Sunday 24th February, Sheffield Arena
After what seemed like months of waiting to see Same Difference perform live, my first X Factor concert finally arrived after a mere 3 hour drive to Sheffield and a 2 hour mooch around outside the arena. It was good to get into the venue and out of the bitter cold. I headed straight for the merchandise stand and checked out the goodies on offer. Then I checked the contents of my purse, bought a Same Difference photo and scooted away before I blew the rest of my money. We made our way down to the front to our seats (that’s right – front row, baby!) and had a look round at the whole arena. I could see quite a few banners for Same Difference, several for Rhydian and loads for Leon. I draped my own SD banner over the front railing so it was only visible from stage - or so I thought. As soon as I had secured it, one of the stage-hands at the barrier came over to me with a big smile on his face and said “You like Same Difference then? My whole family really loves them!” Obviously a family with great taste.
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The first half seemed to go by in a flash and pretty soon it was interval time. Knowing that Same Difference were first up after the break, I barely left my seat, apart from to bounce up and down a bit when I saw the stage hands setting up the props for Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. The introductory video of Sean & Sarah’s journey through the X Factor was greeted with cheers from many different parts of the venue and much stamping of feet from my part (ok then, from me - but my friend joined in). Then the lights were dimmed and ! BANG!
‘Jitterbug!’ boomed out through the arena, lights flashed, fireworks exploded and Sean & Sarah jumped out of their on-stage beds and into performing Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. They did so with high energy, infectious enthusiasm and top-notch singing and dancing. For the first time that evening, a somewhat reserved Sheffield crowd seemed to loosen up and start to join in the fun. Everyone was on their feet for the next song, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now and there was much
swaying, holding up of mobile phones and singing along as SD belted out one of their most popular tracks. They slowed things down next with a touching (and beautifully-sung) rendition of Never Had A Dream Come True (cue more swaying etc). Then it was time for their last song, an all-singing,all-dancing, all-jumping off desks version of Breaking Free which went down a storm, especially with the younger audience members around me. And then they were gone , waving and skipping as they left the stage. However, Rhydian came on next and thoroughly entertained me, followed by Leon who entertained my friend (and lots
of others, obviously).
The encore of the show proved to be one of the highlights – an ensemble version of Don’t Stop Me Now lead by Rhydian. As Sean and Sarah sang their parts and bounded down the stairs to the front of the stage, they headed towards the
side of the arena where we were sat (well, stood by this time). After a few seconds of bouncing up and down on stage, Sean spotted my banner, pointed to it with a huge smile on his face and gave me a thumbs-up (a gesture he repeated towards
the end of the performance). I was able to record the whole number –
Watch it here: XF Tour Encore Video
Needless to say I left the concert a very happy bunny indeed, especially knowing there was more to come….
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