Dec 11, 2005 05:02 PM
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(Updated Dec 11, 2005 06:11 PM)
Trivia1 - How long does it take to get into a concert arena in the UK?
Answer - Ten minutes
Trivia2 - How long does it take to come out of the concert?
Answer - Ninety minutes
Well, that's how it is - just when one wonders on the quality of infrastructure in a developed country - something happens to remind you that the law of averages still exists.
Traveling to Earl's Court in the London Underground on a Saturday evening - I was wondering why the train was so crowded in the direction - till I walked out of the station to see a huge Rod Stewart poster. Yes, I was invited to a surprise Rod Stewart concert by a big-time (that's an understatement) Rod Stewart fan.
First thing to strike me as we entered the concert arena was the discipline and the speed at which people got in - no queuing for hours at the gates or running for the front row. A huge stadium - thought I was at Eden Gardens minus the cricket field. A huge auditorium - with defined seats upto Row 1.
A little bit about the acoustics later - but the concert started quite on time (got a limited experience of delays!) - for a seven thirty start the concert started at eight. Huge speakers hanging from the roof. The infrastructure is truly amazing.
Come eight and all the women (from young twenty year olds to those who could be my granny's age) start cooing and cheering a sixty year old, full of energy, football showman. The one thing to strike me about the concert was the level of interaction between Rod Stewart, his band and the audience. Sections where he sang to parts of the audience, made eye contact, got the audience singing (this was a goose-bumps-giving-song), kicked footballs in the audience and ranted on a streaker.
The concert in its own had nothing left wanting - the band - each of them having their own moments of glory (especially the drums - a five minute jamming session only on the drums was electrifying), fireworks (in an indoor stadium), sections in the concert that consisted of Rod Stewart hits, some love songs (liked them for a change) and some songs from the 1930s to a adrenaline pumping finale of Maggie Mae and his other hit number.
Best parts about the concert - acoustics and the audience. The audience sang - and the acoustics in the auditorium - just made the singing feel ethereal. Definitely worth going for a Rod Stewart concert - wonder what a U2 concert would be like. Personally - thanks a lot Aunty ''Baby Jane''!
