Past Performances 1998

First Show - Lin Pryor (Birmingham, UK) (12/6/98)

First Show (January 14): It was amazing! I have owned Barry's records all my life but never got the opportunity to see him Live. It changed me forever. No words can describe how wonderful he is! - Monique (of Sydney) (4/7/2001)

[The show was] BRILLIANT! Good atmosphere, and Barry was so sexy!! - Marlene Peplow (Birmingham, England) (9/30/2001)

I enjoyed the fact that Barry combined his Old Songs with the new songs of that year, and how he involved the audience (females particularly) in a key song that he sings, "Can't Smile Without You." It would be great if he allowed males to join him on stage too! - Ian Hammond (of England) (3/11/2002)

Barry was ELECTRIC! - Beryl Hodgson (Cumbria, UK) (8/3/2003)

Favorite Show: I missed Barry's early concerts for various reasons and felt I caught up with them in this one tour. Barry sang and played so many of his old songs, not necessarily the usual ones, as it was the audience who chose most of the show's music. Please, Barry, do this type of concert again, as all shows were so different! - Pam Floyd (Oxfordshire, England) (11/18/2000)

January 16: I couldn't believe it when I was chosen to 'click' with Barry. He was actually speaking to ME. I'll never forget it and how excited I was. For the first time in my life I was almost speechless. I clicked on the "Summer of '78" and can't even remember which track he sang. After the show everyone wanted to find out what it was like talking to him. Amazing is all I can say! - Diana Bryon (of England) (5/20/2002)

First Show (January 24):  I flew from Germany to London only to see the concert and it was fantastic. I would do this any time again! - Jens L. Heinrich (Wolfsburg, Germany) (1/5/99)

First/Favorite Show: Wow! What an absolutely fabulous night. The 'clicker' idea was a fab one. I loved the up-tempo mix of "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight", and certainly got me dancing at my seat! Barry's clothes are so smart. Ever since, I've been wearing two-tone shirts and ties! Thanks Barry! - Antony Guy Wainer (Bath, England) (3/8/99)

Favorite Show (January 23): Second row seats - Unbelievable!!  His songs, his music, his clothes, his humor, his voice. Just him - Magic!  And the video - Close Up! - Was I really there? - Sue Wells (Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England) (5/8/99)

First Show:  The audience participation kept Barry fresh and made the vibes even more powerful. I loved his blue outfit!  Also, I loved the back-up singers on "One Voice", and I loved it when he sang "All The Time". - Claire Pixie (of the UK) (1/18/2000)

Favorite Show (January 24): Each time I want to see Barry in concert I must go out of Spain. Normally I go to London. I'm happy to be a Manilow fan! - Antonio Martinez Garcia (Madrid, Spain) (4/24/2000)

First Show - Jackie Dobbs (of England) (7/6/2009)

This is the second time that Barry has performed here. The Arena has only been open a couple of years. I liked the idea of the clicker but thought it was only the people on the ground level that got a change to speak to him. "Bermuda Triangle" was filmed for here for the Close Up video. I am glad that Barry likes the Geordie accent. I thought it was a moving concert as the CD "Barry Manilow" was chosen and he sang "Please Don't Be Scared", and went into discussing that this was the time when his mother found out that she had cancer. He sang it very well. I loved the Tony Bennett song. He is such a crooner! I have always had to travel to see Barry in concert and having him in my 'backyard' was a weird experience. I could not sleep knowing he was less than 2 miles away!! - Karen Crulley (Newcastle, UK) (2/5/99)

First Show - Yvonne McCafferty (Newcastle Upon Tyne, England) (2/4/2000)

First Show - John McDonnell (Belfast, Northern Ireland) (4/10/2001)

It was without doubt the best night of my life and one I will never forget. I love Barry and his music and he's such a great entertainer; very relaxed and good humoured. I live in hope that he will return to Dublin. - Maria Maher (Dublin, Ireland) (1/11/2002)

Highlights: This One's For You/Daybreak / Reminiscing / Clicker #1 - THIS ONE'S FOR YOU (Jump Shout Boogie, All The Time, Looks Like We Made It) / I Wanna Do It With You / Stay / I'd Really Love To See You Tonight (Dance Version) / Could It Be Magic (ballad version) / Could It Be Magic (dance version, reprise) / Clicker #2 - ONE VOICE (One Voice, Sunday Father, Ships) / I Am Your Child / Clicker #3 - BARRY MANILOW II (It's A Miracle, Mandy) / Can't Smile Without You / The Best Of Me / Sometimes When We Touch / Copacabana (At The Copa) / Weekend In New England / Gonzo Hits Medley (Memory, The Old Songs, Bandstand Boogie, I Don't Want To Walk Without You, New York City Rhythm, Some Kind Of Friend, Read 'Em And Weep, Somewhere Down The Road, Ready To Take A Chance Again, It's A Miracle, Let's Hang On, Somewhere In The Night, This One's For You) / I Write The Songs / It's A Miracle (reprise) / I Made It Through The Rain

