2008 - REPORTS,PICS,VIDS OF MIKA @ Beiteddine and BAALBECK Festival - Beirut, Lebanon

 

Interesting that Mikey says they won't be playing together on stage for a while. (Their 2 year contracts have come to an end???)

Have no fear, he understands his business very well... If your contract comes to an end, just soft-soap your boss for a bit in your blog.

good news... "Grace Kelly" video is ready

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpQ3R7cScsA

 

am uploading "stuck in the middle" and "in any other world"... I will have to wait for tomorrow to upload "Relax" and the rest as it is almost 3:00 am here... and I have work tomorrow..

 

Rose, I recorded Andy filming the crowd... for your eyes only

Love it!

Because

-that's my favourite shirt he's wearing

-I don't think I ever so such a clear, steady, near gig video

I'm kind of curious to know what Andy looks like too, and I think he's a "public" person to...

Thank you Racha for all your uploads

Interesting that Mikey says they won't be playing together on stage for a while. (Their 2 year contracts have come to an end???)

 

I would think that Beirut being the feather in Mika's cap of the last 2 years, it would be hard to slog on and do the same show on and on and on....though we Asia Pacific nations wouldn't mind a little teensy show....

Well, as much as we can hope (and petition ) it's preeetty safe to say they are not doing anything for the rest of this year at least, all other things for December are booked by now, and they have nothing And 6 months classifies as 'a while' for me.

1. Mika in Beirut – Pre Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrENGt30OR0

2. Mika in Beirut – Love Today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiENXVTyapo

3. Mika in Beirut – Big Girls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55KzhyTRO6o

4. Mika in Beirut – I just can’t Get Enough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1jQADzvnms

5. Mika in Beirut – Stuck in the Middle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGy2nLdTtMo

6. Mika in Beirut - In Any Other World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vGiyswUsdE

7. Mika in Beirut – Relax (take it easy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TM3lEDXtiU

8. Mika in Beirut – Grace Kelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpQ3R7cScsA

9. Mika in Beirut – Thanking the Lebanese Audience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-OTzc26oQk

10. Mika in Beirut – Relax Encore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXMMvaqY5Bw

11. Mika in Beirut – End of the Concert (fireworks) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDAFzv_pCM

12. Mika in Beirut – Love Today (drums) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRYf6jtLB9w

13. Mika in Beirut – Lillipop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYubdTVxQvQ

14. Mika in Beirut – Holy Johhny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFalvwyRWrA

15. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “My Interpretation” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXd-kHjOo_w

16. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “Big Girls” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRyUs6vna44

i'm impressed!!!

racha you are an absolute star!

loads of kudos to you!

Racha .. awesome .. thanks very much

Thank you so much Racha!

Great vids....hey some of us (who never get a gig) would like to see Andy too....please???

 

Interesting that Mikey says they won't be playing together on stage for a while. (Their 2 year contracts have come to an end???)

 

I would think that Beirut being the feather in Mika's cap of the last 2 years, it would be hard to slog on and do the same show on and on and on....though we Asia Pacific nations wouldn't mind a little teensy show....

no i am pretty sure the band is gonna stay with mika because at nimes they said that they will be going on his next tour as well but i think it will just be a while cuz mika still has to finish then release his next album...

Thanks for all the videos Racha - great!!!

Thx for the videos Racha, I've put the links on the frontpage!

Thanks so much for all the vids .. loved it all!

Is it my imagination or was the teddy bear's picnic a bit tamer than usual?

Racha ... thanks so much for all your vids, pics and reports.. have loved watching, looking and reading everything.. you're a complete star

Racha you are a star thank you

Racha, you are a queen!:thumb_yello:Thanks so much for your long report, you know how much we love those:naughty:, and thanks for the vids, I'll try to comment on them.

racha, thx for the videos, esp. sitm..

did ya by any chance record also the bit in which he dedicates it to his dad..?

