On the night of the concert, I met up with my friends at the stadium front door and we went inside together with our hearts bumping like mad. There was a booth on each side of the foyer area - with one selling souvenirs like tour books, band shirts and badges with every single Suede's album covers, while the other was selling Suede's albums, CD singles and DVDs. Without any hesitations, I brought myself a tour book, a skinny-white band shirt and a set of badges. After the pre-show shopping, we went our separate ways to enter the concert hall as me and my sister's seats were in different price zone than my friends'.

>> My ticket

>> Tour book

>> A set of badges

By the time we were led to our seats (which were at the first row by the way) among other anticipating Suede fans, it was 8pm. The show was supposed to start at the exact time. Of course, no one would expect Suede would appear on that stage on time. So to make a good use of the waiting time, myself among most concert-goers, were making final checks on our cameras, making sure that the little thing would help to capture some brilliant moments besides all the snapshots we would take inside our heads. 25-30 minutes passed, the lights dimmed suddenly and the fans at the back keep pushing to the front at once. It really upset me cos that was unfair to the fans who were sitting on the front row seats. Fortunately, my sister and I managed to remain at the first row besides all the commotion at the back.

>> In the red square: Me [left] and my sister [right] [Photo by Laura]

>> Testing photo

Finally the moment came, the band appeared on the stage in style one by one. First came Simon, second Mat, then Alex, Richard and finally, the key man of the band - Brett, who came on stage in his black tight leather jacket and blue jeans. Everybody screamed at top of their lungs and the show was kicked off with "Beautiful Loser". Non-stop camera flashlights from the press and the fans kept twinkling upon the band/Brett.

>> Simon was behind the drum and Mat followed ...

>> Brett's singing "Beautiful Loser"

After the second song "She", Brett said hello to the audience and told everyone he was glad to be in Hong Kong that night!! Among the deafening screams by all the fans, "Trash" started. The crowd seemed utterly familiar with this song and everyone sang alone to it. At this point, Brett took off his black jacket, and as we expected, a tight black T-shirt was underneath. When Brett finished the song, he noticed that the zipper of his jeans was only half way done, (probably caused by all the big movement he had over the first couple songs) then he zipped up and smiled to the crowd. The crowd went mad and screamed again, no one can pull off an unzipped jeans as charming as he did!!!!

>> Tra ... sh, you and me ...

Ok, then came one of the classics from their 1st album --"Metal Mickey". All the fans shouted "Hey, hey, hey!!!!" together, with Brett's body shaking wildly alone with Richard's great guitar skills, no one in the audience could stand still at this point and when the intro of "Filmstar" began, the hype went to its highest.

>> Filmstar ~~

After 5 rapid songs, we all needed a break!! Brett introduced the next song which was from their new album and I guess he was expecting at least some kind of reactions when the crowd hear the word "new album", yet everyone was still composing themselves after the madness of first 5 songs (Sorry Brett, we were taking a break!!!). Then he said with a smile "When we call that's our new album, you should ..." Then he raised his arms and encouraged us to cheer for him. Of course, how hard would that be, we all screamed at once and the band kicked off with their new song "Streetlife". When "Everything will flow" started, the fans went wild again!! Brett held the mic towards us and so everyone seized the opportunity to show how well we know the song and just sang! Yet, indeed, the audience sang the first few lines surprisingly well!!!

>> Brett was holding the mic and let us sing!!

After that, Brett said again "This is also from our new album", then he paused, trying to see if we would give him his wanted feedback, of course we all knew what to do this time, Brett!! Yea!!!! Then came "Lost in TV" which is my favourite song from their new album!! Alex's backing vocal was so great and moving!! (I wish I could get a closer look at Alex Lee, but too bad where he stood on the stage was on the other end from where I was.)

