Tonight was my first experience of an Amy Winehouse gig, sadly it will be my last. I am so diappointed, and here I am at 1.20am letting my frustration out.

The performance started at 10.15pm, with the main set lasting only an hour.  This was one of the most soulless gigs I have ever seen.  There was virtually no interaction with the audience - I know not all performers are natural talkers, but not even a 'thank you' at the end of a song, frankly she seemed as if she would rather not be there.  Worse than the lack of of interaction with the audience, though, was the complete lack of rapport with the excellent 7-piece band and 2 backing singers, who often seemed to be dancing to routines that were crying out for Ms Winehouse to join in.  Unfortunately, when not singing, she more often that not was standing with her head down, shuffling/'dancing' whilst trying not to fall over, playing with her hair, or otherwise looking as though she had better things to be doing with her time.  When the band were doing their traditional solos, she left the stage completely while one of the backing singers did the introductions.

The songs, mostly from 'Back to Black', were a pale imitation of the recordings.  The lyrics were slurry and indistinguishable, and the voice, although generally in tune, seemed harsh and strident, conveying little of the emotional range present on the album.

The encore began with 'You Know I'm No Good' and continued with 'Rehab' which, in the context of the overall performance, seemed so sadly ironic - at this point I decided I had seen enough and began the journey back across London.

After reading the 'This Is London' review of Thursday's Brixton gig, I had genuine hopes that, despite everything, this would still be a worthwhile gig - given the generally positive review I can't believe that tonight's performance was in any way comparable.

I appreciate that, with all that's going on at the moment, it must be difficult for AW to get out and perform right now.  I do have sympathy, but I also consider that, having shelled out a hard-earned £50 for 2 tickets, I have a right to expect a decent performance.  If she isn't capable of delivering that at the moment, then the organisers should do the decent thing and cancel/postpone.  Instead, by opting to proceed with the gig, it leaves the impression that our money is the only thing that really matters.

I've seen TV coverage of Amy live before, and she has been so much better than she was tonight.  I had really hoped that I would be lucky enough to see such a performance, instead my memory of the event will be that of being taken for a bit of a mug.

Having said all the above, in the interests of balance I should add that there were plenty (but by no mean all) of the crowd clapping/cheering at the end of each song - so maybe it's my critical faculties that are lacking.

Thanks for reading this.

As much as it pains me I have to agree with dagman's post on the whole...

I spent more on the tickets £89 for two, and was utterly disappointed...

There were some people booing from the start which I thought was rather unfair, but Amy was not on form.

She slurred her way through most of the songs, and looked completely out of it.

I have never in my life been to a gig with so little atmosphere... I think a lot of people felt like me, i.e. came with fantastic expectations and then were really upset that few were delivered.

I have never seen so many people leave an A list gig before the end, and I have never seen the star of the show run off stage before the end of the last song.

I have also been to few concerts when the ticket touts are asking to BUY spare tickets outside the gig... It shows the enormous interest in Amy at the moment

I also appreciate that she is going through some personal troubles, but if I let my personal life mean that I did not provide a good job to clients, I would be out on my ear... Well same here - Amy if you are unwell, please, please, please go get some real help and try to start to rebuild yourself. Back to Black is a revolution, and an album I can not stop playing... Tonight did it no justice whatsoever.

Amy, this was your home town gig and you let us down.

Thoroughly disappointed 

Unfortunately I have to agree whole heartedly with dagman, and actually I think he was being generous!

 I have all her albums and think she has genuine talent. Been looking forward to the concert for a while and paid £200 for two tickets. I went to the loo about 20 minutes into it where there was a queue about 15 deep in the gents. Someone at the front of the queue shouted "Is it me or is she ***?" This remark seemed to bring about the kind of cameraderie found when people face great adversity together, and without exception the verdict was that it was shockingly bad. As we walked back to my car, all I could hear in the crowds were similar comments.

Having seen Any's much slated performance at the MTV music awards, I find it difficult to decide which was worse - but I think tonight might just win considering the price I paid for the tickets!

