ENTER BY DOOR 2 ROW 9 SEATS 23 & 24
t I m e 7.30 WEDNESDAY 26-JUNE-13
That’s what it said on the tin, I had in my mind that our seats were off to the right of the stage and it was a pleasant surprise to find we were dead centre, a slide rule might prove me wrong.I’ve been telling people for years that 23 is my number. Sitting in seat 24 making me happy is Kay who’s last show was the wet one at Twickenham,(it was actually Leeds but Twickenham fits better)I was dancing alone at that show, little did I know what lay ahead.She is more Steve Tyler than Rod, but I am pretty sure I will have her singing before the nights too old……she tells me she doesn’t.
The journey to Belfast was my 2nd and the 3rd (I think) to Ireland all in the name of Rod, it will probably be my only show this year, it’s the tickets it’s just not cricket.
We flew in to George Best (theres another Legend for you) City AIrport courtesy of BA a full 24 hours before what it said on the tin and within the hour the first Guiness had been swiftly dispatched, it had been a long day and following something to eat and another Guiness the time was right to head to the Hotel Bar, this time it’s a Murphy’s before heading for bed. With not a SMILER in sight or any sign of Rod being in town I double checked what was on the tin before making contact with a couple of usual suspects to see if they were lurking somewhere, Andy no mate I’m not there enjoy the show, Ian no mate I’m not there either and have not heard of any get togetherness ( I didn’t type that word it just appeared!) It was at that point I realized this trip would be no Hampden or Plymouth affair and how much the get togetherness (it happend again) adds to the Rod Stewart concert experience.
We wake to a glorious day(A beautiful morning in fact) in Belfast and having done very little all day I grab my Tartan scarf and we head for the Odyssey Arena in good time for a bite to eat…having not booked a table we had to settle for Pizza and Stella, sitting outside Pizzaland we watched the hoards arrive and join the queues for something to eat, it was at this time I thought about the good work Rod does for the economy,arise SIr Rod.
I was thinking to myself surely there will be some SMILER’s in the house or at least that I would recognise someone when up popped our very own Anne Graham to introduce herself. Thanks Anne.
We enter the arena and I swagger towards the stage, happy enough with Row 9, Face Value, feeling some empathy on the way for those who will watch Rod on the screen.
7.30 sharp the support act Moya take the stage, Moya is a Female Vocalist and supported by a four piece outfit with Drums,Keyboard,Lead/ Base guitar all nicely turned out in matching shirts and well pleased to be supporting Rod, I enjoyed the short set and Moya has a good stage presence.Had not heard of her before or indeed that she was supporting Rod.
The change was pretty damn slick between sets so much so I had to forego another beer as whilst in the Gents I hear that familiar sound that tells those who have been before that the main man is on his way, a quick wash of the hands and I try to slip past the latecomers at Door 2 only to be hauled back by a guy in a Hi VIz vest, finally through the door I sprinted (more of a jog) for my seat, the latecomers were trying to find theirs by torchlight.
I arrive to find the band in place and Rod taking the stage to rapturous applause. Let the rocking begin, this show I know I will hear something live for the first time, Rod never short changes the fans and today will be no different.(By the way he’s wearing Tom’s Black with White Polka Dot Shirt. Do you have the socks Tom?)
We are off and running with This old heart of mine and quickly 5 tracks in (having worn it well/Tonights the nighted it/ and Twisted it away to boot) Rod serves us Rhythm of my heart, it is here when he is doing his Acapella bit with the girls we get the first and only bum note of the night, in fact there was no note because Rod missed it altogether and laughed it off in the way that he does….as he informed the less knowledgeable in the audience.
Next comes the announcement of something from the new album a tribute to his dad and Rod thanks the audience for making the album number 1, he truly seemed chuffed to bits about this and the fact it was still riding high in the charts as he delivers Can’t stop me now, I love the song and particularly the way he extends the word opportunity….on the album (I’m still practising it) for me either I missed it or he didn’t quite nail the opportunity on the night.
Next on the menu a real treat and something that should be on the specials board more often, Rod tells the audience this is a true story…The Killing of Georgie, superb performance and I’m sure from my row 9 seat I saw him wipe a tear or two from is eye. Hands up if you have made the trek to 53rd an 3rd.
