WELCOME TO THE 2017 TOUR REVIEW THREAD!!

Welcome everyone to the 2017 Tour Review Thread!   The upcoming year is going to be exciting with concerts scheduled already for 2017!!  MB has some USA shows starting off the year in January and more shows through early April so far and I’m sure many more to come around the globe as the year unfolds!  Also exciting for 2017 is the February 10th release of Songs of Cinema and I am betting a few more songs from the CD will make it in the tour setlist!  Woo Hoo!  This is the best time to be a fan with MB’s concerts and we may have a Michael Bolton Charities event later in the year, we never know. Michael has multiple projects in the works and he is good at keeping us guessing. I appreciate the opportunity to start a new thread once again for 2017 to give us all a place to share the best part of being a fan--- experiencing Michael in person doing what he does best-SING!!!!!! 

I am looking forward to another fun year of posts and sharing great times by the best Michael Bolton fans in the world on this forum. I will post events to keep the thread moving along as the concerts come up as I have in the past.  

Let the year long concert party begin and I wish concerts for all of you in 2017!! I know many fans are on other social media sites but I do hope we can continue with the exciting tour reviews here in 2017!  You all make the thread fun.  

Happy Concert Time again in 2017!!

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Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on August 4, 2017 at 10:54pm

Lovely pic of Michael in Malta today which comes courtesy of artistnikkianand  Sorry, can't get it to come out in pic form.

https://instagram.com/p/BXYLLjpFbDP/

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on August 5, 2017 at 6:41pm

Michael has posted below tweet with pic which is a selfie where you can see in the background a dining table, has two seats at it, although Michael says for 1 and it sure looks a beautiful setting in a rather elaborate old section of somewhere....plenty of arches and marble and wood about:

Private dining anyone?

.

Sylvia    Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Rosario on August 6, 2017 at 7:01am

That is his best selfie to date!!!! Mighty nice :)))))))

Kathy and LAFD Bob

Permalink Reply by Robin on August 6, 2017 at 7:53pm

The next show on MB's tour is on August 10, 2017 at the Tennis Club Puente Romano, Marbella, Spain

I wish all attending a wonderful time with Michael and the band.. I know Spain will be happy to have them back again. 

Enjoy!

Robin in MD :)

 

Permalink Reply by Kathy Rosario on August 6, 2017 at 10:33pm

Oh I wish....but I will never say never ;)

Kathy and LAFD Bob

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on August 9, 2017 at 11:40am

Have picked up this article on Angel Flukes who was winner of German version of Britain's Got Talent show and she will join Michael on stage in Son Fusteret, Palma, Mallorca on 12th August.

 http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2017/08/09/mallorca-based-si...

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by Robin on August 9, 2017 at 11:39pm

The second show in Spain on MB's tour is at Son Fusteret, Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, Spain on Saturday August 12, 2017.

Everyone attending have a lovely time at both shows in Spain!  

Robin in MD :)

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on August 11, 2017 at 11:41am

Link to set of pics of Michael on stage last night in Marbella, Spain

http://www.gettyimages.es/license/829499300?share=site_facebook&...

Sylvia   Your wee Scottish friend

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Kretschmann on August 12, 2017 at 7:22pm

 

MB Concert, Bremen/Germany, 29th July 2017

 

Hi all out there,

1184 days and nights passed since my last MB concert in Essen/Germany, May, the 2nd in 2014 – my sister’s hometown – brightened up my life. Now, 29th of July 2017, it was Christine’s hometown Bremen to be the host for a new MB event. And how special the event conditions were I only learned a couple of days ago, finally reading the concert program :-). But let’s start with the beginning …

The tickets

As soon as Martina got the news – and spread them :-) – that MB will visit Bremen for a unique concert event, Martina, Christine and I choose to reach out for the VIP packages which would include a ticket in the first 3 rows, a program and signed autograph card as well as drinks and finger food before and after the concert and during the break. 197 Euro is a breathtaking prize, but I don’t regret a single cent.

