by Steve Penney

This concert was fabulous! Neil is a real gem (but hey, we all know that!)

The lighting was really great, something that I wasn't expecting. At times, when the lighting was blue, it seemed to idolise Neil, and then through "Private Universe" it was deep and meaningful. However, at times I think that it did distract the audience from Neil, after all, we were there to see the man himself, rather than some kid on the lights showing his stuff.

Neil's Hair: Not bad. His usual swept round the front type style, this time held very firmly in place with hairspray. As the evening progressed, Neil's hairspray started to loose it's strength and while dancing around (if you could call it that!) during the riffs of Suffer Never, those little strandy bits at the front broke free! He's looking a bit blonde at the moment, but that could have been the lighting. Not a bad effort on the hair front.

Neil's Clothes: Neil was wearing a suit jacket and pants and a white shirt, that was hanging loose. These clothes were RATHER baggy on Neil - I think that he should come to my house for a few roast meals!

I get the feeling sometimes when I go to a concert, that the artist is putting the concert for himself (or his pocket), but last night I am sure that Neil was putting the concert on for US. He played all those tunes that we love - "Not The Girl You Think You Are," "Distant Sun," "Suffer Never," "Private Universe," "Message To My Girl," "Don't Dream It's Over," "I Got You," etc.

"Private Universe" for me was the highlight of the night. The jamming at the end and the lighting just made it. Neil's solo of "Message to My Girl" on the piano brought tears to my eyes -- it was so beautiful. Neil just seemed to know how to push the button of every single person in that audience.

Liam played guitar most of the evening, with a song or two on drums as well. He appeared to be a rather shy lad but then I suppose that I would appear that way too if I was on stage in front of so many people. It was rather touching to see Neil looking over at Liam and smiling at him in a rather "I'm proud of you son" way.

A fantastic evening, now I'm wishing that I had enough money to get to Auckland to see him there too!!