2023 - Mika @ Cheltenham Jazz Festival, UK, 26 April REPORTS/PICS/VIDS

[kath]

This one has got the close up bit on. 

[holdingyourdrink]

4 minutes ago, kath said:

This one has got the close up bit on. 

Oh thank you for sharing!!! That’s such a beautiful close up!!!

 

I was actually a little bit scared for him, because being so close to the audience it also makes him target to be invaded in his personal space (ie touch him). It seemed the majority were quite respectful and left him alone, that’s good. 

[kath]

Yes absolutely. It is a very brave (and risky) thing to do. I have to admit that I touched him- and he responded by touching me back- but I do feel in a privileged position and am pretty certain that he didn’t feel that I was over stepping the mark. But my friend, standing next to me and at her first Mika gig, didn’t feel that it was appropriate to touch him- as much as she wanted to 🤣. But she did then touch me where he had touched me. 🤣

[Kumazzz]

REVIEW

https://buildingourownnashville.com/2023/04/26/cheltenham-jazz-festival-mika-wednesday-26th-april-2023-live-review/

 

Thanks a lot for posting @SusanT

 

5 hours ago, SusanT said:

@Kumazzz  I don't know how to repost articles like you do. Below I just did a copy and paste. Is there a better way to do it?

 

https://buildingourownnashville.com/2023/04/26/cheltenham-jazz-festival-mika-wednesday-26th-april-2023-live-review/CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL

Cheltenham Jazz Festival: Mika – Wednesday 26th April 2023 – Live Review

BY HANNAH COMPTON ON APRIL 26, 2023 • ( 2 COMMENTS )

Singer/Songwriter Mika (who was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and raised in Paris and London) opened up Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2023 on the main stage in The Big Top Tent on Wednesday 26th April 2023.

I haven’t always been a fan of Mika. I partially put that down to radio overkill of Grace Kelly back in 2007 and from then I simply didn’t give him the chance. Regardless of the fact I wasn’t a fan, I always appreciated his talent. Mika is an undeniably phenomenal singer and it was easy to see why he was and is so popular, even if he wasn’t to my taste.

Fast forward to 2022 when Mika Co-hosted Eurovision in Italy. Mika came across as a very humble and a true gentleman and his performance on Eurovision was so energetic and fun that I started to change my mind about him.

When Mika was announced for Cheltenham Jazz Festival, I saw this as my opportunity to see him live for the first time and really make my mind up about him.

 

 

A sold out show, Mika was the perfect artist to kick off the weeks festivities. I won’t pretend that I am knowledgeable on his entire back catalogue because I’m not. However, sometimes going in to a concert only knowing a handful of songs can make the experience that much better and surprising!

On The Good Ship Lollipop as intro, Mika was met to rapturous applause and extremely loud cheers as he entered the stage discreetly!

The spotlight on him, Mika starts by telling a story about a girl who messed everything up in a somewhat perfect yet peculiar village. (Mika fans may be able to shed some light on that one! ) This story then led to his song Lollipop. The band and choir were sublime!

The atmosphere in the tent was silent at first but full of hardcore fans waiting to burst. Origin of Love was next followed by the intro of Big Girl (You are Beautiful) on the bass. A hilarious moment, the intro first went slightly wrong to which Mika just laughed but then he laughed again and said to the crowd;

“At some point I will have to go and change my trousers as they are falling off.” A laughing audience he then continues;
“I am going to change my trousers as they ARE falling off. There’s one thing that I fear and that is standing when I dont want to…..in my briefs”.

With that, Mika left us to his bassist Max Taylor to keep us entertained whilst he changed. Playing the intro to Big Girl on a loop and prancing around the stage, the crowd cheered Taylor on and were having a great time! Mika returned on stage sporting a red suit rather than his green suit in which he was originally in. Mika tells the audience how Cheltenham square is the fanciest place he has played in and that it’s posher outside than inside the venue which is rare.

Mika shared the story of watching a documentary with Victoria Wood in it at about 2am and how it inspired the Big Girl song. He kept the documentary playing as he took to the piano to write it! The song live, was engaging and fun and the crowd at this point, were up and dancing as Mika entered the audience to mingle. Running around and walking down one of the aisles in the stalls section, fans went crazy but were respectful of his space.

 

Tiny Love, Take It Easy and Ice Cream were next. Mika then addressed the crowd saying “The thing about starting off (his tour) at a beautiful festival like this, is we can try new things”. He then shares the story of meeting a talented young girl on zoom during the pandemic. He tells us of how he was asked to write a song for a French film ( Zodi et Téhu – Fréres du Désert) they wanted it in French but he wrote it in English and asked the young girl (Nomfundo Moh) to duet it with him. Having never met other than on zoom, the pair met for the first time last night in Cheltenham. Nomfundo had come over all the way from South Africa to join Mika. Awaiting her to take to the stage after quite the introduction, Mika laughs “she is here I promise, it’s because I changed the set list”.

