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Hero

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    2023 - Mika @ Bristol Sounds Festival, UK, 21 June REPORTS / VIDS / PICS

    in Concert Reviews

    Posted

    44 minutes ago, dcdeb said:

    Lots of meet & greet photos from Mika's photographer -- several of the final group shot, because there was not one where everyone's eyes were open at the same time! If you're good at photoshop maybe you can take all the different versions and make one perfect one! LOL!  (Bonus points for anyone who can photoshop out my wrinkles double chin !)

    Thank you Deb! 

    I was stood sideways as I was trying to get to the back so I didn't block anyone, I hadn't realised we were already doing it! :doh: Hence my 'over my shoulder' gurning. :naughty:

    And sorry Cynthia, I had no idea you were behind me - I promise I wasn't turning my back on you! :no:

    • Like 2

    2023 - Mika @ Bristol Sounds Festival, UK, 21 June REPORTS / VIDS / PICS

    in Concert Reviews

    Posted

    Bristol, you were magnificent! 

    My experience started on Tuesday, after taking Martha to the cattery (she gets a holiday too!) I got to the train station with an hour to spare, thinking I could get something to eat in the station cafe before the 4.5 hour journey. Scratch that, turns out my first train was cancelled, and the next one would miss my connection. EEK!  The station staff directed me to a different train leaving, "um, NOW, QUICK, RUN!!"  Run?!:nervous: :dog: I made it, found a seat... then sat there for 20 minutes as they delayed it to wait for more passengers turning up for the cancelled train. :sneaky2: :lmfao:

    An hour later I grabbed a sandwich at the connecting station, and got the 2nd train. This at least was uneventful, and I arrived at Temple Meads about 4.30pm. Google said the hostel was a 15 minute walk away (ahahaha) so I set off with my trolley case trundling over the cobbles. 5 minutes later I realised I was going the wrong way :doh: so turned around. On the right path, it was quite easy to find the hostel, down on the harbourside just over the water from the venue. I met up with @Prisca who was sharing a room with me and Fanny, then went in search of a working cubicle for a much-needed shower. 

    After Fanny arrived we all headed to the restaurant for the MFC dinner, and met with the other fans. It was so lovely to see everybody again, and to meet some new faces. :lustslow: We were greeted with news that Mika had bought several bottles of Prosecco for us to enjoy! :wub2: Bless him, that got the evening started nicely. The food was delicious, and the staff and the venue were lovely. Then Deb let us know that she would be sending us an email, confirming that there was room for everyone at the dinner to be at the M&G with Mika after the gig! Oh WOW!! Could the evening get any better? Well, yes, as it happens...   After we'd eaten, the server brought the bill to the table and was directed to Deb. I'm sure you've seen it on social media by now, but instead of the bill there was a message from Mika... 

    20230620_224351.thumb.jpg.daa9f259d39c55ad7b42d250cad89180.jpg

     

    Oh my god, that man... :wub2: This was perfect, we were so surprised.  Even Deb had no idea. We all shared a beautiful moment of delight and wonder over our incredible guy. 

    After the dinner we walked up the road to scope out the venue. It was fenced off, but we could go down an access ramp and watch the light show as a technician worked late. Even from there, we could tell it would be a good space for the gig. We then returned to our various lodgings to try and get some decent sleep, in advance of queuing day - with much discussion about what time to set the alarm for. (6am? When's that? Are you mad?):naughty:

    -------‐-------------

    The next day dawned bright and early at 6am... :baghead: ... then 6.15am... then 6.30am... :lmfao:  We got ready, grabbed our supplies, and made the short walk to the queuing point. Fanny and Prisca had gone ahead of me, and when I got there Sarina had also arrived. Shortly after Nina arrived, and then Camille who had actually been there at the start, but sat in a different area. They were soon followed by Emily, Chiara, Karin, Deb, and the usual gang. We spread out on the pavement with various sheets and cushions. The blue sky was already promising a scorching day. 

    The chief security chap came over for a chat and kindly said they'd noted that we were here first, so they'd make sure we would keep our places when the gates opened. He also said there was a toilet in the gated off section that we could use, and handed out bottles of water! What a sweetheart. :glasses:

    After a quick trip to the local supermarket for some breakfast things, we settled down for a day of queuing and crafting. And what crafting! We had several people making paper flowers for the fan action (brilliant idea by @Anna Ko Kolkowska :clap:), beaded bracelets being made, and clothes being embroidered ready to wear for the gig! MFC are a talented bunch! 

