Seems Will went down a storm at his showcase in Madrid.

 

Many thanks to our reporter Julie from Devoted.

 

Well, I can confirm that everything did go OK because I was there. Those of you who know me personally know I have been writing music/celebrity articles for a local magazine in Spain for a few years and recently I took on a couple more regular jobs as a music journalist for local newspapers (one of them the biggest in my region - the Costa Blanca).

 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I’m in touch with the Spanish branches of all the major record labels, so how could I turn down the offer to see British sensation Will Young perform in such a perfect setting? Because I’m freelance, I have the freedom to choose what I write about and two of my editors are keen to publish something about Will’s subsequent album release. So, enough of the drivel… on with the show!

 

I was told to arrive by 8.30 and I got there about 5 minutes early and there were about 20-30 people there. They let us in shortly afterwards and the club was fab. Quite a small room, bar down the left side (they do a mean “Mohitto de Cabana†c0cktail – which tastes even nicer when it’s free ) - a couple of those tall, free-standing tables dotted around and that’s it. I’d set my camera up before I’d arrived, but the introduction of some serious red light means that unfortunately, I didn’t get a single photograph. (Even after spending hours researching on the internet before I went ). I faffed around with the camera for ages before they came on stage, but to no avail. There was some serious photographic equipment set up at the back of the room though, so here’s hoping some pictures turn up somewhere.

 

It was so bizarre being in that place. My Spanish is improving but it was very difficult to talk to anyone because most of them were in groups and clearly knew each other - so it was hard to make conversation. I really felt for a couple of Spanish women who turned up at the door as I was going in. They had seen the "Keep On" posters outside and asked if they could come in. They were really excited. The woman told them it was for press and special guests only, and she couldn’t let them in. They really pleaded but she said if their names weren’t on the list, they couldn’t go in. I was gutted for them, and even tried to argue their case, but it didn’t help. I just know if Will had been around he would have made sure they got in. It’s not like there wasn’t room.

 

Anyway, eventually a guy came out to introduce Will and by the time this happened the room was packed - which I’m estimating meant about 100 people. He spoke in Spanish but quite slowly, so I was able to pick up most of what he was saying. He covered practically everything there is to say about Will: his age, where he was from, where and what he studied, that he's a singing sensation in the UK, how many records he’s sold, how many no.1’s, about his Brit award, that he’s been around for 4 years, how lucky the people of Spain are to have him there to perform, what a great voice he has, what a fantastic live performer, about his falsetto, his soul, funk, jazz, pop sound, praised his very talented band of musicians, said he's very handsome and called him the UK’s no.1 artist… and by the time the guy had finished, Will had a lot to live up to!

 

He arrived on stage to rapturous applause – and announced that he had a few words to say. He got out a piece of paper and said tentatively, and with that nervous, but rather amusing look he does. “Hola!†Cheers from the crowd… then… slowly… “Buenos Noches.†More cheers. He also said he had something else to say in Spanish but he didn’t know what it meant, “Gracias por venido.†The crowd cheered loudly and laughed… it means “thank you for coming.†And that was the limit of his Spanish! I think it’s really good that he tried to speak Spanish and it helped to break the ice, though there probably wasn’t any to break anyway; the Spanish love a talented live artist.

 

I knew I’d get asked this, so I actually wrote down what he was wearing because I never normally take any notice! So, smart jeans of some description, white shirt with very thin stripes and waistcoat. No idea what he had on his feet, and I can’t believe anyone would expect me to even look! He was very bouncy and lively and seemed genuinely happy to be there. It’s hard to explain but to me, he seemed relaxed and nervous at the same time. To the people there who have never seen him before I’m sure he appeared ubercool, but I felt he was a bit over-animated at times, which is a clear sign of someone trying to overcome nerves. Of course, it isn’t a bad thing, just an observation. He was enjoying performing and his rapport with the band (his safety blanket ) was excellent as always.

 

The first song was Leave Right Now, and I think some people recognised the song, so it was a good starting point.

 

The second song was very unexpected because it was one I’ve never heard him sing; James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,†which is a stunningly beautiful song. There was a lovely solo guitar piece by Joseph too, which the crowd applauded. I soooo wish you could all hear this one song. It was right up there with “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know.†I really hope he sings this on the tour. It would absolutely silence the place for sure. After this song he said something about he and Joseph having a bet and that Joseph had won some money off him. He then sang into the mike “You’re a liar, you’re a liar!†and everyone laughed. I’ve no idea what it was about, but they had a good giggle about it anyway.

