Fan Reports

Rhydian ~ St David's Hall, Cardiff  Wales Festival of Remembrance In aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal  01 November 2008     Report by Fay Unfortunately the room in my hotel didn’t have WIFI and so despite writing a report I was unable to send anything from Cardiff. I have found a service station on the way back which has free WIFI and so I am just quickly posting this. Our pics if they are any good will come later. St David Hall was a large pleasant modern building with the seating in tiers. Most of the people I knew who had come were sitting on the left-hand side of the stage at an angle so that our view was partly obscured by a large wooden lectern but this did not really detract from our enjoyment of the various performances. The first half took the form of a concert which among other things included a large male voice choir, a very accomplished guest soprano and of course Rhydian himself. The presenter for the first half was very entertaining and joked several times about Rhydian. He pretended he had landed on a helicopter pad on the roof of the building and he attempted to strike several classic Rhydian type poses. There was generally a very friendly atmosphere. Eventually it was Rhydian’s turn to perform and he entered on our side of the stage singing ‘You'll never walk alone’. He was wearing a dark beautifully tailored suit, a white shirt and a large white tie, which looked almost like a cravat. He also had a huge red poppy in the lapel of his jacket. The stage was very brightly lit which made his silvery hair glisten in the spotlights. He looked calm and confident which suited the mood of the occasion and his beautiful baritone voice resounded around the hall. Every time I hear him sing his voice seems to get even better than I remembered it. In between his two songs he paused to speak to the audience. He said that he didn't have anything prepared to say but that he just felt so honoured to be there and what a wonderful occasion it was. He was representing ‘youth and the present’ and I felt he spoke very well and appropriately to suit the audience present, many of whom were elderly and had been brought in by coach from outlying areas. For his second song he sang one verse of ‘I vow to thee my country’ followed by a verse of ‘World in Union’ in which he was accompanied by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Before singing this he explained that he loved rugby and had played himself for several years. His two songs were well-received by the audience although I got the impression that the majority of them didn't really know him that well. To be honest they didn't really look like a typical X factor audience at all. However I am sure that by the end of his performance he had won over many new fans. As he walked off stage we made sure we gave him a good cheer and people who didn't know us turned around and smiled at us. It was obvious that he was very pleased to see us all.. The second half of the evening took the form of an ‘Act of Remembrance’. There was a muster, which consisted of a parade of standards of the Royal British Legion joined by representatives of military and civilian veterans. It was very moving when the poppies were let down from the ceiling during the two-minute silence and I noticed a number of people in the audience were in tears. Rhydian returned at the end with the other soloists from the first half to sing the two national anthems and he acknowledged us both as he walked in and when he finally left the stage. I thought it was a nice gesture that he stopped and shook the hand of a Chelsea Pensioner as he left. I spoke to the Pensioner at breakfast the next morning as he was at the same hotel and he said he found the occasion almost too much because it was so moving and that when he walked up to the stage to a standing ovation he was quite sure that everyone was expecting him to fall over and that to be honest he nearly did. I thought that was so endearing. It was lovely to see a number of people from the fansite and I am starting now to be able to pick people out even without their red T-shirts. I got the impression that Rhydian was very pleased to see us all there and really appreciated our support. Fayx Copyright ~ Fay   pinkfairy's report   Lovely to see you all again. Sorry if I miss anyone out as the list of people to say hello too is the numbers are increasing at every concert. MJ, Anngie, Karma, Marie and her mum, Expat (sorry we didn't have long to talk I'll see you at the next show!), Fay and Geoff, Julie and her husband, Vicky and her crowd, Tracey, deebee and crowd. What a wonderful concert. Steffan Hughs a young lad with alot of talent. I agree with marie we will see more of him in the future. I think he was watching Sara because as we came out he appeared at he the celb resturant window and waved madly at Sara as we went down the escalator. In fact I am wondering if he recognises Sara from the college as his accompanist has accompanied Sara at the college. Rebecca Evans was really good as always. She was very nice talking to Sara after the show and having a photo taken. Very down to earth. Rhydian was brilliant as ever. What more can I say. But Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant and amazing. Yes he was very loud but that wasn't Rhydians fault thats what the sound check is for. My husband also agrees that the sound man got it wrong. He sang wonderfully and gave great respect to his whole audience. He was one of the only stars at the end of the show to stop, shake hands and have a chat with one of the Chelsea pensioners. I think Karma may have a photo of that moment. I was too busying in a dream world thinking what a lovely gesture. You could see the old man was really pleased. We stopped outside for a while and spoke to Anglea and Malcom. Then we left before seeing Rhydian as I wasnt feeling too well. We all had wonderful evening including my husband. Sara-Jane also enjoyed the whole night and enjoyed meeting you all again. Yet another successful concert on the long road Rhydian is travelling. Hopefully many more stops to come!!!   