Bon Jovi & Nickelback @ Croke Park in Dublin - 20 May 06

Plans had to change and before I knew it I was on my way to Holyhead as opposed to the original flight following day.  Arrived in Dublin very tired at 6am only to have to wait a couple of hours for Mick, as I was expected to land at about 8.30am

We headed into the city (getting very lost) trying to find the Hotel so stopped near St Stephens Green, for some breakfast and some shopping before finding parking right near the hotel (when we eventually found it)! Of course at that hour of the morning check in is not possible so left our bags in search of a pub to watch the Heineken Rugby Final as Mick was supporting Munster against Biarritz.

Sat down in the pub and its now just gone noon and I was seriously starting to flag, wanted nothing more than to go to hotel and sleep whilst the match is on.  But once the match started, was no possible way anybody could sleep through that!  Talk about exciting, it was nail biting stuff with Munster just having the edge.  Really cheeky try from Peter Stringer was best bit of the match for me and got them the deserved win.

Then back to hotel to go and get ready for Bon Jovi and Nickelback.  Ok the hotel happened to be in the Dublin red light district and was mega expensive, so I could only summise it was the kind of establishment they rent by the hour.

Hotel called us a taxi and we waited for ages, then decided it might be best to try and flag one down. 

Arrived at Croke Park to a cover version of Stereophonics "Dakota", so I assumed there was another support on before Nickelback.  After climbing about 20 ramps to get to 6 rows from the back of 100,000+ seater stadium almost killed me but I found it really hard to look down and everytime I stood up my stomach turned....never been that high before!

After a couple more songs I realised that it was Nickelback on stage already and it was them who did this cover song???!!  Anyway I was not impressed by the sound and it was terribly bright from the sunshine so all a bit weird.  Only managed to catch a few songs and I remember "Someday" and then they finished their set with "How you remind me" and that was about the best bit.

I remember thinking during Nickelback, "What the hell was I doing here?"  I have been so spoilt with intimate gigs that I found this stadium setting to be less than ideal.

Now time for main act Bon Jovi opened up with "You give love a bad name", they were positively on fire.  They sang lots of songs from the latest two albums including "Have a nice day", "Its my life", the list goes on as they basically carried on for nearly 3 hours. 

Sound was awesome and light show was fantastic too!

Wow what value for money.  We also had 3 encores and best song of the night for me was Richie Sambora singing "In These Arms" - that man can surely sing!  Bon Jovi finished the last encore with "Treat Her Nice" which was featured on The Committments sound track a few years back and that was superb.  Sadly no "Bed of Roses" but I still ended up thoroughly enjoying the stadium experience!

Well trying to get out of the Stadium along with 80,000 other peole was a bit hard as you can imagine, and you would have had more chance of seeing a Yeti than getting a taxi from there.  So we decided to walk into the City get some food and then hail taxi back to hotel.

O'Connell Street was still packed after the food and the walk, so decided to walk back to hotel.  This might have been easier if we had known where the hell we were going.  I have retraced my steps on a map since and it seems that we walked about 9.5 miles!  But eh circumstances and all that, must say though its prob my fault that we got a bit lost as I would not trust Mick to get me back to the hotel as he has no sense of direction either!

We had planned to go and see The Delarentos at the Village after Bon Jovi but by the time we got away from the stadium and to the south of the city it was too late.  Had some Abrakebabra though as no trip to Ireland is complete without that :o)

It was a great weekend for music and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Bon Jovi again, as last time was for the last concert in Wembly. 

Thanks to Mick for a lovely weekend!

Original Blog

What a lazy week, not been to a gig since Saturday and not bothered with the blogging either, which is really bad as I had a superb weekend of music.

Started off by wonderful Newsum Turn at Stoke on Trent and then on Saturday Bon Jovi and Nickelback in Croke Park, Dublin.  Some good stories to tell about both.  So when I get back from Liverpool tomorrow I will write, maybe.

Richard Snow today in The Cavern Liverpool!!!  Being a sucker for the scouse accent, I might not come home....

Brinkman @ Dublin Castle, Camden - 21 Mar 06

Well its now 3.35am and I am still buzzing after another road trip with my good pal Helen.  Tonight was our 3rd time of seeing the wonderful Brinkman. 

My turn to drive so set off from work at about 4.30 with "The Dunnster" navigating and finding our way to Camden was a piece of cake.  Well we have kind of been here a few times this year - but luckily enough its a different venue every time.

Dublin Castle was packed solid as we arrived and first person I set my eyes on was Tom (Brinkman bass player) whom I hugged and spoke to briefly.  I then spottend Mark Morriss of the Bluetones, whom I met earlier this year.

Brinkman were due on at 8.15 and the queue to get into the music bit was very long, we waited for ages.  We could then hear them on stage but still could not get into the door, so missed the first two songs.  I was very upset, but luckily got through the door for my fav "Pillow" - the chorus is something like "I am having the time of my life and the one thing that stops me is this space on my pillow"  Hmmmm - enough said about that! 

