Had a great time last night, got to meet Loreena after the concert! Let me take you back to the beginning. Got to the area about an hour before the show, pulled in to the parking garage next to the venue, and saw all the tour buses and trucks. Asked a couple of the guys outside the bus where to meet Loreena and they said wherever the fans stop here, which might be out in the street! We also noted that there was a backdoor with the name of the theatre on it as well as a loading dock area with a truck pulled into it. (Apparently the name of the trucking co. is TruckNRoll). Satisfied we knew where to look for Loreena, we went in to the theatre.
The venue was the Michigan Theatre, an ornate intimate showcase built probably back in the 20s. Surprisingly popcorn was for sale, I never really associated popcorn with concerts but oh, well. Headed over to the merchandise table. Picked up the DVD for $35 and got a blue (they also had black) tour t-shirt for another $35. There were other stuff like a tour poster but I passed on them. Not that I wouldn't like them, but you gotta have limits.
We finally entered the actual hall itself. It was big but not humongous, so even seats in the back weren't horrible. Our seats were in row X (could've had much better seats nearer the front, but that's another story) which was about halfway up from the stage. They were quite acceptable, I could enjoy the show without binoculars, though I had some anyway. The ushers gave us concert programs, quite informative, actually a lot of the stuff you'll find on the website. I thought it was quite thoughtful of Loreena, I've never gotten anything like it at a concert before. We read a blurb in there about set lists being available at the merchandise table, so I ran back up to get some. All the non-encore songs were printed on a small card. I won't list them all here since it was exactly the same as reported from previous concerts. Another nice touch from Loreena, so we wouldn't have to fumble around in the dark trying to write them down or rack our brains trying to name that tune (yeah, I know I should know them by heart, but some of the newer ones escape me). The average age of the crowd was probably about 35-40, but I saw some kids about 9 or 10 as well as people with very white hair. Most were casually dressed (some guys even had shorts on, it was a warm day by Michigan standards!)
The concert was set to begin at 7:30, but they waited about 10 minutes to get everyone seated. Actually, I didn't even see Loreena enter the stage, as there were some people standing up to let some latecomers get to their seats. (People, please be on time!) Loreena started with She Moved Through the Fair playing the harp. The stage set was dominated by a Middle Eastern type archway. Lighting was primarily purple and tourquoise although other colors like red and green would show up later. She had 9 backing musicians, six of them on a riser behind her and her piano. The other 3 were on her level: Brian Hughes to our left, and Caroline Lavelle and Hugh Marsh to our right. Loreena was wearing a brownish greatcoat with a leopard print dress underneath and black boots. The crowd was quite respectful, very quiet during the songs, nobody took pictures that I could see, and nobody yelled out anything stupid. Loreena finally spoke after The Mummers Dance and she introduced many of the songs throughout the night with substantial blocks of insight. Her voice was very clear (often at other concerts, I never know what the artist just said.) I think she laughed a little when the crowd seated itself for the first encore and all the old chairs squeaked in unison.
After the show, we joined about 15-20 others near the truck that was backed up to the theatre. Most of the other band members were already coming out and boarding the buses. Got Caroline Lavelle's autograph on a concert program. She's really quite an attractive lady. We were told Loreena would spend more time with us if we didn't take pictures, so we refrained, though I must admit I would love to have one with her for memories' sake. After about 20 minutes, she came out and chatted with each of us in turn. She took her time, we felt no rush. She graciously signed a half dozen items for me, although I told her she could do just a couple if she didn't have time. I told her I'd been waiting 15 years to meet her. I said I didn't think she had toured in Michigan before and she corrected me and said she had been here in 1992. (Oops, missed that one, hey that was before the Internet.) Asked her if she'd be at the Stratford Shakespeare fest and she said not this year. Then I told her jokingly to wave at us in the 2nd row at Kalamazoo. What a great concert experience it was, probably my best ever. Well, maybe tonight will be even better!
Posts: 193 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 05, 2006
Yes! I think the hug was because she could see I was all choked up. I wasn't really expecting to see her or talk to her, so I was a bit overwhelmed and surprised. I was very touched by her reaching out to me that way.
A hug? Good going, Arte! Might've passed you. The exit from the parking garage was right next to where Loreena was meeting the fans, and as we left, Loreena was still out there with a few of the last fans.
Scott and amuria, I wish you all could've met Loreena. She really is quite friendly.
Posts: 193 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 05, 2006
I was at this show, in the balcony, where people were relatively dressed up, actually.
It was a fabulous show and you did a nice breakdown of it. Thanks for posting the setlist as well, I didn't grab one of those.
We also met Loreena, she walked out right in front of us as we walked down the street where the tour buses were. There were only a handful of fans (and no other band members--I'd have loved to meet Caroline as well) there at the time, but it was later--not directly after the concert. She was kind, gracious, and wonderful. I was a babbling mess, but genuine. lol. She initiated a hug goodbye.
Great break down. This was the show I attended. It was a nice day, hence the dressed-down casual fans. Ann Arbor is obviously a college town. As was leaving the theater, it was nice to see the diversity of fans (of course, not knowing ALL of them, I can ony base my comment on apperances, which isn't being very fair...). There were "rockers", "retirees", "college students"...so many. How nice to know there is music out there that truely crosses so many lines and differences.
I have to agree with you Dan, it was wonderful! I especially liked how Loreena told about her travels and the research she has been doing on the celts in Turkey, Mongolia, Italy.... It was very interesting!
I was amazed at how strong and powerful her voice is while singing (she would hit notes that I thought would shatter the crystal chandelier lol) and so soft when talking. There were some very powerful energies there that night!
All the songs were excellent. One of my favorites was "Highwayman". Hugh Marsh captured the audience with his unbelievable playing!It was an awesome performance by all the musicians! They really compliment each other, a great group Loreena picked.
I didn't stay to meet Loreena after the performance because I felt I needed to respect her wishes about pictures and privacy. I enjoyed the concert very much, it filled a part of my soul and I am happy with that.( I am glad you got a chance to meet her and get autographs Dan! )
I'm going to post the setlist for completeness' sake, since based on my Kalamazoo experience, it does look like Loreena may alter the actual performance a bit during this tour.
She Moved Through the Fair The Gates of Istanbul The Mummer's Dance Bonny Portmore Marco Polo The Highwayman Dante's Prayer The Bonny Swans Caravanserai
intermission
Raglan Road The Mystic's Dream Santiago The Lady of Shallot Beneath A Phrygian Sky The Old Ways Never Ending Road
encores: Huron Beltane Fire Dance Penelope's Song
Posts: 193 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 05, 2006
Hello, superbeast777! You're right, I didn't see your post in time or I would've said hello for sure. We had the 5th and 6th seats in from the left. We were the Asian folks. The girls directly in front of us were also at the AA concert. Hope you got to see Loreena after the show in K'zoo!
Posts: 193 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 05, 2006
I'll be in the 2nd row at Kalamazoo too! You probably won't see this in time, but if you do and you happen to see a younger looking girl (I'm 25 but look younger) in black pants and a black sweatshirt with pink stars (pink stars on my purse too), say hi! My name's Rhonda. I'll probably be by myself though possibly joined later on by someone.
I was at last night's show too, and your review of it is spot on. I wish I had gone directly to the back after. Instead I took my time and by the time I made it back there I was the only one there. Loreena passed me but I got shy and didn't say anything so it looks like I'll have to try to meet her tonight or tomorrow.
