Pictures courtesy of David

REVIEWS:

From Matt:

Hey,
I found out about the concert at Ovens Auditorium a little late but I still really wanted to get good seats and I was able to get a pair of front row tickets from a ticket agency (scalpers) for $250. I was a little worried that it wouldn't be able to live up to my expectations. It ended up being, the best concert I have ever been to. Period. Nothing comes close. The audience was so amazing. I was really worried because everyone had been saying that the crowds were talking all during E's performance and he was getting a little upset (and Im a huge eels fan!) but this audience was just amazing! Everyone was respectful and really appreciated him, he even had a little question and answer session with the crowd. He was really cool and we were told that he would be giving Ms. Apple "a great report." As a side note, anyone attending the next shows, make a note to check out E. He is an amazing performer and I know you wont be disappointed. After that was Fiona. She was wearing this hooded sweatshirt jacket with the pink tank top and black skirt, I got chills  when she walked out with the band. Matt Chamberlain is simply the most amazing  drummer, he plays with more melody then a lot of guitar players I've heard (If you end up reading this Happy Birthday!). The entire band was amazing, and the crowd responded. You could tell Fiona was having a good time and she was able to do things with her voice that gave me goosebumps. It was so real. The band was amazing, there is no other word for it. I loved them! The crowd was so respectful, and you could tell Fiona appreciated it. I was worried because people had also been saying that during "I Know" and "Love Ridden" people were talking and Fiona had to ask them to be quiet but you could have heard a pin drop tonight. I was so proud to be a part of that crowd. I think I just bought like a years worth of inspiration. The energy that was being transferred tonight was just so real and pure, I dont know how to describe it.  Im going to stop because I know I couldnt do it justice. Just go and see her!

-Matt

picture courtesy of David

From Julia:

I went to the best concert of my life last night with three of my best friends and my father.

All I can say is Oh My Goodness!!! She was so fabulous! My friends and I came determined to be the biggest Fiona fans there and in my opinion, we reached our goal!!! We stood, danced and sang the entire time!!! At the beginning we just kinda decided that the front row left seats were ours because even though we couldn't see her face the whole time we were the closest people to her.

After I went fucking nuts dancing to "Fast as you can," I gathered up enough courage to throw my sweet little cabbage patch fairy doll with my note up on the stage. It almost didn't make it but she picked it up, looked at it and took it offstage with her. My friends grabbed me and screamed in my ears!!! It's  a wonder I can hear now.

I liked the encores a lot, the band was fantabulous (happy birthday Matt Chamberlain)! I liked the lighting...and then the performance was over. We were all very sad. Walking back to the car, my dad mentioned something about Fi's bus being right over there and that's all he needed to say, soon the four of us BOLTED over there and she signed BOTH my album covers and touched all of my friends hands, SHE LAUGHED AT MY FRIENDS JOKE!!! but i felt really terrible because there were so many people and she didn't get to look at anyone and if i were in that position I don't think I'd have been able to breathe, I just hope she wasn't uncomfortable.

On the ride home, we listened to both CD's and whenever a song she played came on, all of us in the car would say, "she did really well on this one!" none of us could really pick a favorite song she did but that's ok because they were SO WONDERFUL!!!

Anyway, last night was the best night of my life and I can't wait to get my pictures developed. I don't know if this is a really good review but I'm only 16, this is the best I can do.

~Julia

PS this is the best site on the web!!! you guys are wonderful!!!

picture courtesy of David

From David:

I feel very fortunate to say that this is the second time I've seen Fiona on this tour (ahh it feels good to say that.) I guess the bottom line is that it was WAY worth the trip from Cincinnati to Charlotte to see her again. I would see her a third time if I had the chance. But most people reading this probably feel the same way. 

I came into the concert thinking that the opening act "E" would not impress me too much, and I was wrong. Although it was an extremely short set, he used his time well. The piano "piece" if you will at the beginning did a great job of getting everyone's attention and tuning them all in. His sense of humor was great, as well as his talent for playing piano and guitar. "Novicane for the Soul" was especially wonderful, and I would have to say that the crowd agreed. It was too bad that a good portion of the crowd chose not to watch him, the place sure filled in after he left. 

Fiona was wonderful. In reviews from earlier shows on this leg I had read that she wasn't quite up to par on the vocals, but she sounded so good. She was very clear and it sounded like she was really into it. All the songs sounded great. She hit the throat spray a few times, but it did not appear that she was having any difficulty belting the songs out. We were sitting in the 8th row left of center, so besides the fact that we were right in the line of fire of the speakers, we also had a great view of her on the piano. One thing that kinda bothered me was that the people in the front had a hard time deciding whether to sit or stand. I wouldn't have minded either way, but on a couple songs everyone seemed to be popping up and down like whack-a-moles. 

pictures courtesy of David

The band was also great. I really liked the added guitar parts, especially in "Paper Bag." I suppose it would have been an ordeal to play the horns in that song on the road, and I think the guitar "replacement" sounded just great. I should also note that the drum "solo" in "Limp" was very exciting to see and hear live. 

Jebin & Joe


Matt & Keith


Lucky
All band pictures courtesy of David

I have to hand it to the security at the show, they were very relaxed. I shot an entire roll of film in the concert and was not bothered. I saw nobody that had their camera taken away or even warned. It was pretty funny early on in the concert when Fiona personally invited people from the back to come forward and fill the empty seats. Most people took it as "fill the isles in the front" and after about 5 minutes the guards had to clear everyone out. They were pretty friendly about it though. If you were wondering, I will have my pictures back and sent to this site as soon as possible!

pictures courtesy of David

Fiona, if you're reading, thanks for making my trip to Charlotte to see you well worth it. It far exceeded my expectations. You are the best! 

Dave in Cincinnati, OH