Amy MacDonald - Hampton Court Palace, London.

Marguerite and Jude recently took themselves off to London to see Amy MacDonald in concert at the Hampton Court Palace.  Having last seen Amy in 2008 Marguerite and Jude were really looking forward to this show.











After flying into Gatwick airport and quickly found themselves at their Guest House at Latchetts Cottage in Surrey.   This place was just beautiful.  It was owned by a lady who grew up in Bangor County Down so there was plenty of conversation about 'home'.










Moments later and Marguerite and Jude have made their way the short walking distance to the local pub and restaurant, The Fox Revived.












Now we're talking!!















They quickly got themselves settled in for lunch and a beer.  Lunch was great and this pub was the perfect spot to have a couple of gig warm up pints.

Jude was on whatever the local brews were.  He sampled a couple of different ones ...... local English bitter and whatnot ....... and very nice they all were too!













Sure what else would you be doing on a Friday afternoon?  Marguerite and Jude having fun in Surrey.  They stayed here for about two hours before heading towards the concert location.

Amy MacDonald was playing at Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey in South West London. Marguerite and Jude got in there around 4pm and quickly found this pub, The Albion.  Another beer or two here and .....












.......... they were off ............

.......... over the River Thames .......















........ and into Hampton Court Palace itself.
















This place was class.  It is one of only two remaining palaces owned by King Henry VIII (St Jame's Palace being the other).  Each summer it hosts a series of concerts and it's easy to see why it is so popular as it is surely one of the most stunning venues for a concert in the UK or Ireland.









Marguerite making her way through the many Palace gardens towards the concert.

And taking a wee break here and there too!!

Spot the purple blanket there beside Marguerite.

Here is Marguerite clinging onto the blanket ........ but what was it for?














Well as with all these trips Marguerite and Jude had did their homework and knew that the Palace gardens opened at 5.30pm with lots of food and drinks options available (including bring your own) for an outdoor picnic on the lawn ..... hence the need for the blanket.  Wha?










'Get in early and get a good seat', was today's mostly repeated line.  Sure here is Marguerite making her move and pouncing on these cool summer chairs.  











A seat with a view!!!  Perfect.















The concert had a 9pm start time with no support band ........... so that meant a cool 3.5 hour garden party for Marguerite and Jude.  Nice.

Marguerite brought in her own gin with tonic and even a bag of ice.    

Meanwhile Jude had brought in a few beers to keep things ticking.

Do you see the Boston bag on the ground beside Jude?  Well it's jam-packed with stuff.  Beers, Gin, ice, sweets and whatnot ..... you name it it's in there!!!!














Marguerite took the chance to catch a few rays today.













As did Jude!















By the time it got to around 7.30pm the jackets were on but it was still a lovely evening.

Marguerite and Jude sampled some of the food on offer, with the venison burger and cajun fries being particularly tasty.











The grounds were just stunning.  Beautiful scenery all around ....... with folk just chilling out drinking and eating.













An extra nice touch was the Jazz band walking around the gardens playing some cool Jazz tunes.  













This really was a great afternoon and evening ......... and this was just the build up. Marguerite was all smiles at this stage as the excitement built.











Next stop was the concert itself which was to be played in the Palace Auditorium.













So the purple blanket and Marguerite went on their way, following the crowds.













'I think it's that way Jude', said Marguerite.














And soon they were in the Palace itself.















Here is Marguerite sitting with a glass of Champagne for the show.

  












If the grounds were stunning then the Auditorium was even grander ...........














............. a perfect concert setting.

Marguerite and Jude had seen Amy MacDonald twice before, both times in Belfast, in 2007 and 2008, and both times she was great.

They were very excited to be there and had splashed out on real good seats up front and centre.














At 9pm Amy MacDonald came on stage and launched straight into the title track of her latest Album, Under Stars.













Old classics such as This is The Life, Run and Mr Rock and Roll were all included of course.














Amy first made it big 10 years ago when she was 19 when her This is The Life debut album went to number 1 in the UK charts.













She is now onto her fourth album and she really is a class act live.  Even her on stage banter is good value.













As darkness fell the atmosphere in the auditorium was electric with Amy MacDonald and her band pumping out great song after great song.  













All too soon Amy had neared the end of the concert and took a 5 minute break ........














......... which was just long enough for Jude to nip to the bathroom and back!!














Before a rousing finale of Prepare to Fall, Down by the Water and Let's Start a Band finished the night off in spectacular style.

'Let's start a band, let's start a band, let's start a band, let's start a band!!!










Amy MacDonald live at the Hampton Court Palace.

Brilliant.