Copyright ~ pinkfairy   ANNE100 Just arrived back home totally knackered. The evening started with getting lost in Cardiff and ended with getting lost in Cardiff. On the way in I took the wrong turning and ended up by Ninian Park where the Bluebirds were playing a home game and the car was swamped with fans. I was just glad I wasn't driving hubbie's car with Swansea City AFC on the back or we probably would never have made it to St David's Hall!.......Anyway, we did make it and it was lovely to see so many people I had met before and new people as well......Shenco and Redkite, lovely to meet you. Great to see Non again as well and she had a whole row of fans with her and pinkfairy, Sara and her husband sat behind us and in my row there were MJ, Anngie, Kama, Expat and Kate (lovely to meet you at last Kate). Also met Julieulie and Vicky in reception, good to see you again girls. Met a lot of others as well, Rhydian had a really good turn out. It was a wonderful evening altogether, certainly not one I have experienced before. Mike Doyle is a great singer/comedian/entertainer and is very well known in the South Wales area. Steffan the young boy who sang has a huge future ahead of him.........definately someone to watch out for. Loved the "We will Rock you set", wanted to get up and join in although my mother couldn't understand why the girls were wearing fishnet stockings with holes in........I did explain on the way home. Rebecca is a wonderful singer as well but I'm not really into Soprano's but my mum was delighted to see her live ..........and then on came Rhydian. Oh he looked so smart. Wonderful suit, a new one I think and it fitted him to perfection, his hair is shorter but oh so so much better than when he first appeared on X Factor..........it sort of looks right now (never really liked it in the early days). Better still, he came on stage right next to us and stood within an arm's length of us to sing the first few lines of "Walk Alone". Absolutely wonderful. It was good to hear him sing two of the songs from X Factor that hadn't been performed so often as well. World in Union went down well as the RAF band joined in the second half. Glad that MJ and Kama managed to capture the performance, I didn't take my camera as I didn't think they would be allowed but I wish I had now. I am sure he knew his fans were there as he kept looking down our way and gave a lovely smile several times.......he really is gorgeous close up you know. Also gave his mum and dad a quick wave, they were a tier higher up than us. The second half of the evening was the celebration of Remembrance Day. We had to stand while the many representatives of the regiments marched on stage. First to go on were the parade of the standards of the Royal British Legion. These were all elderly men who had to stand on stage absolutely still holding a very heavy flag on a pole for the entire second half. I remember feeling very grateful when we were told we could sit down but there was no reprieve for them and I thought they were amazing. It was very emotional especially the two minute silence when red hearts were sprinkled down from above which I believe represent the people who died in the World Wars. Rhydian came back on stage at the end along with the other artists to sing the Welsh National Anthem and God save the Queen. A wonderful evening and I am so glad I took my mother as well, she really enjoyed it and thanks to everyone who said hello to her........she hasn't quite grasped the concept of it all though as she said to me on the way home.........how come so many people from where you work were there then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, on the way out got horribly lost again......saw Cardiff Bay 4 times.........the signposts for M4 West are nuts!! Copyright ~ ANNE100 Fan report Shenco   I think that St David's Hall is fantastic and we certainly had excellent seats. We were in the second row from the front just in by the steps leading on to the stage. Deebee58, Caz, Diana and Redkite were immediately in front of us and Moggy was sitting by my husband. I also met Anne100 and her mum, Rhian nonna, Rattie and Gillyflower. There were a couple of other people as well but unfortunately their names have escaped me for the moment. Apologies to anyone that I have omitted. I really enjoyed meeting everyone. It was great. