It has been a while since I last virtually put pen to paper but I’ve been a busy chap so no apologies there as if I didn't do anything then I wouldn't have anything to blog about.
I’m currently recovering from a night out in Cannock, both mentally and biologically. This weekend has been some what of a revelation on 2 counts: I’m getting old.
The first one is much easier to explain so I’ll start with that:
This Saturday I shopped at M&S looking at things for me rather than for anyone else (Christmas gifts, etc). I didn’t realise the gravity of the transaction until I got home; it propelled me into feeling middle-aged. I must iterate that this is not a criticism of M&S’ range of clothes, and it’s not that bad really - I was only looking for new shirts and trousers for work - I haven’t started wearing Blue Harbour out on the tiles but this is a dangerous statistic in my own calculations of how old I really am.
I often still feel like I’m 15, still don’t have a clue what I’m supposed to be doing and enjoying that - but M&S has gone and made me feel about 30 and that's what's worrying me. Am I on a slippery slope? People at work have commented on my jazzy work wardrobe - positively, I might add - which largely consists of purchases from ASOS, H&M and Zara - so I suppose that is why this step off the path feels like a move in the wrong direction. We’ll see how my M&S purchases go down and I’ll try and remember to let you know what feedback they get.
Now to the difficult one:
I have been fortunate enough to see many bands and artists play live. I won’t list them (namely because I can’t remember all of them), however, what is important to highlight for this blog entry is the following:
- I went to see Coldplay at the Etihad on 9th June (for a more in-depth review, please read this - composed by my bestest Kassie Fleet)
- I went to see Watch The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z) on 12th June (for photos and videos of this event you’ll all have a facebook friend who went, just have a gander their stuff)
These were arguably the 2 best concerts I have ever been to for almost entirely opposite reasons.
Coldplay pulled out all the stops to let you know that the audience were an integral part to the show. Great production all round and they created the intimacy of much a smaller venue despite it being at a stadium. You forget just how many Coldplay songs you know all the words to! They are arguably the most successful British rock band in terms of sales and tours in recent history. As close to Queen or The Beatles as we have in this day and age.
Watch The Throne - Wow. They are just mega-superstars. They are both the influenced and influence. It was 3 gigs in one, it almost felt like the most gangster pantomime that has ever existed - although I’m not sure there is a market for that. Yeezy and Hove were incredible, NIP being performed 5 times was just ridiculous.
Also, for those who don’t know (as I recently had to have this explained to me) Jay-Z’s sobriquet Hove/Hova/Hov comes from Hebrew word for God, Jehovah (which becomes J-HOVA) - hence "H to the izz-O, V to the izz-A". But to get back on track…
I saw Coldplay. I saw Kanye West. I saw Jay-Z. We were in the same room, a very big room but still the same room.
And it was these thoughts, which I processed today on my return home from Cannock, that made me realise that’s all I had to say: They are milestones - it was a musical bucket list quest and I was fortunate enough to achieve 3 of them across 4 days:
Coldplay, Jay-Z and Kanye - Done.
They will be stories I tell my friends/children but that is it, I don’t think I would want to see either act again. To me they will just become memories of a milestone; they aren’t the artists I put on to cheer me up or make me escape my bubble. That space is reserved for the likes of Bloc Party, Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers and The Maccabees. I will always need them. So that poses yet another question:
Am I old enough now to say that I listen to the stuff I used to listen to “when I was growing up”?
If I am then that’s a bit scary but it’s happened and there isn’t a lot I can do about it - I have become old. I suppose I should just go and get an M&S store card, saves the hassle for when I actually turn 30 in 6 years time x
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