(to see Megan's photos - go to the photos page!!)
The Calling - Hammersmith Apollo, London
November 1st, 2004 marks a momentous occasion for this long time TC fan - my first experience seeing "my boys" live.
Coming from Perth, Western Australia, opportunities to see them have been limited, to say the least!! So when I found
myself in London on the tail end of a 5 month US trip and TC were coming, I knew I would have to do everything I could
to see them, which in this case included canceling a flight home, rearranging tours, etc so that I would be there
for that amazing Monday night performance.I wasn't sure what to expect crowd wise but I arrived early at the Hammersmith
Apollo to line up, and there were already lots of people waiting, and was so great to meet other TC fans from England.
The 8 hours waiting paid off as I found myself on the barrier when the concert started!! It felt like an eternity, but sure
enough, the first chords to "One by One" started stirring from the stage, barely audible over the deafening screaming.
I saw Chops, Arms and Justin take their places as the lights came on, with big smiles, we knew it was going to be a great
show. Alex entered the stage soon after with a peace salute to the adoring audience, and got the show underway. "Adrienne"
was up early on and certainly got everyone jumping, Alex beckoning the crowd to join him on the title line "A-Dri-enne!!"
the energy was electric. The boys then proceeded to rock through most of the awesome songs from the new album Two, with the
occasional "How we doing, London?" thrown in for good measure. In particular the acoustic version of "If Only" was incredible
,
I can never say enough about Alex's amazing voice but to hear it live and soaring was something I will never forget. Of
course what can now be called "classics" from the first album were played, much to our collective appreciation, "Could it be
any harder" drawing huge acclaim, and after thanking the London audience for their support despite little radio support
in the UK, Alex declared "We owe you this one" and launched into "Wherever You Will Go" to the ecstatic (and deafening)
crowd's delight.
One of the highlights of the night was Alex performing his rendition of "Why Don't You and I", something I had been hoping
he might play, and much credit goes to the very talented Chops for pulling off the Santana part on the guitar, he was amazing!
With Alex reappearing enveloped in an English flag, the encore delivered a brilliant cover of U2's "Who's Gonna Ride
Your Wild Horses" and rocked out with "Our Lives".
An amazing night, followed by meeting the band, made sure my decision to stay had been so worth it.I thrive on hearing music
live, the spontaneous energy that anything could happen on the night enthralls me,and I don't believe you can be true
musicians unless you can pull it off live. I have seen many big names live and truly believe that The Calling were up
there in the live entertainment stakes, the energy and interactivity was such a pleasure; and to see Alex be so very
thankful and gracious for the support of the fans, something that has become very rare, was heartwarming.
Thank you to the amazing London crowd who made the night so memorable and to Anna from the Australian
Street team for allowing me to share this with you guys!!
Megan Simm