The crowd had lost patience by the time she got on, but were eager to enjoy the performance. It is a shame that she did not talk to the crowsd in anyway. If she had then maybe the atmosphere would have been better, and she would not have received the boos and catcalls that she did. 

I find it sad that this woman is self-destructing before our eyes and her management are doing nothing to prevent the downslide.

Personally, I would have preferredr that this gig had been cancelled at the last minute rather than have my expectations shattered. Rehab - YES YES YES!!!

Unfortunately, I have to agree with dagman, and I think he was a little generous regarding tonight.

I think that Any has genuine talent and I have been looking forward to the gig for a while. I paid £200 for my two tickets and my hopes were high.

The audience had lost patience by the time Any came on, but they were eager to have their minds changed by a good performance. As dagman said, there was virtually no intereaction with the audience and this could have been a key factor in getting people on side. As it was, the crowd's feeling of resentment  was virtually tangible. The first thing that Amy said in response to a few boos at the start of the performance was "give me a chance".

 Well, I think people gave her a chance and I think she failed dismally. About 20 minutes into the gig I went to the loo and there was a long queue in the gents. One guy at the front of the queue shouted "Is it me, or is she ***?" This comment not only produced general agreement but led to a cameraderie that is often found amongst people facing great adversity together. Walking back to my car, I was listening to the comments of others and I did not hear one positive remark.

I find it sad that this woman is self-destructing before our eyes and the people that are manageing her seem to be doing little or nothing about it. Personally, I would have preferred that the gig had been cancelled even at the last minute rather than have my expectations shattered so completely.  Should she go to rehab YES YES YES!!!!

AMY YOU ARE SO TALENTED, PLEASE GET HELP.

 I was really worried that people  started booing before the concert began.   Would she? Wouldn't She come on stage?  I was really worried that all these fans who had brought tickets to see Amy Winehouse and it would kick off.  

 When she finally come on stage and wobbled around during her first songs I have to admit to laughing because it was unbelievable.  She couldn't stand up without staggering from side to side and she tried her hardest to dance.  Soon this laughter turned into worry and my friend spent the next 40 minutes asking if I was ok because I was sitting there with tears in my eyes because clearly Amy needs desperate help and someone needs to take a stand and pull her out of this tour until she is well enough to continue.  The whole situation around her at the moment is far from ideal and she just needs to take a time out and help admitting it.   She is so talented and even though she was forgetting the words you could still here her amazing voice.

 She ran off of the stage numerous times for drinks, flat shoes and a *** (like that was all!)!  Continuously whispered to her lead backing vocalist and guitar player.  Congratulations to the lead singer who introduced the band while Amy run off stage for what seemed like 10 minutes.  When she did come back on stage to introduce the two singers she seemed bored and uninterested and what I would call with her head held in shame looking at the stage floor and sat down for a well deserved rest!

 She constantly played with her hair, was totally uninterested and wanted to be elsewhere, but can you blame her with what is going on?  It is hard enough for anyone to go through these problems and continue as normal in everyday life, so the pressure she is under must be extremely intense and that is why someone has to tell her no more and give her some space and help.  Does anyone but her parents try to stand up to her? 

During one point of the show she just run off of the stage and the band followed and no one seemed to know if she would come back on stage but after a lot of booing came cheering for "Amy" and I was glad she came back on stage.   It was a shame we never got to hear her speak and that she run off the stage at the end .

 She is such a talented young lady, and it is such a waste and heartbreaking to see someone in such distress.

I hope I don't upset anyone writing these comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went to see Amy Winehouse at the Hammersmith Apollo last night and it was the worst concert I have ever been to.

She was late, very very late.

Then she came on without saying hello, or thank you for waiting, or glad you came.

Throughout the concert she looked bored and disinterested, left the stage whenever she felt like it (including just before the end of the last song), spent most of the time on stage adjusting her hair and her boobs and hiking up underwear, mumbled through lot of the lyrics and as far as I was concerened, made most of the songs sound alike.

