Stowe Music Festival 2004

With a weather forecast of thunderstorms and torrential rain, Michael arrived with Scott at about 2pm - he climbed out of the people carrier to say Hi, and said "Thank you for coming - you're all going to get soaked!"

David and I had arrived at 12.30, and five hours later, we were all finally let in through the gates - and the race began for the best seats! A few minutes later, the field was a mass of chairs, hampers and blankets - complete with Ballettes eagerly anticipating the evening ahead.

The support act that evening was Amici Forever (who, incidentally, recorded the theme for this year's Olympics). They were excellent - it's the first time I have seen one of Michael's support acts receive a standing ovation (much deserved), and be called back for an encore.

That set the scene for what was to come - Michael came on stage looking delectable in a white suit, singing I Was Born To Love You,

followed by Get On With Your Short Life, and then really tempted fate by singing Don't Rain On My Parade! (It didn't - despite a few rumbles of thunder, and threatening clouds, it stayed dry after about 1.30pm). Michael was in great form, and after With One Look and You Had Me From Hello, he invited us to wake the neighbours, singing along to Any Dream Will Do.

At one point, Michael made reference to the grounds we were sitting in - he commented it was a posh school, and that you would need loads of money to go there. He said that we were wrecking their cricket pitch, and added, "But I don't care!"

He spoke about his friend Mike Smith, and said that he had been hoping to come to Stowe, but hadn't been well enough. He had

asked Mike which song he would like sung for him, and Mike had apparently said the next song, which was People - this was lovely.

After a typically impressive rendition of Boy From Nowhere, Michael started his intro to Prepare Ye and Gethsemane. He mentioned that he has been in show business twenty years this year, and mentioned Bruce Forsyth's 65 years in the business, doing a very passable impression of Bruce! Michael's delivery of Gethsemane was stunning - he gave it his all, and left me breathless.

Michael returned to the stage in a dark suit and his sparkly tie, to sing This is the moment - which was as brilliant as usual,

and was received with the usual enthusiasm. Can't wait to finally have this one on an album! This was followed by Phantom Of The Opera with Celia Graham - they do this brilliantly together. Michael left the stage, leaving Celia to sing Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, before rejoining her to sing one of my favourites, - beautiful, although I confess I prefer the Michael and Emma version!

Next was Empty Chairs, Empty Tables, followed by God Give Me Strength - Michael acting his heart out for these. Suddenly we heard the opening notes of Vaults Of Heaven, and we were up on our feet for party time!

The highlight of party time for me was Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat - Michael was having the time of his life with this one - his sense of humour really shone through, and we were loving it! At the point where he sings, "Someone save me", someone in the audience called out, "I will!" - to which Michael momentarily paused, looked back and said "Thank you darling!" before continuing with the song! At the end, he received a huge ovation, and grinned from ear to ear!

This was followed by Let The Rivers Run and the Blues Brothers Medley - Michael then left the stage, returning to sing Love Changes Everything - we were all joining in with this one, swaying with hands aloft. Before the show, word had got around in the audience about the last two concerts, and I thought Michael looked choked at the end of Love changes, knowing it had to be the last show.

He left the stage and came back one more time, thanking us all for a brilliant evening, and thanking Callum, the band, and Annie, Dean and Shena. Then he finished the evening with The Wonder Of You.

It was a brilliant show - followed by a spectacular firework display!

Thank you, Michael, for a wonderful evening - we'll be there for next year's summer concerts!

Photos by Cathy Ryan



Photos by Cathie Roberts