shadowhive | Entries tagged with gig post

So yesterday was very... Ugh. Good thing, the eBay package comes and was right so yay. But still no sign of the postage payment I was promised.

On top of that my headache, combined with a depression wave that ended up in my spiralling over the course of the night which was ugh. It was both draining and unnecessary. It only faded when I watched an episode of The Rig but that was after midnight.

This morning I had another look for the old phone but no luck. It feels it's disappeared into a wormhole or something. I tried to use the SIM I ordered to sort the phone but it doesn't want to. It wants me to use an app which wants me to register but when I click to register it just sends me a site which says to... Download the app. It's a beyond useless cycle.

One of the reasons I dislike phones.

The first Rise Of Hellfire issue arrived and it's pretty good! Ilovr it's showing Eddie pre season 4 in two ways, both him first playing and and the then starting the season 4's year.

I also started Rise Of Icarus which I took with mf to read some. I'm hoping to get back to season 4 tomorrow unless my eyes or head betray me (in which case it's Friday).

(There is a Dom Eddie week going on that I might check out but I do wish I could've participated somehow)

I decided not to see anything in the cinema in the end. Heart eyes was too early and I waited for cap to see if the local cinema had decent weekend times but nope and by then I missed the ideal time so I didn't leave home till 3.

Of course when I got to the station the machine was closed because it always is (Up until now has been wrote on that train)

In Birmingham I just milled about a bit but I got bargains from the game outlet. I got a bunch of preorder bonus things, including postcards, a pendant, pins, a keying and an acrylic standee! All for £1 which is crazy. I hope they still have the offer to get things I couldn't get causa space (and stuff I think the venue would mean about) I'll post pics tomorrow

The time went pretty quick and I went to the venue and hour before doors open. Inside they had all the merch, including the signed Polaroids they do which was annoying cause I was about £10 short of getting one. I did get the hoodie I liked the look of but I'm still a bit annoyed about that. (If the gig was just a day later... Or the money for postage had been sent)

I'ma be so for real my anticipation for this gig wax low. When I ordered the ticket it was a so high but these past months? Man they've fucked me up so much and it's so annoying.

First support were TSS and I was unfamiliar with their game. On the second song they bewitched me with a pretty lead singer(in a skirt thing!) and a second singer singing in French! Then the third song hit and I was wrong I was familiar with them as it's a song on the Seapeekay playlist that comes up pretty regularly! But damn they put on such a great show I need to check them out

(I sense this'll be a Weathers situation)

I wanted to scurry to merch to see if there were any of their albums but the place had really filled up since they started. But they did say they were gonna be meeting people after SIO so...

By the second band amor I had moved closer to the stage, unfortunately right into the line if the rotating lights. They were pretty good despite that though and the singer was pretty crazy, going through the crowd on the last sung to sing on the bar. He also said 'Never fear the storm learn to dance in the rain' which stuck with me.

I did slip down after the set cause I needed air but there was no TSS music sadly, but there was a poster, though annoyingly I was short.

Point north were the last support and they were pretty good but my focus was suddenly so off for some reason. Cody came on for punching bag, which I knew I recognised when it started and that's why.

Set it off were last and were really good though again I had bad luck positioning wise. I was behind the tallest guy in the room and the angle to the drummers was behind the random bassists spot. It sucks being a fan of drummers.

I did get good glimpses of Maxx though and he was shirtless. He looked cute smiling, conducting with his sticks and slitting his throat with them.

Them he came from behind the kit to sing sleep when I am dead cause of cause he did. But he looked damn good. (Of course new phones camera isn't the best which sucks but) but damn the way he stalked around the stage while he sang it was👀

Cody did say we took Manchester's crown which got a cheer. They did put in a great show though and Cody was very interactive with the crowd

Though I'm so sad there wasn't any Elsewhere songs in the set, not even Skeleton. It makes me wonder if there's a reason but it still sucks.

TSS were at the merch but alas there was a queue to the door and I thought it wasn't worth trying cause of missing the train (I did get a pic with one though and the others were pretty) alas....

I feel SIO is cursed this is the second time I've seen them at this venue and the second time the trains fucked up on the return journey

And I've had to take a taxi back ugh which is an expense I didn't really need and that stress has left me tired and headachy.

I'm just gonna grab drinks, noms and meds then flop now.

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: TSS - Regrets d'un imposteur

So today was gig day, which meant going to Birmingham.

