Ed @ O2 Academy in London Options

[Johan]

Hi everyone,

As no one opened a thread for this concert, I thought i might as well do it.

First off, me and my girlfriend travelled all the way from Sweden to see him do the show in London. I must admit, when i first saw the place i was getting very sceptic about the whole thing. It was really a small place, and my biggest worry was that Ed would just think this was insulting and not really do his best or enjoy the show himself. I mean, singing at woodstock compared to this must be a huge change.

Here's the songs they played, although for sure not in the correct order here;

Just in Time
All over you
Drive
The Great Beyond
I Alone
In Your Light
Heaven
Grace
Zion
Fire on the mountain
Selling the drama
The dolphins Cry
Drink (everlasting love)
Lightning Crashes
The beauty of gray (this was really a surprise!)
Dance with you (this i did not expect either!)



Now my review. First of all, when me and my girlfriend were going home, we both made the very same conclusion. This was by far, THE best concert we've ever been to - both of us!

I think many of you (especially you all bitter Ed-haters in this forum) will just think i'm a fan that can never be changed, and no matter how Ed would play we'd love it. Well, that's just not the case here! The feeling that we had during the concert, and after the concert was just so full of emotions. Not only because the band played well over my expectations, and not only because Ed just sung better than i've ever hear him before. It was just the whole picture of the whole concert in whole, that made us just so amazed.

As i stated, i was worried - when the concert began, that the small place would affect Ed negativly. It certainly did not, i would more say the opposite. The whole show felt so intimate, and Ed seemed to be so satisfied with the audiance, he really gave everyone the show of his life. Another thing that i noticed was that from the beginning, the audience was very quiet, and felt like the were looking at the show with a suspicious mind, thinking that this will never be like a live concert. But oh my, did he changed everyones mind. After a couple of songs, everyone were jumping, singing along, and it was just impossible NOT to rock on together with Ed as he so professionally enchanted everyone with his energy and love.

I've seen U2 live a couple of times, i've seen Guns N Roses back in the early 90's live a few times, i've been to huge concerts with huge bands so I reckon i have some to say about concerts in general.

So, i end this review the way i started it. This was by far, the most intimate, amazing, and best sounding concert i have ever been to. And that is an understatement - i kid you not.

PS.
I'm already trying to find a tickets to a new european country where we can go see him a second time.
DS.

//Johan

[Zed]

Yep, spot on Johan, I thought it was a cracking gig too...and Beauty of Gray was a fab surprise!!

We saw Ed perform his even more intimate acoustic gig at the Water Rats last year but I thought this one was better as certain Live songs really do need a full band to do them justice.

I too thought all of the Alive songs sounded way improved....I was a little so-so about the album but this gig made me listen to the songs in a new light. All of the Live songs were superb, altho they don't quite match-up to the times I've seen Live play them if I'm honest. That's being pretty picky tho.....

On the point about the drummer, I know that it was bassist Chris Heerlein's brother, Cory, who was on drums. He did a great job too... I'm a massive Chad Gracey fans (one of my all-time fave drummers) and Cory wasn't found wanting.

Looking forward to seeing them again.

[jimmythecuckoo]

was there last night and I thought it was an awesome performance.

I have been with Live since Mental Jewelry, most of the time thinking I was the only one in the UK who gave a shit. Brixton Academy 10 years or so ago made me realise more people liked the band, last made me realise a lot of people love the songs.

I loved it.

Ed may still have no sense of timing when it comes to dancing and the songs may be a little bit too close to religious propaganda for those of an agnostic persuation, but stip all that away and just concentrate on the sound...

It was pretty amazing. I couldn't care less about a split between Live and Ed or any of that, I take things on face value, sonically the band sounded great and the audience enjoyed the mix of new Ed and old Live tunes.

The twist was the soundscapes added by the other guitarist (not Adam K) who had a violin bow going at one stage. On some of the old stuff it worked, on others not so much, but I cannot say I wasn't entralled all the way through.

Of the new stuff 'Grace' and 'Drive' stood out for me, if you are in Europe and going you are in for a great night.

this was my review from the other thread...

http://www.fansoflive.com/forums/index.php...ic=2989&st=105#