Present for Wendy for her birthday on November 23
A highlight of this busy weekend was on stage at the John Labatt Centre. For Wendy's birthday I got her two tickets to the Keith Urban 'Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy World Tour' . Wendy and Patricia attended.
"That was without a doubt one of the best concerts I've ever been to." Wendy said. London was the last stop on the tour.
JLC, London, Ontario - December 15, 2007
Urban cranks up heat at JLC
By JAMES REANEY -- Sun Media
"That was without a doubt one of the best concerts I've ever been to." Wendy said. London was the last stop on the tour.
JLC, London, Ontario - December 15, 2007
Urban cranks up heat at JLC
By JAMES REANEY -- Sun Media
LONDON, Ontario - There was a true Urban legend at the John Labatt Centre -- Keith Urban. The Nashville-based, Australia-raised country star was at his hottest right from the start before a sold-out crowd of 8,500 up-and-shouting fans.
"Baby, it's cold outside," Urban warbled jokingly after a blazing Once in a Lifetime opened to a standing ovation.
"Thank you guys for coming out tonight."
Urban and the fans made sure it was hot for about two hours last night on an evening when the downtown London arena was darn cool -- temperature-wise -- before the star took charge.
"It's about to get funky y'all. Are you with me?" Urban shouted in his totally charming Aussie-inflected Nashville-speak about 75 minutes into the show. It happened to be the perfect introduction for Days Go By, which had a huge singalong from the London fans and fan videos from Urbanites around the world on the big screen behind the singer.
That screen -- it must have high, high definition. Visually, there were huge closeups of the star -- cool, sweaty blondish hair; hunky good looks plus earring; and a stubbly start of a beard to look funky. That's no Urban myth.
Did we mention Urban can also play a little -- make that a lot -- of guitar. When he told The Free Press the tour had been a chance for him to rediscover how much he loves playing guitar, Urban wasn't kidding. All those Fenders and Gibsons were being treated royally.
The stage setup included a long walkway leading to a small second stage, giving the star and fans a chance to get close. Visually, Urban's show was one of the most sophisticated at the arena, with that huge screen and cameras getting the famous face and songs in focus for everybody.
Urban and all that gear are back at the John Labatt Centre again tonight when concert time is 7:30 p.m.
"Baby, it's cold outside," Urban warbled jokingly after a blazing Once in a Lifetime opened to a standing ovation.
"Thank you guys for coming out tonight."
Urban and the fans made sure it was hot for about two hours last night on an evening when the downtown London arena was darn cool -- temperature-wise -- before the star took charge.
"It's about to get funky y'all. Are you with me?" Urban shouted in his totally charming Aussie-inflected Nashville-speak about 75 minutes into the show. It happened to be the perfect introduction for Days Go By, which had a huge singalong from the London fans and fan videos from Urbanites around the world on the big screen behind the singer.
That screen -- it must have high, high definition. Visually, there were huge closeups of the star -- cool, sweaty blondish hair; hunky good looks plus earring; and a stubbly start of a beard to look funky. That's no Urban myth.
Did we mention Urban can also play a little -- make that a lot -- of guitar. When he told The Free Press the tour had been a chance for him to rediscover how much he loves playing guitar, Urban wasn't kidding. All those Fenders and Gibsons were being treated royally.
The stage setup included a long walkway leading to a small second stage, giving the star and fans a chance to get close. Visually, Urban's show was one of the most sophisticated at the arena, with that huge screen and cameras getting the famous face and songs in focus for everybody.
Urban and all that gear are back at the John Labatt Centre again tonight when concert time is 7:30 p.m.
Hard-rocking California country singer Gary Allan opened last night and asked the crowd who was coming back for the tour finale tonight to cheers. Urban had something to say about it, too.
"We're going to finish our whole tour here (tonight)," Urban announced early in last night's set. Based on the energy, visuals and sound, there is no sign of the tour slowing down at all.
Urban's tour plays on the title of his recent hit album -- Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing. It was good for Once in a Lifetime, the terrific opener, and Faster Car -- which had Urban on bass -- in the early going. He went back to the album for a rousing I Told You So. That took the concert back to the main stage after a lovely unplugged interlude of You're My Better Half, Making Memories of Us and You'll Think of Me. They're all from Urban's newest CD, Greatest Hits: 18 Kids (Capitol/EMI).
The unplugged set took Urban and his band to a small, second stage. There was plenty of time for handslapping and greeting along the walkway with ecstatic looking fans.
Earlier, there was time for Urban six-string wizardry on Where the Blacktop Ends. It mixed in sweetly with the banjo and mandolin from his band, five musicians who must have fun keeping up and trading riffs with their boss.
Sonically, the mix for Urban and band was impressive -- and the fans just kept getting stronger in a most unLondon display of lung power on the way to the main set finishing combination of Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me and Somebody Like You.
Urban married Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman last year. The first concert he played after the marriage was at Sarnia's Bayfest. Kidman was just off-stage for that show.
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