Greetings Music-Lovers. Just back from my Funky Purple Adventure down South, and am pleased to report that a fine time was had by all. Also transpired that what I had thought were ultra-distant balcony seats were actually in a great spot, presenting an almost dead-centre view of the stage. Security at the O2 was very tight indeed, especially as regards taking photos. I risked certain death just snapping these pics on my phone.
Others weren't so lucky; On a quick trip to the Gents during the set, I witnessed three hapless amateur photographers being crudely but swiftly beheaded by security staff, their remains bundled into heavy-duty bin-bags, no doubt for health & safety reasons. Seriously. I have thus reinforced all door-locks in Chéz Sonique and placed extra manpower on the outer perimeter gates. You never know when they might come.


Anyhoo, nicely structured show all in all, which included a solo at-the-piano section during which Little Red Corvette and Raspberry Beret became torch-songs. Kinda liked that. A selection of cover-versions throughout the night included a brief but storming rendition of El Zep's Whole Lotta Love and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. Some great R&B playing during the end section of The Beatles' Come Together too. Reminded me just how great His Purpleness is as a guitarist. Some class Blues playing elsewhere in the set but I can't remember which track it was in. Dammit, I should've made notes. I think it might have also been in Come Together. It was that kind of a night. What else...oh yeah, Kylie's Can't Get You Outta My Head and Chic's Le Freak.
Aside from these, he ticked a loose selection of boxes from his 30 year back-cat to keep the capacity crowd happy. In fact, there was a distinct nonchalant tone to the entire show I thought, no doubt the result of having 150 or so songs rehearsed and ready to go at random on any given night.


A second encore at the end would've been nice though. The crowd were well up for it, (and the house-lights stayed down for ages), but the little purple fella wasn't, apparently. Still, the show clocked in at 2 hours-ish, so it's not like he and the band hadn't worked for their money.
This was actually the first proper (seated) stadium show I've ever been to, and it took a little while to adjust. Sounds odd, but it's also the first time I've watched live music in a seat with a drinks holder. Very handy, mind. Come to that, I can't recall the last time I watched live music in a seat.
One thing about the O2 I liked was the fast-service-no-queue situation at the numerous bars. Eradicated that thing of dreading buying a drink because of a 4-deep queue. Seemed like anywhere there was a space, they'd bung a beer vendor. That's my kind of interior design, Pop-Kids.
In fact, my entire night was sponsored by Stella Artois, or at least it felt that way this morning.
BTW, for all you Purple People out there, this is a place you should visit.