GOTH TASTIC

Another day and another concert, this time Evanescence at The O2 Academy in Birmingham - a double first

So after arriving in Birmingham and finding the venue we had trouble parking eventually finding a side street which didn't look too dodgy. A short walk to the venue and we met a huge queue, luckily this was for standing, so as we had balcony tickets we managed to get in pretty quickly and made our way upstairs and managed to find the perfect spot right in the middle. All we had to do now was defend our territory from the crowd still surging into the venue - it was a FULL HOUSE

So we only caught the last number of the first support band, so I'm not going to waste anytime on them. Instead I will focus on the second band Pretty Reckless fronted by the gorgeous Taylor Momsen. So with a bass player looking like Arnie in Terminator, a drummer like Animal from the muppets, a lead guitarist who looked like the scouser with a perm in Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels and Taylor at the helm we were in for a treat.

Boy they were loud, the bass and drums rattle my fillings as the band played a number of excellent tracks. Thank god for my new ear plugs - I have to say they were one of the best support bands I've seen in a while and this has nothing to do with Taylor fronting the band.

So whilst we waited for the stage to be set for the main band, I began chatting to the bloke next to me and discovered that he had driven up from Margate to see the gig, a round trip of 7 hours (and I thought I was mad)

The big question was the singer - would her voice be as good live as on the records. Well the house lights dimmed and we were about to find out. Bloody hell - after only 30 seconds on stage I knew that we were in for a night to remember.

Whilst small in stature and wearing an outfit that looked like a GCSE Textiles & Design Project that hadn't quite been finished - she beleted the songs out with passion and clarity

The band were as tight as a gnat's chuff - thundering guitar riffs, pounding drums and bass, accompanied by haunting vocals, all served up with a simple but effective light show the concert was in full swing.

After they ran through a mixture of old and new stuff, my body had felt like it had been on a Slendertone machine for 1 hour and 20 minutes having been battered by the music and vocals

For me the highlight was "Bring me to Life" and for Wendy and Ella it was "My Imortal"

Next Gig Evanescence

Another week and another gig. This time it's Evanescence at The O2 Academy in Birmingham on Sunday night. It's a double first this one - the first time I've been to this venue and the first time I've seen the band

I'm looking forward to this one as I was a bit of a goth back in the day - well I loved The Mission anyway and it'll be interesting to see what they're like live.

If all goes to plan then I'll write the review on Monday.

Monkey Mayhem

Well my first review!

Left work early, so I could get home and ge ready for the big night out - well I put on a clean funky shirt! After pizza we were off on our way to the LG Arena (it will always be the NEC to me) only to find that there were delays on the M6. Luckily I had a cunning plan to go through the middle of Coventry to pick up the A45 and head to the NEC that way. Unfortunately for us, every other bugger on the road decided that this is what they would do too - so after 25 minutes of nose to tail traffic we emerged onto the A45 and headed to the NEC. Fortunately we made good time arriving at about 7.00 pm which gave us plenty of time to purchase one of the NEC's exceedingly good value for money car parking tickets at £8 - they have got to be having a laugh - they could have paid of Greece's debt with income form this event alone!!

From the car park it was a short walk to the arena. Once inside Ella (my daughter & friend) disappeared off to meet up with some school friends and to avoid being seen with dad in public. Wendy and I swiftly avoided the expensive refreshments and made our way inside.

The support band The Vaccines were meant to be coming on at 7.30 pm but in true rock n roll style they didn't appear until 7.45pm. It was worth the wait they performed a workmanlike set with plenty of umph - so much so I have added the new album to my Christmas list (Ella please note).

It was then that time I hate at concerts, waiting for the main act to come on stage whilst the roadies fanny around testing guitars and the mics! Anyway at 9.00 pm the Monkeys appeared on stage much to the pleasure of the hall which was now heaving with a mixture of young and old getting ready for the forthcoming excitement.

They didn't dissappoint and played a good mixture of new and old songs much to the delight of the crowd, but especially the arena floor where the audience bounced and sang along as half empty beer cups were thrown into the air.What a feeling to be stood on stage, hearing your songs being sung by a capacity fiiled arena - I can't even begin to imgaine.

The only disaapointment was that the first set only lasted an hour and the encore 15 minutes - a little short for a band with 4 albums under their belts.

On leaving the arena the heavens opened and within minutes drains were overflowing and we got soaked as we headed back to the car. Luckily we managed to get out of the car park without too much drama and we were off home for a well deserved beer.

ARCTIC MONKEYS HERE WE COME

What a month I've got coming up - 10 gigs before Christmas starting with The Arctic Monkeys tonight at the LG Arena in Birmingham. Then there's

 Evanescence, Kasabian, Whitesnake, Saxon, The Pigeon Detectives, Dweezil Zappa, The Saw Doctors, Imelda May, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers

I've got my ear plugs ready, so let's rock n roll!!!!