First/Favorite Show:  Went just as I liked his music. Left as a HUGE FAN!  Can't wait to see him again!! - Julie (of Blackpool, England) (2/4/2000)

First Show:  [What I liked about the concert was] the crowds holding of the candles. - Joyce Murphy (of England) (3/12/2000)

Favorite Show - Lisa Goodier (Bolton, England) (6/28/2000)

The atmosphere was electric. The cheeky grin and fits of the giggles were brilliant. The whole night was just very special. - Ruth Osborne (High Wycombe, England) (7/2/2000)

Favorite Show: [Barry is the] voice of the master! - Michelle Harrison (of St. Helens) (7/5/2000)

First Show: It's so hard to say which is my most favorite Barry concert, as they have all been amazing. I've seen Barry 18 times and every single one I've come away so buzzing and on a high. The 1998 concert is the one that that made me realize what I had been missing, and that I had to keep on seeing this man. Since then I've not missed one of his concerts here in the UK, including the Proms in the Park, and two signings (in 2006 and 2011). Barry really has affected my life in such an amazing way! - Adele Whipp (Hull, East Yorkshire, UK) (4/11/2001, 10/29/2011)

What can I say? Barry, you are the most amazing musician I have ever had the privilege of seeing. No matter what I'm going through I can always find one of your songs that relates to [my situation] and helps me get through it. The concert was electric and I can't wait to see Barry again. To all the other fans reading this, I wish you all the best and to say that I'm proud to be associated with you all. What a marvelous thing we have in common!! - Mike Wignall, 21 (Preston, England) (9/28/2001)

Having been brought up listening to Barry Manilow, I surprised my mum with tickets. It was truly the BEST concert I have ever been to. I have returned to see him twice since. A wonderful man, with a wonderful voice. What more can I say?? (...apart from Very Sexy in the purple suit!) - Nicola Kennedy (Blackpool, Britain) (10/2/2001)

I love every show that I go to, but this one was extra special. It was a fantastic idea to have the clicker, making the choice of songs in each show so different. My favourite part of the show was when Barry sang "We Live On Borrowed Time." What a moving song! The atmosphere of the whole evening was just great. I go to see Barry every time he tours England -- twice in Birmingham and once in Manchester -- he is worth all the travelling. He is a fantastic showman. - Jane Gregg (Liverpool, England) (5/16/2002)

Favorite Show - Patricia Nicholas (Ellesmere Port, UK) (7/25/2003)

First Show - Louise (of Southport, England) (4/7/2004)

It was the Close Up! tour with the clicker taken out into the audience and one of my daughters was picked. Barry asked what her name was and didn't hear her, so he asked her again and the whole audience shouted her name: "Cindy!" He asked her how she was. She had not long been out of the hospital and it was the first time she had felt up to being with a lot of people. He also chatted to us all. LOVED IT! - Pam Dennis (Halifax, Yorkshire, United Kingdom) (4/21/2015)

[What I liked was] Barry's interaction with the audience, when he talked about the Parkinson Show and cheeky words. It was hilarious and Barry's facial expressions were so endearing and priceless. What a concert! - Dee Jackson (of Northern England) (3/15/2023)

BENEFIT for AmFAR

Favorite Show:  I was one of the lucky ones to get to travel to Houston to see Barry at the AmFAR benefit. It was the most awesome experience. The intimacy of the evening was beyond words. I felt like Barry was singing in my living room to a group of my friends. The evening will forever hold a special place in my heart. - Cathy Richardson (of Colorado) (7/29/98)

The arena theatre is very intimate, just where you need to be with a performer - excuse me, THE PERFORMER - like Barry Manilow. He was witty, charming, and best of all it was for charity (AmFAR). He is just the absolute best. - Amy Thomas (Houston, TX) (1/20/99)

The venue was incredible. It was like a private party. Barry had incredible energy (...you would have never known he [had a case of] bronchitis!). - Patricia Gilson (River Edge, NJ) (5/7/99)

Favorite Show:  [What I liked about the concert was] his music, his voice, his LOOKS, his wit, his commitment, his enormous talent, etc. Must I say more?  And most of all, he makes me feel like I'm the only person in the room!  And another thing, he makes me feel so young! - Jeannine Van Eyken (Antwerp, Belgium) (3/23/2000)

Favorite Show - Barbara Thomas (of New York) (10/13/2000)

Highlights: Come Dance With Me/Come Fly With Me / One Man In A Spotlight / I've Got The World On A String / The Second Time Around / You Make Me Feel So Young / All The Way / Strangers In The Night / In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning / Summer Wind / That's Life / Saturday Night (Is The Lonelieset Night In The Week) / Angel Eyes / My Kind Of Town (Chicago Is) / Put Your Dreams Away / Here's To The Man / You Make Me Feel So Young (Reprise)