My first HL concert, Paris, Le Trianon, May 2011
Since I posted reviews of 2012 concerts her, I thought it felt right to add my feelings about the first concert I attended in 2011. It was initially posted at House's House of Whining forum the night after the concert. There is indeed a giddiness at seeing him live in person for the first time. But since this was part of his first tour of 6 dates, and the only French one, there was a clear giddiness from his part, too.
Bear in mind that this was written exactly two years ago.
To start, a blurry but loved pic :
on to the posts :
Just back from the Trianon Concert, still flying. I was in the 5th row, right in the middle, next to Zumi and we had a great time! Great views on Hugh. He looks even better in person. More when I get a better internet access and time to upload pics and vids.
It was really, really worth it!!
Just one more word : Hugh asked for the theater to have more light on the audience, he looked at us all and said we were really beautiful. Since Zumi and I were right in the middle, we are going to pretend he was talking to and about us. Seriously. I won't accept any other explanation.
He said we were beautiful several times before turning the lights back on the band, he apparently wanted to see us and we all cheered and waved, it was nice . He also made a big show of removing his jacket ( with a drumroll) Kind of flirty, indeed. French reputation, maybe? It worked ; we were definitely seduced.
He also offered a Macallan shot to a girl from the front row then made fun of her because she swallowed it and got burned.
Some new bits I'll add and we all sang happy birthday to Simon who brought the whisky.
Hugh looked very Housian, scruff and bedhead. Very smiling, very chatty.
I liked Jericho, Alleluia and Let Them Talk the most. His voice is definitely different, stronger and deeper, nicer live.
I only heard very positive things; and people telling him they loved him
Not heard of House ( saw some tees)
He made a joke about Huddy Leadbelly, pronouncing it Huddy as we would in France for House/Cuddy, so he got a huge reaction from the fangirls, but he was perfectly aware of what he was saying and acted like "oh what did I just do" . It was all very fun and cheery.
More of Paris, then. My two friends and I arrived at Le Trianon at 18.00. (Zumi had already been there until 14.30, and there were people waiting before her!) There was a huge waiting file...I went to meet Zumi who was right in front of the doors, then went back to wait with my friends. We did not move for about ¾ hour, then we got in pretty quickly and quietly. Waiting was not that long, because we were surrounded by other Hugh fanatics and we chatted a lot. We had a fear when one of my friends discovered that she had only printed the purchase receipt, and not the real e-ticket, so she ran to the next cyber café to print it. The staff at Le Trianon was cool and helpful, and getting to the seats was easy without rush. We went to the first balcony, on the right side of the theater, because we were right in front of the piano...and had a great view on it. Then Zumi waved at me from the ground ; she had kept a seat, I left my friends on the balcony and went down to sit with her. We were in the middle of the fifth row, with a great view on both piano and microphone with the guitar. The theater was really very beautiful (it is an historical place) and they played opera while we waited.
Then the band came in and started playing, and Hugh came from the back of the theater, walking in slow motions and taking pauses every few steps. He passed by our seats and he is TALL. He climbed the stairs to the scene and froze, and I understood why old interviews kept comparing him to Buster Keaton : there was something in the face, and the gesture.
He went to the piano, they did the first song and then he came to the microphone and told us a few sentences in French (same as in German, more or less) . Then he said « That's all I've got. » « Je parlais Francais il y a 30 ans, maintenant je vis aux Etats Unis » (I used to speak French 30 years ago, but now that I live in the States....) But he kept saying a few words in French all along : Santé (Cheers), Vous êtes très gentils (You're very kind). He asked us if there were english speaking people, and we all said yes, so he went on. He also told us it was the last show, so it was up to us to make it exceptional. So, we sang, and clapped, and stomped our feet all along. It was very lively, and relaxed. The order of songs was the same, so were the introducing speeches, more or less.
What was new :
He forgot to present the saxophonist after his first solo and got very nervous about it, apologized, went to kneel in front of him, told us he was going to get punished for this and if not, that he was going to do it himself.
He presented us the guy who brought the whisky shots, and told us that it was his birthday, so we all sang « happy birthday » ; Hugh hugged the guy (I think he kissed him), a woman on the balcony shouted that it was also her birthday, very excitedly, and Hugh warned her « Don't jump! »
He gave us his talk on the bonding over Macallan with the musicians, and as a gift to the Gods of music. He said he brought a bottle of it on their first rehearsal, as a peace offering, hoping to find only recovering addicts, but unfortunately they all drank and they ended up « bonding » earlier and earlier.
He offered a whisky shot to a girl in the front row when she asked, telling her to sip it and pass it over, then made fun of her when she got burned (« That's how whisky tastes ») ; It was a very funny moment, you can see it here , if you rotate your head to 90°.
http://telly.com/KT3JE
Later, he asked the first row (again) if they were seeing him when he played the piano, and they said not well. So he asked for a big phone book to sit on, because he didn't know how to play standing up (he tried). Instead, they brought him a big fat red cushion that he actually took. He sat on it while playing.