First goal, after putting money in the bank, was to find the Sleep Token pop up shop. Like I mentioned in the last post, it’s oddly far from the venue and tucked out of the way. Thankfully I checked Google maps, putting in the bullring as the starting point, which meant I found it pretty easily. The route it gave me took me by the institute, then at the end of the second road on the right. It was ina. Similar direction as the venue for James Marriott’s gig was, but the place was new to me. (Ironically it turned up on a heritage walk guide I picked up later).

It was an interesting place (and there was a dog!) there was a strange piece of art on the wall, something with ufos which I took a pic of. The merch wasn’t too special. The long sleeve was the nicest clothing item, but the one at the gig was nicer so I left it. However I’d seen people with bags so I got a wax melt and key ring and got a bag with them (best 25p I spent) but I do feel bad for others that got more (why? You’ll find out soon)

After that I went in the museum to see the bits I missed last time. I expected there to be a decent section I’d missed but… it was just one room with the way to others still closed up. There was also another exhibition that, like the wildlife one, was a paid one and it also wasn’t advertised as such. They really need better comms.

I ended up going in the library for a little look. The wheel and ice skating rink they have set up is right outside it which is strange. But I picked up some of the trail guides.

Then I made the way to the venue and just sat down and listened to the band while waiting. Lots of people had the bags too, some of them bulging with stuff (clearly they’d got the jacket or hoodie!) so I thought there’s not gonna be any issues right? Of course the venue is bitchy (not with me cause I could fold it up and tuck it away) but it was insiting on others to leave the line to bag storage with a £15 which definitely felt scammy. Especially since this was just the seating area and you could clearly see all that was in there was clothes FROM THE BAND THE GIG IS FOR. It’s baffling honestly.

But anyway. Inside everything was expenseive so I didn’t get anything but I did get merch. I got a tee and a long sleeve (oddly it was just in white when all the promo, even on the venue screen, had it in black)but the design is the same and it’s really nice. Plus I don’t have any Sleep Token merch so that didn’t feel as bad (and who knows when I’ll see them).

(Also wild thing to hear in the line ‘do you know the dreamsmp, it’s a Minecraft server’ and I got no context)

My seat was at the end of a row which was annoying cause it meant people would come and go, but it did mean I could leave pretty quick too. The view was pretty good considering, though of course I wish I could’ve been closer.

I’d not been to an arena show in ages so I kinda forgot how… big it all is. I’m glad I was seated though I feel I would have been overwhelmed if I was standing.

Also kudos to whoever was in charge of the pregig music, I’ve not heard them Linkin Park Renanimation album in awhile and now I want to.

First gig was a band called Bilmuri. I’d not heard of them so wasn’t sure what to expect and… they were definitely unexpected. The singer came on with his legs out, there was an awesome saxophonist/flutist lady (she even played a bit from a Zelda song! And there was a cute guitarist. He had curls, played fortnite, apparently has no brain cells and wore cat ears for most of the set. They were definitely something (especially as the songs ranged from being about suicidal thoughts and…. Cranking it out (his words).

After an interval Sleep Token came on and ahhh! They played just over an hour and a half long set. The set was split into three, with songs from each album played together. I’m not as familiar with them but I have been listening to the setlist songs in prep. And ahhh I’m still hyped that the6 played Hypnosis which is my fav from the second album and Alkaline too!

They used the lighting pretty well, having the bands logo (sigil?) in different colours and having the lights look almost like rain. But of course the lights could be a bit blinding and meant getting pics wasn’t too easy. (It feels fitting Vessel is an indistinct figure in my pics though). I think I’m gonna have to get a better phone for gigs, I meant to for this one but…

But anyway I love how Vessel (the band’s singer) is a pretty mysterious guy and he looks kinda intimidating (and he was when he was prowling the stage) but then he’ll also do some kind of goofy dancing, or laying on the floor to watch the guitarist do a solo (at one of the other gigs he was even kicking his feet too) it’s so sweet. His mystique did also mean he only sung, with no crowd interaction, though I kinda didn’t expect it. (Has anyone even heard him speak publically)

It was in the third of part of the set, that was about Taking Back To Eden that I was just hit by a few things. (One of them was pretty important so I’ll leave it for last). It felt amazing, almost magical, to hear these songs live, ones that I listen to pretty much whenever I have the pod thing on.

