Our Albert Hall run draws to a close once more. These six successive concerts have almost certainly been the most exciting to date, also the most tiring as all of us have many family and friends visiting throughout the week. The added responsibility of meeting up with everyone after the show, and standing chatting, incessantly for two hours takes it's toll but none of us would miss it for the world. Each and every night had it's own magical quality as I'm sure everyone in the audience will testify.

One thing that always strikes me about this hall is that it has a certain 'tardis' quality in that it seems MUCH larger on the inside than on the outside, This probably has something to do with the fact that the floor level in the hall is in fact on the basement level. I wandered outside for a while this sweltering London afternoon before our final sound-check, armed with the camera I took some more exterior pics.

I can't let this page go without mentioning the wonderful Kate Walsh. She was our support for the Albert Hall stint and was joined on stage by a wonderful cellist Jo Whippy. They played songs from Kate's albums Tim’s House, Light & Dark, and new songs from the covers album which is out in September.  I took a few shots during sound check on the final night.









Just before we took to the stage for the final night, a cake found its way into the dressing room, home made by Jaqui Kelly, the Royal Albert Hall Show manager.



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previous nights...
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We are now firmly entrenched in our Royal Albert Hall run, the families are over here from the US, the backstage dressing room, family and 'games' rooms are occupied and the shows are as always amazing. It's been said many times but I will say it again, there really is something special about performing here. Firstly the fact that the stage is literally surrounded by audience, with the choir stalls behind and the balconies stretching skyward. No matter how many times you play here there is a unique feeling you get every time you walk on the RAH stage. Then there's the buildings' history..home to the famous annual Proms concerts, the Grade one listed building was built in 1871 but it was a full 26 years before electric lighting was installed. Prior to that there was as system whereby thousands of gas jets were lit by a special system within 10 seconds.



As always it's been a busy time, hence my tardy reportage. We have done the first two of the six planned concerts here and each night has been magical in all respects. There is the usual 'continental' fan contingent ensuring the crowd are as excitable as it's possible to be in this resplendent building. The band really performs well here and there is always an extra 'level' of energy coming from the stage. You can't help thinking how lucky you are to be here.

looking upward you can marvel at the rigging which is one of the most complex of the tour since the audience is almost 'everywhere'..



As Pete and I walked from the hotel to the gig we noticed Dave Hall, our stage manager on a cherry picker type device removing some of the damaged posters from overnight. I guess the company employed to put them up didn't quite do as good a job as they should have done.



We were there early as our hotel, which is a 5 minute walk from the venue, has no hot water. Not something I've ever come across before whilst on tour. I guess their main hot water pump decided to give up the ghost and of course it happens to be a bank holiday in the UK so they told us that there was little chance of it being fixed within 24 hours. We have been reliably informed that it will be working tomorrow so it'll be another early appearance at the gig for me today, an added bonus being the fact that I can 'scrounge' some lunch in catering. (sincere condolences to Chris Desmond on the catering team who's mum passed away this week)

Max was at the show on Sunday, eagerly nosing around, lapping up the atmosphere and quizzing Richard and Mark about guitar stuff.



The star-cloth and screen backdrop



Glenn's twin-towers vintage Ampeg SVT bass rig



John at the RAH



John-boy, a good friend of Pete's had his guitar signed by Mark this afternoon..



Brendan, the dressing room security man...and socks.





Mark and I were in the dressing room tonight discussing some of the amazing interpretations of Mark's lyrics one can find on the internet. Google 'Romeo and Juliet lyrics' and you'll invariably find yourself on a website displaying lyrics and nine times out of ten there will be errors.
Here's an example..Once Upon a time in the west. Who's protecting the innocent team? (should read innocenti) Also, check out some of the interpretations for Boom like that!

Introducing the lovely Miss Saggers.
The ever-resourceful Mr. Saggers has enlisted his delightful daughter Amy to help out with some of the guitar changes during soundcheck.
Teach-'em young, that's what we always say!



Danny and I filmed a piece with Mike and John yesterday after sound check, we also interviewed the pair of them in the dressing room afterwards. Mike was scheduled to leave us after the Albert Hall shows but I am delighted to announce that he's agreed to stay on for the rest of the tour! Needless to say, we are all very happy about this as Mike has certainly become an integral part of this fabulous band.



well someone had to write it..http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/neilmccormick/100008357/mark-knopfler-solves-bonos-back-problems/