There was a Huddy slip/joke when he explained how to pronounce Leadbelly's first name. Lots of young girls in the audience roared, he laughed, took his head in his hands and said something like « what did I say/do », it lasted one minut or so and was good-humored laugh, really.
He asked for the lights to be directed on the audience (« I'll pay for it » while putting his hand in his pocket), watched us, we all waved, he said we were really beautiful (several times ), we answered « you too ».
He said we were very kind, nicer than the English, then said « I should not have said that » when the audience cheered.
Simon came back with a second round of shots and he said « See? That's how good he is » and downed his second shot in one gulp.
We had Tipitina as an encore, they came back a second time to wave, and that was it. He did not ask for request, Maineac.
Afterwards, he did a signature backstage, so we took the queue. People could enter ten by ten. Unfortunately, he stopped before we could enter, so we did not get to see him. Instead, we went outside and had dinner with Zumi and my friend.
I found the show very well conducted. Hugh's voice was indeed better live, deeper, fuller, sexier I dare say. Part of the professional photographers that were on the first balcony stayed the whole performance (they were authorised to shoot the first song only) and told my friend it was very good. They stayed because they enjoyed it.
Hugh was very House-like, which startled me a little in the beginning, because I was awaiting clean-shaved Hugh. But in the end, it was like a phantasy coming alive ; very, very pleasant.
And I have to agree with Luna Argentea : he looked and sounded very self confident, like the boss. Not the polite, self deprecating guy the media like to show us. He was smiling, and polite, but I felt where House comes from while looking at him. There is, indeed, a rough, strong side, some mischief awaiting in those eyes. And, just like she said, when these blue eyes get to you, you can almost feel the focus, and the brain behind. I don't think I could worry for him any more ; he may get depressed, but there was a very strong, manly, confident side of him showing. And he was thoroughly enjoying himself. He kept playing with the audience, dare I say flirting ; I did not record the jacket strip with the drumroll, unfortunately.
I forgot!! While singing "You don't know my mind", he started dancing (well - as close to dancing as he can do - that may be his flaw) by just moving his hips. And the first row, close to said hips, had a flailing moment. He did not help by turning around and giving us a nice backside view. You may find videos on twitter, the audience was noisy.
At least, the French girls have been appreciative!
Just for the memories : Jericho : http://telly.com/AAGFE , Let Them Talk : http://telly.com/MD5JV, and a goof on Hallelujah I love her so : http://telly.com/D6XAB
Bear in mind that this was written exactly two years ago.
To start, a blurry but loved pic :
on to the posts :
Just back from the Trianon Concert, still flying. I was in the 5th row, right in the middle, next to Zumi and we had a great time! Great views on Hugh. He looks even better in person. More when I get a better internet access and time to upload pics and vids.
It was really, really worth it!!
Just one more word : Hugh asked for the theater to have more light on the audience, he looked at us all and said we were really beautiful. Since Zumi and I were right in the middle, we are going to pretend he was talking to and about us. Seriously. I won't accept any other explanation.
He said we were beautiful several times before turning the lights back on the band, he apparently wanted to see us and we all cheered and waved, it was nice . He also made a big show of removing his jacket ( with a drumroll) Kind of flirty, indeed. French reputation, maybe? It worked ; we were definitely seduced.
He also offered a Macallan shot to a girl from the front row then made fun of her because she swallowed it and got burned.
Some new bits I'll add and we all sang happy birthday to Simon who brought the whisky.
Hugh looked very Housian, scruff and bedhead. Very smiling, very chatty.
I liked Jericho, Alleluia and Let Them Talk the most. His voice is definitely different, stronger and deeper, nicer live.
I only heard very positive things; and people telling him they loved him
Not heard of House ( saw some tees)
He made a joke about Huddy Leadbelly, pronouncing it Huddy as we would in France for House/Cuddy, so he got a huge reaction from the fangirls, but he was perfectly aware of what he was saying and acted like "oh what did I just do" . It was all very fun and cheery.
More of Paris, then. My two friends and I arrived at Le Trianon at 18.00. (Zumi had already been there until 14.30, and there were people waiting before her!) There was a huge waiting file...I went to meet Zumi who was right in front of the doors, then went back to wait with my friends. We did not move for about ¾ hour, then we got in pretty quickly and quietly. Waiting was not that long, because we were surrounded by other Hugh fanatics and we chatted a lot. We had a fear when one of my friends discovered that she had only printed the purchase receipt, and not the real e-ticket, so she ran to the next cyber café to print it. The staff at Le Trianon was cool and helpful, and getting to the seats was easy without rush. We went to the first balcony, on the right side of the theater, because we were right in front of the piano...and had a great view on it. Then Zumi waved at me from the ground ; she had kept a seat, I left my friends on the balcony and went down to sit with her. We were in the middle of the fifth row, with a great view on both piano and microphone with the guitar. The theater was really very beautiful (it is an historical place) and they played opera while we waited.
