Hull-October 28t, 2019

So I woke up to a semi sunny day the next day and since I had a later train departure (Hull is only 1 hour 15 mins from York), I got adventurous and headed off to the York Designer Outlet where I hit the motherload of BaBs with some things not in the states yet. Whoop! 😀

My ticket for Hull was normal, not VIP, but my friend Sean had messaged me a couple days prior and told me that his friend was ill and I could take his place with VIP so another soundcheck for me. YAY! 😀 The venue was similar in some ways to York but OMG, the seating went WAY up and was steep! 😮 I was glad I wasn’t at the far back for sure! We got to hear RFWL again but no cool shadows this time LOL. Marilyn was there again as were my Canadian friends and tho we all kind of scattered a bit for quick eats, we met up well before door time for some chats and laughs before getting a spot on the rail in the OTHER prime spot that is on Mr. Cs. side this time LOL.

Sean had been instructed ahead of time about what to do in Tesla Girls and we also got a few group pics for the “front row wankers” tradition (can’t remember who started with that title tho LOL. Not me as I had never heard the term before coming over. 😀 ) When Mig15 came out, since I knew I liked the first song, I recorded it. Mr. M.s son looked quite different tho as the night before he had a beret on but tonight I could see his mohawk.

30 minutes, then the lights came down and we got to see the sweet OMD collage intro, and then got Stanlow. Funny enough, Sean was like “now people will start clapping too soon” and sure enough, that happened, then died down until the REAL ending of the song, then took off again LOL. Mr. M. smiled, said hello and then said “so there’s going to be old songs, new songs, WEIRD songs, and for sure DANCING songs! READY?” And the crowd was. Isotype didn’t seem to have as much clapping along as in York but still some. Once finished, Mr. M. said “for those of you who haven’t seen us before, we’re a bunch of middle aged men with synthesizers…who are going to kick your butt!” Messages got a great response so when it was done he said “See, told ya. Ready for more?” YUP! 😀

I have to say, it for sure helps to have a male voice in the mix because our “yes, Yes, YES” response came out much louder and distinctive than the night before. And then part way thru, 2 woman next to Sean decided to join in so even better! 😀 HoM went down without a hitch today LOL and of course bouncing, tho gotta say, not many bounced to start near me a least. Ah well…it was early. 😉

I’m not sure who started it but when Mr. H. came down to do FLaD, Marilyn grabbed my hand as she and some others on her side had started to wave them back and forth so I grabbed Seans and we had a small little wave like sway going. The 2 woman next to Sean then grabbed his/each others and it was longer. That’s when Mr. H. saw it and smiled. 😀 Never a dull moment when you’re with us eh? 😀 😀

It’s kind of cool that Mr. H. gets to sing 2 songs in a row and Stuart got his massage like karate chop at one point from Mr. M. who stood behind him for part of the song. 😊 I know I’m not alone when I say I will NEVER get tired of seeing JoA/MoO and when JoA started, a guy behind me let out a massive cheer. I think he knew what was to come! Always massive smiles on both Mr. M. and Stuarts faces when that’s done…well and the others too since the crowd goes so crazy. Bows from Mr. H. to both of them, then it was time to get the front of stage set up for the 2 oldies but goodies. I had PLANNED on recording both of them but sadly, an idiotic drunk lady ruined that. She had been smashing her way around the past few songs and then got really aggressive, even punching the guy immediately behind me (he told me to tell the guard that) so Marilyn and I waved the guard over and for a good part of Statues, she was leaning over the rail arguing with him. Sean was kind enough to give me his spot (because the lady pushed into the rail and took mine in order to argue with guard) but she was too loud and obnoxious so I just stopped mid song. 🙁 He had her move away before song was over tho and I got to record Almost. Both are fun to watch tho funny enough, being on an angle of Stuart in York, I could see he does a little wiggle jig when he plays Almost but tonight I was right in front of him so it doesn’t show up as well LOL. Ah well, glad to have it for sure! 😀

Once the stage was cleared, Don’t Go started quickly and I recorded it live for friends back home to see. Sean cracked me up with his massive head shake and exaggerated facial expressions for the “uh HUH” part. 😀 😀 Then Mr. M. informed us that “it’s just a lot of dancing from here!” and motioned us to bounce for SiL. He then said “there’s more” as Dreaming started. I got a great view of Locomotion and Mr. M. and Mr. H.s interaction which this time started with Mr. M. just giving Mr. H. what I call the “ET connection”…that is 1 finger touch before then extending his hand for a laughing shake. Like in York, he asked Stuart to play not just loud but “really loud” and Mr. H. laughed saying “Stuart’s got things turned up to 11.” By now the crowd was moving good (tho most of the balcony was sitting down. Initially I thought “well, that’s balconies for you” but later I thought “then again, that balcony is SO steep, I honestly don’t know if I would have bounced if I was TOO far up!” 😮 ) 

As always, EG came fast and lots of cheers when it started. But sadly, the drunken lady had made her way back! So a lady behind Marilyn and I came forward too and we all waved the guard, she told him drunk girl was back and shortly after, 2 guards came and had to argue AGAIN before getting rid of her. Sheesh! ☹ In any case, when the song was over, this time it was Stuart who did some bouncing as the beat of EG  kept going and they were all down front getting ready to leave. Seriously, if Mr. C. bounces tonight in Newcastle I will die! 😮 😀 😀 <3

Once back on, we got IYL and then Marilyn and I THOUGHT we were going to hear Secret because Mr. M. said something to Mr. H. like “Paul, ready to give them more” but then it was Pandora’s Box. Tease LOL. And speaking of tease, Mr. M. chose someone to point to and jokingly started to unbutton and pull open his shirt to during the appropriate lyrics. 😮  Oh my, I wonder if the woman flipped out or not as I know some go crazy for stuff like that LOL.  We got one final thank you and a warning that they were about to do their oldest and fastest song and we had one final chance to bounce, then it was over.

Jennifer and hubby came down to the floor to say hi so I decided to get a group photo (tho funny enough, the photo Marilyn and I got with Mig15 had me on the end and OMG, I seriously look 8 months pregnant! So first pic here had me on the end and I suddenly was like “hold up, gotta do another one with me in the middle!” I thought “I don’t need to keep up the view of me seeming like I’m going to give birth any day LOL! ☹ 😉) Usual goodbyes and then Sean walked me towards my hotel before saying  goodbye as this was the only show we were  doing together. But 2 nights down and both great…as usual really. 😊

So…highlight of the night. Well, I think I have to say all the fun antics tonight like the belting during TG, sway of FlaD etc. It just made the show extra fun. 😀