Greenday...
Wow to think that last week I was one of 65,000 people in the Milton Keynes (National) Bowl.
Don't you just love the fact that even though you have NO IDEA where you're going, all you have to do is follow the long trail of people and VOILA. You're at the bowl and everything is hunky dory. (That is presuming that was where you were meant to be going in the first place)
But of who DIDN'T go to the Greenday gig last weekend? (lol, the PC is shouting at me, saying that Greenday should be called “Greedy” or even “Greenways” … Greenways - THAT'S not a word!)
ANYWAY, yeah I swear the world and his wife turned up to see Billie-Joe and the guys play but it only took us a ten minutes to actually get in – which wasn't TOO bad lol. :D But they didn't check my bag allowing me to enter with an ILLEGAL pre-opened bottle of water. (new rant to come on this one day) Shock horror.
After plans of getting the much sought-after places at the front by arriving early, were dashed by me waking up after noon, we arrived at about half two. Great start. Found ourselves a nice spot in the middle of the middle hill, which was QUITE a good view as the stage was right in front. Now what to do for the next few hours apart from DIE in the sun? It was ironic that today turned out to be the hottest day of the year. Suddenly the “much sought after” places at the front, where the sun shone strongest and brightest, didn't look so good.
Suckers.
The first band up, Hard-FI, was clearly a hardcore, rough and raving, rock band. At least, that’s what the vocalist seemed to think. Newsflash – coming from Staines does not automatically make you a bad-ass mofo.
Despite the rather rocky introduction. (I.e. along the lines of “Billie Joe hand picked us so up yours”) I guess it could have been worse. Somehow. That is, only if I was up there doing it – and believe me, that's a new level of worse.
In fact the best thing I liked about Hard-Fi were the backing vocals. Apart from the falsetto which should only be left to the likes of Matt Bellamy and drunk people.
And WHAT WAS that contraption the vocalist was playing? Looked like a keyboard meets accordion meets horn. (I have now been duly informed that it is, in fact, a MELODICA)
Admittedly, it was interesting to see a bit of variety within the rock scene but being honest, Mr “I'm so hardcore rock n roll” DID look like a bit of a berk. Well, at least he didn't use the pipe attachment – I've been told that this particular instrument comes with a pipe so you can, quote, “move, play, and see the instrument at different angles”.
Can I get an oOOoh?
As for the White Stripes cover? Well, the only thing notable were the singer's “arh arh arh arh arh”s which can only be rivalled by me in a drunken state. At least it was in tune, but nothing compares to Mr White (though I think the drumming beat Meg White lol)
For me, Hard-Fi had the mainstream pop of Maroon5 (unfortunately without the nice-sounding and aesthetically pleasing vocalist) mixed with too much cockiness a la Liam Gallagher (but without the multi platinum selling albums and record breaking sell out gigs)
And FINALLY – after what seemed like a bloody long set, we were onto the next band!
Taking Back Sunday are essentially one of the best bands in the universe (in my humble opinion) It is only for one of the best bands in the universe that I will try and squeeze my way past several thousand sweaty, sticky people in order to get the best view of Adam Lazzara possible. And so I did. The next half an hour is not so clear in my mind as the combination of hot summer sun, hot summer people and hot summer elbows in my back is not a good one. I have to say, even though they don’t sound sooo great live, TBS were great, purely because its them and the masses all knew the words. Its not just about their abilities live, it's the atmosphere they bring. One of my favourite points was when Lazzara started with “Your lipstick, his collar, don't bother Angel..” And everyone just shouted “I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT GOES ON” Its times like these that make the gig good. (example being, Hard-Fi, where everything was pretty much in tune, but the atmosphere just wasn't there)
Following that come the notorious Jimmy Eat World. Okay, with JEW, you either like them, or not. The thing with JEW is the fact that their songs do sound pretty similar. Being a JEW fan, I say THIS MATTERS NOT as their songs are great. However, I can see where people might have got a bit bored. But with the performance of Bleed American, you could see exactly why they were chosen to do this gig. Picture this: The sun is starting to go down, so the sky has that lovely reddish hue to it, there’s a rhythmic bass line floating on the breeze and everyone singing the first line to the chorus, Salt sweat, sugar on the asphalt.... Touching stuff.