Martina was the one to sit at the internet for us at 10.00h a.m., when Ticketmaster opened the “doors” and she managed to get the most perfect tickets: first row, almost center on the right side with perfect sight into the backstage space to see everyone entering the stage a few seconds before the rest of the audience :-). I’d love to thank Martina for these great tickets, so well done!!!

The Venue

Musical Theater Bremen is a beautiful venue with great acoustics, not to forget the comfortable plush seats :-), but unfortunately it is threatened to be closed and tore off, e.g. due to the need of expensive renovation. Events like this one offer hope that it might remain.

The VIP Package

Additionally to the great seats, the VIP treatment offered drinks (soft drinks as well as diverse wine, beer, spirits and a nice summer cocktail, which I really liked), finger food (mostly with meat or seafood). The queues to get the drinks or the food were very short, and very nice seats at tables with starched tablecloths made you really feel like a VIP :-). I also appreciated the MB - connected items like a handsome photo on the flyers placed on the tables to choose your drink etc. And even the neon signs for the drinks behind the bar carried this beautiful photo (see below). After the concert I felt free to take one of those flyers with me…

(For Sylvie and Robin R.: MB is dressed in a black suit, black shirt with open collar, standing very relaxed, his left hand in his pocket and smiling beautifully)

 

The Program:

A beautiful 16 b/w  glossy paged DIN A 5 booklet contains detailed information about the venue, organization, a short up-to-date-biography (regarding sold records e.g., one page), another fabulous full paged photo (MB in a kind of light sweater), and information about the supporting act Van de Forst (1 page).

The 2 paged interview (I’m trying to mention the probably unknown, at least to me): After enumerating a lot of his awards, MB is asked of further goals. MB answers that he won’t renounce deliberately further awards, but he’d like to stay on the ground and be satisfied. Well, concerning the Oscar, it happened to be only a nomination. So there might be something concrete on his mind …

Also, MB reveals having seen Will Smith in “Collateral Beauty” as last cinema visit and recommending it, and he names “Stand by me” and “WAMLAW” as most loved cinema songs. Being asked of describing his musical development from “Black Jack” to now, MB says, after watching old videos, he now thinks his voice has matched back then. And since his guitarist Bruce Kulick later joined KISS, imagine him (MB) being lead singer of KISS! But he has focused on his solo career.

Frankly, “his voice has matched back then…?” – I’d love to discuss it with him one day, and not being shy to step on his toes, if necessary … LOL

 

The “Signed Autograph”

A colored photo, very similar to this homepage photo above the tabs, is on both (!) sides, with space over MB’s head for his signature, and it is printed, not signed personally … :-(

The Event

As I wrote earlier, after reading the information I understand now why it was called a unique concert. Unlike the usual tour concert with travelling with trucks and equipment etc., the Musical Theater Bremen took care for sound, lights and any other equipment needed on stage and around, so that MB and crew had to arrive with their personal suitcases only (I bet, Milo had at least a further one, LOL). It took more than a year of preparation to get it done. Two sketches (light design and stage plot) show the detailed work. The interviewed sound engineer explained how difficult it is to create a “perfect” sound, which hardly exists, due to so many individual audience preferences. It was interesting to learn, that they have decided the basses not to stand on the stage, but being hanged under the roof to distribute the sound equally in the auditory.

The Stage

Well, sitting first row it was only a step away from touching the stage. Yet, there was almost no chance for hand shaking e.g., because along the full length technical equipment has been spread, so it was almost impossible for MB or J. P. to come closer to the audience. J.P. tried it several times, especially during his solos, but I guess it was a bit dangerous to avoid the equipment and, being blinded by the light, not to fall off the stage. If you watch Silvy’s video you can see MB literally climbing over to take our flowers and gifts. So close, yet so far :-(.

Concerning the stage arrangements it seemed as if everything was at the right/usual places.

BTW, Silvy, thanks again for the video :-).

The Concert

Supporting Act:

The 23-year old female singer “Van de Forst” (beautiful clear voice!) and her accompanist both played acoustic guitars. Also, she was supporting act for the latest Bonnie Tyler European Tour. “Nashville  Pop” is her style, having penned songs together with Tony Carey e.g. I especially liked their rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”. Of course, during the break I heard people complaining about the long time she played (about 40 minutes), but I liked her.   

