As a self confessed indie girl my idea of musical heaven would probably be watching an as yet undiscovered band in a Camden pub. So never did I think I would find myself queuing up at the AO Arena to watch Barry Manilow.
But as it was one of only two acts on my mum's 'bucket list', there was no way I was passing by an opportunity to go with her and make it happen, even if it meant reviewing by proxy. As Manilow made his entrance, in a red sparkly jacket and black pants with sparkles down the side I was impressed with a 78-year-old man being so trim and so uber energetic.
It became clear why Manilow has been labelled as 'the showman of our generation' as his charm, charisma and comedic quality was as abundant as his sequined blazers. The atmosphere at the AO Arena was as warm as the beautiful summer night and Manilow may have been on to something when he said: "England has so much in common with America. They both love freedom, they both love democracy......and they both love me."