But I found myself surprised by how much it actually affected me, like I got teary eyed several times which I didn’t expect. Usually it takes a lot to make me like that and I don’t really get why it did now. Usually the only band that can manage that was MCR and only with one specific song (that I avoid like the plague usually)

(Side note, if MCR do a uk tour of the black parade I’m either going with someone or not at all. I don’t have the emotional capacity for that)

Ah ahh again, I can’t believe I got to hear so many of the Take Me Back To Eden songs live!

I found I lost track of time, completely forgetting that there was meant to be a thing for the last song (to make lights turn green, but apparently I wasn’t alone). Also someone the next row over proposed during a song too! Which is wild behaviour.

I really hope I’m able to see Sleep Token again, but I also fully expect it’ll be hard to (tickets go crazy fast and I was lucky to get the spot I did.) hopefully they’ll record one of these gigs. Reading the Kerrang special I got of them made me wanna get into the lore of them more cause it feels deep and more mysterious than I thought.

Thankfully the gig finished earlier than expected so I could get to the stat aoon (I didn’t get merch outside, the poster seemed to much and not as good as the kerrang one) but of course getting back to the station there was both no food I could eat and an issue with trains. (Trains were being cancelled left and right and my one had a rail replacement bus). What didn’t help was the phone suddenly decided to die on the train, nor did the bus driver fill us with confidence (instead of a regular bus driver it was a coach driver that had to get directions from passengers which…) but thankfully I got home.

Despite all the stress I am really glad I got to see them.

Lastly the important thing. It came to me part way through the Eden part of the set, probably around Ascensionism. It was a sudden powerful thought and I’m not sure exactly where it came from (maybe it was because I was trying to place when the last time I was so effected by music and..)

It was the thought that if this does turn out to be cancer than this is gonna be something I’m going to fight and I’m going to win. And if it’s not? Then I’m going to beat whatever it turns out to be too.

I dunno where it came from and I’ve not had that thought before since it was thrown out there as a possibility, but it’s something I think I needed.

Now though I’m gonna go and flop, cause I am a bit drained.

Current Mood: hopeful
Current Music: Sleep Token - The Offering

Gig post! There’s a few non-gig things to post about but they’ll be in a separate post, probably tomorrow (depending on when I post this and how tired I am when I get back to tomorrow.

Cause of mum’s fall taking up all my anxiety (as well as her and my doctors appointments), Ididnt have pre gig anxiety like I usually do. It also meant I had done no pre gig planning. If I’d had thoughts I might have gotten a phone with a camera, sorted wellies and managed to hunt down my Set It Off tees (both have vanished which is annoying cause one was brand new)

Anyway, yesterday (Saturday) was spent travelling. My friend picked me up to go and the journey was uneventful. It was nice seeing the green stuff go by and I read some of my who magazines (the Rogue in doctor who is played by kristoff from Frozen??). We did stop at the services and I got some Lego magazines, though I wish I’d used the cash machine so I’d had money on me for the festival.

When we arrived we both rested up, she had a lil doze and I shut down too for some reason. I’m wondering if it’s the meds I got put on cause I was yawning like crazy too which is a side effect I’ve had before. I’m glad I’d decided to hold off on the new antidepressants to avoid anything from those, cause I feel they would’ve hit me.

We had food, though it was only ok (and it meant missing new Who which is a shame, though from what I can tell it’s very polarising). Then when we got back to the room I was a bit zoned out. I did managed to watch some of Krow’s stream and felt so bad for it cause it sounds like it had whatever sickness I had the other month.

After sleeping (not great, I couldn’t settle maybe causa the strange bed. It was time for Slam Dunk, which is under the cut cause rambling. (If you just wanna see merch, it’s here

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Short version it was fun, despite the mud and sudden bursts of rain and I got to see all the bands I wanted to (i might have tried to see all American rejects if they weren’t clashing) and now am tired.

Tomorrow is mostly gonna be travelling, the Seapeekay 12 hour stream then Who watching. Maybe (cause im too tired despite downloading it to iplayer’s app)

Current Mood: tired

Last night was The Blackout gig and I went pretty late so I couldn’t do much. I picked up some food before going to the station (and got the Empire dark side cover). Of course at the station the ticket machine was shuttered again, which seems to be the case most of the time.

There was no ticket person on the train either and when I got to the station the fare place was closed (cute panic) but the barrier lady let me through so it was all good.

As it was late I didn’t get to do too much in Birmingham, I had a lil look 8n the legos tore, saw a cute plushie (of a Midna like cat) and ended up picking up a Halloween plush from hmv cause it was 30%.

