Tour memories Newcastle

[Floz]

What follows is a series of personal accounts and newspaper reports, originally posted on GG............

From Moesey. Newcastle report

Just got back from Ncle tour had a cup of tea but feeling rather tired.heres me little story I wont go into concert content detail as other ppl have already done that and made a good job of it

Just before we were due to leave for the tour we found out Newcastle had a home game with kick off at 7.45pm.shock and horror at the thought of trying to get on the metro trains with thousands of football fans plus Gareth fans.we decided the best bet was to go to the station before the big interchange at Heworth.well it paid off.we had to stand but managed to get onIt is quite a walk to the arena from the Ncle station and it was pouring with rain so we got soaked but didn`t let it dampen our spirits we

Were to excited for that

Entered the arena about 7.10 looked ahead and what a thrill to see all those Gorgeous pics of Gaz staring you in the face omg what a welcome me and Alishia looked at each other and made a dash for the chaotic queue.as everybody else must have done the same on entry all wanting a piece of that our gorgeous Gaz.after fighting our way to the counter we got t shirts posters programme and a couple of those stick lights.gets to our seats armed with pop sweets binoculars and camera.all ready for the off.The supporting act .Skyndeep seemed quite good but we were just waitng for Gaz really and just wanted them to finishThere were different artists pics flashing on the monitors and every time Gareth appeared a tremendous roar went up.well Cat Deeley introduced Gareth on the monitors and we had lift off at 8.30am and we neva came back down to earth til 10.20pm

How he sang while doing all that dancing (eat your heart out Justin)just amazing .and the speech he`s just on a roll don’t think he can stop.His music abilities were exposed to the full and a great kick in the teeth to all those critics who acuse him of being talentless.Loved the bit where he brought a young girl called Jamie up on stage from the audience,when he asked “how old are you”everybody including Gaz thought she said 5 ya could sense him and everyone else thinking she looks old for 5 and then you could see the penny drop and he repeated”no how old are you not how are you”apparently she had said fine.and he laughed and she said 12.(don’t think he could cope with you older teenagers ya`s might wont more than just a chat)maybe he`s saving that for wembly.but he sang anyone of us to her and he was really lovely with her.bet she`ll neva forget that experience.His singing was superb I was really suprised at some of the notes he hit he was on top form and so fit.Im trying to pick a favourite song or performance of the night but I cant there were so many but I loved when he was sort of lying down and hanging over the front of the stage with that cheeky look on his face,it’s was a treat.didn`t want it to end really but all good things gotta end sometime,but what a fab!! night with all those lovely Gaz fans and of course GAZ

Dashed back for the Metro only to find the football match had just finished and Newcastle had won 3-1 so the football fans were as happy as us and we all had a great journey home.

Oh must mention had a good seat but still glad I took my binocs wow Gaz that close well worth it.

Maureen

[Floz]

newcastle review (evening chronicle)

His own way Mar 4 2004

Two years ago, Gareth Gates could do no wrong, and sell-out shows at Newcastle's Arena were second nature to him as he rolled with the Pop Idol bandwagon.

But how would he cut it on his own, without Will Young and the gang there to support him? Not too badly at all, if his debut solo show at the Arena is anything to go by.

From the moment Gareth stepped down from his podium in a cloud of showbiz stardust that mere mortals can only dream of, it was clear this performance was first and foremost about creating a feel-good party atmosphere.

Acknowledging his setting with a cheeky "howay", the evening kicked off with his chart-topping debut single, Unchained Melody, with the crowd, largely made up of young teens and their mums, rising to their feet, welcoming back to the Toon everyone's favourite runner-up.

After sharing anecdotes of local heroes Ant and Dec, Gareth was joined on stage by his group of female dancers.

An impressive array of pyrotechnics and well-choreographed dance moves followed, setting the pace for the funky Soul Sensation.

Taken from his recently released second album, Go Your Own Way, the brass-led party anthem, which has been penned as a forthcoming single, went down well despite being on its debut live outing.

Unlike his first batch of Simon Cowell-guided covers, Gareth's new material is largely his own work. Unfortunately, though, this newfound independence doesn't transpire into all-out originality, suggesting Gareth is stepping aboard the R&B bandwagon that has dominated the charts of late.

Despite the fact he covered no new ground, his contemporary, up-tempo numbers, reminiscent of Justin Timberlake, made a refreshing change to the mushy, piano-driven ballads of his debut album.

However, a few of these earlier numbers crept into the set, namely What My Heart Wants To Say and the somewhat drab Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake).

Breezing through his act like a seasoned professional, it was obvious we were witnessing a more mature Gareth to the spiky-haired pop starlet that was the cheeky face of manufactured pop two years ago.

[Floz]

Newcastle Review-Gareth Charms Crowds

Gates charm's crowd Mar 4 2004 By Claire Rees And Charlotte Stacey, The Journal

Gareth Gates,

Metro Radio Arena,

Newcastle

The famous spikes had gone and in their place was a Hoxton mullet as Gareth Gates continued his Go Your Own Way tour at the Metro Radio Arena last night.

Midway through his first solo dates, the Bradford-boy had ditched his white suit for ripped jeans and an altogether less cardboard cut-out routine.

The 3,000 young fans compensated for empty seats with noise and loyalty. They went wild every time his image flashed up on the giant TV screens either side of the stage.

By the power of video link, Cat Deeley introduced Gareth, who opened the show with his chart-topping debut single Unchained Melody.

Ballads over with, Gareth gyrated on the edgy rooftop stage set with raunchy female dancers in a break away from his clean-cut Pop Idol image.

A self-conscious dancer, Gareth showed off new moves to a backdrop of red-brick platforms and scaffold staircases. He's been practising, apparently.

He also surprised us with a string of musical skills which he has kept quiet until now - playing the drums and keyboard with his band.

Gareth joked with the audience about the stammer which cemented him in the hearts of the public.

You couldn't knock him for genuine charm and self-deprecation that won over the crowd.