Heather

Thank you Snowdrop and Heather for making is possible for us to hear that interview. I think 19 minutes is among the best songs Gareth has ever recorded. Elaine have a lovely time in Blackpool, and looking forward to your report.

Such lovely pics, thanks so much!

Yes when they played the jazz intro, we wondered what was coming. I think June recorded it, so you may get to hear it Inge.

We arrived about 2-30 at Dartford, and it was raining, so we headed for the main stage to get as close to the front as we could. We stood about 4 rows back, and after a while I spotted Elaine on one side and Vera on the other. We waved to each other, but couldn't go up andd speak, as we were tightly hemmed in, and didn't want to lose our places. The schedule had been changed around, so we couldn't be sure who was coming on next. During our wait we saw Take that Tribute, Badness, and others, there is more detail in my blog. Gradually, as the rain persisted,people started to move away, and we were getting nearer the front. It was a bit difficult to put an umbrella up, didn't want to spike anyone, as we were like sardines in a tin, so I put the hood up on my cagoule, sorry not sure if I spelt it right! After a while the rain was dripping down my neck, and it was past the time that Gareth was due, without his name being mentioned, so I started to worry that he wasn't coming. My feet had gone to sleep, so in an effort to get some feeling back into them, I was jigging backwards and forwards, much to the delight of the man in the leather jacket singing upbeat music, who must have thought I really loved his act. But I had nothing to worry about, as Gareth came on an hour late, and suddenly the rain stopped, and out came the sun. Well what did I expect, this young man can charm the birds out of the trees! We had by then got right up to the barrier, with a perfect view of the stage. Gareth saw each and everyone of us, and waved more than once. The crowd was going wild, girls screaming, saying they loved him, asking him to marry them, it was so thick, when I turned round, all I could see were crowds of people stretching back a long way. I have listed the songs he sang in my blog, not all of them though, and it's a bit confusing to remember which was sung at Maidstone, and which at Dartford. The whole theme was rock, he dressed in 1950s clothes, and his haistyle was also 50s. He was Gareth the rock god that day, just amazing, and it really got the crowd going. He also sang AOMS, and AOU, finishing as usual with SITS, this time a rock version, as opposed to the jazz version we got on Friday. Interestingly Keith had gone shopping, and planned to meet us after the show, as he had already seen Gareth with me on Friday. He arrived back just in time to see the whole performance, and as he is a huge fan of rock, he reckoned it was Gareth's finest, and he is not biased, because I am the fan, so I thought his opinion was interesting. Loads of people were waiting after to see Gareth, and he went along the fence signing autographs. I didn't go over and ask for one, as I had seen him on Friday, and most of those excited fans never had. There is no doubt about it, Gareth still attracts huge crowds, is there anything he can't do? All in all it was a fantastic weekend, I am very lucky, and I do hope everyone else gets to see him as he travels around this summer. My blog http://celebrities.wikinut.com/Gareth-Gates-at-the-Dartford-Festival-2011/9df6slqu/

You are more than welcome, and do hope you get to see him soon Linda. I am in process of doing another blog for Dartford to put with my report, another fantastic performance from Gareth !

BLess you for telling me Inge. It sounds like you all had a great time!

Thanks so much for the lovely videos, and thank you Val for the lovely pics. Who is the lady in the pic with Gareth, does anyone know?

There you go Linda x http://www.wikinut.com/gareth-gates-at-pizza-express-maidstone/2j6dm50j/3s4_lw1s/

Thanks to everyone for all the links. Thanks Elaine for your report. Your pics are not showing for me, only a cross. I also have a report to do and pics to upload to share with you all after such a fantastic weekend. The young people loved him too, he's still got it LOL!

Sophie I will let June tell you all about the book as it's her venture. Still on a high after such an amazing weekend!

This is the second time I have written this report, as I just lost the lot when I tried to upload my pics. So here goes again. We managed to get to Maidstone in good time for June to give the book to Gareth. Ali was there with him too. Gareth was very late on, not his fault, the pianist went to Soho by mistake, so everyone was getting a bit fidgety by the time he appeared. He bounced onto the stage, after spotting Vera at the end, spontaneously giving her a kiss, which must have felt very special to her, as she couldn't wait to see him after because she had to get her train. Our table was very close, it was like Gareth singing in your front room, I wish! The backing was just right, not too loud, and Gareth's voice was truly amazing. He got a wonderful reception, and many people were waiting to meet him after, so June and I went to the end of the line, and I thought of the first time I met him, and how special it was. When it was our turn, I told him we were coming to Dartford, and what the weather forecast was, and he laughed. If you want to read more details of the evening, I have written my blog, so won't repeat myself here. I just want to say that I hope Gareth does more intimate venues like this. It is probably one of the best gigs I have seen him do, and I think fans would love to see him in this setting. I count myself very lucky that he same to my part of the country, both for Pizza Express and Dartford, and hope everyone gets a chance to catch him Here are some randome pics that Keith took

June and I have just returned from Pizza Express. We had a fantastic time! We can't do reports at the moment as we have a full weekend, but just to say there was no new material, according to Ali the new music is not ready yet.

Thanks for that Chris, we are all so excited, and I know it will be a great evening! Looking forward to sharing it with you all afterwards.

We have just got to negotiate our way through the extra weekend traffic, as there is another Kent show on too, got to get you there at the time he said June. It will be such a lovly surprise for Gareth, almost like an extra birthday present.

Yes I remember you telling me about that. Don't forget your wellies and brolley June! LOL

Have a lovely time at Bath, Inge, and anyone else going.

We usually get the best of the weather down our little corner, bus sadly the forecast is not good for the weekend. I do hope it doesn't spoil the Festival because people tend to stay away from open air events in bad weather. That is unless they are Gareth fans!

Do you mean the first pic? I can't see a cigarette. I thought he was touching his nose with his fingers?

Thank you Sylvia for that lovely find. Also thankyou Inge for patiently typing it all up, and thank you Val for your link too. All in all it looks like they have covered quite a bit of what Gareth has achieved.

Thanks Inge, was trying to be helpful but I expect you are right, as we are taking June and Jean with us and meeting Vera and Mick there. Haven't heard about anyone else going, it's probably a bit too far south east for most people to get to. I will cetainly report back after. We will have plenty to report, as we are all going to Dartford as well.

Just to say we took a ride to Maidstone to check it out today. It is near to Marks and Spencers in Earl street. For the benefit of anyone going, the nearest car park is FREMLINS SHOPPING CENTRE, some 100 yards away. Also please allow extra time after leaving the motorway, as there is a Kent show that day, and there will be a lot more traffic into the centre. I hope this helps.

Totally agree, you have done well June!

You'll get to Heaven Maria, excuse the pun! Thanks for your kind wishes, we will have a lovely time, and I sincerely hope there will be one near to you very soon.

Great Maverick, thanks for posting.