After about three hours sleep I caught the 9:07 train from Grand Central to Bridgeport to rejoin my vehicle for the trip to Manchester, NH.  I got checked in around 2:30 and relaxed for a while.  Tonight's show was at 5pm so I didn't really have time for dinner.  I was staying right across from the venue so I headed over a little after 4.

I was in the front row just left of the piano and directly in front of the subwoofers on that side.  They were using all 6 and it made for an interesting show.  Dave (BigDave) was also coming to this show but he had his own pair of tickets and was in a different area.  I ended up with an empty seat beside me since a certain person, who shall remain nameless, decided to get married and move to Texas instead of joining me tonight.  I had a much better view than either night at Radio City with the only obstacle being the piano blocking my view of the very back of the stage.  The four seats to my right were empty when the show started and I had an ISA in mind but they filled in after the second song.  They must have been from Connecticut.

Because of my location, this was very definitely a non-acoustic show!  However, the sound quality was excellent and it was quite pleasant.  When Ray or Nicky hit their big drums I could feel the air move from the speakers and the almost subsonic bass vibrated the whole floor.  Part of the reason for that was because we were sitting on insulating pads that covered the ice.  This is the only arena where I've sat on the ice every time; my feet were cold all night.  The extra vibration did create quite a stir at the beginning of Mo Ghile Mear.  When Ray hit his big drum everyone in my row jumped clear off their chairs.  I saw Lisa looking my way and laughing.  The Ray hit it again and everyone jumped again.  It was the most jumpers I've seen on this tour and it was a hoot.

Since I was in full view of the stage I got lots of great interaction from the girls, more than enough to make up for the last two shows.  The first time that Máiréad came to my side of the stage I got one of those wonderful full-face smiles that could melt the polar ice cap.  Global warming, thy name is Máiréad.  Lisa and Chloë spotted me quickly and I got a surprising number of glances from Lynn.  The big surprise came during the second act near the beginning of You'll Be In My Heart.  I've always mentioned that I've had a hard time catching Alex's eye and tonight she glared at me with a look that said, “OK, Mike, put this look in your review!”  I did, Alex.  Touché.

At intermission Dave came down with his friend Jeff to chat.  I also got reacquainted with another Mike (mbart97) who I've met all three times that I've been to Manchester.  He didn't have a Meet & Greet pass and since I had an extra one I invited him to take it and join us after the show.  This would be his first M&G and I could see the same excitement in him that I had my first time.  After they headed back to their seats, my neighbors started asking questions; they had been pretty quiet before the show.  The first question they asked was about Máiréad.  The lady next to me asked, “I saw her smile at you quite a few times.  Do you know her?”  At that point, of course, I put on my promotional hat and explained about the girls,  the show, my tour status, and especially the forum.  I gave them Fiddler Crossing signs and told them that we had 299 members and that the 300th member gets an autographed Máiréad CD.  They promised to register as soon as they got home!  We may have 3 new members tomorrow.

The show itself was, of course, awesome.  Once again the lighting was almost perfect.  Whatever happened between Baltimore and Erie seems to be working.  Keep up the good work, guys.  If they keep this up I may not have to report on it anymore.  Alex's new solo got to me again.  I actually had it playing in my head on the train this morning, but this was better!  Máiréad did 11 spins during Coast of Galicia and used every inch of the stage.  I get tired just watching her.  Lynn insulted Ray and Nicky tonight during her Dulaman introduction saying that they were like her two pieces of seaweed “because they're so slimey.”  That's the first I've heard her use that insult since Roanoke, so we've come full circle.  She is improvising quite nicely and her intro is different each time.

The audience did well tonight, very little VSS in sight.  Everyone stood for the end of the first act, for You Raise Me Up, and for the latter part of the Finale when the girls come back out.  And they followed Chloë's orders and stayed standing for Spanish Lady.  They clapped when they were supposed to, giving both Tommy and Anthony applause for their solos and actually clapping along with Máiréad without provocation.  Well done, Manchester.

Our guests for the Meet & Greet were Alex and Lisa.  I guessed that Lisa would be there but missed on the other one; I was expecting Chloë.  I guess I'll never figure out Rachel's system.  There were less than 30 people and it was quite nice.  Mitch was back and kept everything running smoothly, as usual.  (See, Mitch, I told you that I only say nice things about you.)  While we were in line I briefed Mike on how the M&G works and he said that he was glad he was with a “pro.”  I didn't have anything that I needed Alex to sign and only two things for Lisa, so when I got to the front of the line I just talked for a while.  Both Alex and Lisa were very chatty and Kelly started getting a little impatient even though it was Lisa doing most of the talking.  It was one of the best non-chocolate Meet and Greets ever.

After the M&G, Mike had to leave but Dave, Jeff, and I went to Applebee's for a bite to eat since I didn't have any dinner.  Because this was an early show I get to do my review early and get to bed at some approximation of a normal time.  So here it is, before midnight and I'm done.  That might be a first.  Two days off for me, I'm skipping the Reading show, and then it's on to Schenectady on Wednesday and Thursday.

The original review is here.