silver

Life is not a dress rehearsal, as they say, so I will continue to indulge my inner teenager.

Laurel - you think you've got problems, I am a responsible grown oldling and keep thinking I should be way out of this "infatuated with pop stars" phase. But then I keep having flashbacks of Mika bouncing across the stage, singing just a few feet away, those lovely curls … and I just melt.

So, my first Mika gig. Support band Palladium: well, they might have been good but it was hard to tell – TOO LOUD MAN. Don’t know who was doing their mixing but the vocals were generally drowned out by the instruments. In truth we just wanted Mika, and he didn't disappoint. From the moment he started "Relax" it was clear we were in a for a great night. His voice was a bit strained, you could hear he had a sore throat when he was speaking, but he still managed to hit most of those high notes with ease. Everyone in the crowd seemed so happy singing along that I even enjoyed the songs that I like least on the album – SITM, Big Girl and Billy Brown. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the arrangement of Holy Johnny, I prefer just Mika with Martin's guitar – much edgier. Wonderful piano playing on Any Other World (though there were a lot of people chattering through this, presumably because they weren't familiar with the song - I kept wanting to tell then to shut up); a frenetic version of Ring Ring; the soaring notes of Happy Ending (though I think we need to work on our gospel singing) , and best of all Love Today. The singing, the drumming, the crowd participation, all combined to make this an outstanding performance. Being vertically challenged I couldn't see all of the action taking place on stage so the whole Gray Skelly thing was a bit lost on me. But Lollipop just finished things off to perfection. I may have ended up with no voice, aching knees, bruised ribs and crushed toes but it was so worth it. But it was all over too quickly. I can see why people go to watch him over and over again. And outside, talking to people who admitted they hadn't really been into Mika before, it was clear he had won more converts. And yes, Saranayde – teenage boys seemed to think she was great, but the general female reaction was "Saranayde? What's the point? Just give us more Mika".

Quick first reaction to my first Mika gig - totally utterly amazing - a real party! But over far too quickly - I need more.

And that's what I thought too - especially as John moved us all to one side and then Mika was on the other side of the van so we couldn't even see him.

Yes, it seems quite likely, though there are two versions of her album out so that might confuse things . Personally I don't think much of her, and I thought she was very average performing at The Brits

I will try to give my first report of a Mika gig and let you all know how it was. (but don't expect any photos because I know I will be a long way back from the stage).

Not only LICM back into the Top ten albums, but Grace Kelly is back in the Top 40 singles:thumb_yello:

AMP - sorry to hear about your cat but glad she is getting better.

Hello any Oldlings in, just popped in for quick visit but have to go and pack soon. Still calm but a little shaky now (and inside it's "OMG! OMG! it's tomorrow I''m seeing Mika tomorrow":mf_lustslow: :eek: ) Not that I'm excited in any way ...

I will be the one wearing lots of MFC badges wandering round with an inane grin on my face

Have to go now (need to check that my ticket hasn't dematerialised, haven't looked at it for at least a couple of hours). I am sure I will be able to find you all, I shall just look out for flashing hearts, penguins, feather boas etc Good night oldlings, and if anyone can sleep, sweet dreams

You might not want to know me ......

(Sigh) Sou'wester - check! This is probably my fault because I am infamous for taking rain with me whenever I go anywhere. At work they even ask for my holiday dates so they can avoid those weeks.

I'm staying at a hotel near Paddington - The Royal Cambridge I think - so that I can leave for Reading early(ish) in the morning as I have to go to work.

hello Oldlings, how can you stand this? So close to Hammersmith now , I'm trying to stay calm but inside I'm I don't know how I'm going to get through work on Monday. But have decided to stay in London overnight rather than have to rush away and miss meeting you all (and hopefully Mika too please please please)

Good afternoon oldlings, see everyone is busy with preparations for London, keeping everything crossed that he doesn't cancel. But I will be so glad on Tuesday when I can finally get some SLEEP:hypo:

Hi Carrie, Wendi et al At least I should recognise some of you at Hammersmith now I've seen the MFC vid

Hello everyone, trying to catch up again! Especially with the Youtube stuff.

i think it's great too:thumb_yello:

Yeah Leonita, leave this thread for an instant and when you get back there's pages more stuff to read. Some of us Oldlings find it hard to keep up:wheelchair:

Hi oldlings, looks like I've logged in just when everyone has gone again. Still can't believe that Mark Ronson won British Male Solo Artist over Mika. Still he's got one more Brit than Leona.

Thanks Wendi

If anyone can text or phone AnnaMariaPetra, i have told her the wrong time for The Brits, Britain is on GMT at the moment not one hour ahead like I said, been worrying about it all day.