1. Mika in Beirut – Pre Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrENGt30OR0

2. Mika in Beirut – Love Today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiENXVTyapo

3. Mika in Beirut – Big Girls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55KzhyTRO6o

4. Mika in Beirut – I just can’t Get Enough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1jQADzvnms

5. Mika in Beirut – Stuck in the Middle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGy2nLdTtMo

6. Mika in Beirut - In Any Other World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vGiyswUsdE

7. Mika in Beirut – Relax (take it easy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TM3lEDXtiU

8. Mika in Beirut – Grace Kelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpQ3R7cScsA

9. Mika in Beirut – Thanking the Lebanese Audience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-OTzc26oQk

10. Mika in Beirut – Relax Encore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXMMvaqY5Bw

11. Mika in Beirut – End of the Concert (fireworks) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDAFzv_pCM

12. Mika in Beirut – Love Today (drums) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRYf6jtLB9w

13. Mika in Beirut – Lillipop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYubdTVxQvQ

14. Mika in Beirut – Holy Johhny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFalvwyRWrA

15. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “My Interpretation” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXd-kHjOo_w

16. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “Big Girls” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRyUs6vna44

Wow!!!!! that's great, thanks for posting, uploading and sharing.

1. Mika in Beirut – Pre Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrENGt30OR0

2. Mika in Beirut – Love Today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiENXVTyapo

3. Mika in Beirut – Big Girls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55KzhyTRO6o

4. Mika in Beirut – I just can’t Get Enough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1jQADzvnms

5. Mika in Beirut – Stuck in the Middle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGy2nLdTtMo

6. Mika in Beirut - In Any Other World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vGiyswUsdE

7. Mika in Beirut – Relax (take it easy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TM3lEDXtiU

8. Mika in Beirut – Grace Kelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpQ3R7cScsA

9. Mika in Beirut – Thanking the Lebanese Audience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-OTzc26oQk

10. Mika in Beirut – Relax Encore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXMMvaqY5Bw

11. Mika in Beirut – End of the Concert (fireworks) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDAFzv_pCM

12. Mika in Beirut – Love Today (drums) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRYf6jtLB9w

13. Mika in Beirut – Lillipop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYubdTVxQvQ

14. Mika in Beirut – Holy Johhny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFalvwyRWrA

15. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “My Interpretation” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXd-kHjOo_w

16. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “Big Girls” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRyUs6vna44

woooow!!!

thanks very much!!!!

Thank you Racha for the videos & great they're in one list!

Thx for the videos Racha, I've put the links on the frontpage!

Great! And I deleted the ones she posted previously from the front page so as not to duplicate

First I must tell the MFC members that I very recently had the opportunity to realize how genuinely good and immensely generous Mica Penniman is. It is so touching that I can't wait to share it with you but it might embarrass him to see it publicized so I must wait for his go-ahead to tell you about it.

Second, my daughter has -once again- screwed up her registration... forgotten her password or something, she is hopeless !

So I generously give her my space to report on the Beirut gig. Here it comes :

'I have just spent two days travelling to Beirut and back & two days there, plus an extravagant amount of money but it was worth it and more.

First info : Beirut is a danger zone... because of its drivers ! Pity though, because in spite of being deeply scarred the city is beautiful and best discovered by walking through its more secret streets.

Second, the people are unbelievably welcoming and touchingly grateful when you come to Lebanon in spite of the troubles (just a little machine gun firing at night, coming from far away, nothing to write home about and to stop you from going there, you'll love it).

I had the privilege to attend Mika's press conference which, in spite of the stately room it took place in, had a village hall meeting atmosphere : kids running all over the place, playing with the mikes, happily fighting each other on the carpet while their mothers chatted away (they did relax and take it easy) but it was rather sweet.

In dire need of a vacation Mika, when he arrived, looked rather drawn and tense but as soon as the press conference began he was his usual self, very much in command, giving each question due consideration before answering it carefully and with surgical precision ; let it be known : Mr Penniman is a tough guy. He had to reject two very kind offers : a proposal from a lady journalist and the mobile phone a little boy wanted to give him to replace his own, which is broken (please, do not each of you send him a cell phone or he will have to move to a much bigger place !)