Helen was also delighted she heard her fav "Thunderbolt" but we also found ourselves singing along to most of them, which is really great that they are becoming familiar.  Special moment during that song is when Paul spotted Helen an I and his beautiful beaming smile was so welcoming.

Needed to get out there pronto when they finished as it was too warm and too full.  Sat in the bar bit with a drink and I could see the Brinkman boys making their way through the room, so thought we would not interrupt them as they were ever so popular.  And the wait was worth the while as I got the nicest most geniune superhug from Paul and he was geniunely happy and surprised to see us.  I think he used words such as "crazy, mad or barking" and I told him that is no way to talk about Helen.

Listened to half a song of Leeds Rock Band "I like trains" and decided that I too preferred trains to their music (well tonight anyway) tomorrow I might change my mind.

Went for a spot of dinner at some Italian place where the waiter was a fellow countryman and I could speak my mother tongue albeit talking about the menu.  Great Seafood Linguini and most excellent Tiramisu (well how could I not?)

Thankfully Neil Diamond managed to keep Helen awake on the way home as she was loving he tunes whilst alledgedly (probably spelt wrong again) begging for mercy.

See you bright and early Helen 

More good music tomorrow night at The Vic in Derby, so get your asses down there and come and support Richard Snow and The Inlaws, Tom Wardle Band and The Crooks with perhaps 4th surprise guest! 

YOU WILL ENJOY IT, IF NOT I WILL GET YOU A DRINK

Story One supporting Morning Runner & Fallout Trust - 17 May 06

Well 69th gig definately did not disappoint  even though the night started off a bit iffy.  Stood in the pissing rain for what seemed forever waiting for Mark and Helen.  Mark got lost and then told me Helen was inside.  When Chris and Jo turned up we decided to run in as Story One were kicking off.  I missed first couple of verses of "Coming Up" but the rest of set more than made up for it.

Pity the Ballroom was so empty at this point as it did not do a great deal for the Story Onesound but no matter, these guys always give brilliant performance.  We had a shortened set to usual and setlist comprised of "Beggars Belief", "Out of Season", "Saving Grace", "Disposable" (ahh), "AM 180", "Count to 3" and finished off by "Delhi Funeral".

Story One do not fail to give me goosebumps everytime they play and I am so looking forward to Monday to buy the new single "Out of Season".  Make sure you get your copy here.

Then came the Fallout Trust whom I remember enjoying most of the songs and here is the proof why you should not delay writing blogs as I can't remember the name of any of them.  But check them out they were ok!

Having only seen Morning Runner acoustically in Fopp which was great.  Purchased the CD I was hoping that the live show would be a bit less depressing than I had found the CD and hey it was! 

We had all the great songs including "Gone up in Flames", "Be all you want me to be", my favourite "Oceans", the classic "Burning Benches" and the new single "The Great Escape" including B-side (name eludes me). 

I was kind of blown away through a couple of the songs and this is definately a band made for live shows.  I could  not help but notice how humble and appreciative Matt of Morning Runner was throughout the show.   I found this very indearing indeed.

Morning Runner came on and did a 4 song encore - longest I have ever seen.  But no doubt Helen was happy as she got to hear "Frayed Edges" again. Thoroughly enjoyable night musically indeed.

We said goodbyes to Chris and Jo and stayed behind talking to the Hull Massif and waiting for Story One.  We were kicked out and ended up with this mass conference outside.  Well it was a laugh and despite discussing Snow Patrol, we were trying to find cunning ways of whoring Story One's single out on Monday.  There was 13 of us, it would be 13 lol, I just realised.  Got some group pic just waiting for the boys to post it!   

Have learnt a few things about people tonight....

1.  Phil has a secret crush....on well those who were there know :o)

2.  Story One think that gigging is over-rated lol

3.  And G and I are gonna have some babies ;-P (Nando's that swung it!)

Great night thanks to all that turned up, its nice to see the circle of friends getting bigger at these gigs.  See you all soon :o)

Sandi Thom and Sons of Jim @ Bar Academy Islington - 18 May 06

Not much in the mood for this, we set off about 4.30pm making our way down the motorway.  I dozed off almost instantly and woke up in Buckinghamshire briefly and then again at the end of the M1.

Not really sure where I was going but spotting on the map that the venue was just off the A1 and that Islington was north I figured we could find it as opposed to usual tube route.  Found venue, car parking and amazing Chinese Buffet restaurant opposite Academy and we were sat at table 13 of course!

We were told that first support were on at 8.15 but the guy at the door did not know who they were and then Sandi Thom was on at 9.15.  So Mark had time to go back to car to fetch his camera.

I am now standing outside Bar Academy when none other than Nathan of Snow Patrol walks by with his girlfriend.  Had to say hello and it was cool!  Then I was greeted by a very sweet Marcus, guitarist for Sandi Thom, and of course more hugs.

