Amazing gig tonight with Alistair Griffin. A little function room at the Monkey Tree bar in West Bridgford, capacity maybe about 80 people, and he was great. I still love his voice.
It was 2003. I was a 17 year old watching Fame Academy in Ireland. Alistair was always my favourite. Even before he covered my ultimate love, savage garden's 'truly madly deeply'. I bought his debut album and I remember listening to 'Bring it on' and 'You and Me (Tonight)' and wishing of escape. I was in love with my first love who didn't love me, and now I'm 29 and Alistair played a pub just down the road from me in Nottingham. Surreal. Almost a full circle. Never thought life would take this road and our paths would ever meet like they did tonight.
He opened with The Killers Mr Brightside, way to get me on side ;) I loved it. It sounds so good acoustic.
'I wish for you the world'. A song Alistair recorded originally with a choir. It's a beautiful song.
'She loves you'. A Beatles cover. Not a fave song of mine but his voice is beautiful.
'The one'. A song Alistair recorded originally as a duet. It killed me. It's so beautiful. "We are hopeless, we are young, we are dreamers on the run, but I know, I know right now, you are the one".
Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now'. Alistair joked the only reason people knew it was from love actually. Only reason I know it lol.
'Just drive'. This song brought Alistair back to my attention during the F1 in 2012. I love this song. A lot. Such a gorgeous ballad. "There is a star that lights the road, Will it take me to the end? Well, I don't know But for last time, I take this ride and just drive"
"It's a camp fire song, end of the night, but it's not the end of the night, yet" Ben E. King's stand by me. Such a beautiful song. I love it. Always have.
Then we had Alistair adjusting his strap and talking about snapping the G string. Hahaha. He's talking about a guitar people! Minds out the gutter. HAHAHAHA.
Take that's Rule the World. "There is only about 2 left, Steve?, Jason, Mark" STEVE. Hahahaha.
Take That's back for good. The sing-a-long that was just classic. "I'll be Gary and you be the remaining members of Take That". There was one guy singing 'Roger Black'. It's 'WANT YOU BACK'. *dies laughing*
The Killers 'Human'. Oh my. It was so beautiful. One of my favourite ever songs. Ever. Acoustic it was gorgeous.
Hallelujah. "This song was written by Leonard Cohen, made famous by Jeff Buckley, and to the younger generation, shrek".
"This is an untitled song". It's was a gorgeous song.
"Fly away little bird ... now it's your turn to be free".
Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire. This just seemed ironic as most of the people in the room were over 50 haha. It was fun acoustic.
'The road'. Originally a duet with Kimberley from girls aloud. The song Alistair wrote for the Tour De France's grand depart in Yorkshire in 2014. It's gorgeous. I'd forgot about this song.
Journey's 'Don't stop believing'. Always a classic sing-song ain't it?
Bruce Springsteen's 'If I Should Fall Behind'. "It's not very well known. It's on an album of theirs" I've heard this song somewhere before. Perhaps my dad has played it in the kitchen on the stereo, or maybe I've seen another band cover it somewhere. "I'll wait for you, and if I should fall behind, Wait for me". It's so Beautiful. Alistair's voice is gorgeous on this song. Definitely a highlight.
'I have lived'. An original song of Alistair's. It's gorgeous. I haven't heard it before but I fell in love with it. "And when they bring the news that I was drinking champagne when I died, And my sixth wife will tell the gathered crowds, now please don't cry, You see, my friends, I have lived each moment of each day, And I have lived"
Avicii's 'wake me up'. A great set closer. Such a great dance song, even acoustic it was a dance ditty.
