News RSS Feed


Ford's Future in Southampton Business News In depth reports Financial Crisis


Meatloaf rocks Broadlands

6:17pm Monday 7th July 2008

comment Comments (44)   Have your say »

By John Hoskins »

IF music be the food of love, then last night I suffered from acid indigestion.

Broadlands rocked to a huge helping of commitment and energy from Meat Loaf.

The level of appreciation was dependent on where you stood. Closer to the stage, the better the sound, the further back one stood, the worse it became as a swirling wind played havoc with the acoustics.

Many muttering about the quality walked out well before the end.

But Meat Loaf has always polarised opinion. Critics, accused of living in ivory towers, denounced the Bat out of Hell album as one of the worst of all time.

Fans have been registering their approval at the till for years.

If he was ever mechanised, he'd be transformed into a let it rip Californian dragster. There is nothing frill, nothing new wave about Meat Loaf - it's straight at you full-blooded.

Broadlands lifted its hamper for the third night of its party in the park concerts with a serving of Meat Loaf. With a stagnant economy and wretched weather, Pimms, picnics and patrons have understandably been less evident than expected.

But 10,000 plus still flocked to see the rocker eligible for a bus pass.

Dressed in all black, he prowled the stage, the consummate old pro using all his experience to work the audience in his near two-hour performance. I do not profess to be a walking encyclopaedia of Meat Loaf, his history would be an alien concept if I had targeted Mastermind.

So the simple question to fall back on was, Did I enjoy it?' and the answer was yes.' Okay, so I was within almost touching distance of the stage as he heavily dipped into Welcome to the Neighbourhood album for splendid renditions of Dead Ringer for Love, and Amnesty is Granted.

Donning an outrageous wig and tuxedo, he gave an outrageous performance of Paradise by the Dashboard Light and closed the main part of his act with his signature Bat Out of Hell.

He sang Thank you, thank you, very much the audience - but by then many were already streaming out.

Katie Melua opened the three-day extravaganza on Friday with a host of her hits in front of an estimated crowd of 2,500.

Saturday saw Irish boyband Boyzone back to their best after eight years apart, belting out all their hits including Words, Love Me For A Reason, and When The Going Gets Tough.

Ronan Keating and Co had their female fans drooling at the mouth just as they did in the 1990s on a cold and windy night.


Your Say YourEcho

The Romsey Raver, Romsey says...
10:39am Mon 7 Jul 08

I dunno, I could hear it pretty well from my house, so not sure why people could not hear him properly in the Estate...

Phew, soton says...
10:54am Mon 7 Jul 08

Swirling wind, rip off - sounds as though the evening was a complete stinker !

AJ, southampton says...
10:54am Mon 7 Jul 08

I'm a huge Meatloaf fan and I've seen him in concert several times but last night was the worst I've seen. The sound quality was appalling and after 45 minutes a cup of tea and an early night seemed much more appealing. I've been to shows at Broadlands before in pretty bad weather conditions but never encountered this problem. Puts me off going again!

Peter Brown, Hamble says...
10:57am Mon 7 Jul 08

Weathering the torrential rain to see a major act like Meatloaf my expectations were high but was severely disappointed with his performance. The backing band and singers to their credit held everything together as best they could but Meatloaf was not the consummate professional I would have expected and at £40 per ticket very over-rated.

Fatfish, Chandlers Ford, says...
11:28am Mon 7 Jul 08

I was there on Sunday night.

Yes the wind did affect the acoustics, but nothing can change the fact that Meat Loaf himself gave a very poor performance. We could hear the backing singers clearly, but he mumbled his way through many of the songs and his voice wavered on most of the bigger notes.

Disappointed, Southampton says...
11:34am Mon 7 Jul 08

We were approx 20ft from the stage, the wind wasnt the problem with the sound.......very very disappointed with Meatloafs performance, he 'murdered' his classics....at time he sounded like a cat in pain. I wouldnt go see him again even if it was free. Can we have our money back?

Christine Woods, says...
11:34am Mon 7 Jul 08

Does anybody out there know how you can get a refund if you have booked your tickets via Ticket Master?

Thanks in anticipation.

George, says...
12:04pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Christine Woods wrote:
Does anybody out there know how you can get a refund if you have booked your tickets via Ticket Master?

Thanks in anticipation.
You won't get a refund simply because you didn't enjoy it. Trust me

Donna, Eastleigh says...
12:09pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Absolutely dumbstruck!!! I could not believe what I was hearing, having been a die hard Meatloaf fan for years, I feel more than disappointed, how on earth could he subject his fans to THAT performance - its an insult. The sound quality was awful and as for his singing, he sounded like a cat being strangled!! I stayed for 3 songs and that was more than enough, my ear drums could not take any more.
Thanks Meatloaf for ruining a rare evening out and wasting my money.

