Just a pre-show stage shot.
The lights were amazing!
Last week I had a very sudden urge to take a trip to the Marquee - I knew that Imelda May was playing and I really wanted to go, but none of my friends share my love for the Rockabilly-blues "Girl with the Curl", and so didn't want to go with me (Thanks friends). I was in a bit of a pickle, until I realised that I had the perfect Imelda fan to bring - my granny!
Unfortunately, we then discovered that there were no seats left, and no way was Granny standing. I thought I was going to have to face the fact that I wouldn't be going, but I realised that I knew a friend who knew a friend, and suddenly, I had tickets.
On the night my Dad kindly agreed to drop and collect us from the Marquee, and after collecting a very excited granny from her house we were underway. We arrived at the Marquee at 7.30, and we weren't under any pressure to get a good place as we had seats.
This being my first trip to the Marquee, I didn't really know what to expect. The tent itself was big and very spacious, but it held less people than I expected. After a trip to the food and drinks stands, we proceeded inside to find our seats. I found myself in a minority, with not many others being under 30, but that didn't bother me.
Our seats had such a good view! We were directly in front of the stage, and in about the fifth row so we could see really well. By this time excitement was mounting, and the place was really filling up. At 8 O'clock the support act came on, which was a Corkman called Andrew McMahon who played an acoustic set on his guitar and was really good. He played a very memorable cover of "All of me" as well as a few of his own songs.
After Andrew Mc Mahon left the stage, the crowd were cheering for one thing; they wanted Imelda. At about nine O'clock, the cheers seemed to be getting louder and more excited and everyone was trying to see if she was coming onstage yet. Fast forward five minutes, and the band had taken their places, the lights were dimming and the music was starting. That only meant one thing- The show was beginning.
After a short intro was played by the band, Imelda appeared onstage and the crowd went wild! She opened with Wild Woman, which was even better live than on the studio version. From the very beginning she gave every song her all, and it was clear to the whole crowd that she absolutely loved her music and being on that stage. That was really important, as it reflected on the crowd and created a really good atmosphere.
My favourites of her performances were Kentish Town Waltz and Little Pixie, the crowd just went absolutely silent and swayed and appreciated the songs. She rocked out completely to the faster, more rockabilly ones like Johnny Got A Boom Boom, Psycho, Tribal and it's Good to be Alive. Another crowd favourite was Big Bad Handsome Man, which got a great reaction.
At about 10.30 she went offstage, and no one inequality whether there would be an encore, but five minutes later a ukulele player appeared onstage and Imelda was back. After a fabulous rendition of "Dreaming", the Clew Bay pipe band were announced onstage. I was very surprised at this, but proud of how close she keeps her Irish roots. The show ended with Johnny Got a Boom Boom.
After this song Imelda and the band took their bows, and left the stage for the final time. We made our way slowly towards the exit, with our ears ringing, still buzzing from the night, dissecting it moment by moment.
I was so impressed by both her talent onstage, as well as how humble she was. She was great at entertaining the audience, and cracked many jokes which had everyone laughing. (So my husband and I had a baby- No, I had the baby. I definitely had the baby. He had the best ten minutes of his life outside.)
I was so glad to have had the opportunity to see Imelda May, definitely not one to be missed.
Just a pre-show stage shot.
The lights were fab!
Have you been to any concerts this summer? Comment good or bad experiences below and I'll be sure to reply.
Labels: imelda may, live, Music