 

Your Game followed, complete with scatting but an added bonus of what can only be described as some "cha cha cha cha ha ha (ing)" which was fab. By now, the people around me were doing a bit of understated dancing, tapping their feet and genuinely enjoying themselves.

 

Just before the fourth song, All Time Love, he had this giggly moment and said (in English) something along the lines of “I saw this Etta James DVD once, she was a bit old, and she just sits in a chair… she doesn’t get up out of the chair, and her guitarist keeps passing her the towel (he then does this impression of Etta sitting, rigidly in a chair, as he’s passed his towel). He then added coyly, “I’ll translate it into Spanish, believe me, you’ll be laughing your heads off!†At which point everyone laughed, and I realised just how much English they did speak! If only I’d known that earlier, I’d have chatted with some of them. All Time Love was as beautiful as ever and the crowd was mesmerised. Joseph, Jerry? and Kevin provided some well-polished backing vocals, and the piano tinkling on the keys was spine-tingling.

 

After this song Will was fiddling with the mike stand, and after a while stated “Ooo, that’s better,†with a smile, then… “Oh, it’s the same height!†and another giggling moment. All I Want was next, and was performed pretty much the same as on the video clip from the Holland showcase. Excellent backing vocals by Joseph again too.

 

Happiness was introduced quite excitedly with: “Ooo, it’s one of my favourite songs! This is a song that we weren’t going to do, but lots of people liked it over the last few days, so we thought we’d do it. We haven’t really rehearsed it that much, but my band are very professional… I, on the other hand, am not.â€Â

 

During the song I actually got a fit of the giggles and could stop laughing. I’d been praying they would do Happiness because it's one of my favourite songs and I knew the Spanish would love it - and they did. More feet started tapping, people started jigging around and the dancing became more animated. I was the one feeling “Happiness,†at the sight of all these people just loving what Will and the band were doing, and watching them all getting completely taken in by it. The giggles took over and I couldn’t stop. They loved it!

 

Will then announced that the next song would be the last one and I was very pleased to hear lots of groans from the audience. The finale was a super-funky version of Keep On, which capped off the night perfectly. It was very jazzy and it encouraged everyone to continue dancing. Joseph also got everyone clapping along. I love this song anyway, but the live version is awesome.

 

For the whole night Will seemed to really enjoy himself, the crowd were very receptive (although there are always a few people who chat all the way through ), and as he went off the stage there were lots of heads nodding approvingly and lots of comments about how good he was and what a great voice he has.

 

I only hung around for five minutes afterwards (to take advantage of the free food ), then made my way back to my hotel, safe in the knowledge that everyone there was suitably impressed. The sound was excellent, very full – but you would expect that in a jazz club. Of course he had his mixing guys there too. If any of you ever go to Madrid, I would suggest checking out the club if you like jazz. I wanted to stay on for the next act but I had to travel back on the Metro alone, so I didn't want to risk it.

 

I really hope all the guys got to see some of Madrid, because it has some wonderful architecture, fantastic galleries and at my favourite place, Retiro Park, I spent half the day just lying in the sun, overlooking the boating lake, reading and listening to music. The palace and the Plaza Mayor are beautiful too. I only hope Will and the band got to see some of it. It was a gorgeous day; perfect for seeing the city.

 

I’m really sorry I didn’t get any photographs but hopefully you can get a feel of what went on. I hope the OS has something to put on the website.

Thanks TT and thanks to Julie over in Madrid for giving us such a fantastic report. I hope we get a few pics put up on the OS soon, I'm so glad everything seemed to go well for him. :wub:

I am so happy it went well for him :wub: we are so fortunate that we get to hear these reports he cant do anything without us hearing about it first.:wave:

Its good to hear that the show-case went well and one of his fans was able to report back.

So glad it went well for him, and lucky Julie

 

Thanks for bringing it over :P

There's a video clip here of Will in Spain and it shows a clip from the showcase he did in Madrid, thanks to Tracy. click on + Ver reportaje en video

 

http://www.miradas2.tve.es/?go=111b735a516...be4a2c8473b31ac

Thanks for the link Suggy, excellent piece of promo :D On a shallow note, he's looking very hot :wub:

Loved reading this posted by JanetL on Devoted.

 

ATL now #39, WAI #45 and Home #86 & KO at #43 on Spanish Itunes. :D :cheer:

 

 

Loved reading this posted by JanetL on Devoted.

 

ATL now #39, WAI #45 and Home #86 & KO at #43 on Spanish Itunes. :D :cheer:

 

That's good to know, thanks TT.

Thanks so much for posting that, really hope it goes well for him in Europe.