Christine Woods, says...
12:13pm Mon 7 Jul 08

George wrote:
Christine Woods wrote: Does anybody out there know how you can get a refund if you have booked your tickets via Ticket Master? Thanks in anticipation.
You won\'t get a refund simply because you didn\'t enjoy it. Trust me
OK. That's what I thought. Tried going on the Meat Loaf website. Waste of time. Have complained though to Broadlands.

jenny longyear, chandlers ford says...
12:29pm Mon 7 Jul 08

i was at the meatloaf concert last night for my birthday present, with my family and friends! what a load of rubbish!! i have never heard such bad singing in my life!he should be ashamed of himself, he needs to retire, NOW! also my boyfriend works in the industry and says anyone who was not happy is entitled to a full refund. but you have to contact the actuall company that organised the event. my boyfriend is on holiday at the moment but when he gets back he will be sorting this mess out! look on the tickets to find out the people you need to contact. anyone with any more information please share!!

Franz Seabrook, Chandlers Ford says...
12:32pm Mon 7 Jul 08

I must have been to a different concert!! Yes, me and my girlfriend were near the front but he neither appeared drunk or stoned! I did not hear anyone complaining about either the acoustics or the performance and it surely wasn't my imagination with the cheer that greeted the end of the concert (and not a sarcastic one before anyone says anything). Everone around me were having a great time. Indeed, as we were heading back to our car, I heard a group of female fans belting out 'Bat Out Of Hell' with great gusto so they obviously weren't disappointed either.

The only drunk that was annoying people was the plum near the front who was waving his arems about, being a complete idiot whiel his girlfriend (!) kept banging on about no one vlocking her mum's view of the stage! Thankfully, most people ignored them.

My view? A brilliant concert (and, yes, I've been to a fair few concerts and I thought Meat Loaf is a great showman) which had my girlfriend grinning from beginning to end and, for a life long Meat Loaf fan, made my day. And I feel privileged to have seen this great artist performing live.

I think if you were all turning up to an outdoor concernt expecting him to be singing just like he was 30 plus years ago, you were going to be disappointed

Perry, Romsey says...
12:39pm Mon 7 Jul 08

You donuts went to a Meatloaf concert?! Why? Why? Why? Why? oh Why?!
Im pleased it was rubbish, just to save you from ever going again!
Also "three-day extravaganza", no, Glastonbury is a three-day extravaganza not Boyzone and Meatloaf and in Romsey of all places!

Tracey Hurst, Southampton says...
12:47pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Franz Seabrook wrote:
I must have been to a different concert!! Yes, me and my girlfriend were near the front but he neither appeared drunk or stoned! I did not hear anyone complaining about either the acoustics or the performance and it surely wasn\'t my imagination with the cheer that greeted the end of the concert (and not a sarcastic one before anyone says anything). Everone around me were having a great time. Indeed, as we were heading back to our car, I heard a group of female fans belting out \'Bat Out Of Hell\' with great gusto so they obviously weren\'t disappointed either. The only drunk that was annoying people was the plum near the front who was waving his arems about, being a complete idiot whiel his girlfriend (!) kept banging on about no one vlocking her mum\'s view of the stage! Thankfully, most people ignored them. My view? A brilliant concert (and, yes, I\'ve been to a fair few concerts and I thought Meat Loaf is a great showman) which had my girlfriend grinning from beginning to end and, for a life long Meat Loaf fan, made my day. And I feel privileged to have seen this great artist performing live. I think if you were all turning up to an outdoor concernt expecting him to be singing just like he was 30 plus years ago, you were going to be disappointed
How come the likes of The Police, Paul Weller, The Who, Neil Diamond, etc. etc. still sound as fab this time round - theyre older now too! NO EXCUSE - he was an absolute disgrace to the music world & his memory

