Concert review: Neil Diamond, LG Arena, Birmingham
Wednesday 29th June 2011, 12:27PM BST.
Neil Diamond
LG Arena, Birmingham
Concert review by Shaun Lintern
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend – and judging by the reaction of the audience Neil Diamond is still a hit with his female fans.
At the ripe age of 70 the singer still commands a loyal following and thousands packed into Birmingham’s LG Arena last night.
Click on the image to the right to see more concert photos
Still looking stylish in a purple shirt Diamond wowed the crowd and within minutes had them clapping and dancing in the aisles.
His easy style and chatty talk made the performance feel intimate and personal despite the size of the arena.
As well as new songs and some classics he performed excellent renditions of Red Red Wine, and the Bill Withers classic Ain’t No Sunshine. Other hits with the crowd included I’m a Believer and of course Sweet Caroline, which had everyone on their feet and dancing.
Among the crowd was life-long fan Mavis Priest, from Sedgley, who turned 60 on June 16. Even her 31-year-old daughter going into labour with her first child was not enough to prevent Mavis seeing the singer.
Mavis, with friend Jan Higgins, said: “We have both been Neil Diamond fans for more than 40 years.”
Neil Diamond is performing again at the LG Arena tomorrow (Thursday, June 30, 2011).
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Couldn’t agree more, it was a fantastic night Neil Diamond is as great as ever and sang all the favourites as easy as pie, if anything he has improved with age. His slow version of I’m a Believer was brill!!!
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Red red wine was written by Neil diamond. Good review though, these concerts are fantastic.
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First time I have seen him he is fantastic live really great show thanks Neil
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I have loved Neil Diamond for 45 years and 30th June 2011 was the 1st time i have ever been able to see him in concert My mothers day present of a ticket was the best ever he was wonderful, what a performer lost none of his brilliant voice and charm i will remember it forever
Thank you Neil
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Fantastic show last night in Birmingham – first time we saw him was 1972 at Odeon – still performing as well as ever – we love his shows
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Yes, a great show but spoiled by the silly, tacky and totally unprofessional interaction with some of the female section of the audience. What on earth possessed him?
No need for it, Neil!
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Went to see Neil last night,not missed a tour since 1984, and some of them did 2 or 3 shows so seen a lot of concerts over the years. Neil never lets us down.Yes,he does more of the slower numbers and sits down a bit, (he has had serious back problems for years) but still gives his all on the faster songs, and can still move it like a youngster when he needs to!His very loyal band were their usual brilliant selves, Linda Press and the Walters sisters are wonderful on backing vocals.One thing I did notice that has changed… a lot more of the audience stayed seated for Sweet Caroline…can it be that the hips are going…after all Neil is 70, and a lot of the fans are getting there too!
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I have seen Neil 3 times and was so disappointed with last night’s show. He spent 25 minutes snogging random members of the audience. The ballard version of daydream believer was a let down and because of his earlier indulgence he ran out of time for some of the classics. Reading earlier posts I wished we had seen him on another night.
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…anyone got Karen’s telephone number!
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