Afterwards I got brave enough to go to speak to Alistair. My heart beat out of my chest just thinking about walking over to him. But I did it, and he was adorable. I reached out and hugged him. 'Nice to meet you' was all I could think of. I didn't really know what to say but Alistair was amazing. He was interested in my life. We talked about Ireland, Nottingham, what brought me here, what I do.. We lamented the disposable nature of the music industry today, talked about bands; The Killers, Ed Sheeran, the feeling, scouting for girls.. Alistair tells me he covers 'spaceman' and 'thinking out loud' as well. Would love to be a fly on that wall.. We talked about Fame Academy and how Lemar was the only other one still doing music really. Then Alistair said he was doing a gig in Mansfield soon, in a cave. I said 'that could work' and we joked about getting places to gigs and stuff and then I said I might come And he joked 'I'm sure there's a bus'. Made me smile. I told him I adored 'The One'. Then I told him again it was nice to meet him and I shook his hand and walked away. Then remembered I wanted a selfie. So I went back and asked for one. He said he like selfies because you can see in your hair doesn't look good and you can adjust it. Too right, I hear you.
Tonight was lovely. I hope a lot of money was raised for cancer tonight. Beverley seems like a lovely lady. The raffle was funny. Just my luck. 86-90 on white won and I had 91-95. And 91-95 won eventually, but on pink.
It was a fun night. I almost didn't go because I didn't want to walk into that bar alone and feel judged. Live music and all the feels from that will always be enough to push me into going and get me over any anxiety I feel. Because music really is my happy place. It takes me somewhere. Someplace else.
Thank Alistair and thank you Beverley.
"Have you ever loved someone,
But you waited just too long,
To tell them what you're feeling.
Maybe I was just too proud,
To say I love you right out loud,
Found the words I must believe in.
On this night, it holds us both within,
Set me free, oh let me live again."
Saturday 11 July 2015
Friday 3 July 2015
The Script Thetford Forest - 2/7/2015
I can't really find the words to describe just how perfect The Script was in Thetford Forest last night. One of the best gigs I've ever seen the band do, and a connection almost second to none (Aberdeen 2013, still up there).
Brandon and Thetford forest are beautiful and peaceful, and music brings me back to what life is all about. It's nice being in the middle of nowhere, but there are too many bugs and it would be better if there was a little 3G or at least WIFI that wasn't a snatched moment in the Hotel bar. Gah.
The queue was bullshit but it was nice to hear the soundcheck through the fence. I appreciate the lady trying wristband us in number order but some fans the stewards didn't care about respecting who was first in line. I thought we were The Script FAMILY. One steward did make me laugh though. "Don't run because if you fall I ain't helping you up" "that's fine" and I carried on running LOL. Our plan worked well. I was the legs, Anna was the eyes, and kelly caught us up. Running flat out in nearly 25°C heat was not fun though, I didn't feel well for a while. But we got right where we wanted, in front of my love, Mark.
I ADORED Colton Avery's set. Colton asked 'don't you guys have air-con and someone shouted we didn't need it and he said 'maybe just on the off chance the one day of the year you do?. he's getting it over in the UK LOL. He's mega talented. I ADORE 'The One'. "We're just people, trying to find our equal, hoping someday we will, we will find the one". And as I sang my heart out, Colton spotted me and smiled. That meant the world. Two people, fan and artist, bringing it back to what it's all about, a connection to the music. I LOVE 'rewind'. It's another relate song. I need this album like yesterday. I walked away last night singing weatherman. I love it so much. It's a move your feet and sing-a-long song, but it has meaning.
Then it was The Script time. Thanks to whomever handed the green balloons out for 'Paint the Town Green'. That was a lot of fun. Even if Anna did try and kill us (and the stewards) when hers went pop haha.
'Hail Rain or Sunshine' was fun and I'm sure Danny saw us dancing, going for it. Mark came over to the front of the stage and mouthed Hello. All I could think to do was wave like an excited child waving goodbye to their parents whilst off on a school trip. UGH. LOL.
I will FOREVER adore 'Breakeven'. One of my favourite ever songs. Danny's voice sounded so very beautiful in the forest last night.
Danny joked: "I've been praying for no rain, but then there was a fucking heatwave, so I stopped praying" giggles. Love him.
