February 26, 2009
-
The James Blunt concert was great - except for the fact that it took 2 1/2 hours between the gates opening and James Blunt coming on stage. I was there very early, and along with other early birds I got a good spot just a couple of metres from the stage.
In spite of the wait, and the fact that it was extremely hot, the atmosphere was on top. The concert was held in the Intercontinental Gardens, at the Intercontinental Hotel, and the tickets must have sold out because I could not see much empty space when I walked around the grounds towards the end of the concert.
Where I stood, right in front of the stage, there were hundreds of excited teenagers - and me.
Well, not true. I saw three others over 40. 
Lots of T-shirts were being thrown at the audience from time to time - though I couldn't catch one.
When James Blunt finally came on stage, I realised I was the only one in my section that did not know all the lyrics to all his songs by heart. My, at times I could not hear James' voice as everybody around me were singing at the top of their voices. 
However, being right there at the front I got some good shots of James Blunt and the atmosphere was really on top.
I don't know if it was just me, but he seemed a bit overwhelmed that so many people had turned up. At one point he kind apologised saying something like, "With all you you here and I just got some wretched songs". This picture, I think, captures some of this melancholy streak.
But the audience didn't agree with that comment about "wretched songs", of course. Whatever song he sang, people just went crazy where I was. Especially when he sang favourites like "You're Beautiful".
After a while, James Blunt seemed to loosen up and forget his melancholy mood.
He even got into a bit of head-banging against the piano for a bit.
After about seven or eight songs, I moved away from the stage to get a bit of air. Well, as I moved back through the audience I discovered that this is where all the people in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s were! I tell you, James Blunt has got a broad appeal. The only group of people I couldn't see were Omanis dressed in traditional Omani clothes (i.e. dishdasha or abeya) - except for a couple of officials at the gate. There might have been a few (or maybe even many) Omanis dressed in Western clothes, but I could not really spot them. My impression was that this was an event for expats (including non-Gulf Arabs) - and maybe that is not surprising. As far as I know, this is the first time ever a pop singer/superstar has held a concert in Oman. Not to mention the fact that very many of my students at Nizwa College believe it's a sin to listen to music.
Anyway, all in all it was a great concert - worth the wait and the unsuccessful T-shirt hunt. 
For more of my pictures from the concert, click here.
Comments (4)
Looks like a great show!~
Ahhh, it's so exciting when the "big people" make stops in the "little places"! We were so thrilled when Boyzone and Bryan Adams and others came to Bahrain! Looks like you had a fun time. Can't believe it's so hot already!
Ah, Bjorn, the last time I was part of such a scene was in 1974 at a Paul Simon concert and I was trying to behave myself for I was dating the man I later married. When he sung, "Baby Driver" I lost it, big time. The guy married me anyway....Can't say I did not blame him!
I must really be getting old. I don't know James Blunt and I should know him and probably like it too. I'l ve to listen some of his songs.
Probably he was not expecting too many peoiple there in Muscat. I'm surprised myself to see so much enthusiasm. We are all victims of the media giving incorrect reporting I suppose.
I'm catching up with your last entries, they are very intersting and the pictures are very 'unique".
Carlo
Comments are closed.