Newsum Turn @ Manchester Academy 3 - 5 May 06

Ok so one is a tad intoxicated at this hour of the morning but I just have to let you all know what an amazing night I had tonight.  If I don't do it now, I might not remember in the morning.

Newsum Turn played Manchester for the first time tonight and they were loved by entire audience.  Opened their set with "Broken" followed by "Beautiful Mile" and then dedicated "Corners" to new friends (that was sweet), we had amazing new song (another wow moment) "See you There" and at the end of the set everyone wanted more!

Newsum Turn do not fail to bowl me over each time I see them as I think it just gets better and better.  The beautiful music these guys made needs to be heard and of course live it is just the best experience ever.

Managed to see some of Cord tonight and there was one or two songs that I enjoyed.

Funniest bit of the night would most certainly be the guys trying to use their AAA passes to get into the Kooks gig at Academy 1 next door lol and were turned away.  I managed to use same passes to get into the Dresden Dolls on 1st floor but Luke's face when he saw the drummer in his fishnet tights was priceless :D so back we went to the 2nd floor!

Must say I enjoyed watching the Upper Room again and I have bought the new single "Black and White" and I wish the boys every luck with it!

We stopped in the bar for a couple more whilst the guys were mobbed by fans and then made our way to Manchester Club called Big Hands.  To be honest it was not quite what I expected but it was packed and the music was good!  Not quite sure how much I drank tonight, but I know that a lot of the things I did was alcohol induced - so that is my excuse and I am sticking to it!

I think Luke took this one himeself!

This is the boys out "sharking"

We met loads of people including One Man and His Beard who has a world cup song out at the moment.  Luke insisted on having his pic taken with  him :o)

We also met Andy Williams tonight who is the drummer for the Doves and of course I did not have a clue who the hell he was lol, but Newsum Turn boys recognised him.  Later learnt that the guitarist was also in the venue.

I love these pics, I think Neal's face says it all...

Tonight I saw a different side to these boys and in Andy's case we were treated to "The Full Monty" well almost and I think this guy posing next to Andy did not quite know what to make of what was going on!

I don't think either of them can believe what just happened!

Smashing lads indeed and I don't think I have laughed as much for a long time.  Thanks Luke, Alistair, Chris, Neal and Andy :D

Come to the Sugarmill in Stoke on Trent on the 19th May....if you dare

Leeds Leeds Lucky Leeds!

Well amazing enough I did not go to a gig last night, swopped my beloved Story One for a most important game at Elland Road.

Its true that I love football and I love Leeds but some of the fans and to be honest football fans in general raise many a question.

I am not sure if its an "English" thing or not but I cannot understand how people can get so upset and hurl so much abuse at a game of football.  To see grown men stand up and shout the most foulest language, complete with vains popping at the opposing fans (who probably could not hear them any way) makes me so sad.  Is this the example that is to be passed on to our children??

Make no mistake there is nothing wrong with football songs and friendly banter but some people are offensive and violent and I cannot and will not understand that!

Anyway back to the footy...Leeds did not seem to come out of the blocks with any urgency and gave Preston plenty of space and time on the ball to play at us.  Saying that their keeper made a few excellent saves, David Healy missed a sitter and we hit the post in the first half.  However, Preston did not have many chances but ended up scoring first.

Second half the game improved somewhat and was much more open and exciting.  Eddie Lewis free kick (which seemed to glance off the head of Preston defender) equalised for us, and the battle continued. 

I don't think by any means this was the best possible Leeds performance and judging by today's semi with Watford beating Palace 3-0 away from home, we will have our work cut out even if we beat Preston on Monday. We were lucky not to concede another goal in the second half and considering the play is a very good result for us.

Highlight of the night was during half time when hero, fellow countryman and ex Leeds great came on the pitch to hand out some prizes.  Was great to see The Chief Lucas Radebe again and he was greated with loud cheers and treated to a couple of songs featuring him.

Its just such a pity that some people have to detract from the game by being absolute arseholes (including this Irish git sat next to me who was abusing his own team and also knew everything!).

Fingers crossed for Monday 

Almost Newsum Turn and The Upper Room @ Kings College London - 4 May 06

Tonight is proof that good intentions are sometimes just that and even careful planning does not always help. 

Left Nottingham @ 15.30 with plenty of time to get to London and we decided to park in North London and get the tube to Kings College which is near Victoria Embankment.

Got tube to Temple station and then started walking around looking for the venue, considering it was supposed to be 2 mins away we walked for what seemed miles and nobody seemed to be able to give us proper directions.  Eventually a newsagent drew us a map and we managed to find the main College bit and they pointed us in the right direction.