His "mafia" was there, first and foremost his mother who, in spite of obviously being exhausted, had a kind word and a radiant smile for everybody who approached her ; the five Pennimans are very lucky indeed.

The gig started more than one hour late (the Lebanese way, a friend of mine from Beirut told me).

I was in the front row of the sitting area (a sponsor had chickened out and I got his seat) but I wish I had been standing in front of the stage, that's where the action is.

Technically it was not his best concert (in my view, the Werchter one remains the best gig ever) : shortish set, rather small stage... but to say, like Mika, that the atmosphere was electric is the understatement of the century. There was so much love coming up from the audience that it enveloped the whole venue in a kind of warm weil or breeze... words fail me, those of you who were there will know what I mean. And the crowd went wild, of course. Five middle age ladies were sitting next to me, one of them apparently a minister in the new government, and they were very dignified at first, legs elegantly crossed, smiling sweetly and sedately but after the fourth of fifth song they had nearly reached chair-breaking point and were shaking it like everybody else. Awesome ! As for the artists, I truly believe they were levitating ; actually I swear I could see them moving a couple of inches above the stage and I had not been drinking.

I wanted to thank Mika on behalf of my mother (see above) and his tour manager had told me at the press conference that I could see him after the show but for security reasons he left the venue just after the encore (which he hardly managed to sing, the audience doing it for him !)

Still I can say "I was there" although three days later it still feels slightly unreal, like some experience from an entirely different plane.

I taped a good quarter of an hour of the press conference and at least three songs during the show but I am rubbish at anything even mildly technical. If one of you could tell me how to make a mobile phone recording pass onto a portable computer then onto the forum (stop it, one shouldn't laugh at an intellectually handicapped person !) let them give me some instructions on the forum or leave their email or phone number so that I can get in touch with them, I would be so happy to share it with everybody, not many of you could make it to Beirut on that day and the recordings I have seen on utube so far are scarce and short.

Thank you for the great pictures of the gig.

So long,

Marie-Thérèse'

I told you, she is hopeless !

Marie-Andrée

First I must tell the MFC members that I very recently had the opportunity to realize how genuinely good and immensely generous Mica Penniman is. It is so touching that I can't wait to share it with you but it might embarrass him to see it publicized so I must wait for his go-ahead to tell you about it.

Second, my daughter has -once again- screwed up her registration... forgotten her password or something, she is hopeless !

So I generously give her my space to report on the Beirut gig. Here it comes :

'I have just spent two days travelling to Beirut and back & two days there, plus an extravagant amount of money but it was worth it and more.

First info : Beirut is a danger zone... because of its drivers ! Pity though, because in spite of being deeply scarred the city is beautiful and best discovered by walking through its more secret streets.

Second, the people are unbelievably welcoming and touchingly grateful when you come to Lebanon in spite of the troubles (just a little machine gun firing at night, coming from far away, nothing to write home about and to stop you from going there, you'll love it).

I had the privilege to attend Mika's press conference which, in spite of the stately room it took place in, had a village hall meeting atmosphere : kids running all over the place, playing with the mikes, happily fighting each other on the carpet while their mothers chatted away (they did relax and take it easy) but it was rather sweet.

In dire need of a vacation Mika, when he arrived, looked rather drawn and tense but as soon as the press conference began he was his usual self, very much in command, giving each question due consideration before answering it carefully and with surgical precision ; let it be known : Mr Penniman is a tough guy. He had to reject two very kind offers : a proposal from a lady journalist and the mobile phone a little boy wanted to give him to replace his own, which is broken (please, do not each of you send him a cell phone or he will have to move to a much bigger place !)

His "mafia" was there, first and foremost his mother who, in spite of obviously being exhausted, had a kind word and a radiant smile for everybody who approached her ; the five Pennimans are very lucky indeed.

