UK Tour 2003 - Oxford

Late Autumn 2003, Michael went on a tour of the UK, performing in more than 20 cities across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Many thanks to Pam for this review of Michael's Oxford concert. Stage door photos courtesy of Pam. The concert photos courtesy of Pam's husband David, and Cathie Roberts.

Michael was on top form - and looking wonderful. He came on stage to rapturous applause. After the first couple of songs, Michael did the "group flash" bit again, giving us all the opportunity for a photo, before politely asking us to put all our cameras away until party time.

At one point Michael dedicated a song (sorry, I can't think which one) to "a very dear friend of mine, Mike Smith" - he said that Mike had produced the song, and that he wished him well - I know we were all thinking the same.

Onto the Love Story section - Michael sang 'You Had Me From Hello' - at the very last bit, someone from the audience called out "Hello" in a parrot-like voice. It seemed at first that Michael hadn't heard, as he didn't react, but turned round to have a drink, then as he turned back towards us, he looked up into the audience and said, "Thank you for that magical moment!"

Leading into 'This Guy's In Love With You', Michael explained again how there comes a time when you have to tell the other person how you feel, and said, "Boys don't like to do that, girls - it makes us feel vulnerable!"

At the end of the Love Story section, after 'Didn'tWwe', Michael started the build-up to 'Me and My Shadow', saying, "And after, what do you do?" A lady behind me replied, "Come down here!" - Michael giggled, and said, "Yeah, I could. But I go to see my mate Antonio!" He left the stage, leaving us to watch the video of him with Antonio Banderas.

Onto the next part of the show, and Michael came back on to a huge welcome from us all. One of the songs he sang at this point was 'Just When', which he said he had written for someone he loves very much. He also sang one of my favourites, 'My Arms Are Strong' - said it's a lovely song, from one of his old albums, One Careful Owner. Anyway, my night was made when he looked at me as he sang, "My arms are strong - I will carry you home forever...." (Michael, you would have had to, after looking at me like that !)

He also sang 'Don't Rain On My Parade' and 'Boy From Nowhere' (received a standing ovation), and went on to sing 'This Is The Moment'. He said he receives a lot of requests for this song, and that it's a great song (sounds extra special sung by Michael!) He really gave this one everything, and well deserved the standing ovation he received afterwards - magnificent.

He went on to sing 'Empty Chairs At Empty Tables', and introduced it by giving its background story, of how he used to sing it in "Les Miserables", and that he never tires of singing it - that it is still appropriate today - that you only have to look in the newspapers or watch TV to see why.

Then came 'Bread Of Heaven' - making me all too aware of how quickly time was passing. As Michael walked down the steps singing, I noticed him look at Callum, and suddenly the music changed to "Swing low, sweet chariot" - this received spontaneous and enthusiastic applause! Some of the audience began to join in! Then Michael and the band reverted back to 'Bread of Heaven' to finish the song. After finishing, Michael said "Well done our lads - the cup's coming home!" He added that he had watched the match, and had us all laughing when he said, "Can I just say - that South African referee - penalty? Even a Welshman could see it!" (The last bit said with a Welsh accent!). For a couple of comical moments, we were watching Michael the everyday bloke there, instead of Michael the showman!

Michael then said, "Fancy a bit of rock and roll?" - He knew the answer - we all yelled "Yes" and jumped to our feet - some ran to the front, although the design of the stage at Oxford means that you cannot actually get to the stage - there is a gap in front of it. I stayed put this time, as I had a good view from where I was standing in row C. There was plenty of hip movement last night!

Someone handed Michael a yellow rose, which he took, smiled, smelling it as he walked to the back of the stage with it, and placed it by his towel and glass of water.

He sang another of my favourites - 'Dancing In The Dark', and 'Help Yourself' - with a very enthusiastic demonstration of "Grab a Share" (I know you all know what I mean!). He came to the reprise, and as he sang "Just.....help.....your....." he was doing Elvis-type hip gyrations with each word (to cheers and squeals from us all!). Before he finished, ...."Self", he paused, looked at us, and said, "Do you like this one?" We all yelled back "Yes!", and having obtained the answer he wanted, he grinned and said "So do I!" before finishing the song.

He then left the stage, leaving us clapping to the music, and waiting for an encore. The band paused, then to a cheer from us all, started up the first strains to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Michael came bounding back on, came down the steps, his arms in air, encouraging us to do the slow handclap now associated with 'Chitty Rock'. Then he paused, and with a look of devilment in his eyes, said slowly, "Anton Rodgers, I know you're up there - this is for you!" A small ripple of applause went through the audience, and many of us looked round in the hope of seeing Anton. Michael launched us all into Chitty Rock, and we all had a great time. In the final part, he said he wanted us to sing 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' with him - which we did, with ample enthusiasm! When we all finished singing, Michael said that "Jeremy and Jemima" - Laurence and Lauren - were also in the audience.

Time came for 'Love Changes Everything'. Michael said it was "Cold and wet outside, but warm and lovely inside." He said that on this tour, he'd been asking everyone to sing it with him, and that they had done very well at Bournemouth "Last night. No, not last night, I had the night off - the night before last." He then hinted that we had a really good atmosphere at Oxford (we did - it was magical!), and that we should be able to do a good job too. The music started up, and we all began to sing. Halfway through, Michael told us we sounded lovely, looking out at us all.

There was such a lovely atmosphere there last night!

Finally, we came to the last two songs - 'From Here to Eternity', which Michael said was very appropriate as a last song. I'd never thought of it in that way before, but it's true - the words do seem very appropriate. Michael then said goodnight and left the stage, leaving us all yelling for more, clapping and stamping for him to return.

He came back on stage, looking so chuffed and quite emotional at the reception he was receiving, then held up his finger and mimed "Just one more?!" "Yes!" we all yelled, and he grinned. He said that the words to this song were very apt - 'I Wish You Love'. He sang it so beautifully, and we savoured it, knowing it to be the very last one of the evening. Then he said his goodbyes, and with a wave from the top of the stage, he was gone.

I always have a great time at Michael's concerts, but last night really was special!!

We filed out to stage door to say goodnight to him - the crowd was enormous! Annie came through, and made David's night - I asked her if she'd mind having her photo taken with him, and she readily agreed. She was really friendly and chatty, although she must have been tired. Thanks Annie - David was chuffed to bits.

Finally Michael came out, and went straight onto the coach - there was nothing else he could have done, it was chaotic. He called out goodnight to us, and waved through the window to us all.

Thanks for wonderful evening Michael!