Franz Seabrook, Chandlers Ford says...
12:55pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Tracey Hurst wrote:
Franz Seabrook wrote: I must have been to a different concert!! Yes, me and my girlfriend were near the front but he neither appeared drunk or stoned! I did not hear anyone complaining about either the acoustics or the performance and it surely wasn\\\'t my imagination with the cheer that greeted the end of the concert (and not a sarcastic one before anyone says anything). Everone around me were having a great time. Indeed, as we were heading back to our car, I heard a group of female fans belting out \\\'Bat Out Of Hell\\\' with great gusto so they obviously weren\\\'t disappointed either. The only drunk that was annoying people was the plum near the front who was waving his arems about, being a complete idiot whiel his girlfriend (!) kept banging on about no one vlocking her mum\\\'s view of the stage! Thankfully, most people ignored them. My view? A brilliant concert (and, yes, I\\\'ve been to a fair few concerts and I thought Meat Loaf is a great showman) which had my girlfriend grinning from beginning to end and, for a life long Meat Loaf fan, made my day. And I feel privileged to have seen this great artist performing live. I think if you were all turning up to an outdoor concernt expecting him to be singing just like he was 30 plus years ago, you were going to be disappointed
How come the likes of The Police, Paul Weller, The Who, Neil Diamond, etc. etc. still sound as fab this time round - theyre older now too! NO EXCUSE - he was an absolute disgrace to the music world & his memory
Blimey, anyone would have thought he'd smacked you one in the face! Calm down, love. Like I say, my girlfriend loves Meat Loaf and she enjoyed every minute of it which is all that matters to me.

PS. I meant to add in my original post, I'd like to thank the nice couple who provided us with an unbrella when the heaven's opened before Pearl came onstage. It was much appreciated. Thanks again. :)

Jane Lewis, Isle of Wight says...
1:06pm Mon 7 Jul 08

I agree with most of the comments made with regard to the worst concery I have ever been to. He could not hold a note and seemed to be entertaining himself not the crowd. I too have been to many concerts including the recent Neil Diamond, who was fabulous, this was the pitts

Dom, Hythe says...
1:35pm Mon 7 Jul 08

It was excellent, it's a pitty a noise restriction had been put in place (including the stage orientation), that's why the sound was below par, I spent quite a while chatting tot he sound engineers about it.

Mikey, Southampton says...
1:50pm Mon 7 Jul 08

I went for free and still felt ripped off!
The headline in Echo today should have been "Meat is Murder"
It got so bad at one stage that his backing singer started arguing with him on stage. Asking what the hell are you doing Loaf, and he told her to **** Off!
How very Romsey!

Lorette Keys, Eastleigh says...
1:55pm Mon 7 Jul 08

I was really looking forward to seeing one of the all time greats and took my 16 year old daughter along telling her how great he was.... disappointment does not even begin to describe his performance, her words were "mum i'm embrassed for the man".

Franz Seabrook, Chandlers Ford says...
1:59pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Mikey wrote:
I went for free and still felt ripped off! The headline in Echo today should have been "Meat is Murder" It got so bad at one stage that his backing singer started arguing with him on stage. Asking what the hell are you doing Loaf, and he told her to **** Off! How very Romsey!
The 'argument' was part of the act, which was blatantly obvious. What ever your views are were with the performance, don't misrepresent other aspects of it.

shaun cooper, wimborne. dorset says...
2:41pm Mon 7 Jul 08

why oh why could his own flesh & blood not have told him the truth, rather than let him go thro that & more importantly us!!!!

Mikey, Setting fire to my meatloaf collection. says...
2:56pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Franz Seabrook wrote:
Mikey wrote:
I went for free and still felt ripped off! The headline in Echo today should have been "Meat is Murder" It got so bad at one stage that his backing singer started arguing with him on stage. Asking what the hell are you doing Loaf, and he told her to **** Off! How very Romsey!
The 'argument' was part of the act, which was blatantly obvious. What ever your views are were with the performance, don't misrepresent other aspects of it.
Cheers Franz,
So, it was a a bit of theatrics to add to his "wonderful act".
What a great man. Staging an argument so you can tell your backing singer, who is obviously carrying you, to F@CK OFF infront of thousands of now ex-fans, to elevate yourself.
Blimey, it has now sank even lower.
This is nuch worse than I thought, thanks for pointing this out Franz.

Just how desperate is this poor man.

It smells like hammers to me!

Mr Spikels, Laughing at Franz says...
3:10pm Mon 7 Jul 08

I think Franz is tatally missing the point - Let's be clear about this. Meat Loaf is an imperial and U.S. customary unit of dry volume, equivalent in each of these systems to 8 dry quarts, or 16 dry pints. Two Meats make a kenning (obsolete), and four Meats make a bushel. Now Mr Seabrook, let's stop talking utter nonsense.
Repeat after me "The gig was total crap."
Now go and iron your lovely black t-shirt with the wolf and red indian on it.
Fool!

