Saturday September 9th 2000, a day that will go down with me as one of the
best of my life. I didn't win money or get married or anything I just went
to see my idol performing solo, something I had dreamed of doing for just
over 4 years. I'd been oh a high since March 31st when the tickets went on
sale and couldn't believe it was finally gonna happen. I arrived at the
venue at 8:15am, I had 11 hours 15 mins left till I saw Melanie on stage and
I was prepared to wait. There was a sliver tour bus round at the stage door
and a renauklt scenic. Round the front of the venue there was Melanie's two
vans. I talked to the guys who offloaded Melanie's things and they said she
would come around 5pm. At 4pm a pink bus drew up outside I knew it was hers
right away. I was across the street and down a bit and I screamed and ran
towards it. Unfortunatley the venue was right on the main road and everyone
mobbed her and one guy even grabbed her so she was whisked away pretty
quickly. I still had my bag of things to give her though and my collage. I
went inside the venue and a couple of people were already there and then a
lady came along. She said she would give my stuff to Mel for me and told me
I could queue at door 6. We could hear Melanie soundchecking since we were
right by the door and we looked in on her but a guy came along and put a
stop to that pretty quick. At 7:00 there was an announcment that the doors
were about to open and we all ran forward, I had heard that there was 700 of
us standing and I didn't want to be at the back. I had nothing to worry
about though, I ended up front row, between Melanie and Beths mike stands. I
was bout 6 feet away from the stage and I could see everything perfectly.
We were made to listen to rave music till about 7:30 when tomcat came on. I
thought to myself i'll give them to the first chorus then i'll see. But they
mimed all through it!!!! Myself and some other people booed them off the
stage. They were supposed to last till 8:15, they were away by 8:05,
everyone thought Melanie would be on sooner than the time we had been given
of 9:00, but at 9:00 sharp some music of Melanie started up, it was like an
advert containing all of her singles and some talking by an American woman.
then the lights went out and the outer curtain was lifted and Melanie
appeard, waring blue flared jeans, an i love Glasgow shirt and red and white
trainers. She launched right into GO! and she looked so up for it. It was
her first Scottish gig by herself and she certainly seemed to be happy up
there she then went into Somethings gonna happen and the crowd was buzzing.
She then stopped and said that "we're getting right up north now so it's
time for northern star" she sung it note perfect At the chorus Melanie got
us swaying our arms about in the small amount of room that we had. The press
were there and she kept pointing at them while singing the song. They were
made to leave soon after this. Next up was the haunting sound of Be the One
and again we were yelling and singing along. She said we were "f***ing
wicked" and really loud. One person ever said they heard us in the street.
The next song was closer and she progressed straight into it. I don't think
there was one person in that audience who wasn't enjoying themselves,
Melanie looked so happy and put her heart and soul into the song. Next was
the previously unreleased "Independance day" Melanie said: "You might not
know this 1, but you can probably get it on napster or whatever it's
called". I think ever she was suprised about the amount of people that did
actully know it. Next was my personal favourite, the rocked up version of
"I want you back" I had heard this being soundchecked earlier but it seemed
100 times better with Melanie singing it 6 feet away from you!!!! the band
immedatley started up again this time on "if that were me" I think I cried a
little during this song and Melanie looked over at us. I felt so happy
standing there like my feet weren't touching the ground. To keep us on the
sad mood (and to let me finally have the chance to flood the concert hall)
Melanie started on feel the sun every time she said "This angels my
salvation" she lifted up her top I was yelling you the angel my salvation
and pointing at her and she looked over again. I wanted to wrestle those
securtiy guards and let me up there to sing with her. Why came next and the
crowdstarted yelling out why as loud as they could, but we wanted to see
Melanie really rock. And she done what we wished for she declared she had
been too "nice" to us and started on goin' down she was over at our end of
the stage for a lot of the time during this song and the crowd just went
wild during her playing it. I think we were outpowering her, she then stayed
with the rock formation with gaga telling us we were "crazy" if anyone else
had said that I might have got mad but cause it's Mel I didn't care.
Suddenly Monday was next up for the Glasgow treatment and I was so pleased
that it was the full version, Melanie and Claire did a little jig on stage
which gor the crowd going again we were yelling our lungs off. Melanie
started on never be the same again and we ended up singing the last part of
the song ourselves, we just couldn't get enough. She then said she had to
rest her broken toe and went off stage but the band started the intro for I
turn to you, because of where she was we could see her clearly, she was
sitting down at out side of the stage at the curtain and everytime we went
"oah oah" her head popped out. she then came on and sung I turn to you and
wished us goodbye, I didn't want it to end I was sad when it did. I went
outside the venue and nearly got ran over by her tourbus, but Mel never got
out of it, I really wish she would have. But theres always Edinburgh I
can't wait to see her in Feb again and i'm hopeful about meeting her this
time, i'm in row d for this 1, but I don't care I'll still be able to see
her. When I look back on it I think was it a dream but then I see my
pictures and I think I was there and i'm gonna see her again. I can't wait
till Febuary now and i'm still holding out for Wembly, only time will tell.
But that night I went home to my dream of meeting her, my friends and the
picture of Mel and the guy I fancy. The set list was
1. Go
2. Something's Gonna Happen
3. Northern Star
4. Be The One
5. Closer
6. Independence Day
7. I Want You Back
8. If That Were Me
9. Feel The Sun
10. Why
11. Goin' Down
12. Ga Ga
13. Suddenly Monday
14. Never be the same again
15. I turn to you
LOVE, PEACE AND GIRL POWER
Shelley Mullen
14, Coatbridge, Scotland
|
