Celtic Woman March 24th Review!

I know this is a late review, but I really needed the time to get it all through my mind to try to produce the best review, in my own words.  I know this is long, bear with me.  I like to include as much detail as I can remember...

I had my tickets for a while before the show.  I was unsure on who I would go with, and facebook was like a last resort.  So, I had asked one friend I knew from high school.  I knew she liked CW, but she has never gone to their show before!  Plans were being made months ahead.  I was getting so excited!  I was informed by Scott, that this one person from the Máiréad forum will be attending.  I talked to her for a while and even more plans were being made!

Tuesday was going by so slow, and I had told Kris and Kath that I wanted Wednesday to go slow too!  Surely it was not the case… I woke up at 7:00am to a cold breeze flowing in through my window.  I looked at my phone and turned over to try to go back to sleep.  NOPE… 7:30 came around and I was having HUGE conversations with K&K about if I was ready for the show.  I was siked, but I did not want to waste any energy!  Before I knew it… about two and a half hours had flown by! I had to get my lazy butt out of bed. 

I do have to say I am a cheat. I cannot resist from reading other reviews and spoilers.  I printed the set list for my convenience and  told K&K that I wanted to find Anthony Byrne after the show!... I told them, if I do get a photo with him, I would tell him that they said hello!

   Time flew by even faster.  No doubt about it!  Soon enough it was about 10 minutes before my friend, Emilee would arrive.  I was chatting with Sarah about where we were going to meet up, and if I should call Destiny, to tell her that another person would be joining us for dinner (her mum was going to the concert).  Emily had arrived and we went out the door. 

We were about 4 minutes away from the house and came upon a stopped vehicle.  Two teen guys were in it, blasting their radio… Uhh.. They stuck their heads and arms out the window, pumpin their arms.  It was very interesting. We had a good laugh.

I had forgotten to text Kris that we were on the way to the venue! I felt bad. But, I told her.  Sarah had called me telling me that they would be late, so they will just join up with us and Destiny at the Liffey Pub.  Nothin wrong with that.   I took many random photos on the way, while Em was looking at the set list.. I was entertained.

Em and I joined up with Destiny and her friend, Tyler.  They are great people!  Looked through the menu while waiting for Sarah.  Once Sarah and her mum had arrived, we had a little introduction to each other, and then ate.  Sarah’s mum had left early to go to the box office to see if she could get a ticket at the door. Destiny and Sarah had ordered a nice lookin desert.  Cheesecake.

After dinner, we headed across the street to the Xcel. BOY WAS IT COLD OUT! Everyone had jackets ‘cept for me. I was in a dress and a brown button up half short sleeved shirt thinger.  Yeah, my teeth were chattering bad. Haha. it was great fun!

We got inside, Destiny and Tyler ran off. Sarah, Em, and I went the other way, and got lost Oh me and directions… hahahah!  I was looking for the merchandise stand!  We went back to the entrance area, and I had bought a program there.  FANTASTIC LOOKING THING! It was simply beautiful, if I do say so myself.   Finally found the stand. I got a tour tee and the tote

Off to our seats.  Center Floor, row 19. Seats 9 and 10.  Fairly decent seats! Four seats from the left side of the center aisle (Keep that in mind).  The lovely older couple started talking to us.  They were really nice people!  The woman said that she would take Em and my photo together. (don’t worry, I did not take any photos during the show. I know better then that!).  One shot she did from the side. The 5 min. later, asked if we wanted of the stage. I did not have enough time to turn my flash off, so it was quite dark. I don’t care though.  And then she did not like it, so she made her husband go behind our seats (it was an open walking area) and take the photo of us.  Such kind people, I tell ya! And slowly, time was creepin up.  7:00ish… K&K dropped a txt, to an extent, they said, “it is almost time!” Oh I love them.  All excited for me, haha! <3 (I am sure they had fun doing homework… mahaha)

Anyways, we all heard that familiar voice, “Ladies and Gentleman…” Excitement ran through my body I was pumped! The lights dimmed down, and I was seriously shaking! This was my 4th show, and I still shake!

   Níl Sé’n Lá… (I know what you are thinking, “It’s about time she got to the show!”) holy bananas! I FREAKED! I could not help but sing along.  The new arrangement – the beginning was so beautiful and so different. I LOVED IT!

