. About fifteen minutes later, after a cursory wand waft, we were in. My wife knew exactly where she wanted to stand, so we headed onto the pitch to snag our spot near the B stage, close to the barrier.
My next job was to go get her water and snacks.
I asked the official which steps granted access to the bars, and was directed towards two sets. At this point, I should say I should have spotted the massive signs on either side of one set of steps indicating the way to the toilets/food/bars. Lots of fans were flowing down those steps, so my brain automatically thought that couldn't be an exit. So up I went along a parallel set, only to find it gave access to a toilet area. I asked another official at the top of the steps how to get to a bar area, and he directed me to VIP Hospitality. Only I didn't know that at the time.
At the entrance, I was asked to show my ticket. I flashed my Front Standing B wristband, and the security guy let me in. I lifted a bottle of water from the fridge, spying the incredible-looking buffet of hot food and desserts, but no chocolate bars. My wife had given me specific instructions to buy chocolate. I asked at the counter if they had any and how I could pay for my water, and was told they didn't have any and that I didn't need to pay. Everything was free.
It was then that I twigged where I was. I didn't want to push my luck and be ejected, so I headed back out clutching my 'free' bottle of water. I thanked the security man as I passed, before traipsing down pitchside again. I then took the correct set of stairs and found a concession selling chocolate (and other things).
The sun was breaking through the clouds. My wife joked that one side of my face would be burned tomorrow. I didn't think so. The wind was so strong that the clouds brought a welcome reprieve from the warm sunshine.
Belinda Carlisle, at 67, is limber. Barefoot on the stage, wearing a heavy pink skirt, a black polo top and sunglasses, she whizzed through her hits, waving her arms to the music, dancing along. I was surprised by how many of her songs I knew and liked. A good act to warm us up.
Belinda Carlisle Setlist:
(We Want) The Same Thing
Live Your Life Be Free
I Get Weak
Circle in the Sand
Summer Rain
Leave a Light On
Heaven Is a Place on Earth
When she sang Summer Rain, a thick, ominous, heavy cloud rolled across the stadium sky. By the time The Script appeared, the ponchos were already on, and the rain was teeming down. It didn't last long, but neither did it stay away, intermittently dampening the crowd. I (thought I) spotted a former colleague, Lisa, singing along to The Script. She didn't confirm my Messenger message (no signal?), so I didn't approach her in case I was mistaken. (It was her, I later discovered).
I can take or leave The Script. I am somewhat immune to Danny's vocal charms. It was nice to hear that afterwards they played a tiny gig in Malone's, an Irish bar in town. Keeping it real, given they're headlining the OVO Hydro later in the year. Ironically, when they sang Rain, the sun came back out.
The Script setlist:
Superheroes
Rain
Man in the Arena
Nothing
The Man Who Can't Be Moved
Breakeven
Hall of Fame
It was pissing down again by the time the Take That appeared on stage. Clowns, balloons, and Cirque du Soleil-style acrobats converged to camouflage the trio's arrival in a remarkably colourful opening on Stage B.
Opening song, "Greatest Day", begins at around 5 minutes and 45 seconds,
if you want to scroll past the punters' heads.
I'm not keen on staging 'in the round', where the artists perform on a stage in the crowd and move around to sing to everyone. The dance moves to Pray lacked nostalgic impact when viewed from the rear. Still, we got to see each of them up close briefly during these numbers.
The elephant set piece during The Garden was amazing. On one level, I knew it was a costume scaffold draped over a movable, raised platform, operated by a crew and performers. However, what my eyes saw was a massive elephant with flapping ears and a swishing tail, with the boys in the box on top. It was mightily impressive.
Given that we were so close to Stage B, this meant we were quite a distance from the main stage. This allowed us to take in the full extent of the incredible wall-to-wall screens with their circular centrepiece. The trade-off was that the performers appeared quite small. Gary got to play solo for a couple of numbers before the clown show returned. I liked how we got to see the boys turn into clowns, applying grease paint and makeup and putting on their costumes while singing, appropriately enough, "The Circus."
At this point, I should mention I experienced a fanboy moment. Standing maybe fifteen yards from me, I spotted author Ross Mackenzie with his wife and daughters. I snapped a photo of him without thinking, then immediately regretted it. He wasn't at work. This wasn't a signing. Why had I done that? I couldn't go over and say hello. Too nervous.
Said It All is a touching song that slowed the tempo, allowing them to play a few reflective tunes in preparation for the pre-encore finale. Iron Maiden could take some tips from the TT crew, because the ringmaster (or whatever he's called) was amazing. Inflating before us, he was so much more than a balloon. His arms moved, his face was expressive, and he spoke. Quite a spectacle with all the circus performers doing their stuff around him.
As we shuffled across the pitch to the steps, the Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes song "Time of My Life" (from Dirty Dancing) played over the PA, whipping up another sing-along from the crowd, some of them busting out the movie's dance moves. A lovely cherry to top off such a sweet evening.
On the way home, I spotted another pharmacy colleague, Felice, chatting with a tall male friend near the stadium. I waved as we passed, but she didn't notice. Sometimes I think I'm the invisible man (but that's a Queen song).
Take That setlist:
B Stage
Greatest Day
Hello
Could It Be Magic (Barry Manilow cover)
Pray
A Million Love Songs
Back for Good
The Garden
Main Stage
Shine
Up All Night
Babe
You're a Superstar
Love Ain't Here Anymore (Snippet) (Gary solo)
Nobody Else (Snippet) (Gary solo)
The Circus
What Is Love
Do What U Like / Promises / It Only Takes a Minute / Take That and Party
Said It All
Never Forget
Patience
Relight My Fire (Dan Hartman cover) (with Zoë Birkett)
Encore:
Hold Up a Light
Rule the World
Ticket Price:
Album Presale - Front Standing B Ticket: £116.00 x 2 = £232.00
Service Fee: £11.50 x 2 = £23.00
Venue Facility Fee: £2.00 x 2 = £4.00
Handling Fee £2.75
Total = £261.75
Venue Facility Fee: £2.00 x 2 = £4.00
Handling Fee £2.75
Total = £261.75
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| The view of the main stage when we arrived |
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| Belinda belting out a tune |
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| My wife wants to ban Stetsons. |
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| Expecting rain? |
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| Cool poster |
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| Pre-show balloon clowning |
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| They brought their own rain |
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| And umbrellas. |
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| Tightrope walker doing his stuff |
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| Showing off |
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| Being lazy. |
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| Better get on, there's a show on |
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| Clowns! |
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| Och aye, the noo! |
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| Relight My Fire |
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| Cheers Gary |
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| A fitting tribute to 'that' goal. |
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| Momentoes |