Steve, Southampton says...
3:28pm Mon 7 Jul 08

I can't believe how many people disliked the concert! I was at the front and had qued a long time to be there and I was not disappointed. Meat had been Ill since his gig at Liverpool and there were rumors that he was going to pull out of the Broadlands one, but he came out and still put on one hell of a performance (even having to take his medication on stage at one point). For a man in his 60's to still be able to sing with that much power after 40 years is quite something. Agreed that he failed to hit some notes and was slow coming in at times (at somepoints due to the volume in his earpiece, which he kept signalling to the soundman at stage-side), in my opinion he still give a very good performance. The chemistry between Meat and Patti was as usual, brilliant, with the amusing argument during 'Paradise' another classic routine. The set-list was a bit unusual at points, and finishing with a Beatles song was very unexpected, but overall it was a good performance by a legend of Rock.

Mikey, Ha Ha ha ha says...
3:30pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Mr Spikels, ha ha ha, that was the funniest thing I've read in so long, I laughed so much a bit of wee leaked out!

Mr Spikels, says...
3:40pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Steve, I bet you have a a Lord of the Rings replica sword in your living room, go on admit it.
Is her name really Patti, so it's Meat Patti. Genius. They must keep themselves up laughing over that one.
Now again. Repeat after me "The gig was total crap."


Deflated Fan, Hampshire says...
4:03pm Mon 7 Jul 08

I have to agree with the comments saying how awful this concert was. We spent weeks trying to win tickets on Ocean fm, who spent a lot of time promoting this concert. I took my 14yr old daughter with me and conned her into it by saying how great Meat loaf was. I'm no musician, but even i could hear how out of key and flat the singing was. We could hear all the words of Pearl and the backing girls so there was nothing wrong with the sound. I think this concert has destroyed a lot of peoples idea of how good Meat Loaf is. There must be a lot of cover up in the studio if this is how he really sings. Sorry but next time I'll try for Boyzone tickets instead. Broadlands is a lovely setting so don't blame the tools when it's the master who can't work them.

kevin bailey, totton says...
4:38pm Mon 7 Jul 08

i loved every minute of it. I sat back, had a couple of beers & had a laugh. I think Clarkson and the team are great. Oh sorry your talking about Meatloaf.

Bob, Oz says...
4:49pm Mon 7 Jul 08

If it was that bad stop whinging
get over it and move on
go home and destroy his CDs
forget every word you heard
stop **** and move on
in the words of orphan annie
the sun will come out tomorrow
sorry
met office just called
summers cancelled
something else to **** about

Bob, Oz says...
4:55pm Mon 7 Jul 08

The word for a female dog is now so obsene in the UK it has to be deleted.
people my think I was using the F word like a chef
why is the deleted femail dog bit++ word shortened to 4 stars like the f word

Donna, Eastleigh says...
4:56pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Steve wrote:
I can\'t believe how many people disliked the concert! I was at the front and had qued a long time to be there and I was not disappointed. Meat had been Ill since his gig at Liverpool and there were rumors that he was going to pull out of the Broadlands one, but he came out and still put on one hell of a performance (even having to take his medication on stage at one point). For a man in his 60\'s to still be able to sing with that much power after 40 years is quite something. Agreed that he failed to hit some notes and was slow coming in at times (at somepoints due to the volume in his earpiece, which he kept signalling to the soundman at stage-side), in my opinion he still give a very good performance. The chemistry between Meat and Patti was as usual, brilliant, with the amusing argument during \'Paradise\' another classic routine. The set-list was a bit unusual at points, and finishing with a Beatles song was very unexpected, but overall it was a good performance by a legend of Rock.
Oh my god, I cant believe what I have just read. So Meatloaf was ill and you still think its acceptable for him to come on stage in front of all those people who have paid a LOT of money to be there, looked forward to the show for a long time and give the shocking performance that he gave. Im sure a lot of people would agree that if he was ill it would have been far better for him to cancel the show and either re-schedule it or give fans a refund and still have his dignity in tact AND more importantly the admiration he deserves from his fans. Instead we are left majorly disappointed in a legend of rock .

Sandra, Somerset says...
5:25pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Went to the concert in Bath, and sounds like he gave a repeat performance at Romsey. Sound wasn't the problem as the quality of the other singers was perfect. Big hits like 2 out of 3 and You took the words right out of my mouth weren't sung and we presumed that it was because he couldn't be covered up by the backing singers on these solo songs. Afraid we agree with all the comments - it's time for retirement and let us remember him as he was.
As a footnote we also saw Neil Diamond in Cardiff 2 weeks ago. He sung for 2 solid hours without a break and the sound quality was fantastic. Whole show was class and quality and must rate as one of the best concerts we've ever been to.