Smooshyness alert, this is really what gigs are all about. Its not just about the music they bring, it's the atmosphere. Singing along with 60 thousand other voices, no rain, just chilling with your friends, whether you choose the mud or the moshpit – this is what a great gig should be.
And now- the big finish.
Brought on by a pink rabbit. (we were all hoping it would be BJ inside that costume), Greenday emerge to wild screams from the crowd (including shouts of MARRY ME! And BILLIE JOE I WANT YOUR BABIES)
What to start with? American Idiot no less and believe me, the crowd cheered so loud, every red neck over the ocean could hear. To be honest, with the current increase in popularity, I presumed Greenday would be playing a lot of their new material – but I was wrong – and for once I was glad! With old classics such as Longview, Minority, King For A Day (complete with hats and robe) and my personal favourite Hitchin A Ride, they played a varied set with particular highlights being an energetic Shout cover and the most emotive WakeMUWSEnds ever. I remember turning around at one point and seeing flickering speckles of light from lighters (and the odd glow stick) shining out amongst the crowd.
And – having members of the audience come up and play in front of thosunads? I have to say, this gig was definitely one of the most audience-involving gigs I've been to. Getting 65,000 people to shout/silence on command is a gift, and a gift bestowed only on the greatest.
Hell, touching yourself in front of 65,000 people is a gift too!
Perfectly ending with songs such as Time Of Your Life and We are The Champions, the gig closed with pyrotechnics, confetti cannons, loud noises and ten times more. In fact, to add to the great gig was the great firework display at the end. Come on, admit it, that display would delight even the coldest of hearts! Lol the applause and the cheering that continued for a good few minutes was enough proof that Billie Joe and the boys had done it again.
And so, of into the night we wandered, singing the songs again and again though note to self : never try singing whilst slurring as teeth/tongue coordination aint quite what it was lol.
PS, To the sad arsewipe that stole my foam hand – I hope your kids are born deformed. Thank you, that is all :)
Don't you just love the fact that even though you have NO IDEA where you're going, all you have to do is follow the long trail of people and VOILA. You're at the bowl and everything is hunky dory. (That is presuming that was where you were meant to be going in the first place)
But of who DIDN'T go to the Greenday gig last weekend? (lol, the PC is shouting at me, saying that Greenday should be called “Greedy” or even “Greenways” … Greenways - THAT'S not a word!)
ANYWAY, yeah I swear the world and his wife turned up to see Billie-Joe and the guys play but it only took us a ten minutes to actually get in – which wasn't TOO bad lol. :D But they didn't check my bag allowing me to enter with an ILLEGAL pre-opened bottle of water. (new rant to come on this one day) Shock horror.
After plans of getting the much sought-after places at the front by arriving early, were dashed by me waking up after noon, we arrived at about half two. Great start. Found ourselves a nice spot in the middle of the middle hill, which was QUITE a good view as the stage was right in front. Now what to do for the next few hours apart from DIE in the sun? It was ironic that today turned out to be the hottest day of the year. Suddenly the “much sought after” places at the front, where the sun shone strongest and brightest, didn't look so good.
Suckers.
The first band up, Hard-FI, was clearly a hardcore, rough and raving, rock band. At least, that’s what the vocalist seemed to think. Newsflash – coming from Staines does not automatically make you a bad-ass mofo.
Despite the rather rocky introduction. (I.e. along the lines of “Billie Joe hand picked us so up yours”) I guess it could have been worse. Somehow. That is, only if I was up there doing it – and believe me, that's a new level of worse.
In fact the best thing I liked about Hard-Fi were the backing vocals. Apart from the falsetto which should only be left to the likes of Matt Bellamy and drunk people.
And WHAT WAS that contraption the vocalist was playing? Looked like a keyboard meets accordion meets horn. (I have now been duly informed that it is, in fact, a MELODICA)
Admittedly, it was interesting to see a bit of variety within the rock scene but being honest, Mr “I'm so hardcore rock n roll” DID look like a bit of a berk. Well, at least he didn't use the pipe attachment – I've been told that this particular instrument comes with a pipe so you can, quote, “move, play, and see the instrument at different angles”.
