Last night saw the first concert of Alfie Boe’s summer concerts, in Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow. Roving reporters Roberta Kappus and Annie Lloyd were there for thoughtsofjustafan:
Glasgow was simply everything anyone could have hoped for – two hours and fifteen minutes of Alfie’s musical talent, backed by an incredible band (there was no support act). There was no intermission and it was pure Alfie, covering what could be described as his greatest hits and more. It was musical heaven and as it was Alfie’s first UK solo performance since Leeds in 2015, to say it was well worth the wait would be an understatement.
Last night we were once again treated to Alfie’s amazing talent as he began with swing from his upcoming album. We then journeyed through Serenata, both Together albums and concerts, Trust and Classic Quadrophenia. He saved the best till last with a mix of country and rock and never before heard material from Alfie. He was back on the guitar for Wagon Wheel, an amazing Glen Campbell medley and an Islands in the Stream duet with one of the female singers. Alfie has an amazing ability to sing a previously recorded song heard many times before and place his own mark on it. Once Alfie has sung it the song is never the same again.
The addition of Tommy after Quad was a fantastic surprise and a massive crowd pleaser; he really hit his stride from this point, loosening up and clearly enjoying playing the music he loves alongside fantastic musicians who out played any orchestra.
Yes he did sing Bring Him Home, to a standing ovation, but not before teasing the audience that he was going to sing from Les Mis, instead launching into You’ll Be Back from Hamilton, accompanied with stories of his time on Broadway.
A fantastic night that can only be even bigger and better in Fleetwood.
Another fabulous review from two star reporters – roll on Fleetwood!
The Ball and Boe Together Again tour 2017 finished in style at London’s 02 arena this week and I was very lucky to have a front row seat (courtesy of Claire Shorter) and witnessed one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. In fact, only Alfie’s solo shows have surpassed it. My review of the show and the tour in general follow but first we hear from Sarah Buttifant, for whom this was her first concert of the tour:
Just over a year ago I didn’t know who Alfie Boe was. I happened to watch Ball and Boe One Night Only on TV and the sound of his voice gave me goosebumps! Since then I’ve seen him and Michael at one of their summer concerts, I was extremely fortunate to be in the ITV studio for the recording of this years Ball and Boe Back Together and now I’ve seen them live at the 02.
I’ve got to admit I was expecting this concert to be amazing and it did not disappoint. Having deprived myself of spoilers for the two weeks leading up to the concert (no mean feat in itself!) I couldn’t wait to see what the boys had planned. The songs from the new album performed live were brilliant. Bring Me Sunshine, when they brought the children onto the stage was heart melting.
The evening just kept getting better and better. They rocked out with an epic Queen medley and the songs from Les Mis that we’d not heard them sing before were sublime. Their solo songs hit just the right note and the show stopping Wham finale had the whole of the 02 up on its feet. The friendship between these two shines out and their enthusiasm and love for music is completely infectious. I think it’s safe to say I’m addicted – roll on 16th June 2018, Kenwood House here I come.
Thank you so much Sarah for your thoughts – I agree, it was an amazing evening. Although I had seen the concert in Brighton at the beginning of the tour, I knew that the running order was not necessarily the same and that there were hints of extras for the end of tour, London finale. The main change for me was the addition of Alfie’s most popular live song of the last two years, Runwhich had been exchanged for Elton John’s Tiny Dancer after the first two shows. Another addition was the inclusion of the two choirs, Mountview School and Rays of Sunshine, seen above (that’s me, Linda W and Jayne you can hear oohing and aahing on the video!). The children were word perfect and totally rocked the stage, melting several thousand hearts along the way – if you want to raise money for them and help get Alfie and Michael to number one for Christmas, then click here. Mountview students featured in the ITV special in October and more returned to sing alongside Alfie and Michael on Thursday evening; the result was just stunning, as can be seen from You’re The Voice:
Those students are having just the best time with Alfie and Michael, and the feeling’s obviously mutual! These were my highlights from this concert although Alfie’s Bring Him Home (tears again from me and so emotional for him, singing that back at the 02) and the Wham medley were phenomenal.
