Blogging Snow Patrol

Hey there, whilst I sort out my blog for this event and get pictures and a final total of money.  Will anybody that has blogged or reviewed the event please place a comment here so others can read it. 

I will start you off with Mike's take on things.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=89420049&blogID=145742670&indicate=1

Also if you have any pictures of the night, be nice to see them but please resize them not to be huge. 

Thanks a million to everybody who shared this night with us and of course the bands and the amazing Snow Patrol.

Blah Blah Blah Blah

So as you have all noticed I have neglected my blogging duties recently but it has been a little busy here to say the least, something to do with a certain little event on Sunday.

After having the most stressful couple of weeks ever, the excitement is returning more and more each day and my Access All Areas passes have just arrived and they are FAB - Thanks Sal :o)

But I must get my arse in gear and share with you the photos of my Leeds gig and also Oxegen Festival.

Note to self - "Blog before weekend"

3 more sleepies....

Snow Patrol News

Well the www.livemusic4charity.info site is finally up and running and it gives you the run down of the bands playing on the day.  I will be adding the after show party bands hopefully tonight.

For those of you who have got tickets please note that doors open at 5pm and we are kicking off with the first band at 5.15pm, so please come early and give all these great bands your support.

Rock City is a great venue and food will be served throughout the day so don't worry about going hungry.  Of course the bars will be open all night too.

Those lucky ones coming to the aftershow, that is likely to kick off around midnight and we will go home when we have had enough :D

I want to thank all the bands playing on the day and also say thanks again to Gary Lightbody and Snow Patrol for doing this.

If you have not got a ticket, then its too bad and is your loss as I am also completely sold out now - which is a mighty fine gripe to have.

Stressfull does not describe it but hopefully some of the excitement will return soon.

Collective Soul @ Manchester Academy - 30 Jun 06

This date has been in my calendar for so long as I have waited 8 long years to see these guys live.  But last minute had nobody to go with and nearly did not go.  On my way to Manchester I collected old friend Shaun and it was great to see him again and to be able to share this wonderful night with him. 

Opening band Gledhill started things off magnificently and I have found another great band I want to follow around the country.  Loved every song, but one that stood out for me was their last single called "Remain", the guitars in this song is great and it changes tempo and sort of transports you.  Also loved "Roots", a song about being proud where you are from.  They finished off with "Good Times Ahead" - great for singing along, well when I learn the words. 

Had to go and get an album, talked to Dave and Tom afterwards, got some hugs.  Not stopped listening to album since.  Last song on there is so beautiful its called "There is always Tomorrow" - and there certainly is!  Where you guys playing today?  In London with the mighty Collective Soul.  Roadtrip anyone?

Collective Soul has entered the building and Ed Roland has taken the stage....

Gig no 95 this year and the best one so far!!!  Ed Roland is a true showman and his huge vocal ability brought every single song of theirs to life.  I was not able to stand still for a  single moment!  I also found him to be very humble, overwhelmed and well grateful and that was so endearing to see.  Not to mention the rest of the guys, Dean, Ryan, Will and Joel - mega Phwoarrr! 

Dean Roland

Joel Kosche

Will Turpin

Ryan Hoyle

Music wise, they sang everything you could possible ask for (with the exception of my fav song) but its ok I loved it all the same.  We had "How do you love", "Under Heaven Skies", "Gel", "December" and the crowd participation during "Run" was tremendous.

Ed singing into the crowd during "Home"

Loved the two new songs first one was a song called "Today" and the other was one that Ed wrote for their mother called "Good Morning Afterall".  Can't wait to buy those!

Ok at this point now I am sweating like you wont believe, as I have not danced this much in a very long time.  Also its not everyday the frontman jumps into the crowd and dances with the fans, without security.  Was really awesome to see.  Did not get pic of that but I think the dancing made Ed a bit hot too....

Amazingly, wonderful, superbly breathtaking performance by Collective Soul.  Just don't leave touring so long again guys!

PS:  We are back to the curly/floppy haired frontman thing....well somethings never change :o)

Whitesnake @ Sheffield City Hall - 29 Jun 06

Well we have come to the end of our 80's Rock Band revival and tonight's gig was definately the tip of the iceberg.

I had been looking so much forward to seeing Whitesnake and being practically up front made it all the more enjoyable.

They were bloody amazing and sang all the favourites but song of the night for me was "Here I go Again" which gave me an attack of the goosebumps.  They are such brilliant showmen and David Coverdale was having so much fun and he is quite witty too.