Entering the stage, Nomfundo was met with a cheering crowd! Performing Feels Like Fire and rather spectacularly, this was the first time they had sung this song live together, what a privilege. Numfundo’s vocals were perfection and her voice soared throughout the big top tent! A standing ovation, Mika explains that there is another layer to the story. Saying how he had another idea for himself and Numfundo. He shares how he called her up to ask her to do a duet cover of Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba’s One More Dance. As he and Numfundo were in their cars in the way to rehearse, they both heard the news that Belfonte had sadly passed. A pure coincidence that they had chosen this song just days before, they dedicated the song to him. A comical song, the delivery was on point and very entertaining.

 

More fun moments came from Popular Song which I was delighted had a mash up with Popular from Wicked! The choir were especially fantastic during this song!

Underwater was beautifully atmospheric and Mika entered the crowd again. This time he stood up in one of the rows and used an audience member (Molly I believe?) phone to shine the torch. The house lights down, Mika asked the audience to shine their torches to represent stars. “Does Cheltenham know that about 2000 stars are about to explode on Cheltenham tonight” he says.

 

 

Rain was a great crowd moment when chanting “I hate days like this”and things went a bit club classic for YoYo. The band were simply brilliant and YoYo showcased their collective talents to play a multitude of songs.

 

Playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano, Mika asked about the houses that surround the venue and if anyone in the audience lived there. Whispering, Mika says “this song is for everyone outside trying to sleep” and with that the band went LOUD with the intro of Grace Kelly. A roaring crowd, everyone who could, were up on their feet and members of the audience ran to the aisles to dance. The song live was loud and proud and so much fun!

We Are Golden was next which brought an even more energetic vibe! Seemingly closing his set with the track, the audience stomped their feet and clapped their hands rapidly until Mika returned to the stage to of course, end the night with Love Today!

None of the songs performed were exact to their studio version. Mika improvises on each track and makes them even more theatrical which brings something really unique to his shows. A masterful performer, there really is no-one quite like Mika.

Mika is a little bonkers, very dramatic and very energetic but he is also humble, witty and makes his audience feel incredibly special.

He was absolutely sensational and a phenomenal entertainer all round. There wasn’t a moment where people weren’t having fun! Mika put on a masterclass of entertainment and certainly set the bar high for the rest of the festival. He kicked off Cheltenham Jazz Festival in high fashion delivering a colourful, crazy and completely fabulous show!

Not only did Mika get me in the mood for a weeks worth of good music at Cheltenham Jazz Festival but also for a fun few days of Eurovision in May! Euro music is on the rise! We went from watching it for the comedy affect back in the day to now watching it for all the new amazing acts to discover and love! Mika is a big part of why Euro music is loved and why it’s becoming more popular.

You have gained a new, loyal fan in me tonight Mika! Thank you for such an engaging and fun evening that I won’t forget! And now, I am a fan of Grace Kelly.

 

 

[silver]

10 minutes ago, kath said:

Yes absolutely. It is a very brave (and risky) thing to do. I have to admit that I touched him- and he responded by touching me back- but I do feel in a privileged position and am pretty certain that he didn’t feel that I was over stepping the mark. But my friend, standing next to me and at her first Mika gig, didn’t feel that it was appropriate to touch him- as much as she wanted to 🤣. But she did then touch me where he had touched me. 🤣

 

Glad you both enjoyed the gig, Kath.  Maybe one day we can meet up again ......

[kath]

Great review! Thank you for sharing x 

[kath]

I hope we can meet soon Silver x 

[Kumazzz]

INSTAGRAM

heyybene ( a member of The 100 Voices Of Gospel )

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

 

 

 

A cap from the video.

 

Mika and Nomfundo Moh at the rehearsal.

 

[Beatrixxx_always]

 

Hi everyone!

Here is the video I have taken at the M&G with fans after the concert. I’m sorry I had to split it cause it was too heavy and I couldn’t upload it. 
 

Part 1:

Edited April 28, 2023 by Beatrixxx_always

[Beatrixxx_always]

And here is Part 2:

[Kumazzz]

BBC WEST

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-65419465

 

Cheltenham Jazz Festival aims to democratise culture as accessibility pioneer

 

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival says it is embracing accessibility improvements as a way to help "democratise culture".

 

To that end it has adopted the use of a sign to make people aware that not all disabilities are easily visible.

It has also installed viewing platforms for wheelchair users and lowered the height of bars too.

Andrew Lansley, innovation manager at Cheltenham Festivals, said organisers tried to make the event more accessible to people with additional needs.

 

The new disability sign features a person in a wheelchair, alongside the figures of a man and woman standing with wheelchair signs superimposed on their heads to suggest hidden disabilities.

It reads: "Some disabilities are visible, some are not. Take care of each other."

 

The design was the brainchild of student Sam Vestey, who studies at National Star - a specialist college near Cheltenham for people with physical disabilities, brain injury and associated learning difficulties.

The 20-year-old worked with a student at St John's School and College in Brighton to create the design.

 

Mr Vestey said he thought the wheelchair icon used on blue badges and disabled bays was now outdated.

He told BBC West: "I wanted to change the perception of disability and highlight the fact you can be disabled without being in a wheelchair.

"People may not look disabled on the outside but may have hidden disabilities."

Asked how he felt when he saw his sign being used, he said: "It makes me feel happy, it makes me feel valued."

 

Roz Blakeway, who uses a wheel chair, and her husband Phil, said they had enjoyed pop singer Mika's set from one of the new viewing platforms.

Watching the show from the viewing platform was "absolutely fantastic," Mrs Blakeway said.

"We had the best view of the whole venue, we could hear really well, we could see everything - you just didn't feel like you are in the way of everybody."

 

Mr Lansley said their comments were "music to my ears".

"What we have been doing is listening to the community and we are working with people to try and improve accessibility to venues," he said.

As well as adjustments for the audience, the festival has worked to improve accessibility in its backstage and front-of-house areas so that performers and crew with disabilities are not excluded either.

 

Mr Lansley said: "We are trying to democratise culture - I think it takes all kinds of people to make music, to make jazz, to make all the wonderful things we enjoy as a society."

 

Alex Covell from the disability-led charity Attitude is Everything works to make music and events venues more accessible to people with additional needs and welcomed the changes.

She said she had noticed a shift in attitudes in the wake of the Covid outbreak, with more people wanting to be involved in public events.

Ms Covell said making accessibility changes also made economic sense for the events industry.

"This isn't a minority group, people always think (people with disabilities) are a minority group but actually about a quarter of people in the UK identify as deaf, disabled or neurodivergent or have a long term health condition.

"That's a huge amount of people."

Cheltenham Jazz Festival is taking place between 26 April and 1 May 2023.

 

 

[Kumazzz]

INSTAGRAM

 

NOMFUNDO MOH

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrnT0JbNhuv/

 

Beautiful moments captured at Cheltenham Jazz Fest🥹❤️🧡performing with thee pop star! The great @mikainstagram 🙌🏾💕

I’ll forever be grateful for the love, for seeing the star in me, and for convincing me to go for the sky and beyond! 🥹A big thank you to the whole team, and the lovely audience for the warm welcome😘

 

Please don’t forget to check out my latest single, Uthando Lunye, out now on all digital platforms ❤️

📸: @adambgoodall

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Kumazzz

[Sara penny]

On 28/4/2023 at 10:51, Kumazzz said:

 

Grazie@Romy04

 

Billy Brown

 

❤️❤️

[jord1012]

16 hours ago, Beatrixxx_always said:

 

Hi everyone!

Here is the video I have taken at the M&G with fans after the concert. I’m sorry I had to split it cause it was too heavy and I couldn’t upload it. 
 

Part 1:

 

 

omg thank you so much for posting this, this is such a good view of our conversation and showing him my tattoo- makes me heart all warm to watch- thank you☺️🤍

[holdingyourdrink]

39 minutes ago, jord1012 said:

 

omg thank you so much for posting this, this is such a good view of our conversation and showing him my tattoo- makes me heart all warm to watch- thank you☺️🤍

I was standing behind you and it was really adorable how he responded to your tattoo!! 

[Kumazzz]

YouTube videos by @pawelsky

Thanks a million for recording and sharing.

 

Feels Like Fire

 

Yo Yo

 

Tiny Love

 

Billy Brown

 

 

[Kumazzz]

✏️Please have a look at the draft and let me know if there are any omissions and/or errors.

 

SETLIST

1. Lollipop
2. Origin Of Love
3. Big Girl (You are Beautiful)
4. Tiny Love
5. Relax, Take It Easy
6. Ice Cream
7. Billy Brown
8. Feels Like Fire🔥
9. One More Dance ( a duet cover of Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba )
10. Popular Song
11. Underwater
12. Rain
13. Happy Ending
14. Yo Yo
15. Grace Kelly
16. We Are Golden
17. Love Today

[holdingyourdrink]

50 minutes ago, Kumazzz said:

✏️Please have a look at the draft and let me know if there are any omissions and/or errors.