My feelings about this tour are nothing but joy – it has been a privilege to witness such warmth, happiness and superb vocals from Alfie and Michael and in my opinion, everyone should see these two perform together at least once…although once would of course never be enough. Happiness and joy are sometimes in short supply and these two go a long way to getting us there so if you haven’t been lucky enough to see them live, or want to relive the experience, click here to see the a YouTube playlist from the wonderful Linda Wellington. My personal favourite from this tour is Alfie’s new song, Wagon Wheel:
This gives me the perfect opportunity to thank the wonderful musicians, in particular, Murray Gould, Sam Grimley, John Tonks, Callum McLeod, Neil Angilley, Don Richardson, Marsha Skinns, Ulrika Bergelind, Tor Hills and Emma Osei-Lah.
Thank you to Alfie and Michael for the fabulous music and to everyone I met in Brighton and London – all your messages are really appreciated. Special mentions to Linda Anstee, Linda Wellington, Jayne Templeton, Claire Shorter, Roberta Kappus, Cecelia Powell, Tienne Lockwood, Carole Hunt, Cheryl Stenason, Emma Brimacombe, Gail Slinn, Nicola Lange, Ellen Rook, Leanne Miller, Jo Cassidy, Heather and Jay, Mitsuko and Ayano, Sally Cook, Pat Watterson, Janet Baldwin and Annie Lloyd, not forgetting my guest reviewers Carole Hunt, Pauline Hyland, Heather Crosskey, Heather Moore, Sarah Buttifant, Claire Shorter, Barbara Wren and Kate Griffin. Hopefully I haven’t forgotten anyone but if I have, I’m sorry, it’s been a busy few weeks!
To donate to Rays of Sunshine and propel Ball and Boe to the tip of the singles charts, click here to download Bring Me Sunshine with all star cast.
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Merry Christmas everyone! What a year 2016 has been for Alfie Boe – and 2017 looks set to be just as good!
Thoughtsofjustafan usually looks back at the year at New Year but I have something else planned for this New Year’s post (make sure you’re subscribed to hear about it first!) so here goes my top ten moments of this year:
Becoming the Official Alfie Boe Fan Blog in February this year – dream come true!
Keep Me In Your Heart live and emotional at Blackpool…my buttons are still just about intact…
A fabulous night’s entertainment with wonderful friends at Bournemouth.
The Together tour itself and seeing so many happy fans getting tickets – even if the sale days themselves were just a little bit stressful!
Alfie’s Opera Heroes on Radio 2, especially Maria Callas.
Alfie finally talking about Strictly Come Dancing with proper knowledge, borne from watching the show – surely we have Michael to thank for that?!
Interviewing Jennifer Warnes – I still haven’t got over her answer to the question about preferring duets to solo songs!
Alfie and Michael hitting the top chart spot – it’s been a long time coming and so well deserved
Alfie saying how nice it was to see me again at the Manchester meet and greet – him and Michael both loved the card from fans
Thank you to everyone for reading and supporting thoughtsofjustafan – I really appreciate the time you take to comment and share. Recently, we passed the staggering number of 160,000 hits – thank you!
Thank you too for all the wonderful compliments you have sent over the year, you are all very kind. It never fails to amaze me how widespread Alfie’s fans are – click here to see where we all are.
There are some extra special people to thank who make thoughtsofjustafan possible:
Thanks to Debbie Bannigan for believing in me and ensuring that I too, believe in me. You are amazingly generous and thoughtsofjustafan would not continue to exist without you.
Thanks to Linda Wellington for continually providing me with photos and videos and allowing me to use them.
Thanks to Carole Hunt for continuing to allow me to use her photo for the main blog banner.
Thanks to everyone who allows me to use their videos here.
Thanks to Roberta Kappus and Carole Hunt for being fabulous reviewers again this year.
Thanks to Ellen Rook, Linda Anstee and Marie Blair for being my top social media sharers – thanks for spreading the word!
Thanks to my top commenters in 2016 – Linda McCann, Sue Redfern and Sally Cook. Love hearing from you!
Huge thanks to Emily at Vector for all your help and support.
Finally, without Alfie’s support there would be no thoughtsofjustafan – thanks for everything in 2016 Alfie!