After worrying about the venue it ended up being ok, they didn’t question my pad (despite one guy giving me a look) and the most annoying thing was the metal detector. Since it wasn’t sold out people weren’t passing out like crazy, which was good but two people still did which was concerning (so I’ll definitely still avoid the venue).

After getting some merch (a tee, necklace and wristband, which glows in the dark!) I got a pretty good spot and waited for the bands. The first band were Lunar (I think) and they were pretty good. Strangely they were a two piece, a guitarist/singer and drummer which was unusual. But the singer was local which was nice. The second band, Dead Pony were ok, the guilts and bassist were cute but the electronic stuff they used kinda overpowered it in places?

As for The Blackout themselves, damn. It honestly felt like they’d never been away. Considering they hadn’t toured in 9 years it didn’t show, they still had the energy they had back then, with Sean doing his mic tricks and doing their funny bits between songs and just. Gavin had hurt his foot a few days ago so he wasn’t as mobile as usual, but other than limping a bit you really couldn’t tell. (Honestly it was stranger him and Rhys had shaved heads)

They don’t know what they’re gonna do after Slam Dunk, but I do hope they decide to do more music again. But if not? It was so great to see them again.

On the way back I picked up something to eat at the station, but eh. The sushi wasn’t as nice as I expected and the passion fruit lemonade was kinda eh. The trip back was uneventful, though I wish my pod thing hadn’t died because people were annoying.

Today’s felt like a tiring day (not helped by mum wanting to take Naryu a longer walk, but at least she saw the horses). I ended up putting on Elemental this afternoon. Which was pretty good. I wasn’t sure what to expect (and half expected there to be a villian or something causing the canal problem) but it ended up being a nice immigrant/romance story.

Then tonight I watched Monster Hunter cause it was on tv and ugh. Yeah it wasn’t great. There were some elements that could’ve made good stories but they weren’t the focus at all and just… bleh. At least the hunter guy was cute, but yeah. I’d rather have that time back.

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: Hasan stream

So today was the James gig which ahh!

First off last night Seapeekay played a horror game which was good though having someone called ‘the gore surgeon’ was certainly a choice.

Also there was the Xbox developer direct and one for ESO which were all really exciting though the Indiana Jones game looks so great.

I started the day finishing Ghost Walk which was last months Big Finish monthly audio thing. It wasn’t quite as good as I was hoping it to be, which is a shame cause the premise was a good one. It was also funny hear the spymaster in a different role cause I half expected a twist with him (it was recorded before he was cast as him so)

I had meant to listen to the new Magnus Protocol but didn’t have the focus (so saving that for this weekend ahh!). But then I also got distracted by finding pics I hadn’t seen from Hasan’s bloody photoshoot which gives me thoughts.

When I came down my mum said she felt wobbly so I ended up going with her to walk Naryu to make sure she didn’t fall (especially cause of the ice). When we got back we had lunch and watched the new Father Brown which amusingly had Syvestor McCoy play a retired doctor. (And the Square One as it is magazine came yay! And snowflake got posted but looked good)

Then I headed to the station. I almost had a panic when I saw a train there but apparently it was an out of service one. Then the ticket machine was shuttered up again and the display said up the next train was delayed 20 minutes… only two minutes later it was on time so who knows?

Once I got to Birmingham I got SFX from Smiths, then two graphic novels from forbidden planet (thankfully the sale wasn’t as extensive as I expected). Then I went to game and ahh! They had the Shadow Lego set so I had to get it, especially with the reduced price.

Clarks didn’t have the Pokémon shoes which I’d hoped to see, but Lego had some of the new sets which looked nice, I also looked around for sharpies and gloves but found neither (gloves I am especially puzzled by, what?). There’s Kenji Halloween cats though with pumpkins and skulls which are cute! And there’s a valentines axolotl in build a bear aww.

After having noms I went to the venue which is new to me and I like where it is. It has hanging lights over the streets and I wish I got a pic cause it was nice and kinda magical. However it was also very icy, there was a large patch of ice where I stool (one person did fall) and there was a worryingly massive icicle (as big as someone’s arm at least which was crazy).

The venue was nice and I hope to go back again now I know where it is, though it was disorganised. Having a merch queue is a good idea! Having it go into the crowd? Not so much. I didn’t see much of the first support (though what I saw I liked!) as I was getting merch. I got two tees and a tea towel (a wild merch item, but I think the design is better in that the tee version) and I got a James card which is so pretty!

The second act was very different as it was just one woman up there alone, she was so sweet and had a nice voice (I told her so later) though damn it’s ballsy to preform to a crowd alone. But she was different which is nice.