Forever young was no 8 on the menu.
I’m not sure when the real singing got going (for me it was This old heart of mine) or when those in Row 10 asked Kay to stay in her seat ( not a chance) but by the time First cut is the deepest was rolled out we were really rocking.She said she couldn’t sing…….This was followed by Have I told you lately.
Brighton Beach the second offering from the new album was up next and Rod rambled on about maybe it was maybe it wasn’t where he fell in /made love for the first time. Great song and Rod seemed apologetic for putting in another new song! Now for I don’t wanna talk about it…singing it large, go on my son, old Rod loves it, looks at the band and I read in his face Good or what!
We are now passed half way and next up is a real treat and the final offering from the new album… She makes me Happy, Rod singing and dancing in a manic fashion around the stage, he’s having a ball. If you can find this on YouTube anywhere please let me know.Loved it. Rod mentioned they had only rehearsed it at 6 0’Clock and thought it should be in the set as Radio 2 had made it their record of the week and he had not had a record of the week since the 2nd World War!
No 16 is SLRNR and my thoughts turn to my old mate Dom here, another Legend and Ambassador for RDS. Prior to this Rod gave us Reason to Believe and then the other one as he put it Maggie May. Jana plays that Mandolin so well….might try and learn those interludings as a party piece.
We are now well in to the second half of the show and footballs are going right/left on the head et al during Hot Legs, nothing for Row 9, Rod makes the back of the stadium with ease, as he lands a couple in the boxes. He comments about having a good right peg, but the left is rubbish. He referred to looking forward to the Cliftonvile game which was lost on me.(more later) Prior to this we had a great rendition of Your in my heart and the girls followed up with Soul GIrl. (Not my cup of tea, but it gives Rod some recovery time)
Sailing follows Baby Jane and the regulars know the curtain will soon be falling, an encore of Do Ya think I’m sexy to a backdrop on the large screen showing a comment from Rod to the music press that he didn’t want to be remembered for singing DYTIS when he is in his 50’s LOL, hundreds of Balloons are falling from the roof, the party feels like it’s in full swing, but only has minutes to run. It seemed those balloons were of some comfort to those who never got a ball, 3 of them found themselves walking back to the hotel with us.
Interludings …Not sure why Matt O’connor is no longer touring, really liked him and the way he built his place and drum kit in the band from a Roadie role.(It was thanks to Matt that we blagged our way in to the MIllenium Stadium Show…that’s another story) The drumming session did not do it for me and Jimmy Roberts did not look overly impressed “playing” the cow bell. Rod played a straight 2 hours to a full house, save for going off stage during Soul GIrl/ The Drumming.Rod still has all the moves, charm, stage prescence and ability to get the fans partying. A true showman albeit I suspect he is looking after those vocal chords to get through a tough schedule.If anyone knows where he got his classy trainers I need a new pair. Someone handed him a smart jacket during the show that seemed to puzzle him because it clearly would not fit, he later clicked it was for Alisdair and commented that he would love it. As is the norm a Celtic Scarf made it to the stage during YIMH. This guy remains a serious musician both in the studio and on stage. Some set lists suggest Gasoline Alley had an airing on the night, I’ll eat my scarf if it did.
Rod delivered a White Star LIne Service for all his punters in Belfast on the 26th June.
PS I mentioned to the Taxi Driver on the way back to the airport that Rod had mentioned looking forward to the Cliftonville game and asked him if he knew what he meant, he responded to my complete surprise that Rod Stewart is an Idiot and that it was a religion related comment. I chose to keep my thoughts to myself, but he didn’t get a tip. Rod was actually referring to the upcoming European game with Celtic on the 17th July.
Review by Gary Evans
Photographs by Julie Brown
Set list
This Old Heart Of Mine
You Wear It Well
Tonight’s The Night
Twistin’ the Night Away5.
Rhythm of My Heart
Can’t Stop Me Now
The Killing of Georgie
Forever Young
The First Cut Is the Deepest
Have I Told You Lately
Brighton Beach
I Don’t Want to Talk About It
She Makes Me Happy
Reason to Believe
Maggie May
Sweet Little Rock & Roller
You’re In My Heart
Soul Girl
Hot Legs
Baby Jane
Sailing
Encore:
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy