My Celine Experience: Antwerp & Paris 2013, A Review

[LuisMa]

4 is my lucky number… my fourth Celine show: Antwerp, Belgium… November 22, 2013

5 is her lucky number… my fifth Celine show: Paris, France… November 25, 2013

 

Cold and windy days couldn’t take away the excitement and eagerness to enter the stadiums that awaited to be filled with many devoted, screaming fans with three things on their minds: watch, listen and sing along to Celine’s most memorable hits and tracks from past and current records. I was like a bag of mixed emotions, as I never saw the Une Seule Fois concert in Quebec because I wanted to be surprised by the repertoire, and I was glad I did it like that, as I was in awe several times as the night progressed.

 

I remember being a bit sad on the Taking Chances World Tour concerts I attended, because “Je Ne Vous Oublie Pas” wasn’t performed. Sure, it wasn’t completely sung this time around, but opening and closing the concert with the song that defines her relationship with her fans that have been there for her since day one, was simply majestic. And being an acapella opening gave me even more goosebumps.

 

From the sweet acapella rendition to an energetic performance of “Dans Un Autre Monde”, this combination was a harbinger of things to come, a concert that would please her adoring fans, and that would include something to groove to, something to long for, something to remind us of things past, and something to cry just a little…

 

Next comes “Parler À Mon Père,” the little song that could make its way through 2012 not becoming an out-of-the-box smash, but having long lasting power to make Sans Attendre a success and the reason why this mini tour has taken place.

 

The combo “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now/The Power of Love” took me back to Vegas. The former is one I’ll never get tired of singing.

 

Everytime I listen to “On Ne Change Pas” I see the little girl, uncomfortable in school, wanting to do something with her life which seems like an impossible dream and then becoming the mega selling artist adored by millions who is still in her insides that little, fragile and vulnerable girl.

 

I’ve always held “Destin” so close to my heart because of its great melody and lighthearted lyrics. This is the song that I think I sang the loudest and made my heart beat the strongest during the concert. Ainsi passent mes heures, au rythme entêtant des battements de mon cœur!!! So darn true!!!!

 

I had the privilege of listening to “Et S’il N’en Restait Qu’une” live in her past tour, and now getting “Immensité”, a “D’elles” favorite, was surreal. I thought she would sing the former, but as the latter’s melody started, my body shivered. A highlight for me.

Qui Peut Vivre Sans Amour is another song I don’t like a lot, but its energy was enough to tear down my rejection walls and made me sing along (at least some parts I know, as I really don’t know this one by heart). Celine surely knows how to command the stage, and with uptempo songs like this one she definitely shines.

 

I loved it that after she goes backstage to change during “Je Crois Toi”, her background singers take the stage and prove that they are gifted as well, also proving that Celine is not only one of the best, but she chooses to work with talented people as well.

 

I have always loved “La Mer Et L’enfant” because I can close my eyes and get transported to a small Parisian street, and experiencing it in Paris was fantastic. And the visuals of the song showcased Celine’s number one priority these days, but also the reason she goes on: her loving family. She followed with another “Sans Attendre” favorite of mine “Celle Qui M’a Tout Appris”.

 

The staging for “Where Does My Heart Beat Now” was really amazing for me, as they showed old segments from videos and live appearances. For me, it was fitting that she included that song in the list, as it was what got the ball rolling towards international mega stardom. I also noticed they used footage from the “Water From The Moon” video, which also gave me hope that someday we’ll get all of her music videos on DVD. Fingers crossed!

 

“Terre” is a favorite of my hubby’s so I was happy when it started. The visuals and lighting were great for this one as well. Same goes for “Tout L’or Des Hommes”, another audience-engaging number.

 

“Je Sais Pas”, although short (due to her next costume change) was captivating as always. Her musicians rocked it as she went backstage.

 

When “Loved Me Back To Life” started, I felt really good about the new album and what’s lying ahead for Celine, if the cards are played right. I didn’t feel the audience was really into this song, but that’s maybe because of the lukewarm reception in some territories. Now if we had been in the UK, that might have been a different story…

 

Though I don’t like “Water And A Flame” much, I have to give her props for the amazing notes on the song’s bridge or climax. However, I didn’t feel she really was comfortable with the song, and it shows on her facial exp<b></b>ressions, or it may be that she’s exaggerating a bit, but with the rest of the songs she looked natural and relaxed. With this one it seemed to me she looked forced.

 

“S’il Suffisait D’aimer” was next, and I was in heaven! I so love this song. The crowd also sang along…

 

All By Myself… anymoooore!! That note brought the house down. Everyone was in pins and needles when she started singing that beloved part of the song. In Antwerp it was the song that brought most people to their feet and such tremendous roar and applause. In Paris it was of course another highlight.

 

I loved it that she acknowledged Jean Jacques Goldman, and though he was not there, the man singing “J’irai Où Tu Iras” with her (Marc Langis) did a pretty good job!

I will never get tired of “Love Can Move Mountains” because it reminds me of my mom, as it is her favorite Celine song, so as Celine sang it, I felt her there with me singing it as well. Its medley counterpart, “River Deep, Mountain High”, although energetic and crowd-engaging, lacked the sexiness and defiant attitude shown in “A New Day…” Maybe the little dress which added to her movements or a similar one could make a triumphant return?

