Nick H from Poole

Can’t believe no one has commented on the o2 yet!

Yes it’s an arena and I know a lot of people find them too big and impersonal, but as arenas go, I don’t think it can be beaten.  The layout of the arena itself, in a huge bowl means the... [more]

Can’t believe no one has commented on the o2 yet!

Yes it’s an arena and I know a lot of people find them too big and impersonal, but as arenas go, I don’t think it can be beaten.  The layout of the arena itself, in a huge bowl means the atmosphere feels fantastic, and I’d assume that even if you’re near the back, although the view would be distant, that you still have a clear view due to how the seats are raked.  

I’ve been lucky enough to have front blocks here for the Spice Girls and Kylie (literally within touching distance) and when you turn round to look at the rest of the crowd it’s just awesome.  Plus the tiered seats were fantastic for Celine Dion’s in-the-round show.  Definitely a big improvement for London’s arena-gig going public when compared to the poor sightlines and layout at Earl’s Court.  

It’s just a shame it arrived soon after the refurbished Wembley Arena which looks amazing compared to prior to it’s re-fit, but where I’ve not been since Kylie’s NYE show as everyone’s now playing the o2 instead. [less]

Maybe I’m biased as I’m from Bournemouth and I worked at this venue many summers ago during my uni holidays, but the BIC is a fantastic venue.

Although it holds about 5,000 seated and about 6,500 standing, it feels really small and intimate, and since it’s been refurbished and expanded lots... [more]

Maybe I’m biased as I’m from Bournemouth and I worked at this venue many summers ago during my uni holidays, but the BIC is a fantastic venue.

Although it holds about 5,000 seated and about 6,500 standing, it feels really small and intimate, and since it’s been refurbished and expanded lots of the big arena tours include a stop at the BIC.  Getting to see artists like Pink, Girls Aloud and Oasis here rather than in 15,000 seater arenas elsewhere in the country is brilliant.

The standing area gives great views even from the sides or the back, and when the show is fully seated the raked terrace seating means everyone gets a great view – equivalent to putting raised seating in where the B blocks would start at somewhere like the o2.  

The venue is clean and well managed and seems to lack the impersonal feel of the big arenas – plus you can’t go to a show there without seeing several people you know!  I love it and would plead with all the big arena acts to include it on their tour schedules! [less]

I saw him in Bournemouth on the smaller UK tour he did back in Jan, and have to say I thought he was great.  You’re Beautiful was downplayed mid-set (no drawn out encore performance of it thankfully) and the new tracks from All The Lost Souls really stood up... [more]

Event Date: January 17, 2008
Event Venue: Bournemouth International Centre

I saw him in Bournemouth on the smaller UK tour he did back in Jan, and have to say I thought he was great.  You’re Beautiful was downplayed mid-set (no drawn out encore performance of it thankfully) and the new tracks from All The Lost Souls really stood up to being played live – Carry You Home was amazing.  He does anthemic through to gentle forlorn acoustic and delivered an engaging and powerful performance. [less]

Saw Lionel at Wembley a few years - what a show.  The ballads were beautifully sung and he had the entire arena on their feet with the disco / 80s dance tracks, amazing.... [more]

Event Date: November 6, 2004
Event Venue: Wembley Arena

Saw Lionel at Wembley a few years - what a show.  The ballads were beautifully sung and he had the entire arena on their feet with the disco / 80s dance tracks, amazing. [less]