Beverley Knight on her 50th UK Tour in Reading was our second concert to see her this year. Earlier we had attended Beverley Knight’s 50th concert to celebrate her birthday in London earlier in the year.
The concert in Reading was the first concert of her UK wide tour and was after the release of her latest album ‘The Fifth Chapter.
The concert was at the Hexagon in Reading – a venue that we had never been to before. This convert we had again bought so-called VIP tickets that gave us access to the sound check before the concert, hear a couple of songs and be part of a Q&A session with Beverley. Arriving early for at the Hexagon we queued and at the bag check I was called out for having a ‘professional camera’. My choices were to go back to the car park and out in the car or allow security to retain it for me. Funnily enough this was exactly the same camera that I had taken into the Lafayette in London in March.
The security guards were very apologetic and promised to keep the camera safe. I did appeal to the tour manager but he was adamant no professional cameras except those with press passes. Plus professional cameras obstructed the sight of others in the concert – I’m guessing that he hasn’t been behind rows of smartphones video recording with bright screens obstructing the view!
All my images from the concert are from my iPhone.
The comp from the VIP tickets
We were both given a plastic bag containing a signed poster and passes to get us into the sound check. Our posters from the March concert were just handed to us and we left them at the back as where were we supposed to keep them as at that concert the VIP tickets didn’t get us seats? !
Beverley Knight sound check
The good news for us was that we had seats for the sound check. We sat in our designated seats which were on the second row just left of centre stage.
We were all clearly fans and it was a great experience to see and hear her. At the end she sat at the edge of the stage and answered questions.
After the sound check we were asked to leave and we went looking for a drink and something to eat. Tea, crisps and cakes were our snack before the concert proper.
The opening act – Casey McQuillen
The opening act was an American singer, Casey McQuillen.
Casey started with acoustic persoanal songs,
then switched to electric,
before returning to acoustic for the end of her set.
The DJ Break
Just as in London we were entertained by a DJ while the theatre filed up. This set was much shorter than the one in Match…
Beverley Knight in Concert
At 8.50 am the concert started…
Beverley Knight nncore…
And the final bow.
Despite all my reservations the security lady was waiting for me at the exit with my camera bag.