'Before the Worst' was great. I was having fun, enjoy it, singing... And then I died of shame. Because I had no pockets in my dress I was the classy bird who stuffed my phone in my bra, at the exact moment Mark looked my way. *dies*
Superheroes was a moment. Connecting to Danny and Mark like that. It's a powerful song that means a lot. I adore Danny's strength and Mark's wisdom.
The 'twitpic' is always a great moment. Glen took the Glen cut out some girls on the front row had on a stick and held it up and joked "if you ever wanted an ego boost"... Danny joked "they sell them near the hotdog stand, they come in vanilla or chocolate, near the toilets.." Then Glen joked it was for the toilet as a toilet stick, and Mark just laughed and said 'OH MY GOD, we're meant to be working'. That's what I love about these 3 guys, they love what they do so much it isn't work to them and their passion and personality shines through.
'We Cry' was fun. The sing off war is alway good fun. I always love Danny's sweary language trying to rile the both sides up.
'If You Could See Me Now' was emotional. It's not often you get close enough in the right spot to really make a connection with Danny, but last night, during that song, Danny and I for a brief second held a connection and it meant the world.
'Man on a Wire'. God I love this song Sooooo much. It's all about the Mark and his speech.
"Our view is definitely better than your view, I know you have to look at us fucking ugly bastards.. It's crazy because life is like a tightrope, you can fall off, the wind can blow you anyway it wants, it can take you down, but you know everyday you gotta take one step in front of the other, every single day".
Danny got the lyrics wrong and Mark covered it over for him. I love the bond the lads have.
'Good Ol' Days'. Aww I love this song. I was going mental, jumping up and down from the very beginning, and Danny came over and just looked at me and smiled. I'm glad when Danny jumped down to make people sing he didn't come our length to make us sing though Lol.
'The Man Who Can't Be Moved'. Danny thanked us for coming out and supporting the forest and supporting them for the past 8 years. It's always so very beautiful and humbling to see the guys play this song.
'You Won't Feel a Thing'. I literally couldn't believe it when Danny asked the middle of the crowd 'to part the seas' and he walked from the barrier to the other end of the crowd. 9,750 people all with respect for the man. Amazing.
'Six Degrees of Separation'. I love this song. I love my little connection with Mark I've had since the very first time I saw the guys perform this song at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in September 2012. "No no there ain't no help, it's every man for himself".
Danny got the lyrics wrong and we giggled and Mark saw us and just shock his head as if to say I give up on him and just laughed with us. Love it.
'It's Not Right for You' was great. It was nice to have enough space to actually get your arms above your head and clap along. It's got a powerful message. I loved how the crowd kept the singing going until the lads were almost back on stage for the encore.
'The Energy Never Dies' is great. Mark stood on a speaker at the front of the stage because their full stage wouldn't fit. I loved seeing Mark so into it.
'For the First Time'. Aww this song means a lot to me. I remember when I bought the science and faith album and this song stood out and I would run around the house singing it and drive my sister crazy. Now kelly, Anna and I, stand, arms around each other and sing and dance for our lives.
"Oh these times are hard,
Yeah, they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby".
I love you girls, this life is hard sometimes but to know you girls always have my back means more than I could express.
'No Good in Goodbye' looked incredible in the forest. When there was nothing like an arena's walls limiting the range of the lasers they looked beautiful across the crowd. So stunning and humbling. And Danny lost his words again LOL. So funny.
Danny's speech before 'Hall of Fame' was amazing. Reasons I adore this man X 1000.
".. Different colours, different religions, different nationalities, different sexes, there is only one thing that can bring these people together, so many like minded people together, you know inside we are all 100% the same, and that's music, music is here for everybody and music is the one true religion, it's there for you in your darkest hours and it's there when you need the power, music for me means moments, I wanna create a moment right now, one that we will remember for the rest of our lives"
And that you certainly did Danny. This song is just amazing. So powerful. Such a real belter. Sing for your life. Own it. And don't forget about the confetti cannon. Danny ran down the barrier and back. I've managed a few times to run my fingers past his as he run by, but last night he grabbed hold of my hand. Just for a split second his hand fit inside mine. And it just seemed like a great end to a great show. Symbolic of what Danny and the band mean to me. That connection. That bond. That strength.
Mark came to the edge of the stage and was throwing plectrums. I wondered earlier why the plectrums he was throwing our way kept taking a curve ball and then I realised it was the fan at his feet. I managed to get 2 from the stewards off the ground in front of the barrier and coupled with the one Mark threw that I felt hit my foot, all 3 of us girlies got Irish flag plectrums. Finally. It was bittersweet.
My 30th script gig. The moon shone so brightly above the stage and we walked away last night and I ate my cheesy chip. So happy. So content. This band and these girls are my world. Don't ever for a second discount the power of true friendship and music. I love you girlies. I love you The Script.
Brandon and Thetford forest are beautiful and peaceful, and music brings me back to what life is all about. It's nice being in the middle of nowhere, but there are too many bugs and it would be better if there was a little 3G or at least WIFI that wasn't a snatched moment in the Hotel bar. Gah.
The queue was bullshit but it was nice to hear the soundcheck through the fence. I appreciate the lady trying wristband us in number order but some fans the stewards didn't care about respecting who was first in line. I thought we were The Script FAMILY. One steward did make me laugh though. "Don't run because if you fall I ain't helping you up" "that's fine" and I carried on running LOL. Our plan worked well. I was the legs, Anna was the eyes, and kelly caught us up. Running flat out in nearly 25°C heat was not fun though, I didn't feel well for a while. But we got right where we wanted, in front of my love, Mark.
I ADORED Colton Avery's set. Colton asked 'don't you guys have air-con and someone shouted we didn't need it and he said 'maybe just on the off chance the one day of the year you do?. he's getting it over in the UK LOL. He's mega talented. I ADORE 'The One'. "We're just people, trying to find our equal, hoping someday we will, we will find the one". And as I sang my heart out, Colton spotted me and smiled. That meant the world. Two people, fan and artist, bringing it back to what it's all about, a connection to the music. I LOVE 'rewind'. It's another relate song. I need this album like yesterday. I walked away last night singing weatherman. I love it so much. It's a move your feet and sing-a-long song, but it has meaning.
Then it was The Script time. Thanks to whomever handed the green balloons out for 'Paint the Town Green'. That was a lot of fun. Even if Anna did try and kill us (and the stewards) when hers went pop haha.
'Hail Rain or Sunshine' was fun and I'm sure Danny saw us dancing, going for it. Mark came over to the front of the stage and mouthed Hello. All I could think to do was wave like an excited child waving goodbye to their parents whilst off on a school trip. UGH. LOL.
I will FOREVER adore 'Breakeven'. One of my favourite ever songs. Danny's voice sounded so very beautiful in the forest last night.
Danny joked: "I've been praying for no rain, but then there was a fucking heatwave, so I stopped praying" giggles. Love him.
'Before the Worst' was great. I was having fun, enjoy it, singing... And then I died of shame. Because I had no pockets in my dress I was the classy bird who stuffed my phone in my bra, at the exact moment Mark looked my way. *dies*
Superheroes was a moment. Connecting to Danny and Mark like that. It's a powerful song that means a lot. I adore Danny's strength and Mark's wisdom.
The 'twitpic' is always a great moment. Glen took the Glen cut out some girls on the front row had on a stick and held it up and joked "if you ever wanted an ego boost"... Danny joked "they sell them near the hotdog stand, they come in vanilla or chocolate, near the toilets.." Then Glen joked it was for the toilet as a toilet stick, and Mark just laughed and said 'OH MY GOD, we're meant to be working'. That's what I love about these 3 guys, they love what they do so much it isn't work to them and their passion and personality shines through.
'We Cry' was fun. The sing off war is alway good fun. I always love Danny's sweary language trying to rile the both sides up.