Anthony, says...
5:32pm Mon 7 Jul 08

HI Guys, I saw him at Newcastle last time around and he was really poor. Even he knew it last time because he walked off stage after a few songs and NO ONE GOT A REFUND!!! I must be mad cause I have tickets for the York show. Perhaps this tour is for his retirement fund and its the last we will see of him...!!

Christine Woods, Horndean says...
6:20pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Have just heard back from Broadlands re my complaint of poor concert. Suggest everyone goes onto their website if they want refunds. They are going to contact the promoters. The more people who complain, will get a better impact for refunds.

sandy simpson, says...
6:25pm Mon 7 Jul 08

went with 5 friends after raving about meat i had front row tickets for london gig last oct that was cancelled so was bursting for this on and to say i was gutted is an understatment he had to have been drunk but the whole event from sound to screen(what screen) to the catering was a shambles

Disappointed, Southampton says...
6:29pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Christine Woods wrote:
Have just heard back from Broadlands re my complaint of poor concert. Suggest everyone goes onto their website if they want refunds. They are going to contact the promoters. The more people who complain, will get a better impact for refunds.
I've been in touch with 'Live Nation' and asked for my money back. They have said they will look into my complaints about the performance. I suggest you all do the same.

Ken Snook, Dorset says...
6:29pm Mon 7 Jul 08

Family night out for eight that cost a lot of money. The band and backing singers were superb and would have been better without Meatloaf . He can no longer hit the notes and was difficult to understand. Time he bowed out gracefully before he disappoints a lot more people.

Kimberley, Southampton says...
6:38pm Mon 7 Jul 08

This was my 1st meat loaf concert and ive been a fan since a very young age .
I loved this concert and i would see him again and again if i could.
The sound did have its moments which was mainly due to the weather and the resications but you cant beat meat loaf live love it .
The only thing i was a bit disappointment with was the fact there was no screen to see the concert from at a distance but it didnt ruin my evening.
Alot of people in the crowd where we were only wanted to hear meat loaf sing his classics and nothing else , but you Have to hear all of his songs old , new classic or not to really enjoy it.
Also his daughter that was on stage before him was brilliant , i would pay to go see her in concert on her own again.I Loved her song rock chick.

Shaun Philips, says...
8:12am Sat 12 Jul 08

I suggest Live Nation book this guy www.meatloaf.org saw him last night and he rocked the place looked and sounded just like the big guy Awesome voice

mary, fareham says...
6:26pm Sun 13 Jul 08

utter crap. should have stayed at home and watched songs of praise. please retire and let people remember the good days of in tune songs.

gustav, says...
7:10pm Sun 13 Jul 08

Shaun Philips wrote:
I suggest Live Nation book this guy www.meatloaf.org saw him last night and he rocked the place looked and sounded just like the big guy Awesome voice
Live Nation wouldn't touch him with a protective suit and facemask

he is widely regarded as one of the most litigious and offensive tribute acts on the circuit. There are few people he hasnt threatened in one way or another. There's more to being a tribute than having a great voice which he undoubtedly has.

www.mlukfc.com/forum
s/archive/index.php/
t-2398.html+dean+tor
kington&hl=en&ct=cln
k&cd=50&gl=uk&client
=firefox-

One of many !!


sharon smalley, Mansbridge says...
11:19pm Mon 14 Jul 08

God, will you lot just shut up moaning!! This is such a non story and the Echo is wrong to give it so much column space when there are so many other important things going on. He seems to have been hung drawn and quartered by the reporters and readers, leave Meatloaf alone!!! Move onto something else. I went to the concert and it was absolutely fantastic. And how a few dozen people walking out and moaning out of 10,000 attending can casue this much hassle i will never know.

Meat Fan, Southampton says...
3:50pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Mr Spikels wrote:
Steve, I bet you have a a Lord of the Rings replica sword in your living room, go on admit it. Is her name really Patti, so it\'s Meat Patti. Genius. They must keep themselves up laughing over that one. Now again. Repeat after me \"The gig was total crap.\"
Get ****!!!!

john bates, says...
7:26pm Tue 5 Aug 08

have seen meatloaf at plymouth,romsey and london all concerts were brilliant,the man is a god stop moaning about sound next time move nearer to stage cousins who live in romsey heard meatloaf 1 mile away,some people just moan for moaning sake.

Your sayYourEcho

comment Add your comment

Register for a FREE Daily Echo account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.

Please register now or sign in below to continue.




Forgotten your password?
Video News Food & Restaurant Reviews

Hot Jobs

Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »