“Melanie C. Rock, pop, R’n’B, and state of the art punk – Melanie C’s unmistakable voice has blasted them all into the Top Ten. More versatile than Delia’s knife set and louder than Matthew Kelly’s sweaters, Melanie C is a British institution. Warning: Super-fit Melanie does her own stunts. Don’t try them at home.”
Quoted from the PITP 2000 program.
Okay so where do I start? July 9th was a totally mad day. I arrived in Hyde Park at about 9am. We sat down and had to wait till 12.35 for the first act, Travis. Melanie’s set was not scheduled till 7.35pm but this turned out to be more like 8pm due to various “technical problems” throughout the day.
Whilst sitting down waiting for the show to start I became known as “that crazy girl with the banner” to everyone sitting around me. Not that I minded though, I had made a huge banner saying “BRYAN & MEL U ROCK” and I was not ashamed to wave it about at any opportunity. Maybe you might of seen it on the TV!
Melanie and Bryan Adams were the two acts who I was looking forward so seeing most. Bryan performed “Don’t Give Up” with Chicane, a couple of hours into the show. That was brilliant, Bryan sounded really good and it hadn’t started raining at that point.
I’ll mention some other memorable acts too. Travis opened the show ironically playing Why Does It Always Rain On Me, before the rain actually started. Secondly, Victoria Beckham and True Steppers. Although I don’t particularly like the song I felt that they put on a good show. They had fantastic dancers, Victoria danced really well and I suppose that made up for her miming. Five and Queen were absolutely brilliant. Getting 100,000 people doing We Will Rock You in pouring rain is quite a substantial achievement really. J was really good and also looking rather gorgeous (Hehehehe!)
The rain poured down at about 3.30pm and it carried on for a good three hours. This wasn’t drizzle, it was the mother of all damn rain! I didn’t let the rain phase me, I was holding out for Melanie and Bryan and I managed to dance my way through the likes of Dum Dums, Bon Jovi, BSB ft Elton John and All Saints.
The rain seemed to of cleared prior to Melanie’s turn on stage, however, I had spoken too soon! I was determined not to let the rain ruin Melanie’s set and I enlisted the help of some nearby boys who carried me on their shoulders to ensure I had an unobstructed view of the Sporty one. Melanie came out onto the stage wearing a white T shirt, jeans and some kind of sparkly belt. She had “I Turn To You” hair and a little bit of make-up which made her look really pretty. She sung Never Be The Same Again first. I was pleased at the fact she was singing live and not miming like some other acts who shall remain nameless. She thanked the crowd for making NBTSA the huge hit that it was. Then cue opportunity for her to plug her next single. She said she hoped for similar success with I Turn To You and made it quite clear that it was released on August 7th (That’s August 7th everyone!). The crowd didn’t seem to be as interested in ITTY, probably because it hasn’t got chart success behind it (yet!) Anyway, that didn’t stop me from singing along, in even more rain I might add. After ITTY Melanie introduced Bryan as “A big hero of mine and a very dear friend indeed – Mr Bryan Adams” She introduced When You’re Gone as “One of the biggest songs from last year, penned by Mr Adams himself” I think Bryan and/or the band had a few more of those “technical problems” but Melanie soon chipped in with the following comment. “Oh this is so well rehearsed this show, as I’m sure you’ve been able to tell all day! Haha heheheh” After that Melanie and Bryan launched into what was possibly the best performance of “When You’re Gone” that I have ever heard in my life. I’m not being biased or anything here, it was truly brilliant. They were perfectly in tune, the band sounded brilliant and the increasingly heavy rain was not spoiling anything. Melanie and Bryan performed their traditional suggestive dancing which made me giggle and the crowd was roaring. At one point Melanie was standing just behind Bryan with her arms wrapped all around him. I’d never seen her doing that before. (J was backstage somewhere – wonder what he made of it?!?) The rain was really pelting down at this point and Melanie said that it was “Sooo festival – c’mon!” yep Melanie!
So that was it, the highlight of the show, the climax that I had been waiting for. It was a very worthwhile wait though! I’d been sitting on peoples shoulders for the entire duration of Melanie’s set so I got very wet - mind you, at the time I was quite oblivious of the rain! I want to say thank you to Rachel for helping me out with my wet top (you know what I mean!) and to the boys for letting me sit on their shoulders – cheers! All in all I’d say it was a wicked day and I wouldn’t of missed it for anything.
My personal pictures to follow soon
Click here to see screen grabs