I like Gisray will never forget the tweens screaming, they were about 6 – 16yrs. I was looking at some cute little 6, 7, 8yrs old right next to me we were smiling back and forth, all clean, sweet and wholesome looking, the next thing they burst into screaming little divas!! I couldn’t believe it, the sound was high pitch and definitely ear piercing, I was bewildered, WHAT JUST HAPPENED??
I turned dazed eyes to my hubby who was in the trenches. Just prior we were smiling and making goo goo eyes at each other, lol (I know yuck) , then the crowd erupted. It was soooo funny my hubby looked all calm and peaceful, like not a worry in the world, he was doing this for his wife (cuz she whined non-stop, lol) .
But when he saw the teens coming, his face transformed into mounting horror, lol. That was the last time I saw him before he was swallowed up by all the craziness. I just made out his hand going up with the camera, and the other hand showing 4 fingers.
Translation:, “I’ll do 4 songs then Im outta here!!”
I felt like yelling back “Suck it up” LOL and “Don’t wimp out!”
But I don’t’ blame him. It was a war zone.
Hubs said he was right against the barrier, trying to hold his ground, with his arm straight up holding the camera high above everyone, but the crazy kids kept bumping and pushing him. He turned side on to try to get a better view, and before u knew it a girl about 10yrs wriggled her little body into the gap and then somehow got in front of him, he couldn’t believe it, lol. He turned the camera on her thinking she might move back, but the cheeky thing waved into the camera….lol we are definitely too old for this.
It must have looked really weird with all the teenagers, older females and a few young teenager boys in the mosh pit, and then my very mature husband there. …mmmmm . No wonder hubs, Stan didn’t make eye contact with u in the mosh pit, lol.
Gisray has given u good account of how the singing went. A Mans World was definitely the best, and seemed a notch above all the over songs. I really am impressed with his lower range also. Theres not much of it, but when he sings it is effortless. He seems to be trying to hit the higher register more and more. A lot of songs Beyonces sings are not easy to sing at all and I think he strains a bit at those really high parts, but it should improve with practice, maturity and experience.
He also looks more at ease on the stage, getting use to the crowd and relaxing more. Sometimes on idol he looked uncomfortable, but I didn’t notice it at Taupo. His band should improve and same with the backup vocals, and they will learn a lot from each concert experience.
Its also good seeing his family there. He has a lot of support, and that’s important for Stan, he will need it. I spotted Nashon, Mike and Russ? And heaps more rellies. And April was there, according to my hubby, but I didn’t see her out front. (He met her out back, but Ill tell u bout that later).
Stan is still only young and I was amazed at all the hard work that goes into these concerts.
I got the feeling that’s why hes doing a lot of work in NZ. Hes learning his trade, and learning from any mistakes. Hes gaining experience and getting better and better at his job. The whole Team will be looking to improve.
I asked my hubby what he would add, he said “They wouldn’t like what I say, you would have the forum fans after me”, lol. But I thought I would still add some of his thoughts here…
1. He didn’t sing long enuff. Probably 50mins.
2. They had sound difficulities, so it was muffled. But the band before Stans was clear.
3. Too much background noise. Hubby said the band before Stan had only 3 guitarists and a drummer. Stan had more instruments and noise. In his opinion he either has to cut it down to Acoustics so u hear his voice without any background noise or a orchestral type band, where the music arrangement dosent intrude over his voice.
4. He was orange, (my critique) lol. At 1st I thought he got one of his whanau to do the makeup, lol. And I kept repeating to my Sis, he’s so orange! She started calling him Stangelo, lol, sorry Stan she has no manners. But then we saw on the video footage, that there are side lights on the stage, and one of them is orange! That must be an one shining directly on his face. So note to Stans Team, fix up the lights bro, hehe.
5. Hubby rated it a 7 out of 10 overall. But thought for a family concert, it was very cheap and worthwhile.
Meeting Kiwi would have to be one of the highlights of the day! I was really shy about meeting her, and I was kinda hiding leaving it up to my sisters to meet her . I saw Gisray texting back and forth with Hikoi and Kiwi, and I was happy to be outta the picture, hehe. Gisray was filling me in with the texts, then I glanced over her shoulder and saw my name Lily jump out…arrgh traitor, the sneaky so and so was using my name pretending they were from me, LOL.
But Im so glad we got to meet her, she is Da Bomb! A Very friendly, enthusiastic , happy go lucky and bubbly person. We all hugged each other heaps. Shes soooo funny. We also met her lovely son, hes a good boy, going with his Mum! I hope we will meet you again Kiwi, thanks for welcoming this newbie concert goer!! It was Awesome.
Finally… just prior to the concert, we had arrived early bout 4.45 to get primo seats. We set up our possie and hubby stayed to man it in the heat, MAN it was hot…(the climate not my husband…um actually.. LOL, just kidding my sistahs will be spewing now!).
Anyhow, then he went back to the car and grabbed some shorts to go swim in the river and cool off, maori boi lol. When he was walking down to the bank 2 young guys were getting out and coming towards him. One looked a bit like Stan Walker, hubs wasn’t sure, and by this time they’ve passed him. He thought, I know how to tell if its him, check his butt!! LOL…YOU DID NOT!! I said. “Yup” he said “he had on rugby shorts…and No he does not have a big butt, but it was him.”
My hubby like my sistahs has no shame either!!
He carried on down to the river and who was there… April Walker. Hubby knew her face from TV, lol, (but not Stans so much, must be cuz were around the same age as her?). He asked her hows the water. She said the water in NZ is much colder than Ossie, and that this is her 1st swim in New Zealand since shes been back…and it was beautiful!
He told me later when he came back that he chatted to her. I didn’t believe him for a moment, cuz hes always winding me up and I fall for it, but not this time buddy, Im no fool!.... later on Stan said he and Nashon? had gone for a swim in the river, just before the concert... LOL...I swear I set myself up!
Overall it was a really enjoyable weekend away, Stans concert of course being the main feature for me and my Sis and meeting Kiwi. Food was the priority for my Hubs, lol.
We all enjoyed our time together, and how could we top of our evening after Stan?...well go to a good restaurant for a mean feed…then end it with Euka (cards) back at the hotel!!!!!
So Thank you to everyone for all ur kind comments, its been fun sharing our stories with u all!
God Bless.
Gisray: My arms are really old, sorry I meant really tired by now…( I have the tone of a marshmallow!LOL)... I should of hit the Gym in prep for all this!
Sis… NOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo!!!!!!!!! Urve put me off marshmallows for life!!!