'If You Could See Me Now' was emotional. It's not often you get close enough in the right spot to really make a connection with Danny, but last night, during that song, Danny and I for a brief second held a connection and it meant the world.
'Man on a Wire'. God I love this song Sooooo much. It's all about the Mark and his speech.
"Our view is definitely better than your view, I know you have to look at us fucking ugly bastards.. It's crazy because life is like a tightrope, you can fall off, the wind can blow you anyway it wants, it can take you down, but you know everyday you gotta take one step in front of the other, every single day".
Danny got the lyrics wrong and Mark covered it over for him. I love the bond the lads have.
'Good Ol' Days'. Aww I love this song. I was going mental, jumping up and down from the very beginning, and Danny came over and just looked at me and smiled. I'm glad when Danny jumped down to make people sing he didn't come our length to make us sing though Lol.
'The Man Who Can't Be Moved'. Danny thanked us for coming out and supporting the forest and supporting them for the past 8 years. It's always so very beautiful and humbling to see the guys play this song.
'You Won't Feel a Thing'. I literally couldn't believe it when Danny asked the middle of the crowd 'to part the seas' and he walked from the barrier to the other end of the crowd. 9,750 people all with respect for the man. Amazing.
'Six Degrees of Separation'. I love this song. I love my little connection with Mark I've had since the very first time I saw the guys perform this song at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in September 2012. "No no there ain't no help, it's every man for himself".
Danny got the lyrics wrong and we giggled and Mark saw us and just shock his head as if to say I give up on him and just laughed with us. Love it.
'It's Not Right for You' was great. It was nice to have enough space to actually get your arms above your head and clap along. It's got a powerful message. I loved how the crowd kept the singing going until the lads were almost back on stage for the encore.
'The Energy Never Dies' is great. Mark stood on a speaker at the front of the stage because their full stage wouldn't fit. I loved seeing Mark so into it.
'For the First Time'. Aww this song means a lot to me. I remember when I bought the science and faith album and this song stood out and I would run around the house singing it and drive my sister crazy. Now kelly, Anna and I, stand, arms around each other and sing and dance for our lives.
"Oh these times are hard,
Yeah, they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby".
I love you girls, this life is hard sometimes but to know you girls always have my back means more than I could express.
'No Good in Goodbye' looked incredible in the forest. When there was nothing like an arena's walls limiting the range of the lasers they looked beautiful across the crowd. So stunning and humbling. And Danny lost his words again LOL. So funny.
Danny's speech before 'Hall of Fame' was amazing. Reasons I adore this man X 1000.
".. Different colours, different religions, different nationalities, different sexes, there is only one thing that can bring these people together, so many like minded people together, you know inside we are all 100% the same, and that's music, music is here for everybody and music is the one true religion, it's there for you in your darkest hours and it's there when you need the power, music for me means moments, I wanna create a moment right now, one that we will remember for the rest of our lives"
And that you certainly did Danny. This song is just amazing. So powerful. Such a real belter. Sing for your life. Own it. And don't forget about the confetti cannon. Danny ran down the barrier and back. I've managed a few times to run my fingers past his as he run by, but last night he grabbed hold of my hand. Just for a split second his hand fit inside mine. And it just seemed like a great end to a great show. Symbolic of what Danny and the band mean to me. That connection. That bond. That strength.
Mark came to the edge of the stage and was throwing plectrums. I wondered earlier why the plectrums he was throwing our way kept taking a curve ball and then I realised it was the fan at his feet. I managed to get 2 from the stewards off the ground in front of the barrier and coupled with the one Mark threw that I felt hit my foot, all 3 of us girlies got Irish flag plectrums. Finally. It was bittersweet.
My 30th script gig. The moon shone so brightly above the stage and we walked away last night and I ate my cheesy chip. So happy. So content. This band and these girls are my world. Don't ever for a second discount the power of true friendship and music. I love you girlies. I love you The Script.
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