Concert Review: Manchester, UK - October 12, 2011

Andrew Stokes: 

Hello everybody, I've not done a review of a concert since March so I thought seem as nobody has done a review of 
Manchester yet, I'd do one for you all.  

The evening got underway with a nice pre concert meet with some fans and friends, some of which I met for the first
time  . Some of us also got to meet the man himself for a brief moment before the show when he quickly came over to 
say hello and sign a few autographs, much to my appreciation as I knew he was in a hurry.

Within seconds of the Moonfleet Overture we already had a few roars and shouts from the crowd and Chris began the 
show with the performance of Have a Care and Go Where your Heart Believes which sounded very well on stage, the 
backing vocals from the band too was very professional as always. They all give such an effort.

Then of course one of my all time favourites, Ship to Shore followed Missing You and his opening speech to the 
audience gettting us all in shouting mode when he asked us were we feeling alright  With the release of Footsteps 2,
 Chris performed the very catchy SOS and Seven Bridges before the crowd suddenly erupted with the opening sounds of 
the Spanish Train which still after 36 years, never loses it's ability to boost a crowd  

As Chris began to tell us more about the story of Moonfleet along with some jokes and stories which at times are so 
daft you just have to laugh  but fair play to him! We then got the beautiful romantic My Heart's Surrender followed 
by Treasure and Betrayal. The first half finished out with the ever powerful The Leader Trilogy with Chris still 
managing to hit the high notes along with a gripping video to portray the song.

Of course the second half of the show brought us more old favourites including Borderline which sounded very 
effective with band joining in for the final verse and end. The video of Chris performing that song in Berlin in 
1990 always makes this ballad more and more loving to hear. Indeed he can sing just as good if not better than he 
has sang it. People of the World, a song written for the lovely Neda who was killed in Iran, got many fans to their 
feet when Chris sang the line...People of the world stand up for freedom infact more people acknowledged this than 
in Gateshead the previous evening.

Chris's own solo performance always gets the fans singing and shouting because he will always play out a golden 
oldie that everybody loves and wants to hear  what better than In a Country Churchyard, Where Peaceful Waters Flow, 
A Spaceman Came Travelling and one that I had not heard done live before, from The Storyman album, Spirit. A very 
touching song. He finished out with the ever party hitter of Those were the Days showing his remarkable talent in 
quick guitar playing and been able to hold his voice for the best part of a minute even while he stood folding his 
arms and putting his hands in his pockets  

After introducing us to the wonderful talented band members, it was dancing time but the crowds did not begin to 
fill the front area of the stage until Chris was back on stage after his Lady in Red walk around audience which 
included him sprawling out on top of his wife Diane and daughter Rosanna   Africa, Everywhere I Go, Don't Pay the 
Ferryman and The Getaway had pretty much everybody to their feet, clapping, cheering, shouting and dancing while the
crowds at the front of the stage filled up.

After High on Emotion, Chris and the band returned to the stage to give a special live performance of Patricia the 
Stripper a classic that had the usual throwing of women's lingerie in the air at him and indeed the first time I 
heard this sung outside of Ireland since I attended the Bournemouth show in 2009. Chris then finished what was a 
brilliant end to not only a terrific show but a hugely enjoybale tour with The Snows of New York  

All in all, still Chris just doesn't fail to entertain and presenting a story like Moonfleet a detailed and quite 
difficult piece to do, he put it together to perfection while throwing some of our favourite golden oldies along the 
way. The crowd were in great spirits that had him throwing more jokes and stories along the way and getting us all 
in the mood for what was a party to remember.

Until the next tour, I was once again delighted to have been part of another fantastic show and credit to Chris De 
Burgh as always    

Andrew