Then the band came in and started playing, and Hugh came from the back of the theater, walking in slow motions and taking pauses every few steps. He passed by our seats and he is TALL. He climbed the stairs to the scene and froze, and I understood why old interviews kept comparing him to Buster Keaton : there was something in the face, and the gesture.
He went to the piano, they did the first song and then he came to the microphone and told us a few sentences in French (same as in German, more or less) . Then he said « That's all I've got. » « Je parlais Francais il y a 30 ans, maintenant je vis aux Etats Unis » (I used to speak French 30 years ago, but now that I live in the States....) But he kept saying a few words in French all along : Santé (Cheers), Vous êtes très gentils (You're very kind). He asked us if there were english speaking people, and we all said yes, so he went on. He also told us it was the last show, so it was up to us to make it exceptional. So, we sang, and clapped, and stomped our feet all along. It was very lively, and relaxed. The order of songs was the same, so were the introducing speeches, more or less.
What was new :
He forgot to present the saxophonist after his first solo and got very nervous about it, apologized, went to kneel in front of him, told us he was going to get punished for this and if not, that he was going to do it himself.
He presented us the guy who brought the whisky shots, and told us that it was his birthday, so we all sang « happy birthday » ; Hugh hugged the guy (I think he kissed him), a woman on the balcony shouted that it was also her birthday, very excitedly, and Hugh warned her « Don't jump! »
He gave us his talk on the bonding over Macallan with the musicians, and as a gift to the Gods of music. He said he brought a bottle of it on their first rehearsal, as a peace offering, hoping to find only recovering addicts, but unfortunately they all drank and they ended up « bonding » earlier and earlier.
He offered a whisky shot to a girl in the front row when she asked, telling her to sip it and pass it over, then made fun of her when she got burned (« That's how whisky tastes ») ; It was a very funny moment, you can see it here , if you rotate your head to 90°.
http://telly.com/KT3JE
Later, he asked the first row (again) if they were seeing him when he played the piano, and they said not well. So he asked for a big phone book to sit on, because he didn't know how to play standing up (he tried). Instead, they brought him a big fat red cushion that he actually took. He sat on it while playing.
There was a Huddy slip/joke when he explained how to pronounce Leadbelly's first name. Lots of young girls in the audience roared, he laughed, took his head in his hands and said something like « what did I say/do », it lasted one minut or so and was good-humored laugh, really.
He asked for the lights to be directed on the audience (« I'll pay for it » while putting his hand in his pocket), watched us, we all waved, he said we were really beautiful (several times ), we answered « you too ».
He said we were very kind, nicer than the English, then said « I should not have said that » when the audience cheered.
Simon came back with a second round of shots and he said « See? That's how good he is » and downed his second shot in one gulp.
We had Tipitina as an encore, they came back a second time to wave, and that was it. He did not ask for request, Maineac.
Afterwards, he did a signature backstage, so we took the queue. People could enter ten by ten. Unfortunately, he stopped before we could enter, so we did not get to see him. Instead, we went outside and had dinner with Zumi and my friend.
I found the show very well conducted. Hugh's voice was indeed better live, deeper, fuller, sexier I dare say. Part of the professional photographers that were on the first balcony stayed the whole performance (they were authorised to shoot the first song only) and told my friend it was very good. They stayed because they enjoyed it.
Hugh was very House-like, which startled me a little in the beginning, because I was awaiting clean-shaved Hugh. But in the end, it was like a phantasy coming alive ; very, very pleasant.
And I have to agree with Luna Argentea : he looked and sounded very self confident, like the boss. Not the polite, self deprecating guy the media like to show us. He was smiling, and polite, but I felt where House comes from while looking at him. There is, indeed, a rough, strong side, some mischief awaiting in those eyes. And, just like she said, when these blue eyes get to you, you can almost feel the focus, and the brain behind. I don't think I could worry for him any more ; he may get depressed, but there was a very strong, manly, confident side of him showing. And he was thoroughly enjoying himself. He kept playing with the audience, dare I say flirting ; I did not record the jacket strip with the drumroll, unfortunately.
I forgot!! While singing "You don't know my mind", he started dancing (well - as close to dancing as he can do - that may be his flaw) by just moving his hips. And the first row, close to said hips, had a flailing moment. He did not help by turning around and giving us a nice backside view. You may find videos on twitter, the audience was noisy.
At least, the French girls have been appreciative!
Just for the memories : Jericho : http://telly.com/AAGFE , Let Them Talk : http://telly.com/MD5JV, and a goof on Hallelujah I love her so : http://telly.com/D6XAB