LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
I'm thinking "Isn't it a bit silly to allow cars to drive down this road just as everyone is leaving the arena? Even with a police escort." And with that, I missed my opportunity to chase along beside the cars with a sign saying "Do me!"
Birmingham went off without a hitch. A well-behaved and appreciative crowd and not a mobile phone in sight. By the time we were in our seats, we knew the rules. So no admonishments from the stage. Perhaps it could have done with a bit more spark but it was mid-week in The Midlands.
Glenn, Don and Joe were in good voice. Timothy lacked power on his top notes, which isn't something I noticed back in November, so possibly a temporary problem. Don was reliable as always but sounding less "pinched" than I remember. Glenn was better than in Toronto - much smoother on NKIT, lovely on PEF and I was impressed by his TITTL - it might not be Randy but he does a fine job.
Not many jokes - "plaintiff" and the credit card jokes were absent. Glenn was slick and good-humoured. Don was rambling but seemed to be in a good mood. At one point he talked about it being a miracle that they were there at all and about why they still did it - they like making people happy ("so there, Robert"*).
It seemed like a lot of people were surprised to see Bernie but he was greeted warmly. I think the audience had a lot of real fans who knew the deeper cuts (it's not like we get to hear much Eagles music on the radio) so there wasn't that restlessness during the early part. When Timothy started to play the harmonica there was a ripple of applause as people realised we were getting "Doolin-Dalton".
I'm not sure what else there is to say. They seemed better than they were six months ago.
*I can't remember his exact words but it was an obvious reference to Robert Plant.
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Thank you, UTW!
I love that they're better now than six months ago. Can we say, aging like a fine wine!
And that's funny that Don directed that comment at Robert Plant. That oughta show him! :wink: :grin:
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Thanks for the update! I did see some tweets, all positive but one, but it's great to hear the comparison to six months ago. I know I thought they were better in Cincinnati than at the beginning of the tour. Sorry you missed your chance to chase the limos!
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Thanks, UTW. Did Timothy still have the goatee?
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Yes, Timothy had the goatee. Don, too.
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
So great to hear that they're in good form - glad you enjoyed the show, UTW. Too funny about the Robert Plant mention!
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Thanks for the info UTW! Sounds like they are all in good form, hope Timothy's problem is only temporary.
Anyone get pics? What was Glenn :heart: wearing?
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Sorry, no pictures and I doubt there will be many.
Glenn started with a blue shirt over a light t-shirt - might have been the light grey and then for the second half it was a blue, large check shirt over white t-shirt. As this point, I could do with a lineup of Glenn in his various shirts so I could say "that one". He looked good and I liked the hair colour which was that dark grey. Don started with a plaid shirt over a t-shirt and changed to a short-sleeved, buttoned up check shirt. Timothy ended up with a white shirt. Bernie had a plaid shirt, very similar to Don's, over a black t-shirt. I can't remember Joe's outfit so it was probably black.
I wasn't very observant and I was too far away to see the detail. I tried not to watch the screens too often as that just seemed wrong when I could be looking at the stage.
I may be wrong, but I thought Glenn was playing more guitar than I saw before, especially in the lead in to Funk #49.
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Fair play to Don for the Plant dig - took some balls though, he's a Black Country man and absolutely adored around these parts. Speaking of limo chasing, I might get myself down to Selfridges later to see if any of the guys are partaking in buying champagne for several thousand pounds a bottle or buying £500 pairs of jeans :D
Re: LG Arena, Birmingham 28/05/2014
Loved it! It's been 37 years but well worth the wait. It appears the set list etc was exactly the same as all the others so I knew what to expect but it didn't spoil my enjoyment but oh how I wish I could have stood up at certain points. How on earth are you expected to keep your bottom on your seat when you just want to move to the music. Never been to any other concert with so many 'rules'. However having read previous reviews I knew how I had to behave.
Enjoyed the gentler first half and rockier second. 100% audience participation on LE, TIE, OOTN, D and TITTL. Must admit I was very very disappointed there was no mention of Randy until TITTL. There should have been been a reference to him far earlier when talking about the formation of the band. He was a hugely integral part of the lineup and many many people remember that. A bit more of an acknowledgment wouldn't have hurt. Saying that, the rendition of TITTL was very moving and way better than expected. I had the impression it was going to be a simple acoustic version but it was a full on production just without those glorious high notes.
Don was a bit rambling but in an endearing way, Glenn I felt was a little subdued at times, Timothy - what a sweetie, Bernie sublime on TLHTM, Joe - the crowd favourite by far. He got the BIGGEST cheer during the introductions and certainly came into his own in the second half of the show. I love love love rock and he was a perfect foil to the softer part of the band's set. The richness of their individual voices has gone but that is to be expected. They have adapted the songs to take this into account and done it beautifully. Don has still got a great range though and Desperado was truly moving.
Don's comment directed at Robert Plant was met with silence. Perhaps he hadn't done his homework because Robert is a local boy and much loved.
All in all a wonderful performance, worth the price of the ticket, a massive memory trip for me and I hope the band felt the genuine appreciation of the crowd. My night would have been made perfect by Randy just walking on, taking the applause and walking off again. Sadly I don't think that will ever happen:heart: