AmelieCharlotte

20 minutes ago, Hero said:

Cheltenham was extraordinary, what a fantastic start to this year's gigs! So much energy and good vibes. 

 

I arrived Tuesday afternoon. You'd think being in the UK the journey would be simple, but no, my first train was delayed so I missed my connection and had to buy another ticket for the 2nd leg. Ah, well worth it for Mika. 😍

At Cheltenham I quickly met Anna who was staying in the same hotel. We had a delicious dinner at an Indian restaurant, then took a walk to scope out the venue.  The tent looked quite small from the outside, we wondered how they'd fit us all in! 

 

The next morning broke fair, and after a quick walk I again met with Anna. We made our way back to the venue, where we met up with the other MFCers. So lovely to see everybody again! We hung around in the park while other fans joined us, and discovered one of the security guys was actually a fan of Mika, which was why he'd applied for the job! So nice to hear, and we all immediately felt more relaxed knowing there was a kindred spirit on the other side of the fence. 😄

 

It was still too early for Mika to be there, so after a bit of emergency shopping (🤭) we met up at Ask Italian restaurant, opposite the venue, for a tasty dinner. We were about 11 people at this point. It was so nice to see everyone chatting and laughing in good spirits. 🥰

 

Afterwards we went back to the tent, and more fans arrived. We moved round to the artists entrance on the side road, and chatted as various vehicles came and went, each time with us watching 'discreetly' through the gaps in the fence. Thinking it was probably still too early for the soundcheck, we discussed going back to our hotels to get changed and reconvene. As we were chatting, a car pulled up to the gate, looking nothing like a car we would expect to see him in. The nearside window wound down, and there he was! His beaming smile, saying hello to us! 😍🥰 Everyone else was cool and said "Oh hi! Hello!". For some reason I let out a surprised and cringe-inducing "Ooooaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!"  Sorry Mika.

 

He drove in, then came back to the gate as a couple of girls called him over. One of them had 2 vinyl albums - LICM and MNIMH - which he happily signed for her. After a quick chat and a couple of photos, he headed into the tent. Everyone was on cloud nine, it was a lovely and unexpected moment that really set us up for the evening to come. The girl with the records was so emotional, she said it was the first time she'd met him. How lovely! 😍

 

At this point most of us returned to our rooms to get ready for the gig. I waited for Prisca, who I was sharing a room with that night, who was on the coach from the airport but delayed due to a big traffic jam. She finally arrived, we said hello, and as it turned out she was still ready for the gig before me. 🤣🤣

 

Back at the venue, we found a group of fans waiting at the artists entrance, and could hear the soundcheck inside. Anna was round the front of the tent doing a livestream of the soundcheck for fans who couldn't attend. 

We all regrouped and went to the front of the tent, where we found that even though it was a seated gig, we would still have to queue for a bit as they weren't quite ready to open the doors yet. 

 

At this point I say a big thank you to Michelle, who sold me her spare Row F ticket which halved my distance from the stage, and an equally big thank you to Karin, who had kindly obtained 4 Mika x Pilot pens and brought them from Germany for me. Thank you ladies!! 😘🥰

 

After some waiting around, the doors finally opened and we were able to go in. I was surprised at the lack of security, there were NO bag checks taking place, and the ticket check was just to see if it said "Mika". It meant we got in more quickly, but after going through bag searches and forbidden items at other gigs, this seemed quite lax. 

 

Entering the tent, I realised how deceptive the view from outside had been. This place was HUGE! I felt like I was walking into an arena. 🤣 I quickly found my seat and tried to spot other MFCers as the crowd piled in. I had a worrying moment when a big guy took the seat in front of me, but with a slight lean I still had a good view of the stage. 

 

Hearing the intro music start, my anticipation was through the roof, I didn't realise just how much I'd missed this. The band came on stage, then Mika came out, still in darkness, to a rapturous applause. A single spotlight on him, he told us the story of a defiant pink girl screwing up a perfectly grey town, leading us into Lollipop and an energetic start that would be maintained throughout most of the show. 

 

Most of the songs are a memory of "Oh, yes!" "Wow!" "Amazing" "oh, my god..." etc... 😁 Key moments - a flash of light and me realising the choit were also there (I hadn't seen them come on stage due to big guy in front of me),  after OOL when he had to dash off and change because his trousers were falling off him 🤣🤣🤣, introducing the surprise guest Nomfundoh and duetting Feels Like Fire 😍, introducing and singing the lovely One More Dance together, him dancing in the crowd for Big Girl and the 2000 stars of Underwater, everyone - even the older jazz oriented guys - getting up to dance, the explosive performances on the stage, his gentle modesty, humour and warmth lifting everyone. Hearing Billy Brown, Popular and Rain made a nice switch, and the classics were performed with zeal. There was a moment during Happy Ending where he seemed to be having difficulty with a technical fault, but it was quickly sorted. I was happy to see the cloak and crown return for WAG, and the energy of the Love Today encore was life-giving. 

 

The crowd's applause was rapturous, with foot stamping, deafening cheers and whistles. He exited on the Yoyo remix and, being stuck in the row centre, I had another little dance then made my way to other MFCers in the front of stage. Everybody was in awe at what we'd just experienced. Heading back to the artists entrance, we kept hearing words like 'amazing' 'incredible' 'brilliant'. Even those who had been dragged along by friends were saying how much they enjoyed it. 

 

At the gate, we didn't have long to wait before he came out. We thought it would be from behind the gate, but no, he had them opened and came to stand with everyone! 😍 Some signing and chatting (and a group selfie) later, he thanked us all for coming, then got into the waiting car and was driven off to calls of 'thank you'. A wonderful end to the day.

 

But I had another little OMG moment in store. Up on cloud nine again (had I left? I'm not sure!) I turned to see Andy and Adam walking past. Surprised, as I thought they would have been in the car, I caught Andy's eye and said how much I was loving Epirus Falls, it was fantastic. He grinned, said thank you very much, pleased to meet you, and held his hand out to me to shake! I got an Andy hand shake!  Such a sweet guy. 😍

 

Afterwards a few of us dashed off for a quick comedown drink before the bars closed, then caught up with Karin to wish her a Happy Birthday, before saying our goodbyes and heading back to hotels. 

 

That night I had a near miss in the hotel. A picture above the bed fell off the wall and landed with a loud bang, directly on the pillow where my head had been just 2 minutes earlier! Not quite the scare I needed before going to sleep!

 

The next morning I ached so much from all the dancing, but in a good way. 😁 I was also more tired than I realised, as on the train back I fell asleep and missed my connecting stop. 🤣 I had to hop off at the next station, and buy a new ticket for the second leg. Again. 😅 With 2 new train tickets and a new gig ticket, I've almost paid twice for this gig! Meh, it was worth it. It was a fantastic gig, an incredible evening which I'll remember for a long time, and it was worth every second. To the point where I'm now thinking, hmm, maybe I can get to Bristol somehow... 🤣

 

 

That's a brilliant summary of the gig, thank you! It was so lovely to meet you & chat 

I was saying to someone yesterday that all the husband/boyfriends who looked like they'd been dragged along by their wives were the ones who I heard afterwards saying how amazing it was. The Mika effect!

The other day? Or does Mika move extraordinarily fast? https://www.instagram.com/p/CrjIKOTB8xP/

The whole evening was magical, from meeting MFC’ers, to the gig & meeting Mika afterwards 💕 I can honestly say that it was the best concert I’ve ever been to (move over PSB 🤣)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrhC__Csfi2/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrhDFjQM-pw/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

3 minutes ago, kath said:

Amelie- if you are 25 mins south of Glasgow you can’t be far from us in south Ayrshire 👍

Strathaven 😊

1 hour ago, Gabry74 said:

I'm selling an extra ticket for this evening in Cheltenham!! Row L Seat 1 Section Stalls!! Write me if you are interested!!

I messaged you!