Then James came on and ahh! Him and the boys put on such a good show, I loved the lights at the side of the stage and the backdrop thing (which I’m sure is a solid thing). And just ahh! He danced he conducted the band, he was cute, he wore a trans flag that got thrown up, at one point he was swaying his hips like crazy. And he played my fav songs too! I got a lil teary at Car Lights which is a surprise and Grapes was so fun (i think that’s where he shakes his hips I know it was towards the end). But ahh their set was so awesome and I know I’ll see them again whenever I can.

I stayed around merch cause Jago said that’s where he’d be and he came out! He was so sweet and with his shirt unbuttoned too. I was shaking like crazy which made the pic come out terrible (as well as my face in general my hair was all wrong bah). But ah I had the most Jago like encounter with him. He told his twitch chat to say ‘boosh’ when they met him and when I said it he looked confused then was all smiled ‘oh yeah I forgot that! You’re the first to say it!’ Which was ahh! And he was meant to give people goodies (lil stickers) but he ‘left them somewhere’ which is just so…. But ahh he was so sweet. Jono and Lou were there too and they were nice (the pic with them seems better too) and they all signed my album (cause I couldn’t find my ticket) and I’m glad someone had pens.

But ahhh! I met Jago! That means he’s the first CC I’ve actually met which is pretty crazy. I hope they get announced for slam dunk so I can get a better pic.

I headed to the station which thankfully didn’t take too long, though I wasted a trip upstairs to Tesco. I’d hoped to get bottled water cause theres was nice but it was shut, so I had to settle for a smoothie from m and s which was nice but felt like a lot and went pretty quick.

And ugh there was a replacement bus which wasn’t ideal. And I lost track of the stops (it didn’t stop on one that the train does) but I asked the drive and he stopped pretty much right outside here.

But ahh that gig’s rejuvenated me gig wise. The lovejoy one was so bad it really put me off and while I’m dreading the blackout one (being at the same venue) I’m so looking forward to Slam Dunk in a few months.

Now I’m gonna bundle up, have noms and maybe watch something. I posted pics on insta and maybe some more later.

Current Mood: hyper
Current Music: Foolish cult of the lamb

So today was very… I knew it would be anxiety injuring, it just wasn’t anxiety inducing in the ways I’d prepared for.

But we’ll get to that.

The past few days I’d been hunting for the drawstring bag which I took to the last lovejoy gig, which I got from an Elder Scrolls loot crate but have I been able to find it? No. Ugh. I ended up taking a cex one which at least feet the theme of my jacket with its red colouring.

I’d decided to leave earlier than I would. Usually if I’m going just to a gig I’d leave around 4-5 but this time I left at 1:30 cause I was worried about trains. Thankfully that wasn’t an issue and I got there in time (with enough token to check the co-op there had the dnd magazine so I can pick that up at some point) and it arrived only a minute late.

I got to Birmingham and the first thing I did was went to the smiths at the station. They had loads of the Sleep Token Kerrang but I still got one (and a Total Film/SFX bundle) so that was one thing off my checklist! They’ve moved the commonwealth bull into the station, which looks so impressive. It even moves and eyes light up! I honestly have no idea how they got that in there though.

I then went to the bullring and the hmv is closed for something, which is annoying, but I only wanted to go in in case it has Jigsaw/Spiral on offer, or as a back up for Kerrang. Then I went in the Lego store to look at the new stuff and they look so pretty! I love the insect set, though oddly the Ghost/Phantom set isn’t on display.

Then I went to the cinema, since I was there anyway and couldn’t exactly buy anything. I went to see A Haunting In Venice, which is the new Poirot film. I’d say it’s the best of the three that they’ve done so far, or at least my fav. It’s helped by it adapting something that’s not been done often (as good as Murder On The Orient Express/Death On The Nile, they’ve been done so many times now). It also helped that it really leaned into its setting. It was a really creepy location and atmosphere. And also it had Michelle Yeoh who I think is one of those people that’s always worth seeing. I’m not gonna say more cause it just came out, but I really enjoyed it.

Alas the trailers have mostly left my head. I know there was one for The Creator, and something called The Lesson and I know there was more but… nope.

When I left the cinema it had clearly been raining and was trying again, so I thought fuck that and went to mcdonalds. I was only originally gonna get some mozzarella sticks but decided I may as well have a meal as well. I also managed to nap some of the happy meal pokemon cards (I didn’t know they were a thing!) though it seemed someone was being a dick so I left pretty quick after that.