Got to the Venue at 8.35pm and after a brief visits to the bathroom and the bar, I saw Luke only to find out that we had just missed Newsum Turn.  I was gutted as after all I came all this way to see them. 

Luke and Neal both told me of the wonderful response they had from the crowd tonight and I am really happy for them, just wished I could have witnessed it! 

I went to dressing room to see the rest of lads for a chat about my eventful night with Snow Patrol and some other matters and we then made our way upstairs to see The Upper Room.

I have not listened to much of their stuff before and it took till the 3rd song of the set before I really got into it.  I very much likened the frontman's voice to that of Morrissey and all the songs were very pleasing to the ear.  Particularly liked the previous single "All Over This Town" a very catchy tune that builds up to this massive finale.  I also liked a song called "Girl" and the new single out on Monday called "Black and White" seemed to have everyone singing.

After the music finished we had some more banter in the lobby and took some more silly pictures before we embarked on our journey home.  Did not arrive home till about 3.30am.

I still really enjoyed myself tonight even though I did not get to see Newsum Turn, gonna have to remedy that soon indeed!

Snow Patrol @ Manchester Ritz - 2 May 06

Well the day has finally arrived and to say that we were excited is putting it mildly.  I managed to persuade my doctor to give me an intermuscular injection as opposed to the usual drip today and then I was hoping and praying that the effects of chemo would not kick in until this night was over....and thankfully it did not!!

Trip to Manchester was effortless and actually becoming quite boring, but we listened to some Snow Patrol on the way just to freshen up on some lyrics of course.  Found venue and most expensive bloody car park ever, but I suppose we cant have it all easy.

At the Ritz they escorted us to a different door as we were on Snow Patrol's guestlist.  The lady handed me out two armbands and said to wear those if we want to get into the After-show Party.  Ok I tried to look as calm as I possibly could, because after all this is nothing out of the ordinary for us...! ;-P

Found nice spot on the balcony right next to the stage and 2nd support band was on, I think they were the Ghears and sounded great from what I could hear.  But we only saw about 2 songs.  So perhaps worth a look.

Finally the wait was over and Snow Patrol was on stage and opened up the set with "Wow" followed by "Chocolate" at which point I was trying to call Helen, but to no avail :o), this song was superb and everybody was singing along. 

A few tracks later was a very rocky version of "Hands Open" and now we were really dancing.  Absolutely loved "Chasing Cars" live and I think that is absolutely my favourite song off the new album.  We also had "Spitting Games", "Shut Your Eyes", "How to be Dead" but a definate and rare treat was an amazing performance of "An Olive Grove Facing the Sea" accompanied by wonderful Trombone sound, such a beautiful song.

Now it was definate "Goosebumps time" with the best ever ever live rendition of "Run".  The sound in the Ritz was made for this song and the audience participation was tremendous - you could hear them sing ever single word along with Gary.  Mezmerising stuff before finishing the set with new single "You're all I have" which is a winner for sure - so go and bloody buy it!  The band's energy and presence sold this one totally.  Gary Lightbody had so much fun out there tonight (despite the huge tear in his trousers) and it was so magical being part of this.

Snow Patrol left the stage to rapturous applause and screams for more.  They came back and their encore consisted of "Open Your Eyes" followed by "Tiny Little Fractures" which was perfect end to a magnificent show!

Very excited we made our way to the After show party and sat down and sort of went over what we witnessed tonight and I had to pinch myself several times.  I still can't get the smile off my face.  We waited for a while for the band to make their appearance and as soon as Gary went for a drink I went over to talk to him.

He recognised me and we shared some hugs (I might say they were geniune hugs too).  We spoke for a while about the show and how much I enjoyed it, then moved on to the Charity gig and he is very happy that things are going ahead.  Such a nice man and of course I could not stop myself by doing the "mad fan" thing and asking for a picture.

Oh God I am never going to be able to sleep tonight! 

Thanks to Snow Patrol for the beautiful music, Gary for putting us on the guestlist and thanks to anyone I might have disturbed tonight with excited phone calls and texts....thanks for putting up with me..........and roll on July......watch this space for exciting announcement next week!!!

PS:  Pics are not the best, as the camera is some semi-professional thing and they would not bloody stand still - some people have no consideration...;o)

PPS:  Its nights like this that makes me realise how lucky I am to be alive and makes me more determined to want to give this cancer a big kick up the arse!  For everything tonight...........I am very thankful :o)

Ok will get off Myspace as I am now getting emotional and it aint pretty lol.