The gig started more than one hour late (the Lebanese way, a friend of mine from Beirut told me).

I was in the front row of the sitting area (a sponsor had chickened out and I got his seat) but I wish I had been standing in front of the stage, that's where the action is.

Technically it was not his best concert (in my view, the Werchter one remains the best gig ever) : shortish set, rather small stage... but to say, like Mika, that the atmosphere was electric is the understatement of the century. There was so much love coming up from the audience that it enveloped the whole venue in a kind of warm veil or breeze... words fail me, those of you who were there will know what I mean. And the crowd went wild, of course. Five middle age ladies were sitting next to me, one of them apparently a minister in the new government, and they were very dignified at first, legs elegantly crossed, smiling sweetly and sedately but after the fourth of fifth song they had nearly reached chair-breaking point and were shaking it like everybody else. Awesome ! As for the artists, I truly believe they were levitating ; actually I swear I could see them moving a couple of inches above the stage and I had not been drinking.

I wanted to thank Mika on behalf of my mother (see above) and his tour manager had told me at the press conference that I could see him after the show but for security reasons he left the venue just after the encore (which he hardly managed to sing, the audience doing it for him !)

Still I can say "I was there" although three days later it still feels slightly unreal, like some experience from an entirely different plane.

I taped a good quarter of an hour of the press conference and at least three songs during the show but I am rubbish at anything even mildly technical. If one of you could tell me how to make a mobile phone recording pass onto a portable computer then onto the forum (stop it, one shouldn't laugh at an intellectually handicapped person !) let them give me some instructions on the forum or leave their email or phone number so that I can get in touch with them, I would be so happy to share it with everybody, not many of you could make it to Beirut on that day and the recordings I have seen on utube so far are scarce and short.

Thank you for the great pictures of the gig.

So long,

Marie-Thérèse'

I told you, she is hopeless !

Marie-Andrée

Thank you so much for sharing your experience (both of you:bleh:), you made me feel like I was actually there. I understand you don't want to tell anything regarding Mica without asking him first. One word only: I don't think we need any proof of his generosity, we all have it everyday (at least I do!). I'm so happy you both enjoyed so much.

As for the mobile footage, you can pass it onto the PC via bluetooth (if you have that in the phone and the computer. I have this lillet USB thingy I plug in my laptop and connect with the phone). I'm sure somebody else will give you detailed instructions, I'm not that tecnified either!

First I must tell the MFC members that I very recently had the opportunity to realize how genuinely good and immensely generous Mica Penniman is. It is so touching that I can't wait to share it with you but it might embarrass him to see it publicized so I must wait for his go-ahead to tell you about it.

Second, my daughter has -once again- screwed up her registration... forgotten her password or something, she is hopeless !

So I generously give her my space to report on the Beirut gig. Here it comes :

'I have just spent two days travelling to Beirut and back & two days there, plus an extravagant amount of money but it was worth it and more.

First info : Beirut is a danger zone... because of its drivers ! Pity though, because in spite of being deeply scarred the city is beautiful and best discovered by walking through its more secret streets.

Second, the people there are unbelievably welcoming and touchingly grateful when you come to Lebanon in spite of the troubles (just a little machine gun firing at night, coming from far away, nothing to write home about and to stop you from going there, you'll love it).

I had the privilege to attend Mika's press conference which, in spite of the stately room it took place in, had a village hall meeting atmosphere : kids running all over the place, playing with the mikes, happily fighting each other on the carpet, while their mothers chatted away (they did relax and take it easy) but it was rather sweet.

In dire need of a vacation Mika, when he arrived, looked rather drawn and tense but as soon as the press conference began he was his usual self, very much in command, giving each question due consideration before answering it carefully and with surgical precision ; let it be known : Mr Penniman is a tough guy. He had to reject two very kind offers : a proposal from a lady journalist and the mobile phone a little boy wanted to give him to replace his own, which is broken (please, do not each of you send him a cell phone or he will have to move to a much bigger place !)