Since the rain knocked off I went to the venue. Gig thoughts ahoy.

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Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: Sleep Token - Aqua Regia

Long gig post ahoy

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Current Mood: hyper
Current Music: James Marriott - New Face

I’m gonna preface this by me being sure that the tonight has been cursed.

But first, yesterday.

After the post we went to get a dry food for the dog. Which ended up being exhausting. But hey there was Guinea pigs to look at they were so cute and small. I didn’t leave with them but they were cute.

When I got back I listened to the Xbox uk sonic stream, but mostly dozed off.

I did watch the Nintendo indie world thing on a vod, which had several cool games but mostly Once Upon A Jester (the game Foolish, Karl and, I found later, Corpse, do voices for) was out that day. So of course I impulse bought it despite not really having time before pokemon is released, especially since I want to finish Legends.

I watched them stream some of it and it looks pretty fun.

Today started ugh. I tried to do uni stuff and there was both drilling outside and mum hoovering (which echoed up the stairs). I did a little but not much.

I watched Andor (which was pretty good and at least not completely depressing) and mail came. Both the Doctor Who magazine, plus Ghostwatch (which I’d wanted to watch for ages and came out in a special blu ray). The latter came just before I came out.

(And of course Tommy announces lore starting from tonight which I couldn’t see and will have to watch the vod.)

Trip nonsense ahoy.

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Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: Weathers - Happy Pills

So today I went to town for the gig.

First off im glad the new who magazine came the other day because it came in handy for something to read.

I had a wander around the city before heading towards the venue. I didn’t go in many places, but I did do a squee because the entertainer had darksabers! I’d never seen one before and always wanted to so to see some… it was tempting but I didn’t get one. After all I am coming back for free comic book day, though if the off goes I’ll be annoyed.

I also popped in argos and got a Lego set with nectar points, The Jungle Abomination, so I’m gonna build that up tomorrow after MCC.

Then I made my way towards the venue. And yeah, I got lost on the way (and on the way back). Hey I’d not been up in that part of the city for ages, not since Heather came so I was a bit rusty.

But yeah it’s an odd venue. It’s less of a venue and more a pup, albeit one at a nice location beside the canal. When I arrived I knew I was in the right place though cause I saw Jay! I did say something but I was probably too quiet and he went into the vans. It wasn’t exactly clear where the venue entrance was, so I spent most of the time just sat on a bench reading my magazine. Eventually I went and found the queue, which was at an odd place so I’d have missed it.

The performance area of the venue was… small. In fact it was the second smallest place I’d ever been to a gig. That didn’t really make it good for band watching. Despite my height I was struggling to see, because the stage wasn’t raised high enough. Which was a shame.

I thought there was a support before the bands but there wasn’t. I could have missed them but I don’t think so. I got Kill The Lights album from merch and tried to find a good place, settling by a pillar, though the view wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t helped that Jay’s fairly short so was easily obscured by people.

The guys did put on a pretty good show though, and I’m glad I saw them despite them missing some of the songs I liked. Though ughhh Jay’s arms. And he got to speak between songs which was sweet!

Before Monuments I’d moved to stand in front of the pillar, which quickly turned out to be a mistake. While there’d not been any kind of pit for Kill The Lights there was instantly a big one for them and my spot was right on the edge. (And by big I mean big, at least half the venue was pit.)

Now I’m not a pit person so I did not like this at all. I got hit and stepped on and was just like… no. I couldn’t figure a way through the crowd alone so I used the pit shoves to push me back to a better place. However you have to admire the enthusiasm that the band created.

Once there I was able to enjoy the show a lot more, despite not being able to see much. Huge kudos to the lead singer who was great and got people moving, holding up lights and even crouching. He had such a command of the audience that it’s clear he deserves a better stage. (And also it had a guy with epic curls, how had I missed that?)

I’m glad it impressed me because it meant I went to the merch post gig to get a signed album (and I’m glad it finished at around 10:30). Why was I glad? Because there, standing at the side of Kill The Lights merch table beside Monuments, was none other than Jay!

It felt insane and surreal. I got a pic, said how good it was to see him onstage, though I’m not sure he heard and I waved as I left. But ahhh! That’s definitely a goal achieved. It still feels so surreal. (And I also caught his righted beer, which he spilled while taking another pic with someone before me… but not before a sizeable amount spilled on the table.)

