Me and my boyfriend had front row seats (I saw you Taurus....wish I'd known it was you...you are sooooo lucky! hehehehe) and we had what I have to say was one of my best concert experiences ever.
I really don't know where to start except that first of all I have to say to Gareth that I honestly wish I could've smuggled a camera in to take some shots for the website. Seal was practically feet from us dancing and rocking the hell out of that ampitheater. Security was right there in front of us as well, so I'm sure I would've been thrown out if they'd have seen one flash. Sorry. :(
Not to harp on political issues, but I have to say that this concert really affirmed for me a lot of not-so-currently-comfortable popular beliefs for me that this society struggles with. Mainly racism. More than three times Seal looked out into the audience and remarked upon how refreshing and wonderful it was to see change happening. He introduced the song "Colours" with some remarks in this vein, and then proceeded to sing directly to Taurus and his beautiful girlfriend (I'm guessing) who just happens to be of a different race. During "Killer", he did the same thing when he sang the line "There is no other love, no other love like YOURS" changing the line in the song to suit the situation. It was sooooo wonderful. If I were Taurus I would have been on cloud nine. You sure looked happy man. :) hehehehee ...... Congratulations. Being a gay man in an interracial relationship, a lot of times I really feel like a relationship that I guard with my life, a relationship that I know to be completely natural and right, something that has lasted three years and I know will last for the rest of my life now will never be recognised as anything but a joke by society and the generally unenlightened, uneducated public. I suffered a facial stroke last year and lost the ability to smile on the left side of my face. Sometimes I get extremely depressed when I think about this triple whammy, of sorts, and of all of the obstacles waiting for us everytime that we step outside the door. Sometimes the differences empower me in a way I'm sure few will ever know. During "Deep Water," I almost cried as Seal sang to us, for what must've been a solid minute. I held my boyfriend's hand as we both felt the stares near us, and in some strange way, perhaps, it was the most appropriate thing to do - to sit there, block out every ounce of ignorance, and watch this incredible man sing "no one understands...no one understands....no one understands you...", and smile down at us. I managed to yell, "Thank you, Seal!" after the song ended, and he nodded back and softly said "Thank YOU" back to us. Although it bothered me that I couldn't return the smile, I hope he felt my gratitude - he really made us feel more welcome that night there than either of us have ever felt since we've known each other with our own families.

I really hope the people that read this can relate to how, well.....relieving it is to have an artist out there that you really feel is following his soul. Personally, I think Seal is one of the very VERY few soul singers left on this planet, because he is singing about things that will always remain timeless, and above all, universal....for ALL of us. I'll stop preaching now. Needless to say, I had to tell everyone what a great time we had that night. Thanks so much Seal. We look forward to the next time you come to town! :)

fizzyglist