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I thought all the artists were excellent. The host for the first half was Mike Doyle who once won Opportunity Knocks in 1988 and has quite an impressive record. I thought he was excellent. I absolutely loved Steffan Hughes (in fact I have his CD). He is only 14 and unlike Rhydian and Mike Doyle he sang about 2ft away from the microphone and you could hear him loud and clear. Rebecca Evans sang beautifully and I was glad to have heard her sing at long last. Those were really the main artists but there was a group of school kids singing Queen songs and they had an excellent group backing them. Now for RHYDIAN. Ah! He was dressed in a smart grey suit. He still has that short hair cut which seems to suit him. He looked very trim and perhaps a bit shorter than I always imagine him to be but I am sure that he is going to break quite a few hearts. Mike Doyle brought up the subject of the X-Factor and asked if there were any Rhydian fans in the audience. A big response. (We went to an Italian Restaurant before the show and the couple that we were sitting next to were from Brecon and they had come mainly to see Rhydian). Rhydian sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "World in Union". I thought that he sang both beautifully but I did have some reservations about the fact that he held the microphone so close to his face, as also did Mike Doyle, and for me and OH this seemed to add a distortion. I was quite surprised as he has such a powerful voice and I would have thought he could have stayed further from the mic. Having said that, it might have been due to some technicality beyond my knowledge. He certainly had a big applause at the end and he sang the Welsh National Anthem with everyone at the end with such gusto. I can't wait to see him do one of his own shows and it makes such a difference to sit in comfort.   St Davids Hall - You'll Never Walk Alone St Davids Hall - I vow to thee world in union Copyright Shenco   Videos by Tracey Smith     You'll Never Walk Alone World In Union Copyright ~ Tracey Smith   Rhydian Signing Autographs for Fans Copyright ~ Tracey Smith Rhydian looking fantastic ~ signing for fans With Tracey Smith Rhydian's lovely mum Angela and equally lovely Nain, with his dad Malcolm in the background meeting fans       Photos ~ Copyright Gillyflower     Rhydian shows kindness and respect to a  Chelsea Pensioner as he leaves the stage

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th Birthday Celebration Concert, Hyde Park, London Sunday, 14 September 2008   ommadon - live journal: So yesterday evening I was in Hyde Park watching a concert Radio 2 had put on to mark Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th this year. It was good, if somewhat chilly and they had quite a lineup. John Barrowman was hosting but also did 3 numbers one of which was alongside the legendary Ruthie Henshall. Other highlights included Elaine Paige, Hayley Westenra, Maria Friedman, Julian Lloyd Webber, Denise Van Outen, Steve Balsamo and Lee Mead, who despite my reservations at the time is proof that those 'select me a star' shows on TV really do work. There were four songs from Phantom; unfortunately while Michael Crawford did record a message he didn't sing, but then he's not been to well in recent years, which is why he pulled out of 'woman in white' :(. The current cast tried to do 'phantom of the opera' but tbh it ended up sounding like Nightwish's version :S In their defence I don't think that song can really be done outside of a very specifically setup theater, is just too technically complex. The real surprise of the evening (other than the lack of anything from Les Mis.) was a chap called Rhydian who's apparently famous from a talent show or something???? He came on to perform 'Music of the Night' AND WAS FANTASTIC! I mean really, really fantastic. He did seem a strange choice for inclusion compared to the rest of the people on stage, who with the exceptions of Joss Stone and Hayley Westenra all work in musical theater.... I can't help but wonder if he's in-line for 'Love never dies' (the project formerly known as Phantom 2 - yes I'm worried by the prospect as well!) If he's not then he really should be.   Anyway, so with the exception of the conductor holding his passengers on the train for half an hour at one in the morning, that all went quite well. *nods* Copyright : ommadon Source Rhydnut: No surprise most of my report is a poem. Almost all the men wore a dark suit and white shirt. Rhydian looked really good with shorter hair. It is a little more conservative but suits him beautifully. The audience reacted more positively to the announcement that Rhydian would be singing MOTN than to the other 2 extracts from Phantom listed in the same announcement......and that was before they even heard him sing. We've seen brilliant and captivating from Rhyd before - MOTN at Hyde Park was stunning and blew away everything we've seen from him previously voice and visually: Chameleon I did not see our Rhydian A young man full of smiles Whose blue eyes glitter happily With rich singing beguiles On stage there was the Phantom With cold eyes I could fear Whose tortured, twisted soul Had let evil come too near He mesmerised his audience Racked with tormented need Drawing from night's darkness Midnight's emptiness to feed A product of ghostly darkness Sweet agony of desire Words beguilingly hypnotic As the caress of death's pyre A pale love starved human Deprived of warmth's nurturing Devoid of the empathy Love's compassion could bring Reaching out with music For something of pure beauty Surrender by she, he craves To darkness willingly I've seen him take this guise before A chameleon from below Ne'er before was fear's shiver Born of the young man we know Copyright ~ Rhydnut Linda O what a night ! It was such a fantastic evening, all the stars were really good, some were amazing, and then to have the super amazing Rhydian as well was the icing on the cake! I couldn't get that near to the front but had a good view towards the left of the stage right in front of one of the huge screens. While we were waiting for the concert to begin the camera men were zooming their cameras over the crowds and I could see some Rhydian fans in their red t shirts right near the front which cheered my heart! I didn't