7 hours ago, kath said:

Hi

myself and my friend, Donna- a first timer!, fly into Bristol from Glasgow at about 2.30 on Wednesday then Make our way to Cheltenham by train. Our guest house is apparently just around the corner from the venue. We will check in then make our way straight there but I’m not sure what time it will be. Would be nice if we were in time to meet up with you all. X 

I'm getting the train from Glasgow about 9am (I'm about 25 miles south really) down to Cheltenham & get there about 3.30. Meeting daughter & a friend who works for the festival. I joked that we could go to The Ivy for dinner, daughter booked it bless her. Told her to un-book it as I will be too nervous to enjoy it  

I just checked my trains & I'm not there until 5. I'll have to catch up with you all!

He's in the dressing up box marked 'Cheltenham' 

9 hours ago, TinyLove_CJ said:

 

Really not keen on buses/coaches (don't ask...), no matter how cheap they are...

 

I will continue manifesting for Mika to come further north! 

How far north are you? Last October I overnighted from my village to Glasgow & then to London on the Megabus for a Max Richter concert. By 3pm I was feeling so ill with tiredness & then had to get the train back that night. Never again, I'm too old for that 

Today's TikTok 

Cooking for friends 

5 minutes ago, crazyaboutmika said:

 Now I want to eat by the pool  and jump in the pool

But do you have a pool?!

Oooh! Wondering if I can justify another trip south! 

14 minutes ago, Anna Ko Kolkowska said:

Yes. Yuja Wang on piano. They will play Sibelius, Lindberg and Tchaikovsky.

Sorry for my mis-spelling Lindberg  

3 minutes ago, Anna Ko Kolkowska said:

So Mika is back to Europe. Precisely to Paris.

Here is his new story. With a Finnish conductor Klaus Makela.

 

Intriguing! I know that Klaus is doing Linberg with Yuja Wang sometime this week in Paris 

4 hours ago, Hero said:

Are you familiar with the gasmics thread? Something tells me you'd enjoy it. 

 

Wait, how old are you? Eh, old enough if you're typing comments like that. 

 

Forever 21 

23 hours ago, mellody said:

 

Fab, please come and say Hi if you see us! I think most of us will arrive the evening before. We don't have any plans yet for the gig day (I think? Or did I miss anything @holdingyourdrink ? ), as it's seated, so we won't be queueing... but maybe we all can meet up for brunch or lunch somewhere? I don't know if anyone on here has been in Cheltenham before and knows some good places... I also don't know if the festival site is open during the day? All the events there only seem to be starting on the weekend.  Anyway, I'm sure we'll find somewhere to meet up before the gig, maybe just spontaneously, and then we can post here where you can find us.

Excellent! I have a friend who lives in Cheltenham so I'll ask her the best places to go. I'll be down about 3 something from Glasgow, it is literally a flying visit, but so so worth it! 

48 minutes ago, Mikasister said:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq3e7QeuWlS/

 

mikainstagram

 

Hello from Miami! An amazing few days spent with family and friends but also a really creative time. I have been working on the staging, visuals, costumes and setlist for the live shows which start just a few weeks from now with a sold out gig at Cheltenham Jazz Festival before I head over to Asia for shows in Japan and Seoul! I've also been doing some writing in the studio and can't wait to get new music out there. Too many things to discuss but I just wanted to send you all a big hug and can't wait to see you on the road very soon❤️❤️

That is one lucky tree 

I posted this on another thread but it should be here - I'd love to meet you all who are going to Cheltenham 

1 hour ago, mellody said:

 

Yes. I think we'll have to evaluate this further in Cheltenham, with live demonstrations.

 

It'd be lovely to meet you all in Cheltenham 

11 hours ago, SusanT said:

Well, I've just discovered something about myself thanks to Mika. 😄  I am unable to bend my pinkie like he does to make number 4 ( 3's no problem instead). 

 

I can bend my little finger on my right, but not left. Something I only learnt today too!

Three weeks today *starts hyperventilating* 

16 minutes ago, Hero said:

Apart from Mika, Louboutin and the Prince, I have no idea who these people are. 

 

 

Glad it's not just me who doesn't know 

6 hours ago, Mikasister said:

Mika stories

I wish I looked this good when I roll out of bed  

Hi, I'm so glad I found you. I booked my ticket last night & not seeing a seating plan is so frustrating! Thought I'd gotten row U but looking at my ticket now, it's a W :/ but at least it's an aisle seat!