Hello to each and every one of you SMILER members. Hope you were all lucky enough to get to get to see Rod at some point during his 2013 tour. Having been asked to write a few words following my trip to the Hydro arena, I hope you will bear with me, as this is a first for me, so I apologise in advance.
This was our third concert this year, having travelled to the Ziggo Dome Amsterdam, and Motorpoint Arena Sheffield. We were fortunate to have travelled with, and met some fantastic SMILER members on our trip to Amsterdam, and if any of you managed to read Dom’s blog following our trip, you will understand my apprehension in putting this together (thank’s again Dom). Our next trip took us to Sheffield and despite numerous attempts, sorry Mike and Carole, I just could not find you (they were in the posh seats!)
Having never previously seen Rod in his ancestral home, it was an opportunity we felt we couldn’t miss, especially as Rod was opening the arena. We decided to throw caution to the wind and book the final night at the Hydro. The flights and hotel were booked, and we were anticipating a fantastic trip, when a welder decided to set fire to the roof, oops! Following weeks of uncertainty, the arena was eventually back on track and the opening went ahead as planned.
Saturday morning arrived and our taxi picked us up at 06.30 to take us to the airport. We took our seats on our Flybe prop turbo which carried us across the boarder within 45 minutes, and there we were, Glasgow, wahey ! Taxis were a bit pricey so we opted for the airport bus, £8.50 return and 20 minutes later, we arrived on Sauchiehall Street, ready for breakfast.
Having breakfasted at Wetherspoons, (not tiffany’s) we arrived at the Charing Cross Premier Inn, and despite an inflated price of £80 per night, there was no surcharge for an early arrival. The room was clean and adequate as one would expect, and had the benefit of being within walking distance of the Hydro, which you were overlooking from the room, and indeed the bed.
At this point, a few beers were in order, so off we went to sample the local ales. The pub was suddenly inundated by hoards of middle aged ladies wow; Rod really has some pulling power I thought. It transpired; these ladies had just left a local theatre where they had been to see a stage performance of Ghost. I must congratulate a local gent who offered to buy my wife (Christine) and myself a drink, who just happened to be in front of us at the bar, hats off to the Scottish hospitality.
Back to the room to freshen up, then off to the concert. Rod’s tartan army of fans were gathering pace and you could sense the excitement as the arena came into view.
We’re a fair few beers in now and on arriving at the stadium (nicknamed the spaceship) I couldn’t believe my eyes. Maybe I’ve had a few more than I thought, but did that sign say the Hyrod Arena ? it seemed plausible to me !
The stadium looked amazing and on entering, we took our place centre stage, 20 foot from the front. The Hydro quickly filled up and the layout provided everyone with a great view, and before long was full to the brim. Moya got the show started and was given a great welcome by the crowd. The standing area was packed shoulder to shoulder with eagerly awaiting fans, the atmosphere was simply electric. Then shortly after 8.00 Rod made his entrance to a rapturous reception. The crowd nearly blew the roof off as Rod blasted out his opening number This Old Heart Of Mine. Having followed Rod since 1971, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so proud and relaxed as he appeared tonight. He sang a fantastic mixture of old and new and although he had a fair few breathers during the evening, his energy throughout was amazing.
At one point, following one of his costume changes, Rod explained to the crowd how his lady dresser had been bent down to put on his shoes. He decided to give his hair a quick blast with the hairdryer, when the poor girls hair got sucked up into it, Rod had to leave her fighting to free herself whilst he came back on stage. As you can imagine, I think Rod found this funnier than she did at the time. If that had happened to my lady dresser, one can only imagine!
He was accompanied on stage by daughter Ruby who held her own in front of a packed audience. You could sense Rod was full of emotion, pictures of his Dad were displayed when he sang, You Can’t Stop Me Now and of Penny to She Makes Me Happy. The children also appeared on stage, dressed in Stewart tartan of course, Rod looked proud as punch to have his loved ones around him on such a special occasion.
As is now customary, Rod kicked out countless signed footballs into the waiting arms of anyone lucky enough to be in with a chance of one, and guess what. After over 40 years travelling throughout the land, singing along to every number, I still didn’t get one! However, my night was capped off with a special moment when during one number, I’m stood singing, arms aloft, when Rod looked directly at me, smiled, and pointed the mike in my direction. This may not appear anything special to some of you, but nevertheless, after all these years, the great man himself acknowledged me, thank you Rod.
Before you knew it, were singing Auld Lang Syne and a cascade of balloons descended upon us. What a night, what a show and what a pleasure to see Rod in such fantastic form. Thank you Rod, your 2013 tour has been amazing and we can’t wait to see you sometime soon in the future. They couldn’t stop you then, they can’t stop you now, and I’m sure, they won’t stop you in the future.
Best wishes everyone.
Vernon
Set list
This Old Heart of Mine
Some Guys Have All the Luck
You Wear It Well
Twistin’ the Night Away
Rhythm of My Heart
Just One More Day (Ruby Stewart)
Forever Young
It’s a Heartache
Sweet Little Rock & Roller
The First Cut Is the Deepest
I Don’t Want to Talk About It
Have I Told You Lately
Brighton Beach
Can’t Stop Me Now.
You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)
Maggie May
Sailing
Hot Legs
Baby Jane
Encore:
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy
Encore 2:
Auld Lang Syne
Review by Vernon Smith
Photographs by Garry F McHarg
www.focalscotland.co.uk
[email protected]
Both pictures used are copyright protected to see more pictures from the night go to https://www.rexfeatures.com/search/?kw=*gmc&order=newest&iso=GBR&lkw=*gmc&viah=Y&stk=N&sft=&search