Concert For Diana
- Posted on July 1, 2007 4:10 PM
- 0 comments
Modern TV may have its downfalls (Big Brother is one of them) but it also allows us to watch live music events when we miss out on tickets. Today, my living room is full of the sounds of Diana - The Concert. I hope my neigbours like a good mix of musical genres - the washing machine's on in the other room so the volume is cranked to full.
I've got some serious gig envy going on here. I had the chance to get some prime spot tickets but missed out due to a moment of bank balance indecision. I'm gutted - but hope the workmate who snapped them up celebrates accordingly. Something tells me she will.
The crowd is growing... it looks like a mix of ordinary civillains, ageing Diana fans, kids interested in The Feeling (and not much more) and a couple of Royals and people with friends in the right places. There's also a visible number of charity workers - it's good to see the right people on the receiving end of the complimentaries.
Elton kicks things off with ‘Your Song'. I can't believe I'm missing Elton and his piano. Behind him, black and white images of Princess Diana flash across the screen. In front of him, over 62,000 tear-soaked faces look on in awe. Kate Middleton is there, Sienna Miller is apparently backstage (isn't she always) and I've just caught a glimpse of Fergie's offspring. Okay, I'm bawling like a banshee now - damn Elton and his emotion-packed tunes. I missed the whole 'Diana obsession' due to age and geographical alienation - not this lot though, Kleenex should have sponsored this event. The overall 'vibe' is a happy one though... they're all stressing the 'party' factor.
The princes are on stage now - they look nervous. Aw... breathe in a collective sigh as thousands of young bachelorette (and gold digger) hearts break. Sorry ladies - Fearne Cotton is the only getting close to them these days. The lads are quietly spoken (Harry cracks a joke or two and sends words of support to his fellow army troops in Iraq). Two humble boys celebrating the life of their mum... that gig envy is coming back with a vengeance - it must be an awesome event to be part of. Pity about the sound quality on the TV end though. The seat set up looks a bit, well... spacious/disjointed. I guess it's necessary with such a mixed crowd. You can't have P Diddy fans gyrating against Bryan Ferry followers. Or can you?
Duran Duran are on stage now... well, they're meant to be. No sign of them yet... something’s amiss. Oh nope, here we go - maybe it takes longer for ageing bones these days. The sound quality is a bit shaky but the sound of one woman's deranged screaming is sure making it through.
James Morrison is next - ten years ago he hadn't even picked up a quitar. Talk about honour. I've got a soft spot for him too - the guy can sing. He's silenced the crowd...
Sienna Miller and Dennis Hopper are on stage now: they're trying to "Lift the lid off the North Pole". They're also pushing the fact that the concert is "A PARTY". What a way to introduce Lily Allen... geez, she's getting the biggest cheer so far! She's a little-un, she's gobby, yep... we've heard it all before - but hell, I like the girl. She spreads the 'happy'. Looks like the lot at Wembley do too. She's in a little blue dress and looks dressed for a day in the park with her mates. Good on her - understated is the way forward Lily - fresh faced all the way. She looks relieved after 'LDN' is met with cheers. Is there a cure for gig envy? I'm trying to spot my workmate... she's there somewhere.
There's a lawn bowler reminiscing about meeting Diana now; these little personal stories from everyday people are a great touch. Oh gawd... there go the tears again. I must have a bout of (very!) premature menopausal. Any minute now the hot flashes will kick in.
The big let down so far is the transition between artists and the links by the BBC. The two presenters seem lost from word go - constantly messing up and having to cover for late artists (or is it extra set up time). I don't envy their job... but Fearne Cotton seems to be managing fine on the 'floor'.
Fergie (the singer) is funking it up with a troop of dancers now. She's dressed in a white number that looks a lot like Bjork’s infamous swan getup - minus the neck and beak. Sound quality is a bit iffy on this one too; the joys of live transmission. Like her song, she's looking glamorous. Oh dear, live TV strikes again... this time a pair of female dancer butt cheeks have received a close up. Hope the Princes weren't looking. 'Big Girls Don't Cry' is next... wrong Fergie - the crowd members are still dabbing with the Kleenex.
OH MY GOD - Keifer Sutherland??? He's announcing now - I would have sacrificed my left arm to see him up close. Excuse me while I chew my nails to the bone. He's just introduced The Feeling. Gawd almighty. The guys look like they're really enjoying the moment... judging by the outstretched hands, the crowd are too.
Pharrell Williams is in da house (or on the stage as the case may be). A touch of street cool and womanising lyrics to proceedings. You can almost imagine the Princes and their stooges pulling their moves to these tunes as they down cocktails in Movida.
We've got little Nelly Furtado decked in fuchsia now - looks like she's one of Will's favourites - he's got some hefty clapping action going on there. Oh dear... it's Man Eater time now and the Prince dancing like no-ones watching. They are. No need for imagining their shape-throwing, the proof is in the pictures - they'll regret that tomorrow. Good on them - th last thing we need is more stuffy royals. And hey, dancing like Mr Bean is no crime (I hear it's the next big thing).