    In the afternoon, it happened. Rain! Noooo!!! The security guys gave us some plastic bags to protect the paper flowers (again, such nice people!) and we scrabbled around trying to keep everything dry. Some dashed to the cafe for shelter, others put on waterproof ponchos, and others (hello!) didn't care as we'd soon dry off again. :teehee:

    We could hear music from the stage - it was the engineers doing their checks. A few of us clustered near the gate (still raining) and sang/shouted along to Love Today and (gasp!) Overrated! That caused a ripple of excitement, even if it wasn't played on the night we knew the setlist had been changed. 

    The rain stopped, people came back, and craft projects continued. New people were arriving regularly now, and it was pleasing to see the queue growing for Mika. ☺️ @goose arrived with the beautiful box she hand made for Mika, and everyone started writing letters to fill it. We saw the choir arrive and shared a friendly wave and smiles.  Then - nooooo! - more rain! More scurrying around keeping things dry, dashing for shelter, and rewriting soggy letters. 

    Eventually the rain stopped, and sunshine prevailed. It was obvious it would stay dry, so we got rid of the soggy messes and crafted replacements where needed. We watched as the band arrived and were sent round to the back gate, where the choir had gone. Then laughed when Max bounded up 10 minutes later, and was allowed straight through the main gate! I guess he knew the password. 😉

     

    About 4.30pm the security team started putting out queue barriers, and we saw the queue would be broken into 4 lines for entry. That made us nervous, but they took us into the lines in number order, ie no's 1-4 were the first person in each line. We then had a long wait stood in the bright sunshine. Why do festival organisers never consider shelter for queues? 

     

    Just before opening, the security chief said we would be walking behind him to the stage, maintaining our places, and anyone running would be sent back. This was mainly for safety as the path was over cobbles which were slippery after the rain. We were very happy to hear the plan, and you could feel some of the front row nerves dissipate. 

     

    At 6.30pm sharp, the site opened and they began to scan our tickets. Disaster, he couldn't read my ticket. We were trying all sorts to make it work. Finally the supervisor walked over, picked up the scanner, waved it at my ticket and bing! Entry allowed. What the heck? Faulty equipment or staff training needed!

     

    We grouped in our lines behind the security chief and he walked us steadily down the path, over the courtyard and right up to the stage! How cool was that? Everyone was so happy. 😄

     

    We had about 50 minutes wait while the crowd came in, and it was clear the place would be full - we'd seen the announcement Mika had posted just before that it was sold out. 🥳

     

    The support act was decent, he had a good voice but he didn't 'grab' me. Then again, when Mika's the standard, that's a pretty high bar. 😁 I dont know if it was a technical thing, but the drums seemed to be overly emphasised. Hello earplugs! The crowd liked him, and were singing along, responding to callouts. He rounded off with his cover of Robyn's hit "Dancing on my own" and I'm so glad, because that's the song that got him noticed and does actually speak to me a bit. For me, the emotion he puts into that one far exceeds the others. And that last note! I didn't think he was going to stop! The whole crowd were singing for that one. 😊

     

    Interval, and it seemed some more people arrived as the crowd swelled and we started to get some pushing from the rows behind us. One pushy screaming girl got very annoying very quickly. During the interval. The earplugs were needed again to block her out! Also, some people had large bags with them. Why?? Which were placed on the ground ready to catch the feet of anyone dancing. Again, why?? Can you say trip hazard?? Seriously guys, don't do that. No one wants to break their ankle on your luggage. 

     

    But overall, these were minor niggles. And if you thought the crowd was loud before... "I wanna talk to you" lifted the metaphorical roof. The band and choir came on to cheers, and then Mika strode out in his gorgeous sparkly green suit. The place went nuts. What a surge of energy, excitement and anticipation! Mika smiled at the crowd, then spotted the flowers and pointed at them with a big grin. Safe to say, he liked them! 🥰

     

    Others have commented on the songs and performance, and the videos are up, so I'll just add my personal highlights. (I know, I know... "finally" 😝) It's difficult because when it comes to Mika, his songs, his performances - so often I think I have the words, then find I have no words at all to adequately describe and express them. 

     

    Mika himself was incredible. A whirlwind of energy with a playful smile, witty chat and a heart of gold. He held the audience from the start and carried us with him through such an emotional and inspiring show. 

