milly

I know it's hard to believe, Elisabeth, but, not for all of us, success is the most important thing. I'm proud of TT for simply being asked to do those shows, because it means someone appreciates them and considers them worthy of doing something only a few artists were asked to do. I've never heard of Robbie being offered a residency in LV. It may be true, but allow me to have my doubts. Most of the Americans who leave comments on Robbie's videos say he can't sing, so I doubt he would have made an impression in America anyway. I know that, for you, Robbie is the centre of the universe, but can't you stick to singing his praises in his appreciation thread? I promise not to come posting anything in there that would rain on your parade like you do on ours. Yes, I feel like celebrating another week in top 40. Acts like Fleur East or Louisa who just came out of XF struggle to sell 2K after HUGE promotion, while TT have added 45k to their 400+k with only a few appearances. I don't care if TT break new markets or not. I'll be happy if they do, but I'll also be happy if whatever they're doing stimulates them and inspires them to keep going with music. I, for one, doubt TT are doing the LV shows for for money. Gary, at least, is rich enough for him, his kids and their kids to live happily ever after without working a single day of their lives. And, to be fair, I've seen the boys way happier this era, despite the drop in the sales, than they were at the peak of their success, when they were with Robbie or Jay.

#39. Another week in top 40 :) Why do you doubt it, Kath?

I'd have been pissed if Robbie had been allowed to take advantage of this opportunity presented to the boys. He can have his own LV show.

There was an article saying that the residency is strictly for the 3 TT members.

This might be a long shot, but here is my view on why TT are suddenly more open to the idea of exploring new countries: it all started with Gary and Howard joining twitter and recently Mark too. It was easier for them, before 2011, to put to rest the idea of doing gigs across the ocean or in Asia, because their fans there did not have faces or names. Since joining twitter, Gary has been assaulted with requests and campaigns from fans all over the world to come to their countries. He even got a book put together by a fan with wishes and requests from fans from everywhere. Goodness knows that their fans from France, South America and Australia have been campaigning relentlessly for years now for TT to perform in their countries. It's harder to ignore these requests when you face them daily. It might also have something to do with Jason leaving, because I always got the feeling he didn't love the performing part of their job too much - he said it himself that he was in TT more for his parents' sake than because he really wanted to. Anyway, I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth :) If whatever makes them wanna tour the world brings them to Romania too, I'll be over the moon :) I'm happy they're finally expanding their horizons, even if they should have done it a long time ago.

It was 41 in the midweeks on Monday, Jay. It's slightly better than last week, which means the physical sales must have increased, cause the Amazon ones have dropped.

Not only in musicals, but in albums in general. The FN album is head and shoulder above Adele's album, yet we can see the difference in reviews. Then again, the critics loved Hey Boy, so who am I to argue with their tastes? As far as I'm concerned, most of the critics are just a bunch of snobs. Play - the ensemble version - and All of London is Here Tonight are so catchy and playful, I just don't see how anyone can hate them.

Agree with everything you said, Dylandog, especially the setlist part. I could have sworn that they'd do at least a couple of new songs on the Heart gig, instead we got Pray twice because Gary and Mark forgot the lyrics. You can listen to the other 2 demos here: http://milly-gb.tumblr.com/ I'm in love with Stronger.

You do have a point, Kath, but, in the end, that's how it's always been: Gary as the lead singer. Even during their recent gigs, Gary has the most leads, so that wouldn't be much of a change in the States. They just have to choose carefully the songs for Mark - there could be plenty of moments for him, without making it seem like he shares the leads equally with Gary. The audience needs to know at all times that the best singer is put forward. I don't think that, just because Gary takes most leads, Mark and Howard become backing singers. Their harmonies are some of the best and I don't think some backing singers would pull them off. Besides, Howard and Mark taking leads on The Flood and The Garden, Howard on What is Love or Beautiful World should take care of people not perceiving them as backing singers. I agree with you that EDILYLAL needs some angst, but all Mark brought out, from my point of view, were really bad vocals. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Gary suited the song more, his vocals were just better, that's all. I still don't know why they covered that song.