Mark got back and we went in and I then got the nicest surprise ever and screamed out loud "Oh My God, Its Sons of Jim - I love these guys!".  I think I missed the first song.  But luckily was there for "Burning Sun" which is a fab tune.  I kept thinking how gutted Helen would be for choosing The Henry Road instead as she loved these guys too first time round.

Jamie and David finished their set and after a short while came out of dressing room.  I walked over and Jamie recognised me from the Bic Runga gig (I suspect they dont get grabbed and hugged everyday) and then came David.  We spoke for a while about music and gigs, etc.  But then left them to it as they were getting mobbed by girls (whom I kept encouraging to hug them instead of shaking hands).

Sandi Thom finally came on stage to her second sell out gig in a row to a very loud and appreciative crowd.  Sang some great songs including "No more Heroes", "Little Remedy" and my favourite "Castles", sang a song from the Tooting Basement gig too.  She then went to do a song using keyboards but we had some technical difficulty so decided that she would do "Punk Rocker" instead.

This song will always make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and always makes me think of my friend Flowerpot!  Many a drunken night this song has inspired some serious band singing.  I also thought about Andy and how I know the song makes him cry.

This gig was being recorded and during the gig they were sending random bluetooth clips to mobile phones as memories of the gig.  What a wonderful idea :o) pity my phone is poorly!!

The band left the stage and after screams for more, came and did the encore which started with a cover of the No 1 Gnarls Barkley song - "Crazy".  Well WOW does not do it justice, much better than original.  Afterwards she told us how she felt quite bad as "I wish I was a Punk Rocker" had just knocked that song off the "I-tunes" No 1 (so it was kind of a tribute).

Sandi finished the set with a song called "Time" and she said that the words is her live condensed in 3.5 minutes.  Cracking lyrics indeed and really got me thinking, well about time and where it goes...

Had loads more laughs and banter with Jamie and David and some new found friends afterwards whilst waiting to say hi to Sandi.  It was nice to see her again, shared some hugs and wished her all the best.

Just thought about the irony of it all.....2 acts that played 10 Bands 10 Hours for me in January have their debut single coming out on Monday.  Well who would have thought that was gonna happen in January? 

Please go and buy these singles:

Story One - Out of Season

Sandi Thom - I wish I was a Punk Rocker

On the way back we spotted just about every live music venue in Islington - Helen I know where they all are now :D.  Thanks for a brilliant night Mark and for pesuading me to go to London.

Gig Withdrawel - 17 May 06

Well its been 6 days since my last gig!  Yes you heard me 6 long, whole, bloody days!!!!  Unless you count the disasterous attempt at Helen's house on Saturday with that Singstar game....no we were crap (ok I was crap!)

Tonight makes gig no 69 for this year and as the number suggests its gonna be most pleasurable indeed :D  As who better to be seeing on this night than my old fav's Story One supporting Morning Runner.

Despite being a Morning Runner fan, I was very reluctant to go and see them at The Ballroom as its the kind of place where they search you for hidden weapons and if  you don't have any, they give you some!  But after the boys confirmed they were playing...well the rest is history!!!

At the moment, I feel great, a combination of another sleepless night, some great company and excitement of passionate live music performance.  So lets hope I stay feeling like this as my last Story One gig I was poorly and a bit of a party pooper!

Ok I best get dressed and get the hell out of here  

Every word is true - honest ;-P

Well as you can tell I have been a bit lazy in the old blogging department, so went to look for something totally and utterly lazy, following in the footsteps of my old mate Kate!

You're an Passionate Kisser

For you, kissing is about all about following your urges If someone's hot, you'll go in for the kiss - end of story You can keep any relationship hot with your steamy kisses A total spark plug - your kisses are bound to get you in trouble

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

Male/Female Dictionary Definitions

THINGY (thing-ee) n.
Female definition: Any part under a car's bonnet.
Male definition: The strap fastener on a woman's bra.

LESBIAN (lez-bee-an) n.
Female: A woman who makes love to other women.
Male: A woman who has sex with other women so men can watch.

VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.
Female: Fully opening up one's self emotionally to another.
Male: Playing cricket without a cod piece.

REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female: A device for changing from one TV channel to another.
Male: A device for scanning through all 75 channels every 2
minutes.

COMMUNICATION (ko-muu-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female: The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's
Partner.
Male: Scratching out a note before suddenly taking off for a
weekend with the lads.
BUM (bum) n.Female: The body part that every item of clothing manufactured
makes look bigger.
Male: The body part for mooning (and farting).
COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n.Female: A desire to get married and raise a family.
Male: Not trying to pick up other women while out with one's
Girlfriend.

ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female: A good movie, concert, play or book.
Male: Sex!!

FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female: An embarrassing by-product of digestion.
Male: An endless source of entertainment, self-expression and
male bonding.
MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female: The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male: What women do while the man is shagging.