Once upon a time, I could lose myself - pt 3

Well, well, well,  Manchester night 2.

A lot of people seemed worse for wear, the weather turned to rain and my dastardly cold was developing at a rate of knots. Bizarrely, I didn’t actually feel like going to the gig at all. I was subdued, tired, was thinking about various situations in my head and feeling progressively worse throughout the day. I also still had to find someone to take badges to Amsterdam – not as easy as you may think (but it was resolved thanks to a wonderful Greek family). 

Time in the pub before the gig seemed endless, I couldn’t garner enthusiasm for much at all really. I apologise to everyone for my grumpiness! 

Running through the heavy rain to the venue, the night didn’t bode well. Once in the arena and on to the floor we took the same spot as we did on night 1. For many attending, this was the last night of somewhat of a ‘mini tour’ what with these being the only PJ shows in UK (excluding IoW). The crowd immediately seemed more at ease than on night 1, maybe the first night eased any concerns and people were there to build on the previous night. 

Manchester night 2 was an amazing night. 

Whilst my lack of ability to breath very well stopped me jumping and bouncing as much as I wanted to, from the very beginning it was elating. I am sure everyone in that room could feel it, I could see the joyous expressions on people’s faces everywhere I looked. The set started by blasting into Go, Animal and Hail Hail...and kept on coming! 

The fourth song played was I Am Mine, a favourite song of mine, and one I have gone on about wanting to see (the remaining ones are Footsteps and Oceans). Let’s be honest,  I welled up and wibbled. Not quite to a Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns level melt down but I was heading down that road! 

Save You, Present Tense, Deep, Life Wasted (And Wasted Reprise) were all just insanely good. Then, the bloody band pull Hitchhiker out, for the first time ever, even if Eddie did fluff the words, I don’t care. I could actually just list the entire set, it was just ace. I can only use superlatives to describe it and the atmosphere that surrounded me. Somehow this gig felt like a club gig despite being in a huge arena. There was an intimacy to the show. The story behind Deep stood out, I’d wondered where those lyrics came from, so I found that really interesting. 

There in that gig my love for the band changed from comfy slippers to lustful desire. It made me happy, it made me emotional.

A friend said to me later, ‘that was my band on stage tonight’ – I think he was right, that was 'the' band on stage. They seemed more relaxed, more engaged with each other, and whilst they always engage with the crowd, they appeared not to have to work so hard to do it. I hope the bootleg picks up the feelings and captures the crowd, I’m not sure if it will be able to, it might be one of those gigs you had to be at. 

I am not saying that it ticked everyone’s boxes, there will be some who preferred night 1, or want different setlists from other albums or rarities, but I loved it. It was a whole experience for me as I was surrounded by great people. People who open their hearts with no expectation other than that of respect for one another. I can only repeat how lucky I feel to be included and spend time with them. You’re all bloody amazing, and I am pleased to have met you all.

I left that venue full of hope, elated at seeing so many happy people and damp from others peoples tears of joy. 

I didn’t get to spend time or even see all the people I’d hoped to over those couple of days, I’m sorry for that but there will be other times I am sure. 

Before this gig, I’d been talking to friends about what makes a Pearl Jam show for me, what makes them different, why I don’t queue or do the rail, why I prefer GA to seats...a different set each night and if you saw us during Alive or Yellow Ledbetter – that’s why! 


"Ooh, once upon a time I could control myself, yeah...
Once upon a time I could lose myself, yeah, yeah, yeah..."

Once upon a time, I could lose myself - pt 2

...And so the week continued.

Wednesday was Manchester night 1, I think almost everyone at the shows popped by the Wellington pub at some point, or at least it felt like it. There was a definite sense of excitement in the air, the mood had changed when ticket pick up began  and merchandise photos began appearing on phone screens. People were heading to and from the venue and it all became more real in a way.  It was great to be among friends, to feel part of something again. I have to admit and it was noticed by others that on occasion I felt kind of lost, it was me gathering my thoughts, piecing stuff together in my own head. 

Heading to the venue, in a group, and after the support band had finished, some of the concerns I had began to fade (and some concerns were proved valid). Managing to spot some others we’d not found earlier in the day we headed in and found a spot on Mike’s side by the sound desk. We could see the stage, the TV screens, and had plenty of room to move about. 

The subsequent reviews of this gig have been mixed, and I guess mine is a mixed review. There seemed to be an unease in the general atmosphere, maybe because this was the first night of the tour. I certainly saw the majority of people getting completely into the gig and then a minority of others not getting it at all. On the way out through what appeared to be a 20 mile long escape tunnel, people’s immediate review was positive, there were a few who wanted sets full of rarities which were never ever going to happen and a couple who had actually come to see X.

Our group made their own entertainment, there were lengths of time we didn’t look at the stage, just having good fun ourselves. It was a great solid setlist, I'll be honest wasn’t blown away and I heard nothing new but I was definitely not disappointed. I really enjoyed it and I was glad I was there, the time just seemed to vanish and the personal elements were great. I especially loved Eddie mentioning Cornwall, Pete whoever you are (see edit below), I owe you a drink for getting him to mention it! (He needs to come visit - 10C gig at the Eden Project anyone??)