have a programme so was on tenterhooks the whole time waiting for Rhydian to come on, and was so pleased that he sang Music of the Night as we know he becomes transformed into the Phantom while singing this song! Rhydian did look a bit nervous at the beginning, but maybe that's not too bad a thing - I was worried that some people in the crowd might not know him and just have memories of the Xfactor bad early portrayal of him. The people in my area weren't obvious 'Rhydian Fans', but when they knew he was about to come on they all became very excited and gave him a huge welcome, this was from a wide assortment of age groups too. I think his general popularity is very wide now which bodes well for his cd release! It was such bliss to hear him sing with a wonderful orchestra backing him, and his performance really was perfection, his voice and body language were beautifully entwined.   Sigh......it was just over with too quickly..... Surely ALW is to bag him for the Phantom part to his sequel - I believe he said it's going to be called Love Never Dies and that he's working on it still. Please please let it be in London though and not New York! Imagine being able to see Rhydian play the whole Phantom part as many times as you like (time and money of course might be an issue!) Listening and watching the recordings of Rhydian this morning, you can truly appreciate the work he has put into his performance, he is such a perfectionist and it's so beautiful to hear and behold, his career is going to be whatever he wants it to be! Copyright ~ Linda   Jean This had to be the most enjoyable outdoor concert I have ever seen. The line up of artists was astounding including people like Julian Lloyd Webber, Jonathan Ansell, Joss Stone and Hayley Westernra who have never appeared in Musicals. The experts like Ruthie Henshall, Denise Van Outen, Elaine Paige, Maria Friedman, Jason Donavon and Steve Balsamo, they never lose their touch. What a fab performance by Duncan James too (of Blue fame) and of course we have to mention John Barrowman who entertained us all evening..... what a terrific compere and singer. There is also one other group of people who deserve a big mention and they are frequently criticised because they are born of reality tv. Jessie Buckley and Rachel Tucker of 'Nancy' fame Lee Mead of 'Joseph' fame who did a fantastic performance much to the delight of the audience Andrew Johnston from Britains got talent who sang Pie Jesu with such clarity and confidence for a young man, it was beautiful. The other 'Josephs and 'Nancy's who appeared. Each and every one of them performed with passion and feeling and it was clear they all enjoyed themselves. There was a huge crowd , it was a huge event so there was little wonder this young man from Wales showed signs of nervousness. I personally was not aware of this as all I saw and heard was a beautiful performance of a stunning song...and he was from reality tv. Well done Rhydian, you sang from the heart and it was not surprising that many rose to their feet as the song concluded....need I say more? Jean Copyright ~ Jean       Anne100 Home at last. It has been a long day. The bus is cheap and chearful but it takes such a long time from A -B. Yesterday was an amazing day. John and I were up early to get the bus to London and on arriving at Victoria we met up as pre- arranged with Jenny, Digger and Kymmie and Jenny's friend Carolyn (who needed to be Rhydified as she hadn't heard him sing before). We went direct to our respective hotels and then met up at the Swan pub around 3ish and I was so pleased to see so many there wearing red T shirts. I had mine on but was worried I would be the only one, as it turned out my worries were unfounded. I was reacquainted with a few of you I have met before and it was good to see you all again and also good to meet up with Fay, Rhydnut and Michelles friend at last. We had a lovely group photo taken, is someone going to put it up on the site, if not I can put mine up which has come out really well. (thanks for taking all those photos MJ, you are a whizz with all the different types of cameras). Not long after we walked over to the Park and after quite a wait in the hot sun (and I had a scarf and warm coat with me) we were eventually let in where we all staked our ground for the concert. It was pretty packed closer to the stage and difficult to leave your place as you had to climb over so many to find your way back, but I was glad of the warm clothes as it got quite chilly later on. The concert itself was absolutely amazing. The artists were so talented with tremendous voices and talent and clearly most of them were the cream of the West End stage and hugely popular. Then there was our Rhydian. No album yet, a virtual unknown really compared to the other artists and the last person to sing from the set piece of the Phantom. He walked on stage with confidence and his reception was amazing, not just from the fans who have followed him throughout the year but also from people who were there to see other acts. His performance was breathtaking, he really performed the part of the phantom, he didn't just sing it, it was the best I have ever seen him and backed by a 70 piece orchestra his true talent shone through in droves. One thing was very clear to me last night and that was Rhydian may be the newcomer here but he was thoroughly deserving of being on that stage with such well established artists. This is definately just the beginning for him. It was all over so quick but I did capture it on video but so far You Tube is not playing fair and letting me upload it but I will