arnoldlayne
Junior Member
wohS ehT oT emocleW
Posts: 49
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Post by arnoldlayne on Jun 24, 2016 13:13:42 GMT
Tonight Jeff rolls into Birmingham once again for the 2nd time on this tour (and the final date before Glasto)
Seeing as this is an extra date and his hometown, do you think we'll see something special tonight. ELO have 1h 40m scheduled on stage, plus an unannounced 40 min support slot. Do you think it'll be the standard AITU tour setlist tonight or will he mix it up and throw in a few tasty treats or surprises given the event.
I wanna hear your thoughts and predicitions...
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Post by radaget on Jun 24, 2016 13:27:51 GMT
We know that the support act is the Dublin band The Shoos. Isn't the 1hr 40mins slot the same length as all other shows??
Just looked so I'll answer that question. Yes that's the standard slot time for ELO on this tour.
There may have been attempts to do something special running up to this last gig but it looks as though nothing has come of it. Would be great to be proved wrong in the ELO set itself but I very much doubt it.
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Post by Horacewimp on Jun 24, 2016 13:34:06 GMT
I don't think Jeff likes change too much so I predict the same set list as Manchester.
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Post by jackpunch on Jun 24, 2016 13:40:48 GMT
Same show as Manchester other than Steppin Out in place of when the night comes.
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Post by radaget on Jun 24, 2016 18:41:47 GMT
Well, I'm here. No sign of Bevan lol.
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Post by Horacewimp on Jun 25, 2016 9:22:19 GMT
So my third and final concert of the tour last night, this is my recollection. We went into Brum early on the train I was wearing my ELO T shirt and seemed to get more looks than normal or was that me just been sensitive Walked to the Mailbox and snagged a table at Miller and Carter Steakhouse, as soon as we sat down the guy on the table next to us said "I know where you are going tonight" we got chatting and found out his wife had bought tickets for him as a surprise, he had been a fan since he has purchased Out of the Blue from Brownhills market back in 1977. Had a nice meal and some expensive white wine said our goodbyes to the table next to us and walked slowly up the canal to the NIA Barclaycard arena. Once in side the obligatory T Shirt was purchased, this time the Blue one with the large Jeff Lynne's ELO logo on it. I had been hoping to meet with some friends who were coming up from Dorset but they were delayed due to a crash on the motorway so we went off to find our seats to see The Shoos. The tickets we had were in Block D this time on the main floor about one third of the way back and head on to the stage, I hoped this would give us a good view of the light show, I was right! Once we found our row who was blocking our path, only starlight who I had met at Nottingham, we had a chat but didn't take a selfie this time The Shoos played their set they were ok but no where near as good as The Feeling had been at the other concerts. Just as they finished I had a message to say my friends from Dorset had arrived we tried to find them but it was so busy it was impossible, we did however meet with another friend who was seated in a similar area to us. Bang on 8:50pm the lights dimmed (Jeff does seem to like to stick to the timings) and here we go again Jeff Lynne's ELO, the concert was great the same set list as Manchester a few nights ago, the position were we in gave us a great view of the stage, side monitors and the lighting. From the three concerts I attended I would say the atmosphere at this one was the best. There were no surprises or guests just Jeff and his trusty crew. As the last notes on Roll Over Beethoven faded from the arena the crowd left, I felt a little sad, was this the last time I might see Jeff live, I hope not. I did note that Jeff said this was the last concert of the tour, from this it sounds like he is not classing Glastonbury as a tour date So thats the Europe and UK tour over, I envy the fans in the USA who in September are going to see the maestro at work, you are in for a good time smiley-cool15
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Post by starlight on Jun 25, 2016 10:58:30 GMT
Hi
yes a really relaxed night, Richard T was smiling a lot and loved his solo on EW, agree about position fab to see the lighting show etc in full glory. Jeff was singing well, the rest has done him good, 5 gigs this tour...AMAZING!!!
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Post by soonerorlater on Jun 25, 2016 17:10:21 GMT
Another fantastic show, another wonderful experience - perhaps the pick of the three that I've been privileged to see. This time I was on the front row of the upper part of the back corner and it gave me a fantastic view of the light show and arguably, better sound than when I was down in the front block at the Genting Arena. Great to hear Strange Magic but I could have done without When The Night Comes replacing Ain't It A Drag and like others, I lament the disappearance of Stepping Out but these are minor niggles.
But....what happened to the glorious prospect of a 'special guest' or some form of reunion? Was it all just a big bunch of 'fan talk'?! I guess that this will always feel like a slightly lost opportunity. We end up with the mediocre wallpaper-rock of The Shoos who weren't a patch on The Feeling so was that the plan all along? Why do I think not. The Birmingham shows have been attended at various times by Roy Wood, Dave Morgan, various members of The Idle Race and Jasper Carrott but for whatever reasons, none of them were permitted to take to the stage. I hope one day we'll find out why.
Oh and a final message to those who arrange Jeff's Tour Schedule should he and they ever feel like continuing this wonderful merry-go-round - avoid Friday nights in the UK!! It took me three hours to do the 60 mile journey there and over two hours on the way back! It was worth it though
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Post by unomusette on Jun 25, 2016 23:12:20 GMT
Thanks for all the great accounts, it does puzzle me why these extra dates were tacked on with nothing special happening (eg Roy or Bev joining in) Unless it was meant to be but they had a massive fight and flounced off in different directions before the actual gig, hence the rubbish last minute support.... Don't forget The Feeling are touring in October, I can thoroughly recommend seeing them in a small venue while you still can www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/the-feeling
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Post by fourlittlediamonds on Jun 26, 2016 3:23:52 GMT
I have to agree that the atmosphere at this show was better than the NEC show in April. There was a real sense of expectation and excitement in the air and the fact that it was the last night of the tour added to the significance of the last hometown show. Certainly where I was sitting the audience was determined enjoy every minute of it and were on their feet at every opportunity including the woman sat next to me who was almost delirious with excitement (much to the fascination of my 12 year old nephew) and it spread to all of us in the vicinity so pretty soon we were all rocking.
Second time around it was easier to anticipate the highligjts and enjoy some moments far more than I managed in the excitement of the NEC show. Even though for many it might have been a moment to nip to the toilet, the intro to and performance of Secret Messages sent a shiver down my spine and I'm so glad Jeff included it, as in my opinion anyway, its up there with the very best work ELO did. Shine a Little Love was, for some reason , quite emotional to me tonight probably because Discovery was the first album I bought and evokes some very special memories from that time. Rockaria just tore roof off tonight and was joyous.
I must just say too, a full Jeff-style thumbs up to those responsible for the design and staging of the whole show. The lighting , sound and projections were stunning and amongst the very best I have ever seen and made the show an utterly unforgettable experience and provided memories that will stay with me forever. When I first saw the ticket prices I balked a bit but now I realise that experiences like this and the memories they provide are, frankly, priceless.
As I watched the Arena empty and the crew clearing the stage there was a slight feeling of melancholy and sadness as I wondered, like so many of us, if this is the last chapter of the ELO story?. Of course we hope not, but, if it is, it was a hell of a way to go out and at least we can say "I was there"! And to echo Horace's sentiments, to our American friends, if you are going to Radio City or the Hollywood Bowl you are in for one helluva night.
And here's hoping that come the New Year honours list , it will be, arise Sir Jeff of Shard End!
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Post by unomusette on Jun 26, 2016 18:48:22 GMT
Yes, of course, Sir Jeff! I would like to very much endorse this idea
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