His "mafia" was there, first and foremost his mother who, in spite of obviously being exhausted, had a kind word and a radiant smile for everybody who approached her ; the five Pennimans are very lucky indeed.

The gig started more than one hour late (the Lebanese way, a friend of mine from Beirut told me).

I was in the front row of the sitting area (a sponsor had chickened out and I got his seat) but I wish I had been standing in front of the stage, that's where the action is.

Technically it was not his best concert (in my view, the Werchter one remains the best gig ever) : shortish set, rather small stage... but to say, like Mika, that the atmosphere was electric is the understatement of the century. There was so much love coming up from the audience that it enveloped the whole venue in a kind of warm veil or breeze... words fail me, those of you who were there will know what I mean. And the crowd went wild, of course. Five middle age ladies were sitting next to me, one of them apparently a minister in the new government, and they were very dignified at first, legs elegantly crossed, smiling sweetly and sedately but after the fourth of fifth song they had nearly reached chair-breaking point and were shaking it like everybody else. Awesome ! As for the artists, I truly believe they were levitating ; actually I swear I could see them moving a couple of inches above the stage and I had not been drinking.

I wanted to thank Mika on behalf of my mother (see above) and his tour manager had told me at the press conference that I could see him after the show but for security reasons he left the venue just after the encore (which he hardly managed to sing, the audience doing it for him !)

Still I can say "I was there" although three days later it still feels slightly unreal, like some experience from an entirely different plane.

I taped a good quarter of an hour of the press conference and at least three songs during the show but I am rubbish at anything even mildly technical. If one of you could tell me how to make a mobile phone recording pass onto a portable computer then onto the forum (stop it, one shouldn't laugh at an intellectually handicapped person !) let them give me some instructions on the forum or leave their email or phone number so that I can get in touch with them, I would be so happy to share it with everybody, not many of you could make it to Beirut on that day and the recordings I have seen on utube so far are scarce and short.

Thank you for the great pictures of the gig.

So long,

Marie-Thérèse'

I told you, she is hopeless !

Marie-Andrée

wow Marie-Thérèse.... what a beautiful gig report!

you write beautifully

(and thanks Marie-Andrée for letting her use your member ID )

my favorite pictures of the press conference is the ones where you see the children on the floor.

i am not able to help you with the uploading of your interview/movies etc.... but i can't wait to see them!

Merci encore une fois! xx

1. Mika in Beirut – Pre Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrENGt30OR0

2. Mika in Beirut – Love Today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiENXVTyapo

3. Mika in Beirut – Big Girls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55KzhyTRO6o

4. Mika in Beirut – I just can’t Get Enough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1jQADzvnms

5. Mika in Beirut – Stuck in the Middle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGy2nLdTtMo

6. Mika in Beirut - In Any Other World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vGiyswUsdE

7. Mika in Beirut – Relax (take it easy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TM3lEDXtiU

8. Mika in Beirut – Grace Kelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpQ3R7cScsA

9. Mika in Beirut – Thanking the Lebanese Audience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-OTzc26oQk

10. Mika in Beirut – Relax Encore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXMMvaqY5Bw

11. Mika in Beirut – End of the Concert (fireworks) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDAFzv_pCM

12. Mika in Beirut – Love Today (drums) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRYf6jtLB9w

13. Mika in Beirut – Lillipop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYubdTVxQvQ

14. Mika in Beirut – Holy Johhny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFalvwyRWrA

15. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “My Interpretation” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXd-kHjOo_w

16. Mika in Beirut – Speaks Lebanese and introduces “Big Girls” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRyUs6vna44

wawwwww THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!

love the end of any other world and stuck in the middle!!

FABULOUS!!

First I must tell the MFC members that I very recently had the opportunity to realize how genuinely good and immensely generous Mica Penniman is. It is so touching that I can't wait to share it with you but it might embarrass him to see it publicized so I must wait for his go-ahead to tell you about it.

