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Hi all, Last weekend was officially "PG weekend" having attended both nights at the London o2 Arena. Personally, I felt Sunday night's show shaded it in terms of enjoyment as perhaps I was more relaxed with the material having experienced it the night before but it seemed there was more of an atmosphere. Like others have mentioned, those members of the audience who decided to take comfort breaks or buy overpriced weak lager spoiled it a bit through the first half of the show when concentration was needed and rewarded. On a lighter note, I spotted a couple of famous faces such as Michael Kitchen and Simon Day. Perhaps the latter was getting some further inspiration for his Brian Pern/PG skits - http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/extra/show/p003cmwm Anyhow, particular highlights were "Mirrorball", "The Power Of The Heart" (both beautiful love songs which raised the goose bumps), "My Body Is A Cage", "Digging In The Dirt", "Downside Up" (the middle bass-led section was brilliant - a playful throwback to the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band perhaps), "Signal To Noise" and "Don't Give Up" (shame Tony Levin couldn't have made a guest appearance on the double bass!). Hats off to John Metcalfe, Ben Foster and the New Blood orchestra for the exhilarating orchestration and arrangements and to PG for having the balls to bring this concept to life with these live shows. Happy days. Howie Taylor Follow me and be a Twit at: http://twitter.com/itsHowieT

I was at the concert on Saturday night with Moofie and during the day we met up with people off the site . I enjoyed the show and it was a bonus having met some new like minded people .

Boring show!Miss the regular band, orchestral versions of other peoples songs - been done before, nothing new there. When's the musical going to be produced?

Both nights? Jammy! I went on Sunday and must say the atmosphere blew my mind. I took my freind who lives over the road from me (she came to Womad to) She's new to PG and she flippin cried the whole way through the concert. No please in some people.

I was there for the two nights (plus soundcheck) and I can only say this: FUCKING MARVELLOUS. I'd have liked to meet some more of you guys - I managed to meet fellow paisa' :-] Dolce and her husband (Madadayo) and the lovely young lady Evoluni from Greece. See you next time.

I was also there BOTH nights and sound checks and met LOTS of long time friends traders and collectors. FABULOUS BOTH NIGHTS blew me away and i prefered the first night again I dont need piss heads goin to a gig getting lager out of backpacks and needing a piss in middle of songs. SAT night audience LISTENED intently to first half and got rocking for second. now a wee comment for the Boring squad. away back to yer Phil collins albums . we wait for peter to do something differant he does YOU critisise he does the BAND shows YOU complain cos hes not down anything new. Fik me

I went both nights too and I'm so glad I did because I felt SMB was better on Sat night and the older material was even more outstanding on Sun. Whereas Peter spoke to the audience on Saturday at the beginning, he barely said a word on Sun to the point where I thought he may be ill or he'd had some bad news. On Sunday, it was as if someone had had a word at half time and he came back with such energy - his voice was incredible - that my socks were knocked off! And I've seen him 30 times! I thought the lights and visuals were fantastic as well as the conductor and orchestra. I think we all feel the same about some of the audience members. My husband and I have a joke about me at a PG show on how long it will take me to get misty eyed. The first few bars of Heroes got me going - which is a record time! :-]

Caste! So happy to read that you enjoyed the shows, that they were marvelous!! Thanks all for your views!

Was there Saturday for soundcheck and gig,and quite simply the best concert ive ever seen.

I was there Saturday and have to say Peter and the team delivered a near perfect show. The sound from the orchestra was simply stunning and the effects were superb as ever. I was really unsure about Scratch my Back when I first heard it, but it has turned out to be a real grower of an album and I think the live show has really enforced what a great piece of work this is. Hope to get a chance to see this show again at some point - can't believe Peter and everyone involved have put all this work in for a handful of shows!

Madadayo is Dolce Vita's husband? Never knew that. Glad to hear you all met Caste! That must have been a great night then!

Or were Dolce and Evouline there for both nights too? Then it must have been wonderful TWO nights.

Absolutely wonderful show on Saturday, enjoyed the soundcheck and gig immensely. Breathtaking first half and watching the second half with the enjoyment of a child given his favourite toy to play with (and even liked being blinded many times by Peter during San Jacinto!!) The orchestral arrangements and New Blood orchestra were stunning as were the visuals and Peters voice. Sad I couldn't make the Sunday also as I'd love to see that performance again. Hope there will be a DVD as people had the HD camera out at the front The DVD will be nice, but it's one of those gigs you just had to be there to experience

We were at Sat's show, and it was the first time I've ever seen him - We're in central Canada, so never had a chance to go. I was so blown away, I didn't move, I didn't talk, I didn't breath. I'm back home now, and I'm still just starting to soak it in.I thought Sat was amazing - and so glad to listen to the little pieces at soundcheck.it was amazing to hear the pieces before the big show! Thank you all!

Thanks all for the insight. . .can't wait for NYC!!!

This is my reply to David Sinclair's (The Times ) rather Harsh review of the Evening. Surely Mr.Sinclair you should find a new vocation in life as this review did not in anyway reflect the evening that myself and many Gabriel fan's experienced.No other musician's on this planet could have achieved what Peter and the New Blood Orchestra achieved this past weekend.The mood was sombre at times but full of passion.Track's like Mirrorball,Flume and the stunning Signal to noise (which produced one of the many standing ovation's of the evening)just reduced me to a quivering mass of emotion.At 60yrs.young,Gabriel is still one of the best out there and his music will more than stand the test of time.Nobody in the music industry has worked harder and has been more diverse than he.This concert reflect's his ability to try different aspect's within music.His vocal ability is unique and flawless.His talent show's no boundaries.I have followed Peter since the 60's and am still amazed by his passion to music.True musician's are a dying breed in this age of manufactured crap.You only have to listen to the top twenty to experience the lack of true talent out there.I thank Peter and the New Blood Orchestra for a very memorable evening.A memory that will last far longer than any Boy/Girl Band.Your's,Alan Jones,Bristol.

I was fortunate to go to the show at the O2 on Sunday and savoured every minute . My enjoyment was only marred by moaning minnies in the row behind (" self indulgent" " not eactly joyful" were these people watching the same show ?) and late comers arriving mid-show . I can't wait for the next show . Many thanks

Well said Uncle Albert. Sinclair really is an utter wally, what's more worrying than the review itself is someone decided to give him a job as a journalist.