“It’s like a musical journey”
Firstly, I have to say that this post has nothing to do with U2. Yes yes, it’s a shameless plug to get picked up by search engines etc – I need more hits on my rather dull and lifeless blog.
However, in keeping with the theme – I really do feel like I’ve been on a musical journey of late.
First up – blur at Hyde Park. Just to give you an insight in to my blog writing, I actually mis-typed blur and put blue instead. I was very tempted for a moment to leave it and make people think that I went to see blue at Hyde Park. How ace would that have been? Ok, you’re right – not much.
Anyhoo, back on subject. Blur at Hyde Park. I’ve got to be honest, I was not a happy bunny about these tickets. Blur announced that they were to be playing a reunion gig in Hyde Park. I waited eagerly to get my tickets for the Friday 3rd July show and it’s bloomin’ well sold out in record time. Dammit.
So, when news of a second show popped up for Thursday 2nd I waited eagerly by the phones and the email… lines opened – BINGO! Got two tickets! I thought, this would be a great day out for Sal and I… Of course I’d forgotten that Sal works in the day (as do I – but it’s a lot easier for me to take the day off than it is her) – so a quickly arranged phone around to my friends resulted in Matt taking the spare ticket off my hands and a great day out together in London ensued. We drove to London, managed to park just off Abbey Road which was ace.
Parking just off Abbey Road was cool – as Dropknee (my old band – before I joined – if you know me, that will make sense) recorded at Abbey Road – something I would love to have done, but I hadn’t joined the band by that point. I’ve seen the film of that day and laughed many times, so it was with some fun and not without a sense of irony that we found ourselves there. Matt tried to photograph and film me crossing the zebra crossing, which I refused to do, so he filmed me crossing by the side of the crossing instead, much to the amusement of the tourists watching on, who were laughing at us NOT wanting to cross on the zebra crossing. Anyway, it was funny at the time.
We walked down towards the tube and then towards Hyde Park. We did McDonalds (yum) Sainsbury’s for a four pack and then a laze around outside the main gates to the gig before walking in to the venue late afternoon. We soaked up what was left of the late afternoon sun before watching a fantastic blur come on a perform an amazing set.
I did mention that this series of gigs annoyed me. It’s not much of a reason, but it’s the fact that they announced a series of “warm-up” gigs before these two dates – including Glastonbury Festival, T in the Park, Wolverhampton Civic AND the M.E.N in Manchester… WHY do bands do this?? It took the specialness out of the occasion for all of five minutes, but all was forgiven when they hit the stage in Hyde Park – a good gig, made all the better by spending it with a good friend.
After all of this, I suppose I should relate to why I feel like I’ve been on a musical journey of late. Vender (the band after Dropknee, the one I actually joined) split up 4 or so years ago. I left a few months before they split, amongst bad feelings with certain members of the band and some friendships that needed working on and repairing. My good friend Matt is leaving Walsall to move on to pastures new soon. I’ve been really fortunate to spend the last couple of years of my life being his neighbour and his friend. We’ve shared some good times together and I’m really going to miss him. Matt was the drummer in Vender.
Our Church held a leaving “party” for him and Gemma last night. Curry, drinks, laughter, memories and friendship ensued and a good night was had by all. We (the remaining members of Vender) were asked to perform a few songs from the band as our “tribute” to Matt. It was really fun re-learning some of these songs and performing again as the band. Matt joined us for 3 songs at the end and it felt great playing together as a 4 piece again.
It was really cool playing as the band. Remembering the fun times, the laughter, the friendship and the acknowledgement that we’ve all grown up and moved on to other things. Matt is about to start his Vicar training and new life with Gemma in Bristol, Oli and Neil are both married men, with fantastic wives and beautiful children. I finally found myself the most amazing wife in Sal.
Vender was an important part of my life. It introduced me to an amazing Church, amazing group of friends and people I’m so honoured to have spent lots of time with – Matt, Neil and Oli. I feel selfish in the fact that I want to spend much more time with Matt. I don’t want him to move away and I don’t really want to share him! In the words of someone from last night, we shall remain good friends, but I just won’t get to see him as often.
Time is moving on. To relate back to U2, in the words of the greatest opening song from an album of all time* “Time is a train, it makes the future the past, it leaves me standing in the station, my face pressed up against the glass…” – it’s about as close as I can get to explaining how I feel at the moment.
*Zoo Station – Achtung Baby.