 

SETLIST

1. Lollipop
2. Origin Of Love
3. Big Girl (You are Beautiful)
4. Tiny Love
5. Relax, Take It Easy
6. Ice Cream
7. Billy Brown
8. Feels Like Fire🔥
9. One More Dance ( a duet cover of Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba )
10. Popular Song
11. Underwater
12. Rain
13. Happy Ending
14. Yo Yo
15. Grace Kelly
16. We Are Golden
17. Love Today

It’s:

5. Relax

6. Feels Like Fire

7. One More Dance

8. Billy Brown

 

The rest seems about right! He did admit he changed the setlist last minute, so Nomfundo wasn’t ready yet to go on after “Relax” and she took a minute longer to get on stage. Poor thing, haha. He was very gentle and kind about it, but it’s the only part I didn’t film before she came on. 

[Kumazzz]

20 minutes ago, holdingyourdrink said:

It’s:

5. Relax

6. Feels Like Fire

7. One More Dance

8. Billy Brown

 

The rest seems about right! He did admit he changed the setlist last minute, so Nomfundo wasn’t ready yet to go on after “Relax” and she took a minute longer to get on stage. Poor thing, haha. He was very gentle and kind about it, but it’s the only part I didn’t film before she came on. 

 

@holdingyourdrink Thank you for your advice.

 

 

I wonder that is Ice Cream in correct order ?

 

1. Lollipop
2. Origin Of Love
3. Big Girl (You are Beautiful)
4. Tiny Love
5. Relax, Take It Easy
6. Feels Like Fire🔥
7. One More Dance ( a duet cover of Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba )
8. Billy Brown
9. Ice Cream🍦
10. Popular Song
11. Underwater
12. Rain
13. Happy Ending
14. Yo Yo
15. Grace Kelly
16. We Are Golden
17. Love Today

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Kumazzz

[Kumazzz]

TikTok

nomfundomoh

 

Mika loves #amalobolo 😅🧡❤️🔥
#nomfundomoh #mohfam #uthandolunye #ugcoboalbum #mika #CheltJazzFest #london #londontiktok

 

London Heathrow Airport · Hillingdon

 

 

 

Nomfundo Moh - Amalobolo ft. Big Zulu

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Kumazzz

[Anna Ko Kolkowska]

6 hours ago, Kumazzz said:

 

@holdingyourdrink Thank you for your advice.

 

 

I wonder that is Ice Cream in correct order ?

 

1. Lollipop
2. Origin Of Love
3. Big Girl (You are Beautiful)
4. Tiny Love
5. Relax, Take It Easy
6. Feels Like Fire🔥
7. One More Dance ( a duet cover of Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba )
8. Billy Brown
9. Ice Cream🍦
10. Popular Song
11. Underwater
12. Rain
13. Happy Ending
14. Yo Yo
15. Grace Kelly
16. We Are Golden
17. Love Today

 

 

 

I think Ice Cream was just after Relax.

[Kumazzz]

Thanks a lot @holdingyourdrink and @Anna Ko Kolkowska

 

Added the setlist to the first post.

 

 

[Hero]

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... 🤣

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Hero
Wooh, that was long! TLDR: gig was excellent, good time had by all.

[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!

[holdingyourdrink]

1 hour ago, Hero said:

It was still too early for Mika to be there, so after a bit of emergency shopping (🤭)

Sorry  I think nearly everyone spent a little more money than they had initially wanted to during this trip! 
 

1 hour ago, Hero said:

Everyone else was cool and said "Oh hi! Hello!". For some reason I let out a surprised and cringe-inducing "Ooooaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!"  Sorry Mika.

I was standing in close proximity of you and I do not recall this call  but maybe I was distracted by a dashing smile looking out from the car.

 

1 hour ago, Hero said:

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

Awww you’re very welcome, I’m glad the ticket landed in good MFC hands!!! 
 

1 hour ago, Hero said:

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. 😍

This is so adorable!! He is very sweet, I agree with you!

 

1 hour ago, Hero said:

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!

OMG! As if you didn’t have enough adrenaline rushing through your veins already!?!? Glad it was a miss!! 
 

1 hour ago, Hero said:

At the gate, we didn't have long to wait before he came out.

Oh yes, we were very lucky that way, we are familiar with longer waiting times! But I also think it was due to the festival having to close down early enough, since it is situated in a neighbourhood. Mika did wake the neighbourhood when “stomping” on the piano with Grace Kelly  but I think they have to be quiet around 10pm (he came out a little after 10pm).

 

 

All in all I really enjoyed reading your report, because it truly captured the feeling that evening so well and I could relive the memories again  and yes, the crowd was very enthusiastic. Maybe not in dancing hips. But their positive energy was palpable. 
 

After the M&G the people around me kept saying “what a nice guy, who would’ve thought?” It was so cute, and I was like “yup, that’s him!” ❤️