Here’s a linkto my insta pics, ignore the terrible quality and how awful I look (because it’s me after all)

But ugh. I was the only one I saw with a mask. I could probably count on both hands the people I saw with one in the whole city too. Great work killing the messaging government.

Alas at the station nowhere was open, and I was so thirsty I had to get something from a machine. £2.50 for a 500ml iced tea? Ugh. Especially since I got a litre bottle when I got meds for £1.25.

But ahhh! I’m writing this on the train to pass the time and I’m gonna… I dunno. See if anyone is streaming? Foolish at least should be. And then zzz.

(I’ve been informed since starting this post that Wilbur did lore tonight because of course he did so I’ll watch tomorrow)

Current Mood: ecstatic
Current Music: Cats Does Countdown

Well today has been an experience. First, fresh annoyance about the ticket, because it was a mobile one the site said it couldn’t give a screenshot and that made me panic because wi fi around the venue is spotty. Luckily accessing the bullring WiFi and keeping the app open meant it still showed up but… ugh.

I only went into two places quickly on the way. The Lego store still didn’t have the Mandalorian starship, or the Lego marvel figures. I heard someone mention waiting on a delivery so… they did have the fancy potter thing with the owl though.

I also went quick through the entertainer and was surprised they had Among Us crewmate plushies and they look so cute.

Then I went down towards the venue and as I was heading there I saw someone heading towards the Bullring and thought ‘huh that looks like Geoff’ and then a few paces behind him was Otto. My brain was slow to realise this so I couldn’t up even manage to say hi or ask for a pic or anything, which I wish I did.

There was a lot of people in the queue by the time I got there (but I didn’t leave home until 4 so) and so many didn’t have masks. The site said they should but they didn’t seem to care (though they did check for vaccination proof, my letter came today so I used that)

Merch was a bit eh, a tee, hoodie and cap, so I didn’t get anything. But in the line I saw a set it off poster for the show I was gonna see last yeah and though it got delayed again until I saw the year.

In the venue I hung back, which was probably good given how bad my anxiety had been. The crowd went wild for the sound check guys as well as some of the songs that played (including mcr, which I guess was Otto’s choice).

As predicted the gig was just Waterparks but that was ok. It fun and chaotic. I found out the venue was where the Fandom live was filmed which surprised me cause it’s pretty small but it makes me want it more now.

A few songs in someone tossed bunny ears to Awsten which he ended up putting on. He said something about this is how it all begins and how pics would be all over furry twitter. He kept them on for one song (honestly I can’t remember which, it was a Greatest Hits one though), then said that he was thinking of Otto during the song and tossed the ears to him, which ended up on one drum for awhile (I didn’t notice because the drum kit wasn’t raised so couldn’t see him well)

This lead to him starting a chant of Furry Geoff, and then asking who was more a furry, Geoff or Otto. The crowd cheered more for Otto so make of that what you will.

Someone yelled something that sounded like bus wanker at him which led to a chant and Awsten said it reminded him of high school

The furry thing came back as Awsten said ‘This is about ottos future romance in the furry kingdom’ before Fruit Roll Ups. During which someone got engaged! And Awsten said he wanted to get ordained (and knighted) both of which sound wild.

there were four acoustic choruses of telephone, not warriors, 21 questions and crave, though most of the singing was us. They played Stupid for you and miss having sex in full later bough.

Crying over it all was sang towards Geoff . Turbulent was the last pre encore song and the set ended with See You In The Future which felt appropriately

The show ended pretty early, around 9, so I decided to head straight to the station since I was pretty tired and didn’t wanna go by the bus (there was meant to be an after show somewhere, until 6am but I wasn’t gonna do that).

I got some noms from Tesco then there was a screwup with trains, but now I’m on my way home yay! I posted pics on Instagram which I’ll link to later.

Edit: I forgot to link the pics last night so they’re here

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Waterparks - Lucky People

Last night I ended up watching the last few eps of The Core. I hope it gets a second season because it was so good. I loved seeing how the effects got made and the insights from various people. Plus Mickey was hot (I loved the one last night where he was held by wires yess).

I finished the Waycest ficlet too thatI did out of spite for the anti Waycest people from the weekend.

This morning I meant to listen to sappenin or Dreamboy, but I failed at either. I was just too cozy and was nice and dozing, so didn’t put anything on. I did finish the last of the weeks uni stuff though woo.

There’s just 2 weeks to Umbrella Academy, ahh! It’s the thing I’m most excited for this month (and, bar Star Wars stuff, the thing I’m most looking forward to this year).