I loved hearing Jeremy, it may be the ‘famous’ song but I still enjoy it, Come Back (for Paul – you got it!) reduced me to tears and my heart pounded as I leapt about to State of Love and Trust (still my favourite Pearl Jam song, I could hear it at every gig and not get bored of it). 

Immortality and Insignificance are always good to hear, Better Man was a circle forming speciality for us lot and they pulled Pilate out of the bag, plus a Rockin’ In The Free World finish.  There were lots of smiles, there was that live music rush and I felt a sense of belonging. I was smiling. 

What became apparent after the gig and the following day was how the gig was viewed differently by those seeing the band for the first time. Hearing them speak with such a sense of excitement and exhilaration made me realise that it probably wasn’t the gig that was mixed, it was my perception of the gig. I make a point of trying not to have expectations about things, about people and events, but in this case, maybe I did, and that was wrong of me...as those first time PJ gig attendees proved. Them recounting their night was great, it was so very special for them. It made me love it that bit more myself. 

A load of us headed back to the Travelodge for some post gig beverages. People seemed to have enjoyed themselves, though some people continued to enjoy themselves in the hotel bar longer than they really ought to have, especially with another gig the next day. My 3am bedtime was pretty respectful in the grand scheme of things! :)

 

And on to night 2....

Edit - just been informed by friends that Pete is part of the crew and thus Cornwall has been mentioned a few times at UK gigs in the past! Well this was my first time to hear it so I loved it ...and the offer of a drink still stands :)

Once upon a time, I could lose myself - pt 1

Well, what a week (well, two weeks if you include the ace Gaslight Anthem gig at Koko in Camden).

I’m lying on my bed, suffering from what surely can only be described as man flu. By the sounds of it, half of those in attendance at the Pearl Jam Manchester shows have the same cold, either we all got it from there or I’ve infected half the populous of the MCR Arena. 

So, on the 16^th June, my 33^rd birthday (and despite being told by someone I looked 37 – sob!), I caught a crowded train to Manchester. That night I was seeing Chris Cornell, the tickets were a birthday pressie from Dave – hurrah! Before the gig, there were a few drinkies partaken in the Lime Bar. I unexpectedly received more cards, drinks and presents (thank you all) but more importantly it was so lovely to see people, friends old and new.   

(Talking of new, my love of Twitter has led to new friendships, well I hope they see themselves as friends, so thank you to Jay, Ant and Janey for taking the time to come and celebrate the birthday of someone you’d never actually met before, it meant a lot to me. I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with you all but I hope it’s the first of many meetings between us). 

The Chris Cornell gig itself was amazing, the setlist was varied, he was warm and funny, his voice still seems so strong and if I am honest better suited now to that sort of environment than to the Soundgarden gigs I watched online recently. I enjoyed every minute of it (from my second row centre seat – sqweeee!). There were so many highlights but for me hearing ‘Seasons’ was the most perfect birthday present. Plus, gawddamn that man is still hawt!

The next couple of days were oddities in a way, fillers until the Tuesday when the Pearl Jam roadshow rolled into town. We managed to do some record shop searching (nothing purchased), football watching (no, I’m not drinking....oh, ok, go on then, I’ll have a strawberry and lime Kopparberg) and a trip to the Imperial War Museum North (a place I found really interesting and would recommend visiting). 

When Tuesday arrived, once I'd paid for early check in (£10 to check into a hotel you’ve booked – what’s that all about?!) and after poor Dave had to sit through me and Yvi purchasing lots of lovely new lingerie, the Pearl Jam madness began. 

Everyone knows how much I love this band, the music fills my soul and there seems to be songs for each moment of my life. However, I’ve been finding it hard to get excited about these gigs, any of them, the ones in Manchester, the ones yet to come. The buzz didn’t seem to be there, with me or amongst my friends. If there was any excitement it was about seeing each not about seeing the band, which was kind of sad in a way. 

It was like Pearl Jam and I had reached the comfy slippers and no makeup stage of our relationship. I wasn't sure at that point how the week would be, I wanted to be there, to see the band, to experience the highs I get from live music and I was worried I wouldn't get that. 

The Tuesday night meet up was well attended, and people came from far and wide. It didn’t have the party atmosphere that Dublin had in 2010, but it wasn’t Dublin, it wasn’t the 2010 tour, I wasn’t a newbie and there was an England match on the tele. It was nice, it was relaxed, and it was great to meet new people sharing a common interest. The badge giving began and it was a great ice breaker with people. The evening was not without incident and for me included an unplanned visit to Manchester Royal Infirmary by ambulance for a newly made friend – but all was well in the end. 

Post meet up drinks at the Travelodge bar was to round up this part of the week. That Travelodge was to become Pearl Jam fan central for the next few days.