   Fields of Gold started. I knew I was going to cry during it, and sure enough, I did!

   Then the little pixie comes onto the stage I love that Máiréad I stopped counting the twirls she had done. I was getting dizzy. Hahah!

   Chloë then comes onto the stage and introduced Anthony to the crowd. Galway Bay started. I got the chills. At the end, Chloë had giggled. Her laugh is so infectious. I could not help, but giggle back! 

   *Crash! – lights flicker*  I look at Em, and freak! And then I hear this oh so-familiar sound, “SAIL AWAY, SAIL AWAY, SAIL AWAY!” OMG… The thing that popped into my head was Dayna, K&K. I could not help but sing along. I just HAD to!  It was for them

   My Lagan Love came next. This stupid… yes… I said stupid… chick in font of me to the right, took out her phone and very noticeably took a photo of Lynn. I was mad!  Not only is that not welcome, but very distracting to my vision!

   The New Ground/Isle of hope, Isle of tears started playing. I hear some singing to the left of me. The older couple, they were singing to each other! It was so adorable! (Hey, as Chloë had said, they want to hear people sing, dance and clap along!)

   My Heart Was Home Again. – Can this one be a single? PLEASE!?!?!? So lovely!

   Máiréad comes out again and performs Granuaile's Dance.  She flies! I love it! I saw some of the hairs of her bow go flyin’

   Goodnight My Angel was so beautiful live!  Unbelievable! I almost started tearing up again!
   The infamous Danny Boy.  I loved it! I seriously have no words.  The lovely couple next to Em, sang again! It made me giggle, and I lip synced along. So beautiful…

   Mo Ghile Mear - So happy it was still apart of the show! The fist time I heard it live, my mum got scared of the big percussion bangs at the beginning.  This time, the lady in front of me, she jumped a little. It made me laugh. I was totally expecting it.  I started to freak out when the choir went off the stage and went around the center row aisles! I freaked out because of the fact one of the choir guys were about 6 feet away from me, and… he was perdy darn cute (I could not tell you his name for the life of me though).

   The twenty minute intermission begun. Em and I went down to the first row seats, to go talk to Destiny, Taylor, and Sarah.  Then, it soon ended. It made me excited! I knew what was coming.

   I apologized to Em and said that I need to sing along with this first song.  And boy, I did. The Call. So beautiful, as always.

   The next song stated, or at least I hear some bagpipe behind me! I turn around to my left and see Anthony! Chills went down my back. He slowly walked around the left floor seats, to the middle aisle next to me! I freaked out a bit.. just a bit… Three feet away from me, a piper who had played for the pope of all people!    So beautiful, seriously. Way to go Anthony!  The girls harmony is so stunning in this song!  It is so hard for me to hear this song any other way now! I absolutely adore it.

   Lynn came onto the stage to tell about Dúlaman.  Sadly, she did not tell any of those jokes that were on the video diaries. But it was still funny.  She said, "Do we have any Irish speakers in the audience?"  Then after, she was like "It's okay.. most people who live in Ireland don't speak much Irish either:D"  She goes on about the meaning of Dúlaman, and that Ray and Nicky were like the guys she was choosing between, they were the seaweed! She was adorable. Definitely had come out of her shell! Oh Nicky, getting into the music I love him haha! Lynn was great.  This song brings me back to freshman year of college… walking through the skyway listening to this version of Méav’s.

   You’ll Be In My Heart I HAD to sing along to too. I am addicted to Disney Movies, and I had watched Tarzan about 3 days prior to the concert… So amazing. Alex is astonishing in this song. I kept visualizing the movie in my head. Lol.

   Songs from the Heart… umm AMAZING!!!!!!  Lynn and Alex, Walking The Night, they are so cute! And like… slow steady song, combined with the faster pace of Tabhair Dom Do Lamh (Give Me Your Hand). Seriously, perfect mixture!  Lisa and Chloë held hands practically through the entire portion, until Lynn, Máiréad, and Alex joining up with them. They sounded so beautiful. Like the one other song that Alex sung, My Heart was Home Again, can these combined songs be a single as well?!

   Lisa then stayed on stage and told us the names of the songs they had just sung (oh gosh, Lisa, I love your voice!).  Then she introduced her next song, which was The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress. Such a powerful voice, it brings so much emotion to this song!