 

Second, my daughter has -once again- screwed up her registration... forgotten her password or something, she is hopeless !

So I generously give her my space to report on the Beirut gig. Here it comes :

 

'I have just spent two days travelling to Beirut and back & two days there, plus an extravagant amount of money but it was worth it and more.

First info : Beirut is a danger zone... because of its drivers ! Pity though, because in spite of being deeply scarred the city is beautiful and best discovered by walking through its more secret streets.

Second, the people are unbelievably welcoming and touchingly grateful when you come to Lebanon in spite of the troubles (just a little machine gun firing at night, coming from far away, nothing to write home about and to stop you from going there, you'll love it).

 

I had the privilege to attend Mika's press conference which, in spite of the stately room it took place in, had a village hall meeting atmosphere : kids running all over the place, playing with the mikes, happily fighting each other on the carpet while their mothers chatted away (they did relax and take it easy) but it was rather sweet.

In dire need of a vacation Mika, when he arrived, looked rather drawn and tense but as soon as the press conference began he was his usual self, very much in command, giving each question due consideration before answering it carefully and with surgical precision ; let it be known : Mr Penniman is a tough guy. He had to reject two very kind offers : a proposal from a lady journalist and the mobile phone a little boy wanted to give him to replace his own, which is broken (please, do not each of you send him a cell phone or he will have to move to a much bigger place !)

His "mafia" was there, first and foremost his mother who, in spite of obviously being exhausted, had a kind word and a radiant smile for everybody who approached her ; the five Pennimans are very lucky indeed.

 

The gig started more than one hour late (the Lebanese way, a friend of mine from Beirut told me).

I was in the front row of the sitting area (a sponsor had chickened out and I got his seat) but I wish I had been standing in front of the stage, that's where the action is.

Technically it was not his best concert (in my view, the Werchter one remains the best gig ever) : shortish set, rather small stage... but to say, like Mika, that the atmosphere was electric is the understatement of the century. There was so much love coming up from the audience that it enveloped the whole venue in a kind of warm veil or breeze... words fail me, those of you who were there will know what I mean. And the crowd went wild, of course. Five middle age ladies were sitting next to me, one of them apparently a minister in the new government, and they were very dignified at first, legs elegantly crossed, smiling sweetly and sedately but after the fourth of fifth song they had nearly reached chair-breaking point and were shaking it like everybody else. Awesome ! As for the artists, I truly believe they were levitating ; actually I swear I could see them moving a couple of inches above the stage and I had not been drinking.

I wanted to thank Mika on behalf of my mother (see above) and his tour manager had told me at the press conference that I could see him after the show but for security reasons he left the venue just after the encore (which he hardly managed to sing, the audience doing it for him !)

Still I can say "I was there" although three days later it still feels slightly unreal, like some experience from an entirely different plane.

 

I taped a good quarter of an hour of the press conference and at least three songs during the show but I am rubbish at anything even mildly technical. If one of you could tell me how to make a mobile phone recording pass onto a portable computer then onto the forum (stop it, one shouldn't laugh at an intellectually handicapped person !) let them give me some instructions on the forum or leave their email or phone number so that I can get in touch with them, I would be so happy to share it with everybody, not many of you could make it to Beirut on that day and the recordings I have seen on utube so far are scarce and short.

Thank you for the great pictures of the gig.

 

So long,

 

Marie-Thérèse'

 

I told you, she is hopeless !

 

Marie-Andrée

Thank you for sharing this with us!!!

Glad you've enjoyed the gig and Beirut!!

and the most dangerous thing in Beirut is driven ........but we get used to it after several weeks spent there héhé.

 

First I must tell the MFC members that I very recently had the opportunity to realize how genuinely good and immensely generous Mica Penniman is. It is so touching that I can't wait to share it with you but it might embarrass him to see it publicized so I must wait for his go-ahead to tell you about it.

