Part 1
So just a small info: I won't be going into detail with every song, as we all know the set-up and what it's like. I'll just comment on a few.
And sorry, I was planning on writing a small and short review and now it's an essay.
Well my journey to Vienna started on Friday, 1st. 7 hours by train, I slept a bit and otherwise listened to CW and other music.
However, travelling can be exhausting and so I was tired again when I arrived in the early evening. Haha
My brother and his girlfriend Vicky collected me from the train station and we took the tram back to their flat.
Some time on Saturday I tweeted Anthony to ask if he could meet me after the show instead of before. He answered that it was possible... Sunday was promising to become a great day!
He did ask me to bring along my pipes but I left them at home because too much luggage on the train isn't a good thing either. And I also forgot his CD (wanted to have it signed of course) and my forum buttons at home... Darn, I knew I had forgotten something else!!
Sunday finally came. Rain had been predicted but the sun was shining most of the day and it was still nice and warm (ok in fact too hot for me with my outfit on) in the evening. This year Vicky was going to accompany me to the concert.
So we got ourselves ready and left for the tram. Still remembering the misfortune I had last year I was willing to try it again. No meeting with Anthony that the tram could mess up this time!
The short travel on the tram did make me nervous however, because the concert started at 7:30 pm and there were only 5 more minutes to go. But as we approached the “Wiener Stadthalle” there were still people going into the venue. So there was no coming late either.
People did stop and take a look at me in my outfit but I was used to that anyway. Some looked at me with an expression “all of that fuss 'just' for a concert”? Well lads then you have no idea! Looking at them with their tatty jeans etc. was all I needed to know.
But some people were dressed really fancy as well! With nice dresses (not as nice as CW's ones though, lol) and evening suits. I only met one other guy with a kilt and outfit.
The StadthalleAs Celtic Woman was going to perform in the bigger hall this year, the lobby was bigger as well. Ok, actually it's and arena and normally sport games (like handball or volleyball matches etc.) are played here.
Across the entrance there was the merch table but as we were just on time, I didn't want to stop to take a look. I would do that during intermission. We asked an usher near the entrance if that was the right way that lead us to our seats. I talked to the man in German and he said that was the right way. He also said he was disappointed that I didn't ask in English or Irish. I told him that I could repeat the question in English but then he just laughed... not quite sure what that was supposed to mean? Did he doubt that I could ask for directions in English?
Never mind, our way brought us past snack bars and stores that were selling all sorts of stuff. Popcorn, ice cream, drinks etc. We continued to our seats though.
Now as mentioned above, this was an arena. Our seats weren't hard to find. First row on the north parterre tribune. A great view as well! I just had to slightly turn my head to see the stage but I didn't mind. And despite the fact what I had read in other reviews about arenas, the sound quality was really good! Or maybe it was only because I sat in the right place? Haha well, I didn't care, I could enjoy the show now!
Then I took a look around. Also here, not all of the seats were available. Halfway up the rest of them were hidden behind heavy black curtains.
People were streaming in from the entrances to get to their seats. And still not all of the seats were occupied when the concert began... I also saw employees of the (ok let's call it) theatre that were selling popcorn and ice cream inside the venue... Oh come on, this is no common sports game or boxing fight!!!
The ConcertFinally it started. We were reminded not to take photos and videos and then the lights dimmed. The band came out, accompanied by applause.
Now I'm just mentioning a few songs or some stuff that happened, as we all know the set-up and who sings what and so on.
First of all, it wasn't that hot inside the arena (luckily) but still warm enough for me.
Now, I really hated to see people leave during the concert. If you have to go to the toilet, then please go before the show or during intermission. But ok, when nature calls, then go...
But when people leave, just to come back with popcorn or ice cream I did feel a certain kind of rage rise within me. Buy your crappy stuff during intermission, you don't need to sit there munching on popcorn and slurping your drink!!
Also when the stage grew dark between two songs I sometimes took a quick look around. And I saw quite a few “illuminated” spots, where people were either playing or texting with their mobile phones. Honestly people, if you don't want to watch the concert, then leave!! Don't be so bloody disrespectful!
So, to mention some songs:
As we all know, Awakening is a powerful song to start off with.
Chloë did an amazing job in Nocturne. Actually in all of the songs. Her voice is so powerful and I could listen to her all day long (if she could sing all day long as well, lol).
Máiréad is just full of energy on stage! I started clapping to the rhythm of The Foxhunter and soon the whole arena joined in. Plus point for the audience!
I love Sailing. I did really like Tommy's intro with the flute, great job! But I think it was a bit too long for an intro, know what I mean? I did prefer the bagpipes intro... Speaking about the pipes, when Anto came out I noticed he had his band outfit on. I suppose he was going to change later then.
I somehow miss the cello in A Woman's Heart but the song is still great! This song is one of my favourites. It has something really touching about it.
I loved the way the girls were talking in German. Even if it were just a few words! Great great!
Lisa Lambe did speak a lot of German and she amazes me again and again.
Great song Dulaman and also later on with Spaceman... She's just an amazing woman.
Well, Follow On...I still had Lisa's version in mind and only saw one or two videos of Susan singing...but she did an AWESOME job! I mean, obviously it's not Lisa Kelly but Susan has her own kind of powerful voice and it was simply fantastic! She did seem to have some technical problems though because her hand often went to her ear with the microphone and ear piece.
And TAR, needless to say that was funny. The intro started as usual. It looked like Chloë sat down on an empty front row seat (I couldn't really make it out). And when Susan came I guessed she would stop briefly for an applause (thanks to Neil for giving the hint in your reviews, lol). I didn't want to disappoint her and started clapping. The audience soon joined in. Another plus point!
There's so much going on up there, and only about half way through I noticed that Anthony was on stage sitting next to Shane, playing a flute (or later he told me it was a smallpipe). I didn't really see that because he had Lisa sitting on his lap for a while and I tried to catch everything on stage, lol!
Of course I couldn't, lol!
Danny Boy: Susan introduced the song but was interrupted by an applause for Shane as she introduced him. Well this song is really wonderful. And they're right, there's no CW concert without it!
Anyway, intermission came up far to quick! So I got up and went to the merch table. I got myself a program book and a Lisa Kelly CD (which they were offering so I had to have one of course). Other merch were CDs and DVDs and T-shirts and some kind of paperweight or so.