John Barrowman in Concert - Nottingham // Glasgow
Words cannot begin to describe just how amazing seeing John Barrowman live on stage is. I can honestly say that after having purchased his album, I wasn't expecting all that much from the concert itself, the first of which I went to see in Nottingham (9th April) with joulez217. I would just like to take a moment to tell you all that I was completely blown away by the man's charisma and performance, and by god, his voice! Shivers up my spine and I'm pretty sure Julie's hand is just as bruised as mine is from our "omg-it's-JB-live-and-in-the-flesh" hand groping ;D
The pair of us were on a high for the whole of his performance, sharing in his up's and down's as took us through some of the more life-defining points of his life. For those of you who have been lucky enough to see one of his concerts already, you'll know what I mean, and if you've still to go/aren't lucky enough to be able to witness the sheer awesomeness that is the Barrowman singing his heart out, I don't want to spoil you, but feel free to ask me anything you like about the show in the comments and I'll be glad to give you the blow-by-blow account!
Least to say, there were (almost) tears, and laughter and standing ovations and when the show came to its end it was with a strange mix of elated satisfaction and melancholy. The former because of the kick-ass show JB put on for us, and the latter because we never wanted it to end. That man was born for the stage. And songs I'd believed were sung without passion or desire (on the album) have been given a whole new meaning thanks to some choice tales John was kind enough to share with us, and the fact that when he sings live, he really sings live. Shivers!
So, of course, as depressed as I was to see the end of John's Nottingham concert, I was thrilled at the notion that I would be getting to do it all over again the very next night back in Glasgow! Hoorah!
Come 7.30pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on the 10th April 2008, the hall was packed (and we assume sold out). There was a humm of expectation as everyone took their seats and waited in eager anticipation for the man himself to appear. It wasn't long before John Barrowman came onto the stage, jumping straight into his first two songs before pausing to great us all- in his Scots accent no less! Oh yes, we (as in the whole room) flailed and squeed and the more he tried to speak in his 'normal' accent the more he kept slipping into the Scots one. It was amusing and endearing and we loved him so much for it. He was so chuffed to be performing in his home town, so much so that we even managed to reduce the poor man to tears after one particularly spectacular number than had the whole audience on their feet, applauding and cheering him for about 10minutes straight!
The atmosphere- god- you couldn't get that same sense of love and appreciation again that we gave to and received from John as he bowed over and over, thanking us all and wiping tears from his face. And then, to top everything off, in thanks for our love and in honour of the love of his family and that he hoped all families had for one another, he did something he's never done at any previous concert, and something he will likely never do again- he got his 83(?)year old mother to come up on stage and sing with him!!
Now if that wasn't adorable enough (even with the "I'll kill him!" comments she was muttering once up on stage, bless her!), he then proceeded to duet a song that his mother had sung at his sister's wedding, his brother's wedding and also at his and Scott's civil partnership. The name of the song escapes me at the moment, but it was such a touching moment! And one that I feel so very honoured to have witnessed. I was almost reduced to tears at that moment, and that's not something that happens very often!
Least to say, the night was fantastic and amazing and a gazillion other words equally as unfit to describe the whole event! If I could wind back time and do the whole thing all over again, I would. And on repeat. That man has gained a whole new lease of love from me and I can unequivocally state that I am a complete and utter fangirl over him now. Any doubts I'd previously had about the man have been swept away by his complete awesomeness.
And, because it was my second night seeing him, and I was feeling infinitely more brave than I was at the Nottingham gig, I had my camera in full swing ;) the following are but a meagre sample of the pictures I managed to snap, and, if you follow the links at the bottom of the page, they'll take you straight to the videos I managed to record of the man himself in action! And can I also just say that though I wasn’t able to record him actually singing “Man of la Mancha (I, Don Quixote) it was by far my favoured song of both evenings! Ungh, more shivers!!
Pictures:
Videos:
John Barrowman: "You're So Vain"
John Barrowman: "Milly Molly Mandy"
John Barrowman: "The Doctor and I"
John Barrowman: "Man of la Mancha (I, Don Quixote)"
Ahhh. And now for some sleep ;)