   Chloë came back out afterwards and sung When You Believe. Chloë, you are an amazing singer! Seriously, Never stop, please!   That darn chick in front of me took two photos during this song. I really wanted to just grab her phone away. One was a portrait style, and one was landscape.

   At the Céili!!!!! I was bouncing off my chair during this song! I simply adore Lisa in this song!   Alex sat next to the piano player, and Lisa stood next to the piano, while Lynn was singing her solo.  Lots of twirling around, and towards the end, Lisa sings to Tommy, Alex sings to the Piano player, and Lynn sings to the choir members Lisa made my day there. Go Tommy!

   Last Rose Fantasia/The Mason's Apron. Wow. More flyin strings from the bow. She was going at it! I love Máiréad! She has so much energy! Must be those Pixie Styx!

   Time for Non C’è Più!! So sweet, so soft, so slow (not in a bad way), and it always puts me I a good mood!  The ladies looked so beautiful on the stage…. (don’t they always!)

   Máiréad walks to the front of the stage. Talks into her fiddle.   She introduced You Raise Me Up.  (I just got Goosebumps hah!) As always, I needed to sing along.  I am so glad to hear it at every concert. It is truly their song. There is so much meaning to it.  I love it!  Just like the DVD, Lisa speaks up and thanks us for coming and hoped we enjoyed the show!!! I was so happy!

   The Finale came. I got saddened, but I was still oh so happy! Máiréad was flying ‘round the stage. And the ladies then came out. I don’t think I have ever cheered so loud!!

   Instead of leaving the stage for a few minutes before the encore, they said they had one more song to sing. Spanish Lady!!!!! OMG!  I DANCED to this song! And clapped… and I could not feel my hands after… They were so warm. Back row was standing the whole song! (My row) and like yeah! I waved the last like 2 minutes! My arm was tired! But, I think, maybe? I got a wave! Hahahha!

   This was such an amazing show, but my eyes were failing me. I could not see their faces that well. The stye in my good eye was bothering me (which I tried to avoid the pain – this would never stop me from enjoying the most amazing Irish singing group! <3), Also, being in college for photography has its downfalls… I was sitting there enjoying the show, and then out of nowhere, I thought in my head, “This would be an amazing photo!”… and one little side note, I thought it was unique that they used hand held microphones for some solo songs, while they still had their headset on   I also forgot all my forum pins!! Oh well, next time!

   After the show, I had to txt K&K. then Em and I were off to figure out where Anthony was playing! I found Sarah’s mum, then found Sarah shortly after. It was funny, she was facing away from us, and I was like, “turn around.” She screamed, “Hi!” hahah, oh, Sarah.  At this point, Anthony was playing a few yards away from us.  I happened to get him playing, since this was out of the concert area. The Mason’s Apron… This was taken with my phone.  Turn the volume down. It is kinda loud, and don’t mind my voice… I sound dumb.  Click here for second video  This one was taken with my point and shoot.

   After he was finished with the two songs, he started walking but stopped to talk to some people.  I took thee tries to talk to him, and I waited.  He looked at me as I waited patiently.  I started shaking! I was like, “Hi Anthony, Can I get a picture with you?” he said, “Sure!” haha I was so excited! As I was giving the camera to Em, I told him one thing I had promised I would try to do. I said, “ Anthony, I have some friends who live in SC, who went to the show in Greenville, and they say, ‘Hi’” and he replied, “That is great, thanks for telling me!” in his amazing Irish accent! *dies a little* Lol… it took over 20 min. for me to stop shaking (to think about me meeting one of the girls, how would I be?? Haha!)!

   Sarah, Em and I waited for 45 min after the show (in the lobby) for Destiny and Tyler to arrive back from the M&G. Lyn and Chloë.  We talked for a few min. about it all, and then took some group photos.  That was a lot of fun!

   On the car ride home, my brother put is hip-hop music on. I did not listen, so I talked to Em.  My brother’s friend looked at me and showed me my Songs from the Heart CD and he put it in.  He told me he found a new rap he is going to do from some lyrics from one of the songs on the CD.  He turned it to Níl Sé’n Lá! I sang the entire song.  When it got to the “Fill the glasses one more time and never heed the empty bottle. Turn the water into wine and turn the party up full throttle!” – he pointed in the air and said these lyrics, and bobs his head. Made my night even more hahaha!

Hope you liked my EXTREMELY long review