Rather ironic that the only song she did a really good job out of was Rehab.

The concert was short. Understandably no one really cared for an encore even though they came out again

The last song she performed was Valerie and she did such a bad job out of it ... If I were the Zutons or Ronson, I would retract her right to perform it.

If anyone knows a way to get a refund, I am very interested, that ticket was a total waste of money, time and effort.

That was a tragedy of a gig and the promoters should be ashamed of themselves for taking good money off folks for a full house; she should never have been allowed to come on and perform. The crowed were booing before she came on to make themselves heard above the pap that was being played through the PA for an hour while we waited. When she blundered on stage eventually it was embarrassing; good job that her guitar wasn't plugged in is all i can say. she left the stage, and an excellent backing band, at least 3 times in the first set, which was about 45 minutes long and the dancing was tragic.

Amy, if you can't hack it and give the punters a top class gig then don't bother touring. i have never seen so many disgruntled punters leaving a gig early.
 

I agree..... complete and utter shambles! Anyone know who to contact for a refund???? I paid to see Amy Winehouse not some smacked up little girl wondering around the stage! I am just so happy i didnt take my 9 year old brother who absolutley loves her ( he still have Glastonbury recorded on the TV) as I would have been concerned that this would have changed his outlook on her and if anything made him question why she was acting the way she was ;-(.

If I see Amy around Bow, I will tell her how disappointing she is!

AMY YOU NEED HELP, GET SOME.... IF YOU CANT STAND THE HEAT, GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!!!

I think an apology from Island and a plan to put it right would be a good start.....

What can I say that hasn't already been said above.

To come on stage over an hour late without an apology or even an acknowledgement of the crowd was down right disrespectful for those who paid a minimum of £27.50 (in my case x 4) to see what most was hoping to be a decent show. I was at a Joss Stone gig a few months back in Camden, she did exactly the same thing and was crucified by the crowd.

Amy's performance last night was beyond poor. The constant slurring of the lyrics, hair playing, no crowd interaction left me in no doubt whatsoever that it was a waste of a 3 hour journey to see someone I've wanted to see since 2003. I can only assume there was a bit of a 'pick-me-up' in the pint of coke she was swigging from during the gig as the longer it went on, the more slurred her words became. As mentioned, it was only down to the band, in particular the backing singers, who kept it anywhere near on track. I was right at the very back of the hall, the amount of people leaving before the end of the show, let alone the encoure, spoke volumnes. The other half wanted to go, but at least I persuaded her to hang on until the end.

In truth, I suspect some of the audience were there hoping to see her fail and I thought it had work when she stormed off stage after trying to introduce the band and not getting any reponse from the crowd. Perhaps that sent her a message, perhaps not. I truly thought she wouldn't return, but at least she did.

We all know that Amy is suffering from some demons at the moment, stuff that none us should ever suffer. HOWEVER, this is has to be laid at the feet of her manager/mangaement or her family. In my opinion the gig should have been re-schedueled until Amy has sorted her life out. I know most would have been upset by that decision, but there would have be a modicum of understanding. After last night I don't know how many fans she's kept. I think the likelihood of getting a refund for the tickets is highly unlikely. Perhaps, what would be nice is if the tickets could be exchanged for either a free gig or perhaps a discount on a future gig. Somehow I doubt it though.

 Is Amy fit for purpose?? I don't think I need to answer that question. 

What can I say apart from how disappointed I was to see her performing like this? I travelled for 2 hours and paid to stay in a hotel for what I thought would be a brilliant way to celebrate my 25th birthday; how wrong I was.

 While everyone around me was booing before she'd even arrived on stage I remained optimistic that she would put in some kind of performance. It appeared that the set list had been scrapped and she was whispering to her band which song she fancied mumbling to next and after asking the crowd to "give her a chance", she then turned round to her band and asked them "have I sang Wake Up Alone Yet"? She really was that out of it that I don't believe she had any realisation where she was, let alone which song she was singing. Which was why, perhaps, none of her songs sounded like they should. She never sang out of tune but she warbled through the songs as though she couldn't hear the music she was supposed to be singing to, this resulted in most of the songs sounding the same and the bizarre dancing efforts that she attempted to put in were just plain wrong and at times her tiny legs looked like they were about to snap!