Considering they'll be performing in front of a new audience, I think they'll have the brains not to do the funny dance routines that only hardcore fans can appreciate. And song choices are also essential. I can't see them prancing on the stage on Do What You Like :D They'll have to dig out new songs to perform: Don't Say Goodbye, Sleepwalking, 6 in the Morning Fool....and, of course, Will You Be There For Me :P And I know this is a touchy subject, but I think they should keep Mark's leads on a minimum, at least until they manage to draw the public in. I don't know that many people who are fans of his voice and I don't see that changing any time soon - I actually hate his part on Everyday I Love You Less and Less; I think it's one of his worst moments. He works well on Said It All, Up All Night (although I hate that song), The Garden, Into the Wild. His biggest problem is the diction. The diction is one of the reasons my sister - who is not obsessed with TT like I am :P - likes Gary and may be an important factor in helping him connect with the American audience (something that would have happened in the 90's if Clive Davis hadn't screwed him over like he did with many other artists). Usually, I'd agree with you, Dylandog, that Las Vegas is for artists who can't break the charts anymore, but TT may be the exception to the rule. WE have to consider the fact that they've been given this opportunity not because they're an established act in USA and they have nothing else to do anymore, but because someone was very impressed with their work and wants to break them to a new public. It almost sounds like a new beginning for them, imo, rather than like an end. God only knows if this will turn up to be a good or a bad thing for them, but, since we can't predict the future, we can only keep our fingers crossed for them and wish them the best. To everything there's always a downside, but this is just too big of an opportunity for them to have turned it down. And I don't think we need to worry about them putting on hold new music projects. They're releasing a new album in 2016 and a Greatest Hits album in 2017, which means they can come back with new music in 2018. Maybe Las Vegas will even get them inspired and the new album will be conceived while doing those shows. As for the LV residency being more of a vanity project...everything is possible, but who could blame them? Who in their right mind wouldn't want to try it out? Gary's a musicaholic and he does love success; now that most of his kids are grown up and Dawn is having her own business, it's understandable that he's exploring new avenues and Mark and Howard don't seem opposed to the idea. PS: Does anyone like the demos for Finding Neverland?

I'm remaining optimistic. Word of mouth is pretty powerful. Their first audiences will be there out of curiosity: "what does this act have to offer? Why have we never heard of them before?" and, if they are impressed, they'll tell others and the news will spread. At least I'm hoping this will be the scenario. Music wise, they have nothing to worry about. Their back catalogue is great - all they have to do is choose the songs wisely for a new audience. Their biggest enemy at the moment is their anonymity in the States.

Oh, you all of little faith :P Happy bunny as Gary has just confirmed it's all true.

Seeing that Gary has packed his bags for LV, it's pretty official :dance:

https://soundcloud.com/rocknrollsweatshop/0...neverland-demos Gary's voice on these demos, especially Stronger.... :wub: Much better than Kiezsha's version. And Better is such a beautiful song. If I didn't know, I'd never guess it's from a musical.

OMG!!! :w00t: I'm so happy for the boys :yahoo: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showb...-residency.html

#40 this week. Let's hope it keeps climbing.

I don't think it was even meant to chart. I know that both albums went top 20 on Amazon.com and they did well on iTunes US as well, which means the sales in America must have been good. The albums are very different though. It's like having 2 completely distinct albums, which is very enjoyable, cause that means we have more songs to listen to.

I don't know why Gary doesn't like to admit to having nerves before a gig or an interview. There are just too many instances when it's clear as daylight that he's nervous. When he performed Let Me Go on XF, I thought he was about to cry at some point and he kept looking at Mike and the rest of the band for reassurance. Even in the Dare video, he keeps rubbing his hands - a clear sign he was either nervous or uncomfortable. I think the presenter on the Fox news was a bit infatuated with Gary, I found it funny. One more lady to fall for the Barlow charm :P

Gary on Fox news: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXOAkCxz12s He's singing a bit of WYFDTTG.

Maybe the stores haven't re-stocked yet? Usually their physical sales are pretty good.

#44 in the midweeks. I was hoping III would be higher than that this week.

I don't stay up as late as I used to during university or as often and, when I do, I don't particularly enjoy it, but those years of practice make it easier to do it when need be. And, where Gary is concerned, there is need :P I still don't know how I made it through those exams periods with barely no sleep - 18 exams in 14 days sure took care of the no sleep part :D What I wouldn't give to re-live those days now!! It's good that you guys get a Christmas holiday, even if you do have to work till the last minute. Wow, Jay, Christmas in Australia - won't you miss the snow and the freezing cold :P ?

I think it's my years and years of university practice in staying awake - either studying for exams or just being kept awake by my roommates :)) I'd love for Gary to do something The Girls related for the television. The album is almost a certainty, but I'd like to see a documentary about how a musical is developed until it hits the stage. As for the BBC1 show - it's winter, people don't go out as much as they do during summer and 22:30 is not that late. Hopefully, the show will have a big enough of an audience to make an impact, but, like Aphrodite pointed out, it's just one more thing that hasn't worked out as it should have this era. Of course, TT or the label can't control when the show is aired, but, at this point, it almost seems like an universal conspiracy for things to go not exactly right. Maybe it's just one of those stages that any artist goes through and the boys will come back with stronger material and a larger fanbase next year. PS: Do you have to work on the 23rd? Don't you have Christmas holiday?

Nah, don't worry, I've stayed up till 7-8 a.m for Gary before, I'll manage to stay awake till 2 a.m this time :) Besides, thankfully, Filmon allows us to record the shows and download them, so that's taken care of as well. It was more complicated with the iPlayer before, cause I needed the expat shield to watch it, but now, with Hola, it's easier. Living outside UK does have its perks in these matters - you suddenly develop a knowledge of illegal streams and downloads that you didn't possess before :P

That means past midnight for me :( I hope the rumours are false and they're being shown earlier on - both as day and hour.