Artist: Bette Midler
Tour: Divine Intervention
Location: Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham
Date: 9th July 2015
Bette
Midler has never in my lifetime toured the UK. EVER. She's never even
had to really. So when I found out last winter that there was going to
be a tour, with a few dates in the UK, I was over the moon. The fact
that one of those dates ended up being in Birmingham, was just awesome.
Actually it was opening night of the UK leg of this tour. I just had to
go.
The thing with tickets and me, is that they usually go on sale
whilst I'm at work. This isn't a good mix. This time, it also
co-insided with me going away for 10 days. But have and behold I got me
two fantastic tickets. I grew up knowing who Bette Midler was, I loved
her music and every year Hocus Pocus was watched at Halloween. So
getting the chance to even be in the same arena as this icon was just
amazing.
There was no support act. It's Bette Midler, a
diva doesn't need anyone else to get the crowd going. The show was due
to start at 8pm, and for unknown reasons, it was delayed until 8.30 ish
give/take. But we didn't mind waiting. There was some impropt mexican
waves, claps and the cheering to get people going. Lets just note, this
wasn't a crowd of golden oldies, this was a mixture of all ages. But I
think nearing the half hour delay people were getting impatient, so a
few rows in front of where I was sitting, a lady randomly jumped up from
her seat and started playing a ukuele (they were being sold, signed by
Bette for £250!).. and singing a song, I couldn't quiet make out. But
the crowd were loving this unknown person and she certainly made a few
laugh. Then lights out.
Bette Midler is tiny. That was
my first thought on seeing her on stage. Like I'm tiny (3ft8!) but she's
adorable tiny, she's stunning. I also firmly believe Bette doesn't want
to grow old ever. She wore the most lush pink dress, short, and looked
amazing. But it's totally not something I would have thought she'd wear.
But what do I know of glamour. The stage was simple, a live band and
three back up singers/ dancers.
Bette has great stage
presents, she knows how to work the crowd and pulls some cracking moves.
If I can be like that at 69 I'd be bloody happy! There were mixtures of
recent songs from her latest album 'It's the Girls' where Bette
reinvents a number of wonderful songs by girl groups of late. It's a
great album. And then during the second half of the show, Bette brings
out the classics, the songs she is known and loved for.
One
of my favourite parts of the show and as I've mentioned about Hocus
Pocus is my favourite Halloween film, is a small section where Bette
comes out in full costume of Winnie. The character she had played in
Hocus Pocus, with a book of spells that she's hiding behind. And voila
we have the performance of 'I Put A Spell On You'.... which i lost it. I
love love love that film and the song is just oh-my-gosh. To get to see
that performed live, is just surreal.
There is lots of
interaction with the crowd, Bette doesn't deny herself a Diva, whilst
she went on to sing 'The Rose' she had jokingly said to the crowd not to
sing along as there was only room for one Diva in birmingham. Fun
things about the show is that Bette tailors stuff to the
cities/countries she's visiting. There was some jokes about Jamie
Oliver, Jeremey Clarkson and Maggie Thatcher.. more so when we were
introduced to Sofia and her jokes!
From seeing this
show, watching and listening to Bette, she's probably one of the most
loveliest singers I've ever had the chance to watch. I love how she came
across as extremely grateful for the chance to perform and how her
songs have insipred people, how they've used them to mark parts of their
lives. This being very true for my family. The song 'Wind Beneath My
Wings' was played at my Grandads funeral, 18years ago and its a very
hard song for my mother to listen to. So when Bette sung it, my mother
was in bits, its just a beautiful song.
Overall a
cracking two hour show by someone who is stunning, fantastic and just
utterly amazing. I wish I could see this show again, I wish i went a
little crazy and booked meet and greet. But I got to see Bette Midler.
I'll never be able to do that again, so I'm forever thankful for her to
include us Brits on this tour.
Set Listing:
- Divine Intervention
- I Look Good
- I've Still Got My Health
- Do You Wanna Dance?
- Throw It Away
- Tell Him
- Bei Mir Bist Du Schon
- Waterfalls
- Everybody Knows
- I Think It's Going To Rain Today
- I Put A Spell On You
- Yakety Sax
- Bird In The Hand
- A Visit From Soph
- RIP Delores
- Beast of Burden
- Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
- The Rose
- From A Distance
- Stay With Me
- Encore
- Wind Beneath My Wings
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Some great merchandise on sale too. Reasonably priced too. There
was a signed Ukuele up there for £250.00 - and they were selling! I got
the traditional Programme, Teeshirt and a lovely Candle.
My
only downer on the night was that we couldn't take photos, and all
night the stewards had nothing better to do that to annoy people by
shining torches into their faces. I think they eventually gave up, but I
think for all shows, this isn't the first I've been to thats banned
them. We're paying the money, its only fair we get to take a photo or
two, nine times out of ten, they'll never come out great as we're so far
back. But it's nice to try right?
These beauties below were borrowed off their relevent webpages...
