Newcastle 50th Anniversary Tour

I set off for Newcastle on the morning of the show on the train, it only takes about an hour. I'm really early but wanted to try and check in my hotel - luckily they let me for a change! I went up to my room, freshened up, and then went and talked to a friend for a bit in the lobby and then we walked to the arena. Quite a few people already at the gate, and after a bit there were a LOT of people there! We kept being told to get out of the way, because there was a public car park just around the corner, and some other big lorries were coming and going. When the time came for the meeting at the fence, I got left behind. That is the last time I let a security guard say that we are going to let you across in an orderly fashion! I'm there before then, whether they like it or not - LOL! I got left behind - it was like a mini-stampede - no hysteria but it was quick! Despite being at the back I managed to get a hand hold from several members of the family, and then gave it up as a bad job and remembered that I had a meet and greet to look forward to (I hoped, I'd heard rumours about earlier ones).

I had help pushing round and I queued a bit, eventually we were allowed in, our names were ticked off a list - no ID asked for though, I could've been anybody! LOL! There were a LOT of people at my M&G and we waited around for a bit, then someone from Live Nation came and told us the 'rules' - basically, we could take pictures at the Q&A and breathe, and that was about it! After a bit, we lined up outside one of the entrances to the arena and were told to walk down the right hand side, the Osmonds were standing (apart from Alan) in front of the first block of seats - Marie, Jay, Jimmy, Alan, Merrill, Donny, Wayne. They went through pretty quickly, you were not allowed to pose for pictures with them, but we had been told you could take pictures of them - but, they changed that rule when we went in - I was appalled at the way some people were chivvied along. I agreed with most of the time it was done, but sometimes it was done during a comment that the Osmond concerned had instigated themselves, so rude, rude and ruder! Two people were doing the chivvying (no names, no pack drill - ha!).

When it was nearly my turn, Marie secretly signed something for someone and made a joke about it - she's a hoot! When it got to my turn, she was so sweet, she asked me if we'd met before, as my face was familiar (ho hum!), I said no, but that it was very nice to meet you, she was SO sure! She was then told that my face was very familiar to a certain brother's (guess?!) and she said well, that's MERRILL for you! HA! I then moved on to Jay, asking him if he was having fun and he said that he was and we chatted a little bit more, before I moved on to Jimmy, got a hug (I got hugs from all seven!), had another little chat about the tour, then moved on to Alan, we had the most wonderful short chat about meeting in Vegas and about him being thankful for being here and trials and I was so moved by meeting him again - wonderful.
Then - Merrill! LOL! I actually didn't want to stop talking to Alan, but I had felt a hand on my shoulder, and ignored it for as long as I could, but then moved on, he finished talking to the person before me and looked and yelled 'Gerry!' and we had the biggest hug (not quite as big as that one in Wales but who's complaining!). He growled in my ear and we just had a good laugh! I can't actually remember what I said to him, but I ended it by telling him to be good! Then Donny - Donny actually looked at us as if to say 'what the heck is going on here?! Too funny! He then started talking to me in a British accent - and I told him off, then he did the fluffy one and I said 'and don't do that either!' We had a lot of fun! Wayne - he saw that I had no shoes on and asked after my health, bless him. Again, a little talk about trials and he ended up by telling me to take care, I was an inspiration! (who to, I have no idea, but what a sweet thing to say!).

I loved every minute of my M&G with them. We then were told where to sit, I was asked to sit behind the seats of the first block by arena staff, but then Live Nation staff told me to go a bit further up when everyone had gone through. I was happy to sit there for a time as it meant I could watch people come along the line and have their time with each one. After a bit, I went forward and sat next to Janette - I'd been encouraged to go to the front by the LN staff, but that would've ended with me having a stiff neck! Six rows back was fine! They all came on stage, Alan walked up the steps and got a round of applause (we'd been told no applause, so we said nana yah boo sucks to that one!). Jay came to the mike and asked us if we were ready for the show - erm, yes Jay! LOL! We then had a few questions asked - one of which are D&M bringing their show to the UK - errm, not as far as THEY know! LOL! A few more questions were asked, the subjects of which I can't remember at the moment, but I'll remember later.

Then the sound check started, and it was more like a mini-concert. The first song they did was Crazy Horses, and I've never not clapped or sang during CH in my LIFE, but we'd been told we couldn't. Jay obviously hadn't quite got the hang of these rules, because he encouraged us to do so after a bit - and we applauded at the end - ha! We had about six songs in the end. We nearly had Meet Me In Montana, but they changed their mind -shame! Donny wanted something changed during one song (Yo-Yo?) so that was dealt with for quite a few minutes, and whilst he was giving instructions out, he was behind us, so we all watched him (well, for a bit, my neck hurt!), and then at another time, Merrill wasn't doing anything sound-check wise, so did a little Irish jig whilst waiting - tooo cute, and it will stay in my memory for a long time (hopefully he'll do another one in a few months time and I can photo it this time - ha!). Anyway, it all ended very suddenly and we were asked to leave. We all left, and they were all still on stage, getting ready to do something else. Just before we left, one or two of us yelled 'Bye Merrill!' and he waved back. I think it was lovely, and well worth the money (£35 an Osmond!).

After the meet and greet, some of us went back to the hotel for something to eat. It was pretty busy so we had to go up some steps to a table, had a really good time and didn't have to wait long for my burger at all!

After a bit I wheeled back to the arena (except up the hill!). We were eventually let in and I went to find my seat. I like the MRA - the seats for wheelchair users are just above floor audience height level, so really good views. However, there are seats behind the wheelchair seats and a couple of people were moaning that their seats were rubbish. They then proceeded to stand in the eyeline of several of us! After some 'discussion' with a member of staff, they came back to their seat. The concert was excellent - highlights for me included Crazy Horses, at one point seeing the WHOLE of the arena clapping their hands in the air - fantastic, Let Me In - a WHOLE version - woohooo!, Merrill and Marie singing Meet Me In Montana - I'd requested this on Merrill's forum a few months ago, not sure if that's the reason they put it in but I am glad they did. It was really lovely - thank you for that. I loved The Plan medley, the video behind Last Days was very thought-provoking, but I did feel a bit uncomfortable clapping along to it - it's not exactly the most happy of songs any time of day, is it? Loved seeing Alan on stage for so long. I saw him at Birmingham during the Brothers tour in 2006, but this was extra special. He Ain't Heavy, whilst it was nice seeing all of them onstage doing this, I don't like the end speeded up! Loved Hey Girl, loved the new version of Yo-Yo (usually hate the song, but I'm a new convert now!), loved Soldier of Love, loved hearing Marie sing again, specially with the 'victim' from the audience! Very funny! He said he was tone deaf but I definately heard notes I recognise (and I can sing!). All in all, a wonderful show, and I will remember it for a long, LONG time! After the show, I went back to the hotel, had a bit of a chat with friends, before going to bed, getting up for a cab at 9am the following morning to go to the station, go home, dump my bag, get my car, and go on to the next one at Sheffield! It's all go on an Osmond tour!