I AM SO EXCITED....

Well I can't contain my excitement any longer and for those of  you who don't know yet....where the hell have you been??

In an  hour or so the Flowerpot and I will hit the road over the Pennines (again) where she and I will be the guests of Snow Patrol for their gig at the Manchester Ritz tonight.

I apologise in advance to anyone I might phone or text during this gig, as I probably would not be able to help it.

Luke, Neal, Andy, Alistair and Chris I will be thinking of ya...ha ha ;-)

No doubt be blogging with some pics when I get back as I have borrowed Martin's super duper camera to record this epic event (thanks mate :o))

Also got to blog about Story One's fab gig last night in Sheffield despite me not being my usual enthusiastic self...I guess sometimes your body just tells you "NO" and I think mine kind of gave up on me last night.  Sorry Mike, G, Tom and Barny for not sticking around but I was just glad I made it through the set without fainting (who would have carried me lol??)

Laters people...!

PS:  I am listening to Snow Patrol's fab new album "Eyes Open" despite Myspace not wanting me to add it here!

The Boy Least Likely To, BC Camplight & We Show Up on Radar @ Academy Manchester - 30 Apr 06

Tonight was the last installment of 3 for us seeing these 3 bands and Mark, Kate, Helen and myself set off on this road trip over the Pennines, straight to our favourite hospital car park and directly to the venue!

I think tonight Kate was the one dreading it as she was only interested in We Show Up on Radar lol.  They finally came on stage and I have not seen Helen laugh as much for a while.  The silly "true stories" about "Animal Sports Day", being a bee or a bubble  and the entertaining little sounds that Andy and Pete make is something to be seen live.  CD just does not do the whole performance justice.

BC Camplight then took to the stage for what would be the 7th time I see them over the 2 tours and I think that Brian was a little sozzled at this point already as he had bottle of whiskey on the piano and was drinking away during the set.  They opened with a very explosive "Hide Run Away" sang all the favourites and again I so loved "Wouldn't Mind the Sunshine".  I want to take the feeling that song gives me and bottle it so I can keep it with me forever. 

Brian dedicated "Blood and Peanut Butter" to a couple that were not in the venue lol and then after a couple of songs made a dedication for me.  He said that "a loyal fan from over here has asked us to play a song we don't know, so Margi this one is for you..."  and they played "Couldn't you Tell" and to be honest it was second versve before I realised that it was not the song I had asked for :o), I had begged for "Oranges in Winter" this tour but as lazy David was not there they had no one to do the guitar bits so will have to wait till they come back or I go to Philidelphia!

BCC was on fire tonight and it was the best performance we had since I have seen them.  They really enjoyed it.  After BCC Kate confessed that she was not near drunk enough for this music and managed to get 2 pints in before The Boy Least Likely To came on stage.

Ok and what Joff was on tonight I would very much like to know as he seemed especially hyper during "I see Spiders when I close my Eyes".  He wanted to sit down for a ballad after that lol!  Best version of "Monsters" ever ever ever tonight, oh bugger all the songs were fab.  Joff forgot some of the lyrics to "The Battle of the Boy Least Likely To" which made this serious sad song funny as he was improvising and smiling silly all the way through.  Pete also made no bones about pointing out the mistake!

Really got dancing for "I am glad I hitched my Apple Wagon to your Star" and finishing night off with "Be Gentle With Me" was wild, exhausting and oh so beautiful and it left me kind of sad that this was over for now!

This was the best performance of all the bands tonight that I have ever seen.  Not sure if it has to do with the Venue or last night of the tour, but they were all having fun and it was awesome to see this first hand.

Afterwards Brian promised to do me "Oranges in Winter" acoustically but we got kicked out of venue before this could happen!  Also never got to say goodbye - so here goes...Brian, Bret, Ramon and Stephanie sending you all loads of love and hope to catch you real soon...and again thanks for the beautiful music.  Love ya guys :o)

Outside spent ages waiting for BCC to come out so we can say goodbye but ended up talking to Andy and Pete from We Show Up on Radar.  Andy was...erm...well...a little intoxicated to put it mildly.  But I managed to get a picture of that T-shirt for Tom of Story One.

Despite an emotional rollercoaster of a week of many gigs, much laughter, occasional drunkenness, disgusting self-pity and stupid vanity....I now sit here and think how lucky I actually am.  I have amazing friends, I am friendly with some really super cool bands and I have the best tonic in the whole wide world "AWESOME LIVE MUSIC".  Does anybody really need anymore than this?

Thanks....