The Audience

We, the audience… LOL. I guess you all already know how enthusiastically MB and whole Band, especially J.P. Delaire and Sam Fly, were cheered. Even MB himself has been flashed, as he told afterwards. Watch the video, if you haven’t yet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itadzfjEgiw

(“The audience was almost surreal”, MB at 2.52min.)

The Band

Great, as always! J.P. did his great sax solos and his medley of Missing you now, That’s what love is all about and You are so beautiful was awesome. Brian Becvar’s intro to WAMLAW caught me so that at first I forgot to look out for MB’s position in the audience LOL. Sam Fly has a wonderful clear, warm and strong voice. Frankly, from all his duet partners, I think I liked her most.

The Songs

What can I say? Sylvia already posted the set list, thank you! Of course, the usual suspects – or not? “Stand by me” is a great opener, the up tempo version makes you certain, that there is no other place on earth better than the “here and now” when attending a MB concert. “To love somebody” and “Sitting on the Dock”, the everlasting rocks…

Unfortunately the loud cheers messed up SILYBIL for me, because my beloved phrasing at the end has been swallowed. :-(.  But if I got it right, introducing the song, MB tried to imitate a German accent, remembering Germans complain about the irritating title  - LOL.

“I got a woman” had us on our feet the 2nd time. J.P. did a more discreet sax support than on the CD. I missed what I call the “laughing part” of J.P.’s solo part.

MB did a favor me, keeping “That’s Life” on the set list. I just love this one, the lyrics always lift me up.

“Sweet home Chicago” and “Good time R’&R” - who could ask for more fun???

J.P. made a lot of fun – people tried to scream as high notes as J.P. played them – and Brian played a gentle interlude while MB was getting prepared for the duet’s section with Sam: “Make you feel my love”, “HAISTLWY”, “Ain’t no mountain high enough”, and, “The Prayer”. As I said before, I loved Sam being MB’s duet partner, but it was MB’s gentle voice, whether low or high notes, strong and powerful or soft, that brought tears to my eyes.

I already mentioned the great J.P. medley before MB returned for WAMLAW.

“HCWBL” and “Steel Bars” (both great!) closed the party.

 

The Encore

There wasn’t any real encore, just the planned return, but … it was “Georgia” :-). Sweet and husky, but strong in the lower parts, powerful high notes and fabulous falsetto notes. Also, J.P. great  again.

Summary: I loved every second and it was worth every cent. I can’t wait for the next concert.

Wishing everyone else attending concerts: Have great fun, too, and safe travels.

All the best from Germany,

Astrid

P.S. Sorry for being late, but I still have internet issues

P.S. P.S. Look what I found on my camera...

(MB is sitting on his stool while singing Georgia. The piano behind him shows all our gifts, and the photo is worth sharing :-).)

Permalink Reply by Robin on August 12, 2017 at 7:33pm

Thank you for the lovely review and photos Astrid. I enjoyed reading it very much. I am so happy things went so well of all of you there and MB and the band and show were such fun.

I can picture the set up and how it looked from the front row. So glad MB was able to take gifts from the fans. Great picture at the end of them on the piano behind him.

Thank you for such a wonderful review!  Enjoy the Michael Bolton cloud!!!!

Robin in MD :)

Permalink Reply by Robin on August 12, 2017 at 7:40pm

The last overseas show for this group of concerts is at MONTE-CARLO SPORTING SUMMER FESTIVAL,Salle des Etoiles, Monaco on August 14, 2017.

To all attending, have a wonderful time!  MB and the band never disappoint.  Rock the house!!

Robin in MD :)

Permalink Reply by robin rehder on August 13, 2017 at 7:56pm

Oh! Wow! Astrid! LOVED your review. Thanks ever so much for pic descriptions as well. I felt like I was there & the V I P seating. Cool. So, I'm a little confused. Did you get to go backstage to speak with Michael? Cool if so, & I understand if not. Wow! As I said, I loved your review. Thanks.

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