keep trying. I just only wish he had been able to sing more than one song. As the concert progressed most of the people were on their feet at the end. The firework display was brilliant and all in all both John and I came away so glad that we had decided to attend. After the show we called in at the Swan again and met up with Sweet Thursday and Oldfan and her husband but John and I were asked to move inside to finish our drinks where we met up with yet someone else from the site who looks in a lot but doesn't post. We had a lovely chat with her and her husband. Later we walked Jenny, Kymmie and Carolyn back to Paddington as they were on the overnight train home. Hope you kept your eyes open in work today girls. John, Digger and myself ended up having an Indian before going back to our respective hotels. I slept like a log last night. Met up with Julie in the hotel, she was very excited as she had met ALW and Rhydian earlier.....you were so lucky Julie, I could see what a great time you had had. Had a stroll through Hyde Park this morning and then a very long bus journey home. All and all a very successful trip. Copyright ~ Anne100   xue bai ** For me, Sunday was the most perfect day in every respect. The car started first time, I had no trouble meeting up with vsj for our trip by train from the West Country to London and, as we had arrived well before checking-in time, we were able to leave our overnight bags at reception. A good start. ** And the weather! Absolutely, totally perfect. We had no trouble meeting up with the rest of the crew at The Swan, then eventually made our way to the venue in the Park. It was terrific seeing everyone again, and many new faces to match names to. ** Some of the acts blew my breath away. Steve Balsanio (whom I had never heard of before) sang Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar. He was wonderful and sang with such emotion that he had reduced himself to tears before the ending. Not having been a Lee Mead fan before this show, my mind was changed by his enthusiastic performance. He sang to entertain and he certainly did that. I am now a convert. ** Three Phantom songs were sung in tandem and it was hilarious when great clouds of atmospheric smoke obliterated the two singers of the Phantom song. I espied a drummer at the back, doing the John Travaolta dance from Saturday Night Fever, thinking noone could see him! ** Rhydian sang the last Phantom song, and how he sang! His welcome from the crowd was tremendous. I am positive I held my breath throughout his performance because I had to take a great gulp of air when he finished. He was just totally perfect. There are so many superlatives one could use to describe his performance but I reckon PERFECT covers them all. He was given another rousing cheer when he finished and was, I believe, the only performer to acknowledge the orchestra leader (at least I think it was) by shaking his hand. Even John Barrowman gave Rhydian a double bow when he exited. ** A perfect day was concluded by sitting outside a Pizza Parlour on the Edgware Road at 11.30 at night, still in seventh heaven at being present at, what I believe, surely counts as one of Rhydian's most polished performances yet. ** All of you who requested to be thought about on the night were duly done so during Rhyd's performance, Redkite et al! ** My special thanks to vsj, Expat and michellesfriend with whom I spent the whole day. Their presence certainly contributed greatly towards a spectacular day of entertainment and laughter. Everything was just PERFECT. Copyright ~ xue bai       Fay   I have just arrived back in Scotland after what must surely be one of the most memorable performances, which I have seen from Rhydian. It was a great honour for him to be included with such a prestigious list of performers and he must have been extremely nervous while waiting to perform and conscious that he was going to be judged by many to whom he would be virtually unknown. Coupled with this he was to sing in front of the great Andrew Lloyd Webber himself. Firstly as part of the Phantom set, the song The Phantom of the Opera was performed by the current Phantom and smoke was blown on to the stage to create a theatrical effect but with Rhydian's entrance no artificial aids were needed to create the eerie ghostly image of the physically scarred and rejected human being he was portaying. He turned away from the audience and held up his hand to his face to symbolise the mask hiding the Phantoms deformed face He appeared a white haggard and desperate as his beautiful voice traced the haunting melody in all its tragedy and I could feel the pain and hopelessness of the Phantom. During the whole of his performance his execution to my mind was perfect and he changed from the happy, relaxed young man I have got to know and love and for a few minutes for me actually became the character he was portraying and more than held its own among leading artists from the West End. What a triumph for young man who a year ago no one had ever heard of.   Copyrigtht ~ Fay     Music of the Night     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyRUwM-mReg   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ry86Y87yTA (embedding disabled by request) Tracy Smith: Happy Birthday (embedding disabled by request) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8xaAU0Xv7Q   Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's Speech  (embedding disabled) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuPYjTTlmxE Link to pics - click here Photos     Copyright ~ Kama     Copyright ~ gillyflower   Copyright ~ Fay