Since the weather was fine, and I had a message from the venue saying that there were still tickets I headed off after lunch. I read the Xbox mag on the train, mostly an article about Metroidvanias and some reviews.

Once I got there I went straight to the venue to get my ticket. All that had were balcony ones which were a little more boo.

I then went to the Entertainer in search of a forces of destiny Ahsoka. Unfortunately there was none (if there’s one near you could you check and see, I have a feeling they won’t get them back). I did get a Resistance bb funko and force link Qi-ra though. (Although why the Qi-Ra merch focuses on her from the opening baffles me.)

I went in Disney and got the black series Rey island journey for £5.99 which was nice. Though it was sad they lacked a proper Star Wars display now.

Speaking of displays, Forbidden Planet had an awesome Umbrella Academy window display. I got a few random things, an AC graphic novel, a Trek book and Elda keyring and they popped them all in a bag that had Umbrella Academy on yess. I asked about the posters but they had no idea what they’d do with them.

I ended up eating a Greggs pastie which was nice then I spent the time milling about, I went to TK and got the things mum wanted to order (saving money) and spent a bit of time on the bullrings wi fi.

On way to gig my Zelda bag just broke, falling to the ground. There wasn’t anything heavy in it, which puzzled me. But the thing that connected the strap to the side just came out. It looks fixable though so mum should be able to sort it.

Outside I waited in the cold, listening to Coheed like I had all day (since I have no Palaye on my pod thing boo). Once we were let in I found a seat on the front row of the balcony close to the stage. Annoyingly though, there’s no merch up there, despite there being two downstairs. That’s annoying to pay extra for the ticket and have no merch access (and the venue had no wi fi either). Ugh. It was especially annoying since I got money out so I had cash for merch. Although having a seat did help with my bag’s strap issue so there was that. Also having a seat meant I could get a few pics so...

First band, Black Peaks were pretty good. Their first song sounded familiar though I can’t quite place where from. They put on a pretty good performance, but they’re not my thing really.

Palaye were next. It felt weird going to a gig for the support (I do like Enter Shikari but I’ve not heard them properly in ages, I did put them on Spotify last week but only for one morning). The set was only half an hour sadly (and for some reason they didn’t playing Dying In A Hot Tub despite it being the new single boo). They did play a few songs I wasn’t familiar with which I take it was because Spotify didn’t play them for some reason. Still they put on a great show. Sebastian was super energetic despite being sick (and called us the best crowd of the tour) and Remmington was so pretty roaming the stage, even laying on his back and crawling at one point. For the last song he took his top off though, alas, he didn’t climb up onto the balcony like he has before. Boo. (I didn’t get many pics of him topless cause I expected them to play Hot Tub so thought I’d get at least one more song out of them.)

Despite not coming for them I figured I should stay for Shikari. I’d not heard them properly in years like I mentioned above, so expected to stay for a few songs then slip out to hunt down Palaye (I dunno if they were doing a meet or anything). However they put on a good show, Roy (the singer) was energetic and manic and, despite the occasionally annoying show it was pretty fun.

What turned a good show to a great one was about half way through the set. Roy went off stage and one of the others said he was going to ‘serenade us from above’. As soon as he said that a box appeared in the space next to me, followed by a mic stand (so close I had to lean back a little) and then Rou was right there, playing to the crowd literally standing next to me. It was very surreal and I got a few pics of it. (Posted up on twitter, I may link them here tomorrow.) He mentioned that he hadn’t got his contacts in so we were all a blur which was funny. (He did try and put them in offstage but his fingers were too sweaty.)

So yeah, that was fucking surreal and I ended up staying for the full set, which was actually pretty good with fancy lights and stuff. Rou even spoke about how we were a community and hoped we’d take that energy out into the world cause it needs it. The band seemed to agree with Palaye that we were the best crowd too.

Once the show was finished it was 10:50 so there was no time to even try and check merch (which woulda been impossible causa everyone getting out) or find the bus (which I didn’t know where it was) so I just headed to the station and got on the train.

I ended up typing this post up at the venue between bands (apart from the last bit that was on the train) so I’m gonna get some noms and now and check out Nightflyers tonight before zzing. (And, we’ll post pics on twitter too.)

Tomorrow I’m gonna listen to Sappenin, watch Discovery and hopefully rewatch Solo. Anything else? Who knows. I may try and fic some.

Edit: Palaye pic thread and pics when Rou sung next to me

Current Mood: pleased
Current Music: The Elder Scrollls Online Menu music