Amy's backing singers and band were absolutely fantastic and personally made the show for me. They looked genuinely apologetic and embarrassed each time she walked off stage and the look of worry also made it clear that they weren't sure whether she would come back on stage either. I wouldn't have minded the lack of interaction with the crowd if the performance had of been to any standard; a song would start and the crowd (myself included) would be jumping around hopeful that they could have a bit of a dance and a sing-a-long but her inability to sing to the music made this impossible.

I watched the show with a bizarre fascination. That anyone can be so clearly out of it on goodness knows what, and knowing the problems that she is facing, I was amazed that she got up on stage at all. But I also wish she hadn't, as I feel part of my fasination was witnessing the complete disentigration of a human being and that is something that should never be witnessed - let alone paid for.

I watched this gig in horror.  I have been to numerous Amy gig's.  Yes she usually is quite pissed but then still manages to entertain the crowd and sing amazingly.  I took my mum to this gig as her birthday present & don't ever remember being more embarrassed.

She was appalling.  So very late.  So very hammered. So very uninterested. I can understand why the crowd were booing.  She showed absolutely no respect for the people that had forked out collectively £125,000 to watch her stagger round the stage.  At one point she even flicked her cigarette into the crowd.

I know the lady is going through the mill at the moment but I only really have one thing to say: 

Shame on her management, agent, record company for letting her get on that stage & showing herself up like that

This gig was an absolute shambles from start to finish and I just don't understand how she was allowed on stage!?!?! Surely there was somebody in charge on Saturday night who could've stopped this humiliating painful performance from going ahead???

 It really was sad to see such a talented performer show themselves up this way. She was an hour and a half late (the newspapers are saying 45 minutes, I was there waiting and waiting, it was definitely and hour and a half!) and when she did stumble on stage she was clearly off her face, she didn't look like she should even be standing, let alone trying to sing and dance. She walked off after just a couple of minutes and I doubted that she would come back and to be honest, I wish she hadn't bothered! This was my first time seeing Amy and I'm pretty sure it'll be my last. I paid £90 for two tickets and was so looking forward to it, what a disappointment.

Hi there,

I too was at the gig on Satuurday night at Hammersmith Apollo.  I was so looking forward to seeing her perform as I love the albums.  However, I was deeply disappointed, we were standing in the busy crowd and were tired from standing for so long.  I wish she had cancelled her tour, as it was not worth it and I rather get my money back. I was not ther to watch her fall about on stage, slur on her words, have not interaction with her fans.. we are the people that put her where she is and there was no appreciation! and now I have a really negative view of her and have thought about not listening to her music purely out of disgust from Saturday night.

I wish I did not have to say this about Amy as I think is an incredible, talented performer with a fantastic voice.  But from the shambles on Saturday, I feel that I do not have a choice! I wish she had cancelled her concerts.

well i thought that i would try and track down Metropolis Music through Ticketmaster with regard to a refund. here's what they say:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email concerning your recent visit to the
 Hammersmith Apollo to see Amy Winehouse on Saturday 24th November 2007.  

We are sorry that you were disappointed with this event. However,
 Ticketmaster sells tickets on behalf of event partners and venues and all
 tickets are sold subject to our Purchase Policy, paragraph 4 of which
 states that tickets cannot be refunded after purchase unless a performance
 is cancelled or rescheduled.  The concert on 24th November was not
 cancelled or rescheduled, and our event partner for this event has
 confirmed that no refunds are payable in respect of this event.

We are very sorry for any disappointment this may have caused you but
 regret that we are unable to issue any refunds for the reasons stated
 above.

Kind Regards

Ticketmaster Customer Services

now you know why she came on rather than someone doing us and her a favour and cancelling the show (and the tour becuase there are going to

be a shed load more disappointed fans)