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.