When I heard that Peter Andre was performing at Manchester Cathedral I was wondering why? Strange place to hold a concert?
I know he was religious – could this be why? His parents were devout Jehovah’s Witnesses and Peter spent much of his childhood either at church during the weekdays, or doorknocking on weekends. He is now a lapsed member of the faith.
No, it is part of the Echoes concert series – which pairs legendary performers with the breathtaking architecture and acoustics of Manchester Cathedral – an event that offers an intimate and elevated take on the pop concert experience. There are a total of eleven concerts over three weeks.
Finding the venue
It is a long time since I have been to Manchester, but as it is Peter, I make the effort. Once I hit the ring road of the city I realised why I hate driving to the city. Round and round – roads closed, diversions, lots of one way streets, no turning left or right – how the hell do I get to my destination? My stress levels are high. The city is so built up now, apartment buildings anywhere there used to be a space. Eventually I see a church spire and find somewhere near to park. The rain is pouring down.
I would recommend anyone going to see the Cathedral. Magnificent, grand, a work of art. What talented stone masons to create this masterpiece of a grade 1 listed building. The windows are huge and it is hard to take my eyes away from all that I see. The present church was built in 1215, with additions as years went on. I could feel the history.
Mainly women in their thirties and fourties
Back to the present. The lights are low and there is a DJ, Nick Coulson, on stage spinning the discs. Lasers shoot around the inside of the building. The crowd are enjoying a drink and bop about. I talk to a couple in their late fifties who are looking forward to seeing Peter on stage. I would say it is mostly women in their thirties and forties here.
I am worried that I will not be able to see Peter as it is blue lighting and I can only see shadows on and around the stage. Please God let me have some white light on his face.
The DJ ends his set and says Peter will be on stage in five minutes – 9.20pm. I make my way to the front. Oh no, the women have pushed the barriers right up against the stage, what am I to do? No, I don’t give up. I ask a security lady if she can help by pushing the barriers back. The women glare at me. It is only about ten inches and I promise them I will crouch down so as not to obscure their view. Some of them arrived this morning to make sure they got to the front – they want to get up close and personal with Peter!
He mentions the synagogue terrorist attack
I am down on my knees – rather appropriate as I am at the front of the altar. Peter comes on stage. We have white light – hurray! During the first song he sees me and points – I bet you wonder why this older lady is on her knees?! To make matters worse, he keeps coming to stand in front of me and my face is in line with his crotch – this is a first for me! God my knees hurt, my back is painful, I’m hot – but I will get the photos you want to see.
Peter talks about the terrorist attack that happened this morning in Manchester and says how sorry he is. He thanks us all for still coming out to see him. It must make him very nervous because here he is, in a church in Manchester only a few hours later.
Looking very tanned and slim, in black leather – the women are taking it all in. They have banners, pictures of him on their phone cases. He talks about ‘Insania’. He has his mobile phone on a stand recording the show. The fans are filming him and he is filming them! After a while I have to scramble up and go to the side.
Peter sings and ignores his time limit, everyone is smiling
The things I do to make sure everyone gets what they want. Peter is very personable and talks between each song. He has an iPad on the floor. He picks it up and says he has been told that he can only be on stage for forty minutes and yet he has to sing ‘Mysterious Girl’ and that will take four minutes. What to do? Let’s just carry on, he says, and sings more songs!
Eventually he has to end the show and everyone has big smiles on their faces, memories in their heads and on their phones.
I need a shower and pain killers. Until next time Peter.
