Shane Filan in Blackpool

Shane & Band

Blackpool isn’t the nicest place and it’s not exactly around the corner either. But, there’s a reason, why I went there to visit the concert of Ex Westlife member Shane Filan, even though Lodon, Liverpool or Belfast would have been easier. Well, first it was a Saturday, so I could connect it to a long weekend and only had to take two days off. Second, I simply wanted something different than the usual and I had the chance to meet my long term penpal from Middlesbrough. So it was prfect. Originally a friend was meant to join me, but she couldn’t in the end and so I was travelling alone.

Doors opened at 7.30 pm. Because there were only seats, you didn’t need to queue for hours. Though, when I arrived at the Winter Gardnes, at the Opera House, at 7 pm, there was already a pretty long queue in front of the doors. I really was wondering why? Luckily I could get rid of the spare ticket on that afternoon. Was quite late. So I was sitting next to the two girls, who bought them from me. Sure that was great. Because they both were two long time fans and did go along with the concert properly. Third row. I sat down and could barely believe it to sit this close. Pefect sight. And what is the great thing with UK/Ireland: Even though they were seats, barely anyone was sitting. Okay, maybe it depends on the concert, but even with Westlife and now here with Shane Filan everyone was standing as soon as he entered the stage.

Ben Montague
Ben Montague

Before him Ben Montague was playing half an hour as a support – mainly on the guitare, but also some pieces on the keyboard. Ben is a singer/songwriter from UK. They were nice songs and additionally with his jokes and his relaxed nature, he did entertain the audience well. Before Shane started his show then at 9pm, Ben did a signing. So I got his two EPS signed and a picture with him. Special was, when it was my turn after queuing and I said “Hi, I’m Sarah!”, he immediately mentioned that I was the first one introducing to him. I got to admit only then I realized that I actually do this way to rarely and you really should do this. Because it must be somehow weird, if people just come up to you wanting autographs and photos and you have no clue who they are? Well, just a thought.

So, Shane entered stage at 9 pm with his five member band. He sang his own songs from the solo album “You And Me” (“When I Met You”, “Everytime”, “Once” etc), Westlife titles (“My Love”, “Flying without wings”, “What about now” etc) and covers (“Uptown girls”, “Wake me up”, “You Raise Me Up”, etc). The scenery was very nice with the light show and the huge screen in the background. For the accousting set e.g. they sat on a sofa and spread some livingroom atmosphere, for another part Shane was serving drinks to two fans at a bar. He took the two girls from the audience and let them sing along during “Mandy”, took even photos with them, before they were sent back to their seats. A great, nearly 2 hours show. Though some things seemed, like back then with Westlife, a bit fitted and learnt by heart. But if he can grow out of this gradually and grows out of this boygroup image a bit more, then this is going to be realyl fabulous. If I would get the chance again, then I’d sure would go to see another concert of him.

After the show I kept waiting with some others at the backstage entrance. It was raning though and so the chances not too big, that Shane would take lots of time for the fans autograph and photo wishes. And there were quite a lot of people waiting, mainly woman. The band passed more or less unnoted by anyone to the tourbus. None seemed to care. I quickly caught Shane’s bass player Jimmy and exchanged a few words with him. The others were gone to quickly. When Shane came, all hell broke loose. Everyone ran up to him, he barely could move, because everyone wanted something and were sticking to him. Thereby he simply wanted to get out of the rain. I prefered to watch this from a distance. So someone told me then that a womand jumped at Shane and wouldn’t let go of him anymore, was almost strangling and squeezing him, or something like that. However he kept shouting after his tour manger for help and did flee into the bus then, that soon after drove off. I didn’t even notice this incident. But that’s better. Cos, how stupid is this? One would think these woman are old enough in the meantime…

Youtube-Playlists:
Shane Filan
Ben Montague

 

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