>> A very beautiful "Lost in TV" background!! [Photo by Laura]

>> Alex Lee's on backing vocal ~

Brett suddenly sang "She's in fashion" in a low voice, then counted 1,2,3 and held the mic to us. However, most of us didn't get it at once, in result, just a handful of the audience sang rather than in unison, so you can imagine the outcome was dreadful. The crowd couldn't help laughing and Brett frowned (so cute!!!). Then Brett counted "1,2,3" again and again, we all sang better and better. Brett threw his British sense of humour at us and said, "Ok, that's acceptable!!" (Hello, there is only one Brett at the Stadium and he is on stage!!!) However, I am sure most people at the crowd would agree that was another highpoint of the evening!! At the end of this song, there left only Simon's drum, the audience's clapping and Brett was singing "and the sunshine it blows my mind, and the wind blows my brain." All through the house, how touching it was!!

>> Sweet-smiling Brett!!

"So Young", "New Generation", "The Wild Ones" and "Positivity" were followed. The house was full of clapping, cheering and screaming. Brett performed his classical act on stage: "Mic Swinging". While the band was performing the song "So Young", Brett lay down on his back on stage (maybe Brett was a little bit tired too!!) All the fans screamed again!!!!

>> Brett's classical act 1: Mic Swinging

>> Brett - on the floor

>> The Wild Ones

Wow, here it comes!! My favourite song from their 1st album, "Animal Nitrate"!!!! It was pure madness!!! The crowd just went nuts!!!! This was the song I sang at the top of my voice. I was rather concern that I might lost my voice the very next day, but the emotion was so high that just two words appeared in my mind: "who cares??" When Brett was singing the last part of the song where there was a line "Now you're over 21 ..." he held up two fingers when he sang the word "twenty", but naughty, naughty Brett showed us his middle finger when he sang "one" (no wonder most parents don't like their kids to go to concerts..)

>> Mic Swinging, again!! - in Animal Nitrate

>> Brett's classical act 2: Body Shaking - in Animal Nitrate

Followed by was another make-us-out-of-breath song -- "Can't Get Enough". The earphone of Brett was out of order during this song. Brett looked back to the crew a few times and pointed to his earphone showing them there was a problem with it. The crew has changed the other one for Brett but it seemed the new one didn't work too, so Brett took off the earphone eventually, but he put it back on and off throughout the rest of the song.

>> Brett was showing to the crew that the earphone was out of work!!

Brett said "We've got one more song to do.", the crowd again had not much response. So Brett repeated in a louder voice. Then we all yelled "No", "Don't go" etc etc... But a boy behind me shouted "CAN'T GET ENOUGH!!!" (Hahaha, talk about quick wit, not bad for a guy!) Then the great musician Alex Lee played his harmonica, for a slow version of "Obsessions", not many of us didn't realize it was "Obsessions" until Brett sang the first few words, and the audience sang "it's simple and complex" altogether in return. Then the normal version of the song followed suit. After that, the band went backstage. The crowd showed their united power at this point and shouted just -- "ENCORE"!!!!

>> "Obsessions is like sex ~~"

>> "It's simple and complex ..."

A few minutes later, Brett came to stage alone and he was going to play guitar!! Fans shouted and screamed as before, but Brett threw us a funny look cos maybe we over did it this time and so he didn't know whether he should be please or angry : p Finally, Brett said with a sweet smile "Acoustic guitar is a quiet instrument." (Oh, sorry Brett!!) All of us laughed and held our breath while listening to Brett's beautiful solo "The Living Dead".

>> Brett's solo - The Living Dead

>> Brett's solo 2 - The Living Dead [photo by Ah-D Lee]

After the song "Astrogirl", Brett asked us which song we would like them to play. Many of us shouted "2 of Us", but finally "Saturday Night" won. During this song, I can't imagine Brett would came down and shook hand with the fans at the front row. I was one of the luckiest audiences (and the last one too!!) who got to touch Brett's hand (*but my sister didn't* what a shame!) and his hand was a little bit cold!!!! I felt completely overwhelmed and I can't believe just a touch somebody's skin would actually make you feel like heaven ...ok, ok, I will drop it here. * Brett continued to sing the rest of the song when he was back on stage. At that point, the security guy in front of me was singing along to the song too and the other two security guards (one is woman) were hand in hand, moving their bodies left and right while the chorus was being sang. It was so touching!! (and funny too!!)