But the night is special for another reason, apart from the bass player, everybody else was so much older than me!  David Coverdale looked a little frayed at the edges to put it kindly, although his voice was distinctly unaffected.  He is 51 and looks like he had a hard life.

Especially when compared to "PHWOARRR" guitarist Doug Aldrich who is 54 and hotter than ever.  I can safely say I never ever thought that I would be lusting after a 50'something  year old.  See for yourself ladies....

This has certainly put a different slant on my recent affinity for floppy/curly haired frontmen!

Just some more random pictures...

I had a great night, even though I feel like shit, and thanks to Mike again for a journey down time.  I can remember saying that they don't make bands like this anymore!

Rounded the night off beautifully with a visit to a certain West Street establishment.....yes the N-word!  Yummy :o)

Ps Support was in the guise of The Answer from Ireland and they were pretty cool.  Hair everywhere and I could not help thinking how much they sounded like Free.  I kept waiting for the lead singer to break into "Alright Now".  They did a 1930's soul cover (cant remember the name) but it was so the best bit of their performance.

Sons of Jim, Jon Curtis & Andrew Balkwill @ Purple Turtle - 28 Jun 06

Roadtrip for Sons of Jim far overdue and Helen always loves an excuse to get off work early.

Went past our lovely Tesco in Watford for those infamous donuts and had some dinner there too.

Some prize twat tried to run us off the road.  His car registration was 36A and I told Helen he was flaunting his bra size...although I believe him to be a much bigger tit than that!

Arrived at the Purple Turtle with no fuss whatsoever and found the place to look as I have never seen it before.  There was actually tables and chairs and it was really good to sit down for a gig for a change.

Sons of Jim were on first and once they started we were in heaven.  Remembered why we love these guys so much.  Beautiful harmonies, superb songwriting and of course performed impressively every time.  We were treated to a new song which name escapes me.  Loved "Burning Sun" the new single but I have two gripes - set not long enough and no "On the Outside"!

Next up, and an addition to original line up, was Jon Curtis who hails from Trinidad.  He completely had me mesmerised with his beautiful voice and his very personal songs.  Still listening to song called "Shine" which almost made Helen and I cry.  There was one funny song about getting famous and being noticed, all about A & R people - very entertaining.  Will certainly venture down south to see him again or perhaps bring him up north!

Headlining tonight was Andrew Balkwill who arrived on stage and it could have been Ben Folds up there.  He thoroughly entertained us with his quirky piano-led music.  Loved every song and Helen mentioned how much Mr Snow would like them too.  How are we going to fit in all these southerners?

Another great road-trip with Helen and think I can safely say this has been the best nights music for me (where I did not choose the line-up) in a long time!

And in similar vain....roll on Whitesnake tonight lol!

twenty5stories at Mr Grundy's Tavern - 24 Jun 05

Been looking forward to see these guys live for a few weeks now.  Helen, Mark and I went to Baracuda for some SA delights and met with Kate there.  Food was a bit disappointing tonight but things can only get better.

Managed to find the venue without getting lost and for Derby that is bloody amazing!!  It was lovely set in the back garden of nice pub under a gazebo and there was a BBQ.

I had been looking forward to seeing twenty5stories for some weeks now. The lads waved to us as we arrived and shortly after we were introduced to David (Bass player).  They went on and did their first set which seem to have a bit of distortion on the vocals but was still enjoyable enough.  Did a fab cover of Seal's "Crazy" along with some of their original stuff.

We chatted a bit during the break and I was introduced (with hugs) to the rest of the guys Gaz, Ross, Graeme (whose name I thought was Grimm, hence me saying it was not a nice name!) as well as Sally (I think) the newest member. 

Below is Phil (Alistair McGowan) posing...

Second set kicked off with "Sneakers" but sadly no piano.  I still loved it all the same.  After use of acoustic guitar technical difficulties seem to be resolved and sound was perfect.  They played a song that had "becoming" in the title and it was ace, sorry cannot remember the name.  Also covers of my fav Green Day track "Good Riddance" as well as wonderful Dave Grohl impersonation with "Learning to Fly".

Had much fun and laughter afterwards and in the clubs with Phil, Helen, Kate, Mark and the rest of the boys...where much of rest of night is a daze.  Although I can remember an in-depth music conversation with Ross and it seems I have found my "Musical Soulmate".

Look at the couple in the background...

Looking forward to catching these guys again and almost feel like dragging them to Leeds on Sunday :o)