Exeter, UK Monday 27th July & Christchurch 28th July 2015

[john45]

Thanks Andy. Always enjoy your astute observations.

[Surpinto]

Yorkie, you may be lacking written notes about the concert, but from your excellent summary there was no lack of Libera hitting their notes perfectly at the concert .

I hope they continue to do concerts close to home if they have figured out the timing and ideal location for doing so and attracting a larger audience. It certainly saves them the enormous expense of travelling overseas; an expense we know they often do not recoup. I would also think it benefits them to have greater renown in their home country than they currently do....just so long as they are in Pittsburgh in December as I am owed a concert .

It's great that some old songs made a comeback and that a new one was added. I wonder whether they are planning a new studio album anytime soon with new music or new recordings of old songs? From your description is sounds like they have some excellent new soloists and arrangements.

where people sang along to the songs or insisted on talking through Mysterium

People sang? Were these confused and elderly granny's who thought that they were at a church service? How frustrating!

but I'm not sure what it adds really without the level of detail Patrick can give...

Nonsense! Your review is excellently thorough and much appreciated by fans who are very far away or otherwise could not attend.

Thank you, Yorkie!

[maartendas]

Fun review, Yorkie - thanks

[Yorkie]

where people sang along to the songs or insisted on talking through Mysterium

People sang? Were these confused and elderly granny's who thought that they were at a church service? How frustrating!

No, the singer was not confused or elderly (and not a kid either). Three times during the concert somebody on my row had to either ask the singing to stop, shush the noise, or turn and issue a killer stare to the chattering older couple... still couldn't spoil a great show though

[JimmyRiddle]

Thanks for the concert feedback to those that were there; weather it be a detailed song-by-song analysis or just general observations its always appreciated they those who could not attend. One thing I have wondered - and also supported by a photo from Yuki on her blog - have the rules been relaxed for their rehearsals, so that Libera now allow the public to watch them freely. At previous concerts they normally request to close the doors during their pre-concert warm-up, but maybe there as been a change in this tactic?

By the way, has everyone heard this radio interview from the 26th that Jimmy Riddle has shared on twitter? I hope he doesn't mind that I share it at this forum.

...not at all... I must have forgotten to post the link here...It was nice to hear the high praise given by the interviewer during the introduction. Sometimes when you follow a group/artist closely, you don't often realise how they must be coming across to the general public. It must be even more rewarding for those involved with running Libera (formerly SPBC), to see just how far their local church choir has progressed over the years.

[Yorkie]

have the rules been relaxed for their rehearsals, so that Libera now allow the public to watch them freely. At previous concerts they normally request to close the doors during their pre-concert warm-up, but maybe there as been a change in this tactic?

No, rules not relaxed. There is a tourist admission fee for Exeter and so the Cathedral doesn't shut and lose money. So, if you have paid your entrance fee.....

At Christchurch the Priory closed for their rehearsal.

[JimmyRiddle]

Thanks for the clarification - I expect some of the tourists just visiting the cathedral at that time, would have been pleasantly surprised to come across a live musical rehearsal included in their entrance fee. Might have convinced a few to come back earlier in the evening for the concert too.

...and the singing during songs at a live concert... definitely a no-no...

[tom413]

I expect some of the tourists just visiting the cathedral at that time, would have been pleasantly surprised to come across a live musical rehearsal included in their entrance fee. Might have convinced a few to come back earlier in the evening for the concert too.

I think it helped in Exeter. I'm at a loss to explain the walk-up business at Christchurch though. When we got to the queue at 6:45 it was quite long, until it was divided into two lines - one for ticket holders and one for those who wished to purchase tickets. I've been to many a Libera concert and have never seen such a large line of people purchasing tickets at the door.

[JimmyRiddle]

I think it helped in Exeter. I'm at a loss to explain the walk-up business at Christchurch though. When we got to the queue at 6:45 it was quite long, until it was divided into two lines - one for ticket holders and one for those who wished to purchase tickets. I've been to many a Libera concert and have never seen such a large line of people purchasing tickets at the door.

The BBC Radio Solent interview could have made a little difference and the concert did appear on a lot of the local websites... word must have got out, and there's also the very, very reasonable ticket prices for UK concerts.

[mbbrose]

Thanks for the concert feedback to those that were there; weather it be a detailed song-by-song analysis or just general observations its always appreciated they those who could not attend. One thing I have wondered - and also supported by a photo from Yuki on her blog - have the rules been relaxed for their rehearsals, so that Libera now allow the public to watch them freely. At previous concerts they normally request to close the doors during their pre-concert warm-up, but maybe there as been a change in this tactic?

This was something that really surprised me at the Washington DC Basilica concerts. The rehearsal for filming was open and the church was open while they rehearsed prior to filming. It was very interesting to watch, and to see all of the former members helping with tech aspects. The atmosphere seemed very relaxed, but there didn't seem to be anyone attempting to cross any lines and interfere. Most people there sat quietly or meandered around. We were not asked to leave prior to the doors opening. At the Basilica their "green room" was right around the corner from a gathering area. I ended up in the stairwell while they were all going up to practice. It was quite a sight to see them navigate the stairs...especially the ones who's robes were a bit long! The Libera staff are smart about it though, the boys didn't go off on their own and they moved in groups. If one needed to go somewhere, they were accompanied by one of their own.

This might be a something that happens in venues, like churches, that have other functions going on. There were services happening in the Crypt Church of the Basilica, so it couldn't be closed off. So long as people are not interfering, it seems as though they don't really mind people being there. I think it's a really neat opportunity.

[alcesalcesobservator]

where people sang along to the songs or insisted on talking through Mysterium

People sang? Were these confused and elderly granny's who thought that they were at a church service? How frustrating!

No, the singer was not confused or elderly (and not a kid either). Three times during the concert somebody on my row had to either ask the singing to stop, shush the noise, or turn and issue a killer stare to the chattering older couple... still couldn't spoil a great show though

That's awful! I'm glad they enjoyed the music, but I blush for their lack of decorum and good breeding.

[Surpinto]

Two new photos from their time off-time in the UK around the time of these concerts.

[alcesalcesobservator]

What is that gelatinous glop in the first picture? It looks like clear, coagulated jello.

[Surpinto]

What is that gelatinous glop in the first picture? It looks like clear, coagulated jello.

I noticed that too. The piece in the very foreground looks like a block of ice.

[Surpinto]

Blog about their summer in the UK posted today.

http://www.libera.org.uk/blog/england

Seems they organized a summer camp kind of thing for them. Very cool.