I arranged to finish work early. Needles to say I could not concentrate all day and I was itching to get out . So as soon as I finished I headed into Manchester to meet Winnie and Phoenix
We got to the venue early and waited outside to ensure the best seats in the house, of course right at the front by the piano.
Matt & Phred's Jazz club is a small venue, definitely very intimate. But it has a great atmosphere about it, it reminded me of another similar Jazz Club called the Blue Cat Café, also in Manchester. (Perhaps Jamie could play there too one day??)
In front of the stage they had a row of small round tables with standing room at the back. Personally I think it would have been better to have removed the tables as we were unable to stand up due to a row of people sat behind us who remained seated.
But that's not Jamie's fault, so I won't hold it against him
Jamie sang:
Please Don't Stop The Music
I'm All Over It
Wheels
Just One Of Those Things
If I Ruled The World
Be Your Husband
Get your way
Love Ain't Gonna Let You Down
These Are The Days
I Think, I Love
Mixtape
Wind Cries Mary
Some of my personal highlights –
Please Don't Stop The Music, a great opener and got the crowd going it was certainly received very well.
Yet again I found myself spellbound by If I ruled The World, it's just beautiful. I love it at the start when the base drum first kicks in.
I also liked Jamie's version of "Be Your Husband" as I had never heard him do it before. Brilliant to see him hitting the top of his piano for the beat again and very cool how he then led into "Get Your Way", and he remembered the words.
Jamie told us a very funny story about his mistaken identity for Gareth Gates before leading into "These are the days" which is apparently one of Will Young's favourites.
One day I am sure that Jamie is going to hit his head on his microphone with all that head banging he keeps doing at his piano lol
I loved Mixtape, I loved it when I first heard it a few months back – but hearing it live just makes me love it even more. It has such a catchy tune.
At the end of the night during "Wind Cries Mary" Jamie invited us all to the front which I was so pleased about as I had been dying to get up all night. It is very hard trying to dance in your seat, esp to "I'm All Over it"
It was nice to see the band got their own solo's
The crowd loved Jamie, and the new material seemed to be really well received which is fantastic.
Jamie yet again had great stage presence and lots of energy, and I was completely lost in his entire performance. The night was fantastic, I really enjoyed it.
And it was great to meet up with fellow Jamie fans from the forum again too.