 

Second, my daughter has -once again- screwed up her registration... forgotten her password or something, she is hopeless !

So I generously give her my space to report on the Beirut gig. Here it comes :

 

'I have just spent two days travelling to Beirut and back & two days there, plus an extravagant amount of money but it was worth it and more.

First info : Beirut is a danger zone... because of its drivers ! Pity though, because in spite of being deeply scarred the city is beautiful and best discovered by walking through its more secret streets.

Second, the people there are unbelievably welcoming and touchingly grateful when you come to Lebanon in spite of the troubles (just a little machine gun firing at night, coming from far away, nothing to write home about and to stop you from going there, you'll love it).

 

I had the privilege to attend Mika's press conference which, in spite of the stately room it took place in, had a village hall meeting atmosphere : kids running all over the place, playing with the mikes, happily fighting each other on the carpet, while their mothers chatted away (they did relax and take it easy) but it was rather sweet.

In dire need of a vacation Mika, when he arrived, looked rather drawn and tense but as soon as the press conference began he was his usual self, very much in command, giving each question due consideration before answering it carefully and with surgical precision ; let it be known : Mr Penniman is a tough guy. He had to reject two very kind offers : a proposal from a lady journalist and the mobile phone a little boy wanted to give him to replace his own, which is broken (please, do not each of you send him a cell phone or he will have to move to a much bigger place !)

His "mafia" was there, first and foremost his mother who, in spite of obviously being exhausted, had a kind word and a radiant smile for everybody who approached her ; the five Pennimans are very lucky indeed.

 

The gig started more than one hour late (the Lebanese way, a friend of mine from Beirut told me).

I was in the front row of the sitting area (a sponsor had chickened out and I got his seat) but I wish I had been standing in front of the stage, that's where the action is.

Technically it was not his best concert (in my view, the Werchter one remains the best gig ever) : shortish set, rather small stage... but to say, like Mika, that the atmosphere was electric is the understatement of the century. There was so much love coming up from the audience that it enveloped the whole venue in a kind of warm veil or breeze... words fail me, those of you who were there will know what I mean. And the crowd went wild, of course. Five middle age ladies were sitting next to me, one of them apparently a minister in the new government, and they were very dignified at first, legs elegantly crossed, smiling sweetly and sedately but after the fourth of fifth song they had nearly reached chair-breaking point and were shaking it like everybody else. Awesome ! As for the artists, I truly believe they were levitating ; actually I swear I could see them moving a couple of inches above the stage and I had not been drinking.

I wanted to thank Mika on behalf of my mother (see above) and his tour manager had told me at the press conference that I could see him after the show but for security reasons he left the venue just after the encore (which he hardly managed to sing, the audience doing it for him !)

Still I can say "I was there" although three days later it still feels slightly unreal, like some experience from an entirely different plane.

 

I taped a good quarter of an hour of the press conference and at least three songs during the show but I am rubbish at anything even mildly technical. If one of you could tell me how to make a mobile phone recording pass onto a portable computer then onto the forum (stop it, one shouldn't laugh at an intellectually handicapped person !) let them give me some instructions on the forum or leave their email or phone number so that I can get in touch with them, I would be so happy to share it with everybody, not many of you could make it to Beirut on that day and the recordings I have seen on utube so far are scarce and short.

Thank you for the great pictures of the gig.

 

So long,

 

Marie-Thérèse'

 

I told you, she is hopeless !

 

Marie-Andrée

This for me is the quote of the tour!!!:roftl:

And Racha, where's this video of Andy you promised me?

Don't worry about duplicates... i think it's easier 4 people to look at the main page rather go through the whole thread:thumb_yello:

Yes thats true, and thats why I've been continously updating the front page with new stuff as they arrive.

What I meant is that when you were posting the videos bit by bit I was updating the front page with them. Now that Niki posted your whole list, I deleted the ones I posted before (which basically are the same but just not all in one list) to avoid duplication.