 

I think it would be super strange to go to a Celine Dion concert without “My Heart Will Go On” on its setlist. People can say whatever they want about the song being dated, sappy, tiring, whatever! People love to hate it or hate to love it back again. As the intro starts, a sweeping round of applause and screaming lets her know that people are still clamoring for more of it.

 

I believe there were thousands like me waiting for Pour Que Tu M’Aimes Encore to start. Her quintessential French single, adored no matter how many times she performs it, especially in Paris, made everyone sing along… with thousands of hands swaying in the air…

In Paris, she did “Retiens-Moi” and “Ziggy”. I was over the moon when the latter started, especially as she didn’t sing it in Antwerp and it’s a favorite of mine, not to mention that I was happy “Des Mots Qui Sonnent” was represented. (I wish there had been an Incognito song, TBH.)

 

Celine… Je Ne Vous OUBLIERAI pas, jamais!!! Thank you for another great experience, and to my hubby for sharing this passion that will surely never die.

 

5 other facts:

1. The opening act Vincent Niclo was great. He acknowledged Celine and she did the same later. He sat really close to us in Paris.

2. I was amazed that some people in Antwerp were standing in line since 3 in the afternoon, battling the cold with only one thing on their minds: Celine.

3. Loved that there were some items to purchase at the boutique, but they could have been a little more creative with posters, as there was only one.

4. One of the most important aspects is that Celine is not only gorgeous, but she looks healthy, happy and full of energy, which gives us hope for many concerts to come!

5. When René passed near us, I felt so star struck… he looked great! I captured a small part of that moment in a video, which is taking forever to upload, but I will post it as soon as I have it.

 

Also, here are some pics.

The first 5 are from Antwerp, the rest from Paris.

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img163/5792/6tzp.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/1264/qlmk.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img585/1408/j31p.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/9430/o78v.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/5063/pyb4.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img843/1399/wnv3.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img440/500/b60n.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img20/6299/xnt0.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img36/1851/uu3c.png

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img35/8533/7k0b.png

[ivo]

Great review! I also attended the concert of november 22, it was great!

[DionFanAlways]

Wonderful review! It's funny, but that's the thing about MHWGO, when you hear it in person you forget about being tired of it!! You understand why she has to do it!

Wish I could of been there

Thanks!

[LuisMa]

Thank you!

 

Here's the intro video with a little bit of René and the first couple of songs.

 

Now, my hands are really shaking in this one.

 

Edited November 27, 2013 at 10:34 PM by LuisMa

[nuts2you]

I really enjoyed your review, and the videos.

[nuts2you]

Thank you!

 

Here's the intro video with a little bit of René and the first couple of songs.

 

Now, my hands are really shaking in this one.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldvk--F6Z_0&feature=youtu.be

Your video doesn't work

[LuisMa]

Thank you!

 

Oops, it should now! YouTube set it as private, but I've changed it to public now.

[nuts2you]

thanks you , I bet rene eyes must have been ringing with all the yelling,/ sceaming

[chocolatechip15]

Wow - thanks for the wonderful review and video! So glad you had such a great experience!! It sounds so amazing!

 

And we understand why she keeps singing songs like ABM and MHWGO . . .the audience LOVES it! Put together with all the more rarely heard French songs. . what a perfect setlist.

 

And how amazing to have been so close to Rene!

[Lu CelineFan]

I've always held "Destin" so close to my heart because of its great melody and lighthearted lyrics. This is the song that I think I sang the loudest and made my heart beat the strongest during the concert. Ainsi passent mes heures, au rythme entêtant des battements de mon cœur!!! So darn true!!!!

 

Hummm....I don´t know if I like this music It´s my signature, dude! This music defines me!

 

Luis, thank you so much for open your heart and share this beautiful testimony

[flutefreak]

Thanks for the photos and videos Luis, sounds like you had a great time! I was the same way when I saw Rene in Vegas, only I was so star struck I forgot to take out my phone to capture it!!

[LuisMa]

Thank you. For the record, I wrote Retiens-Moi where it should be Regarde-Moi.

[LuisMa]

I posted about this somewhere else, but I forgot to include it here, that by the end of the show, we got to run to the front of the stage where we got to be a couple of feet away from her.

 

Here's a short video of the last minutes of the show. I recorded the whole song, but edited as there was an issue with the camera:

 

[LuisMa]

Finally, I made this photo collage.

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img59/9361/zdl7.png

 

 

 

 

 

[nuts2you]

I love it,

[Jessyka]

Great review! Thank you for sharing that wonderful experience with us!

[DionFanAlways]

Love the collage!

[ErwinG]

Thanks for the review/pictures/videos Luis ... so cool!

[ehild]

Awesome review! Love the pics and videos!! I so wish I could've traveled for this but it sounds like these concerts were a huge success!

[sfbaysinger]

Wow, thank you, Luis. I love reviews that include the set list, but also the feelings/emotions/involuntary body responses that we get. I too understand why she sings those songs. Your review was heartfelt. I so admire the crowds that can get excited and shout out to her. I wish I could, and that I could have been there.

[patrik]

i was in paris is was the best concert and it is my first time after 17 yers that i saw celine in concert