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I arrived at the Royal Albert Hall in London shortly after 4pm on Sunday and met up with Delirious? in time for their sound check. From the outside it's a hugely impressive building with stunning architecture (see below) and despite having seen the inside on TV countless times it still took my breath away when I entered the arena. Standing on stage, the venue empty apart from the crew and band, in front of me was a sea of empty seats, each one in a plush red fabric. The seating rises around the edges and then seemingly balanced on top are several layers of balconies, each ornately decorated with gold trim and red drapes. This truly is a 'Royal' looking venue.

The band did their usual run through to check everything was sounding right, then did a few verses of Now Is The Time. While this was going on I walked around, taking in the incredible venue and taking a few photos (which I've used in this entry). Paul Smith, the band's merchandise man wondered over to see me and we chatted for a while. Paul informed me, with a twinkle in his eye, that at the concert in Belfast the previous night Delirious? had out-sold Michael W Smith at the merchandising stall. Not bad for a support band! After half an hour or so the sound check was finished and it was then that a baseball capped figure sauntered onto stage. Paul pointed him out to me as being the man himself, Mr 'dubya' Smith (or WHSmith as I like to call him - although not to his face, because that would just be rude, right?). There were hugs all round as Delirious? and Michael chatted for a few minutes. Song writing legend Graham Kendrick turned up shortly after, and further hugs were exchanged.

With some time to kill before the 7:30 show time for Delirious?, we wondered along the backstage corridors to the dressing rooms. Immediately behind the stage a sign on the door marked the room as being Michael's personal dressing room (no golden star on the door though - just a piece of paper with his name!). Even his band members had their own individual dressing rooms. Room number 6 was labeled "Delirious dressing room". It was a fairly large room, with a sportshall changing room feel to it - benches, hooks, sinks, mirrors. In one corner a TV was showing "Some Mothers Do 'ave 'Em", which kept sound man Paul Burton entertained. Martin asked me what I thought of the new version of 'Now Is The Time', which they re-recorded in the studio a couple of weeks ago. I told him it was a vast improvement, but I was then rather taken aback when he responded with "So are you going to give it more than 3 out of 5 now?" It turns out he'd read the review I'd written and obviously noted the score I'd given the original version of the song. Feeling somewhat embarrassed I promised him that the song is definitely worth a 4 now - so I must remember to update that review! Tim overheard the tail end of the conversation but mistakenly thought that I'd given the whole album 3 out of 5. He pointed out that even Cross Rhythms gave them 10/10 for the album, so I hurriedly corrected him that it was just my rating for that song!

I also chatted to Tim about the new single, but carefully avoided his question about where I thought it might enter the charts for fear of accidentally saying the wrong thing yet again! Stew said he was particularly pleased with some of the comments he read on the forum about the album cover. He's really happy with how the artwork has turned out and I agreed that it's one of the best covers they've had. Stew also gave me a little insider-exclusive tidbit, apparently The Mission Bell will have a 12minute CD-Rom video on it, partly recorded in the studio last week. Anyway, a visit to the catering room was next up. Martin and Stew shared a table with their opposite numbers - Michael and his drummer. I sat with Jon and lighting man Neil and before I knew it we were back in the dressing room and tour manager Ian was saying "10 minutes to show time". A quick change of clothes into the now familiar d: suits and the band were ready for their pre-gig prayer huddle. Then Ian led us out along the corridors and through a door at the side of stage. We waited while he contacted the crew to get the house lights brought down and then an incredible roar went up from every corner of the arena (well, I say 'corner', but since it's a circular building there aren't really any corners).

I stood next to Trevour the monitors engineer at the side of the stage while Delirious? took up their positions on stage and launched into Rain Down. Knowing it was only going to be a 40 minute set, I hurried to various different locations around the venue to take photos - down in front of the stage, high up in the stalls, and getting my backside burnt by the rather large (and, as happens, rather hot) spotlight next to Stu's amp. I've already described the concert itself in my review, but suffice to say, the show was out of this world and the crowd were one of the most responsive I've ever seen. As the band left the stage, I followed them back to the dressing room. Having been blessed with the opportunity to spend time with them before and after a gig on quite a few occasions now, I have to say that I have never - and I mean never, seen them so excited and happy after a gig! They were positively beaming, every one of them, and kept saying "wow, what a place". Tim even jokingly suggested they book the Albert Hall for the annual Christmas show. A quick change of clothes and most of the band were ready for a swift exit to their van for the drive back home to Littlehampton. Martin was staying behind to make a guest appearance on stage with Michael later on for a duet of 'Healing Rain'. It was quite a night to remember.