twenty5stories, Dlugokecki, Censored and Richard Snow & Inlaws @ Junktion 7 - 28 Jul 06

Well what was supposed to be the Snow Patrol Support Bands reunion gig, turned out to be a bit of a thin line up as to originally planned.  To say that one was stressed on Friday is a little bit of an understatement.  For once I did not even want to go to the Venue, I was that disillusioned by it all I just wanted to get in my car and drive....fearing the worse.

I arrived at Junktion 7 to be greeted by the twenty5stories boys who were already setting up and slowly but surely loads of familiar faces arrived.  People were still congratulating me on the Snow Patrol thing and it was nice to hear people's stories of the night.

We opened doors at about 8.15pm and about 40 people from the bar went upstairs.  By the time twenty5stories hit the stage there was a good 60 people in the venue.  twenty5stories set tonight was amazing, it was the best I had heard them play and the couple of new songs they played were really great.  After they finished their set Gaz and Ross stayed on stage and did a few acoustic songs including "Sneakers" and fab version of Seal's "Kiss from a Rose".

The crowd were in for a treat next as Dlugokecki (minus band) marched onto the stage with a coke in his hand.  Coke always spells trouble as he does not need the sugar rush to make him hyper at all.  Ben was outstanding tonight and it was a proper request slot as far as songs are concerned and he kept everybody happy.  Helen got We are the losers, we had Perfectinistical, Barricades and a few covers including Me and Julio, American Pie and of course Bettys song You can call me Al.  Ben is a terrific showman and had the crowd in stitches many times.

Next up was Censored who really got the crowd dancing, it was a great set with the boys doing what they do best.ROCKING!  We had Crazy Feet, All You Got to do is Ask and of course Your Eyes are made of Gold to name but a few.  Matt broke up half the set to do acoustic version of Dutch Courage it was cool!  Every single person inside the venue enjoying Censored.

Last but not least we had Richard Snow and Inlaws who continued the dancing theme by opening up with Red Song.  It was a lovely responsive crowd and people were enjoying Silent Girlfriend, Lonesome Cowboy and of course my fav Expectations and Helen and my tune Girls on the Tube.  Richard finished off the set acoustically with REM cover Losing My Religion for which he was joined on stage with Ben and the harmonies were fab.

Unfortunately Sam was snapping so vigorously with the camera that we have no pics of The Inlaws as the batteries died.  Anybody with any pics of them at Junktion 7 please send them to me, or add them at the bottom.

We had a couple of more from Richard including hilarious Simon and Garfunkel cover that Richard and Ben murdered a little but it was great for entertainment, before making way for Matt to come and do some Kula Shaker.  Ben obviously liked it on stage and joined Matt for some of that too.  Everybody was having so much fun.  Matt sang Anarchy in the UK which we all remembered fondly from 10 Bands.  Also sang Your Eyes are made of Gold with Richard joining him on harmonies. Then some Oasis where Nathan joined him on stage and birthday girl Sally was trying to sing along to Stand by Me.

Now it was the turn of Gareth the soundman for some Foo Fighters with some more singing from Ness and Linda too.  Then a very drunk Ben went back on stage for a couple of songs but the soundman eventually decided to rescue everybody as the karaoke started getting out of hand, it was now 2.30am.

It was one of the best nights I have ever had, the atmosphere at Junktion 7 was indescribable and it was exactly what I had hoped for the Snow Patrol aftershow party to have been like.  Everybody inside commented on the wonderful night and the atmosphere and now looking to repeat this on a monthly basis with our newest Junktion 7 night called The Great Escapemore details to follow soon.

I want to thank all of my mates for coming, in particular Tommy who drove all the way from Plymouth and all the bands that played.  Sam for taking 100's of photos (very badly) with my camera and everybody at Junktion 7 who made us most welcome, what a lovely bunch of people! J

Ben, Sally and Linda came back to the house and we had some more drink and chatted till the early hours....well I don't really remember much more to be honest ;o)

Oxegen Festival - 8th & 9th July 06 - About 4 weeks overdue!