It's time to bring on the birds... bring out the classical ballet - Swan Lake! Amazing - and what an applause - great to see pop and rock fans enjoying a spot of culture. Hey.. who turned on the water works? Again! The last time I saw Swan Lake was during Matthew Bourne's all male production at Saddlers Wells. This is a mostly female performance and boy do those girls have pins of steel. This is one giant positive piece of promo for the world of ballet - the crowd is loving it!
It's Joss - looking more like the earthy soul we were used to before her 'transformation' in America. Barefoot and draped in a flowing hippy-ish dress Miss Stone doing what she does best; belting out tunes. Forgive the girl for a wardrobe and accent slip guys - we've all done it on more than one Friday night out. Ooh, we've got a cover on our hands - she's doing the 1981 tune 'Pressure' by Queen and David Bowie. Apparently a 'little birdy' told Joss Diana liked it. No prizes for guessing who. I hope the Swan Lake costumes didn't moult on stage - Joss had better watch out where she puts those tootsies.
From young to 'old' (okay, older...) it's Roger Hodgson with a medley of songs he wrote for Supertramp. The elders in the audience are a-boppin'. It's high pitched lyrics and keyboard action galore. Roger looks like I imagine my brother will look in 30 years... long flowing locks and facial lines etched by years of squeezing out notes.
Whoa - we've had a bung note! Rog seems a tad breathless... but he's laughing about it as he starts on 'Give a Little Bit'. There will be criticism about the footage but I'm loving the small slip ups and bung camera shots it's a reminder that that everyone involved is human. I guess that includes royals too...
Fearne has just introduced Orson - they've hit a pretty big pot of luck to get invited to this shindig... relatively new on the UK scene (direct from America), it's hard not to wonder who chose them. Wills, Harry? Certainly not Charles - who we haven't seen as yet. No doubt he's rocking in his armchair as he and The Queen watch over a cuppa at home.
Fiery redhead Gillian Anderson is introducing Tom Jones (WHAT exactly does she do now??). Mr Sex Bomb is sings 'Kiss' (looking dapper in pastel blue I might add) and sporting a porn star beard and mo. Here we go... Joss is back for a Tom Jones mash up.
Talk about dapper... Will Young is clad entirely in white. What a pity he bats for the other team. Actually, in that get-up he could have slipped into the Swan Lake troop without detection. I like this guy - he's got a guy next door vibe about him. Maybe it comes with reality TV star search labels. Plus, he's not afraid to dress up and have a dance - modern day butch boys take note. Tonight he's got a ring on his finder the size of a pineapple. Okay, a plum maybe... you get the drift. Oh, he's only doing one tune - cheated Will!
Natasha Bedingfield is next - understated again and stalling while the crew do their thing. She kicks off with 'Unwritten'. She's in white too... maybe they're all going for the innocent Diana look. I don't like her voice much so I'll take a leg-stretching break - back soon.
The people from SeeAbility are chatting now....all these special memories that people have with the princess - they're all there at the concert too. One blind man asked to touch her face
Boris Becker and John McEnroe are presenting now... Boris sounds like Arnold Schwartznegger in The Terminator - they've introduced Bryan Ferry who is in... whoa, get out the sunnies - he's wearing a sparkling sequinned black jacket. There are models in black erm.. 'creations' walking down the 'stage'. Not sure of the point of these ladies... maybe to signify Diana's style. Not that she'd have worn the spandex cat suit I've spotted towards the front. Oh my... Madonna eat your heart out.
Later...
What the hell is P-Diddy wearing?!
Wow, the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical medley is amazing - my favourite so far for sure. The crowd love a bit of Joseph and they're getting three of the greats in one. Jason Donovan is even there. Go you little Aussie. Lee Mead gets into it - technicolour dreamcoat flapping in the Wembley wind. The crowd love him - and he looks at ease on stage. Can't say the same for his post performance chat though - he's sporting the classic 'stunned mullet' look. Fearne is obviously overwhelmed too - she just called Connie Fisher 'Carrie'. Time for a stiff drink darling.
Fearne's talking to Beckham now - his hair is a different colour to his beard. Always a good look. Maybe he should ask for some styling advice from Rod Stewart - who's on stage now! He's wiggling his rear to the delight of the middle-aged ladies in the front rows. Wow. What a phenomenal mix of artists and acts. What a rocker - I've GOT to see this guy live... out come the backing singers - trust Rod Stewart to have a leggy blonde on the sax!
Magic - the sun is setting on the stadium. I tell you what, it hasn't rained since the concert began - maybe Diana is watching and lending a hand from somewhere...
What the hell is Kanye West wearing?! The less said about that the better.
More importantly... P Diddy's 'Missing You' is amazingly moving. Pair this with the increasingly emotional personal stories in the links... I'm a goner - Take That are still to come, Ricky Gervais will bring a bit of laughter to the fore and Sir Elton John will close the concert. Time to sign out - I'm all for a bit of TV on a Sunday but this marathon session is getting ridiculous. If they'd sorted out transitions, we'd be done and dusted by now. I can't believe I've bawled so much... I'm usually so tough - no, really. Now where did I put those Kleenex?
Were you there? Did you meet Diana? What did you think of the concert and what was the vibe like as you left? We want your thoughts! Please leave them in the comment section.
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