     

    Stand out moments - the beautiful suits. The giant flowers. The incredible floral piano (even if the sign fell down 🙈). The fireworks. His apology for treading on someone's pizza. 🤣 Billy Brown, and his speech at the end explaining the song's origins "Who's Billy Brown? I'M Billy Brown!" ❤  Jumping boy Jacob Jacob Jacob, and his reaction to Mika singing YoYo to him. Mika turning into a choir conductor for Underwater and making the crowd sing for him - all without saying one single word. 🤭 Last Party. Last Party! 😍 The entire crowd shouting "Love! Love! Love!" for Love Today. The now iconic cape dance and the tiger head. 

     

    Amazing. From start to finish. I was in a haze. 😍🥰🥳❤🧡💛💚💙💜💯💥💫

     

    Afterwards we followed Deb to the arranged point for his team to check us in for the M&G. I was given a wristband and allowed through the fence to the riverside, where we spotted and had a quick chat with Max, before he went to try and "steal a guitar from the stage". :lmfao: As we were waiting, Andy also dashed past with someone else, obviously on a mission. 

     

    We were herded into a tent with tables and chairs, and told that Mika would be here shortly. We were warned that it wouldn't be a long one because of the curfew, and asked to keep the noise down (ie no screaming). No problem! A few minutes later, in he came, looking dashing in his hat like he was on a gentle stroll through the park, and not at all like he'd just given everything both on and off stage for the last 90 minutes. 

    And I know we know this, and it's not the first time I've seen him close up, but wow this man is tall! 😅😍

     

    The M&G was short but sweet. He answered and asked some questions, signed some things, received some gifts (he loved the box of letters) and did a group photo. And throughout he was his usual, chatty, cheeky, slightly bemused self. I didn't get to speak to him, but that's probably best given that I was still in a haze! One day. 😉

     

    Afterwards, a group of us collapsed in the hotel bar where Deb, Karin and several other fans were staying, to have a birthday drink with Ani and have a post-show chat. That was the best cold cider and comfy sofa I've ever had. 😅 Prisca, Fanny and I then walked back to the hostel (well, they walked. I sort of shuffled. My hips and back were protesting painfully! 😬). 

     

    The next morning we said our goodbyes, and I  watched them leave for the airport to go to the Tilloloy gig (take me with you!! ) while I headed back to the train station. No cancellations this time (dammit), I arrived back uneventfully and collected Martha from the cattery. Got back home and collapsed into bed. 😅  

     

    The gig was awesome amazing, he was fantastic (natch), and I can't wait for Cattolica!

    • Like 13
    • Thanks 2

    2023 - Mika @ Bristol Sounds Festival, UK, 21 June REPORTS / VIDS / PICS

    in Concert Reviews

    Posted

    28 minutes ago, mellody said:

     

    I only noticed when watching the video that he added "bye bye sweetie banana" after that. :lmfao: So that at least answers the question whether that one will be on the album. :teehee: - maybe it's a hint that it'll be the first single - well, no surprise there, but it's sweet of him that he did add a little bit of a reply to my question. :lol3:

    I'm still chuckling at him thinking Rose was from Belgium! :lmfao:

    • Haha 5

    2023 - Mika @ Bristol Sounds Festival, UK, 21 June

    in Before the Show

    Posted

    1 hour ago, dcdeb said:

    Greetings from 30,000 feet! Another couple hours before my plane lands and I touch down in London! So excited I can’t stand it 

     

    All the paper flowers look great. I brought tissue paper so we’ll see what can make of that. 
     

    Real flowers have been ordered and are supposed to be delivered to Mika’s dressing room by mid-afternoon on Wednesday. Should look something like this only bigger!

     

    https://www.lesfleursbristol.co.uk/product-page/colourful-spring-bouquet-1
     

    looking forward to seeing a lot of you tomorrow night for PIZZA! And the rest of you on Wednesday for MIKA!

     

    Could this week get any better? :biggrin2:

    Oh wow, the flowers are gorgeous! He'll love them! :lustslow::wub2: Thank you Deb! :flowers2: 

    • Like 1

    2023 - Mika @ Bristol Sounds Festival, UK, 21 June

    in Before the Show

    Posted · Edited by Hero
    Tag

    27 minutes ago, kath said:

    Is it Tuesday or Wednesday that you are meeting for dinner? I can’t quite work it out - without reading the whole thread. X 

    Hi @kath

     

    Dinner is on Tuesday, 7pm at The Bristol Stable. We have a couple of spaces left, would you like to join us?

     

    I've sent the food pre-order, but let me know what you'd like and I'll see if they can add it. Otherwise you can order on the day, you just might be waiting a little longer. Menu here: TheStable_Food-Menu_Bristol_230612_154956.pdf

     

    Thanks.

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