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"