I attended this concert and had a seat in the 2nd Row but ended up standing at the front with friends.
Before Meat loaf came on we were treated to a simulated thunderstorm with lightning and rain playing through the speakers. It then went dark and we were given the idea that there was an electrical fault(this was all part of the show).There was even smoke coming from the mixer desk and blokes walking round with torches! Meat then appeared as a dark figure on stage and sat down on a cluster of imitation rocks. He opened with the brilliant and haunting Home by Now/No Matter What, complete with backdrop showing a very menacing forest.
After this he went straight into Life is a Lemon with a brand new intro consisting of Pearl, Patti and Ray each bashing away at a big bass drum. This really got the place rocking.
This was when we first got a chance to see Kasim and he looked really good again! He was wearing his long black leather coat, black trousers and a red shirt that had a black back and arms.
After this came Dead Ringer for Love acted out on stage as in the video. Then came I'd Lie for You and Anything for Love sung brilliantly by Meat and Patti. He then sang a relatively unknown song called Lawyers Guns & Money during which all four boys played a great guitar segment. He followed this with Rock n Roll Dreams.
It then went quiet as Ray and Tom played the intro to Is Nothing Sacred. Meat and Patti sang this with such emotion and passion that it just blew you away. This is far better than the album version and should be a big hit.
The mood changed completely when Damon started playing the intro to Paradise by the Dashboard Light. The crowd went wild and a huge metallic walk through curtain descended on the stage, from behind which Meat emerged in a tuxedo and bow tie. When Patti appeared he was wearing a wedding dress and the look of supposed shock on Meat Loafs face was brilliant. He remarked that the last thing he remembered was being in the back seat of his car with Patti at the lake. The pair of them then disappeared behind the curtain to re-enact the "Phil Rizutto" part. When they finally emerged Patti was dressed in a skimpy white dress. They then launched into their usual insults and arguments much to the amusement of the crowd. After this brilliant and mindblowing performance the group took a bow and left the stage (all except Meat). Stools were then brought on to the front of the stage and the piano and some drums moved forward. Meat then introduced the band one by one and they took their seats.
The acoustic set consisted of Midnight at the Lost & found, Mercedes Benz sung by "his girl" Pearl, Honky Tonk Women, Princes 1999,Two outta Three aint bad and finally You took the words right out of my mouth (to which thousands of people sang along).These acoustic versions were very good and Meat remarked that he had a lot of fun during this part of the show. It also showed what talent the individual band members have, they are all very good. Last but not least he finished with the all rocking Bat Out Of Hell complete with inflatable bat(whose name escapes me!).This really brought the house down!
This concert was brilliant and shows that Meat still has what it takes to bring a concert to its knees. His voice is as strong as ever and hopefully will stay that way for a while to come.
Photo of Birmingham concert page
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