Made my way to Ireland by train and left a beautifully sunny and warm UK behind. 

Was met at the boat by Mick and we arrived at Punchestown Racecourse on the Friday night to set up camp.  Have you ever tried to pitch a new tent in the dark?   This was not easy and not helped much by the winds, but we got there in the end.  Sleeping of course was not possible with 14 year olds setting fire to tents and lots of drunk people, well I expected the drunk people.

Woke up following morning cold, tired and aching after very uncomfortable night's almost sleep.  But after some breakfast felt a bit more human.  We made our way to the Arena and first up was Sandi Thom on the Main Stage.  This was quite a surreal moment for me as it was packed and I remember when Sandi's gigs were really intimate.

During Sandi's performance the heavens opened up and it was raining horizontally with gale forced winds at the same time.  So we headed indoors and the New Band Stage won for me.  Where I caught a very lively performance of Paulo Nutini which was first time I have seen this young Scotsman.  He was described to me as the Scotish James Blunt only less depressing.  I thoroughly enjoyed this and was almost happy the rain drove me inside.

Next up was The Upper Room whom I saw a few times when Newsum Turn were supporting them on the last tour.  I do like the music and it was nice to hear something familiar.  The lads went down well in their first Irish performance.

Now the next band was called Fear of Music and what an apt name.  They obviously had a fear as they were not making any music...ooh I am such a biatch!!

I am now poised up front and waiting for the highlight of the festival. Never more delighted that these guys are not on the Main Stage (outside) where they belong.  The Crimea came on stage and it was bloody amazing.  I was singing to every song.  "Opposite Ends" was a really great start to the set, this was followed by their cover of Fleetwood Mac and I love "Everywhere" anyway.  Ok we had "Baby Boom", "White Russian Galaxy", and a supremely emotional version of "Opposite Ends" it made me come over all emotional.  I got a set list too which made me very happy.

Not sure what happened in this pic, but it looks kind of cool :o)

I think myspace is thinking of crashing....it did but I won this time - so I will carry on.

Next up were a nice treat in the shape of The Maccabees, not the kind of thing I would usually like but it was great and thorougly entertaining.  The leadsinger also wore a nice cardigan.

Not a huge fan of Lily Allen it was time to vacate and find something else.  Thus walking past the main stage with Hard Fi on it towards the Green Room.

Was gutted to find that Gomez was well into their set as I was really looking forward to them.  The place was so packed that you could not even see them.  We only managed to catch last couple of songs but thankfully they ended up with "Whipping Picadilly" which is an awesome song!

At that point I was so cold and soaked that I just wanted to go back to the tent.  We ended up buying 3 more blankets as I could not get warm.  The likes of The Strokes, James Brown and The Who sounded great from the tent.  I just could not get the will to face the elements again.

Day 2

God this is taking forever...lets just do pictures :o)

Bands I saw

Maximo Park, Manu Chao, Bell X1 (pic below)

Placebo, Gemma Hayes, Hope of the States (pic below)

Orson

Kaiser Chiefs

Franz Ferdinand

The Bedioun Soundclash (great surprise)

After this went on the Ferris Wheel and got some pics of campsite and stage before realising Paul Weller was on stage.

Paul Weller on the NME Stage was probably the best performance of the weekend for me as I have never been a huge fan but it was truly amazing. I did not recognise many of the songs but he is a true showman.  Hated the Style Council so was quite delighted he did not do any of the songs.  Loved "You do something to me" and he finished on "A Town Called Malice" .  Below is also my best picture of the festival. 

We then watched the last 20 minutes of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers on the Main Stage which included all the songs of theirs I knew so that was good, but also not a huge fan of theirs.  Why did it not rain the 2nd day instead??

Took some other photos including this one for spell mad Helen...

And this very artistic one....