This was my first arena show of the new tour and I was prepared for it to be less than outstanding.  I was wrong.  From the outside the John Paul Jones Arena is rather deceptive.  While it is a large building, it's entrance is designed in the grand tradition of Virginia's mansions, with stately columns fronting the curved main entrance.  Once past the columns, though, it's pretty much like any other arena.  It was a half-house show and was not a sellout.

Tom (Tom~Tom) and I were in the front row, just right of center.  There were four empty seats just to our left because a certain other forum member couldn't get his group out of Baltimore on time.  I won't mention any names but it wasn't Tony, Dave, or Walter.  They finally showed up about halfway through the first act.  Shame on them.

CW had their full complement of speakers, including some that they don't typically use in a theater.  The bass was cranked way up and they had the floor vibrating.  The crowd was very enthusiastic and that helped to get the girls energized.  We even had a few other audience members join us for some of our standing ovations for Máiréad.  That's pretty rare.  Unlike Charlotte, tonight the girls were able to come to the very edge of the stage and I got lots of great interaction with them.  Lisa and Máiréad were constantly checking up on me and I even got some looks from the ever shy Lynn.

I don't know if was the extra speakers or not, but the sound was different tonight.  I heard things clearly that either weren't there or were more subtle in a theater.  Most noticeable were the wind sounds at the very beginning.  I was a little taken aback because I hadn't heard them before, but I like it.  It really adds to the “other world” feeling of the opening.  The new opening to Orinoco Flow also seemed better.

Máiréad was once again on fire and did 11 (yes, 11!) spins during Coast of Galicia, and she wasn't even trying very hard.  The girls continue to “wing it” a little during their introductions.  Lynn didn't insult Ray and Nicky in Charlotte, but tonight she said that they tolerated being called seaweed because they were “thick skinned.”  I need to see her at a Meet & Greet and get the true story.  This was the first night that I saw any jumpers during Mo Ghile Mear, probably because the bass was on turbo.  The two new songs continue to impress me more each time and Last Rose Fantasia was perfection.  As arena shows go, it was one of the better ones.  Great sound and a great audience worked their magic tonight.  The only downside was the uncomfortable folding chairs, but who cares when you're watching and listening to such beautiful music.

After a little confusion about where to queue up for the M&G, Mitch took charge and took us to one of the high-roller lounges.  Once again, Kelly replaced Rachel at the head of the table.  Our guests tonight were Alex and Máiréad.  A Máiréad double-header is not hard to take!  I assured Mitch that despite the size of my pile I only had 5 items for each to sign.  I offered to let him count them but in the end he trusted me.  I finally got the chance to tell Alex how much I loved her new song and she said that she loves the arrangement, too.  I surprised Máiréad with a few pictures from her BSO concert to be signed and a few other things for the forum.  I need to have a few Meet & Greets with Lynn as my folder is full of things that just need her signature to complete them.  Both Alex and Máiréad were delightful and it was a great evening.  It was Tom's first M&G and since he was way ahead of me in line he'll have to tell you how it went.

Three shows in Baltimore over the weekend and then it's time to head north for a few weeks.  Brrrr.

The original review is here.