Then "Electricity" was followed. Brett made his last comment by saying "Hong Kong fans are so good, like to be here to have gig!!" They wrapped up the show with the last song "Beautiful Ones", all the fans in the Stadium just let their emotions ran completely wild, we all sang together, clapped together, screamed together and jumped together!!!! When the song was finished, Suede made their way to the backstage one by one.

>> You can't see Brett on the stage? Because he came off the stage to shake hand with fans (including me!!). Brett should be in the yellow square. [Photo by Laura]

>> Beautiful Ones ~

>> The band was leaving ~~

I can see a small crowd of the fans began to leave but 90% of the audience remained exactly where they stood (including myself of course) while keep shouting "Suede", "Don't go", "Encore"...just whatever we could think of which might bring Suede come on stage again. I don't remember how long we have waited, perhaps 10-15 minutes, I can't believe that Suede was really back on stage again!!!! I saw a lighted cigarette was already in Simon's hand, and Alex was still chewing his last bite of the sandwich with smile (lovely!!). Each one of them was back to his position, then Brett was smiling and said something like "It's special for Hong Kong fans, we are not kind of the band of unlimited ... It's not easy ... So you are very special!!" I could not catch every single word he said as everyone was screaming in the house. Surprise!!!! They played "The Drowners"!!!! (This song was not in the set lists, so I guess it's true, this one is really especially for us -- the Hong Kong fans!!) Oh let me tell you the fans were all "drowners" at the moment they played this song cos we were all "drowned" by their performance and their charm!!!! We knew the gig was finally over when the band once again made their way to the backstage. I guess we couldn't ask for more, all 4 classic singles from Suede's 1st album were played in one concert!!! Plus Brett even lost his voice after the concert night!! (What a release that Brett recovered few days later.) Suede has already given all of us an unbelievably fantastic evening, thank you!!!!

>> We're waiting for Suede came out again!!

>> Wow ~ The Drowners!! The song was especally for HK fans in the concert night!!

>> The last pose - in "the Drowners"

>> The show was over!!

My friends Angela and Laura would like to add:
"We clapped so hard that our hands hurt!!"
"We can't wait to see you guys perform next time in Hong Kong!!"

*To Brett:
There was a little flaw for the evening... when you came off the stage and shook hand with us, the boy and the girl stood next my left were holding your hand for a few seconds and they seemed to have no intention to let go. I believe it was at that moment, the security guard began to get nervous and took the position where himself would block you from the audience, in order to protect you. However, by doing so, the guard totally killed my sister's chance to shake your hand as you went back on stage seconds after the guard stood right between you and my little sister. My poor sister watched the chance to shake hand with her biggest idol slipped away right in front of her. Yes, I know it can be a tiny little thing in someone's eyes but it's not for my sister. She is a huge fan of Suede and that bumped her down for quite a few days. Of course she's alright now but still that is a regret in her life. Otherwise, it would be a perfect birthday present for her cos I bought her the concert ticket for her 20-year-old birthday. Hope we will get the chance again when you guys come to Hong Kong next time. Anyway, we are both full of gratitude for an unforgettable night Suede has given us and we can't wait till next time you guys are here! SUEDE ROCKS!!!

Beautiful Loser
She
Trash
Metal Mickey
Filmstar
Streetlife
Everything Will Flow
Lost in TV
She's in Fashion
So Young
New Generation
The Wild Ones
Positivity
Animal Nitrate
Can't Get Enough
Obsessions

encore:
The Living Dead
Astro Girl
Saturday Night
Electricity
Beautiful Ones

second encore:
The Drowners