Can I get an oOOoh?
As for the White Stripes cover? Well, the only thing notable were the singer's “arh arh arh arh arh”s which can only be rivalled by me in a drunken state. At least it was in tune, but nothing compares to Mr White (though I think the drumming beat Meg White lol)
For me, Hard-Fi had the mainstream pop of Maroon5 (unfortunately without the nice-sounding and aesthetically pleasing vocalist) mixed with too much cockiness a la Liam Gallagher (but without the multi platinum selling albums and record breaking sell out gigs)
And FINALLY – after what seemed like a bloody long set, we were onto the next band!
Taking Back Sunday are essentially one of the best bands in the universe (in my humble opinion) It is only for one of the best bands in the universe that I will try and squeeze my way past several thousand sweaty, sticky people in order to get the best view of Adam Lazzara possible. And so I did. The next half an hour is not so clear in my mind as the combination of hot summer sun, hot summer people and hot summer elbows in my back is not a good one. I have to say, even though they don’t sound sooo great live, TBS were great, purely because its them and the masses all knew the words. Its not just about their abilities live, it's the atmosphere they bring. One of my favourite points was when Lazzara started with “Your lipstick, his collar, don't bother Angel..” And everyone just shouted “I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT GOES ON” Its times like these that make the gig good. (example being, Hard-Fi, where everything was pretty much in tune, but the atmosphere just wasn't there)
Following that come the notorious Jimmy Eat World. Okay, with JEW, you either like them, or not. The thing with JEW is the fact that their songs do sound pretty similar. Being a JEW fan, I say THIS MATTERS NOT as their songs are great. However, I can see where people might have got a bit bored. But with the performance of Bleed American, you could see exactly why they were chosen to do this gig. Picture this: The sun is starting to go down, so the sky has that lovely reddish hue to it, there’s a rhythmic bass line floating on the breeze and everyone singing the first line to the chorus, Salt sweat, sugar on the asphalt.... Touching stuff.
Smooshyness alert, this is really what gigs are all about. Its not just about the music they bring, it's the atmosphere. Singing along with 60 thousand other voices, no rain, just chilling with your friends, whether you choose the mud or the moshpit – this is what a great gig should be.
And now- the big finish.
Brought on by a pink rabbit. (we were all hoping it would be BJ inside that costume), Greenday emerge to wild screams from the crowd (including shouts of MARRY ME! And BILLIE JOE I WANT YOUR BABIES)
What to start with? American Idiot no less and believe me, the crowd cheered so loud, every red neck over the ocean could hear. To be honest, with the current increase in popularity, I presumed Greenday would be playing a lot of their new material – but I was wrong – and for once I was glad! With old classics such as Longview, Minority, King For A Day (complete with hats and robe) and my personal favourite Hitchin A Ride, they played a varied set with particular highlights being an energetic Shout cover and the most emotive WakeMUWSEnds ever. I remember turning around at one point and seeing flickering speckles of light from lighters (and the odd glow stick) shining out amongst the crowd.
And – having members of the audience come up and play in front of thosunads? I have to say, this gig was definitely one of the most audience-involving gigs I've been to. Getting 65,000 people to shout/silence on command is a gift, and a gift bestowed only on the greatest.
Hell, touching yourself in front of 65,000 people is a gift too!
Perfectly ending with songs such as Time Of Your Life and We are The Champions, the gig closed with pyrotechnics, confetti cannons, loud noises and ten times more. In fact, to add to the great gig was the great firework display at the end. Come on, admit it, that display would delight even the coldest of hearts! Lol the applause and the cheering that continued for a good few minutes was enough proof that Billie Joe and the boys had done it again.
And so, of into the night we wandered, singing the songs again and again though note to self : never try singing whilst slurring as teeth/tongue coordination aint quite what it was lol.
PS, To the sad arsewipe that stole my foam hand – I hope your kids are born deformed. Thank you, that is all :)
posted by Unknown at 12:00 PM
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