R.E.M 30 years ago today

My first R.E.M concert

Yes. 30 years ago today on the 30th July 1995 I was at Milton Keynes Bowl in Buckinghamshire Uk with one of my buddies. We had taken the train from Watford on a lovely sunny day to watch what was our new favourite band at the time, never knowing that very soon they would occupy a place in my heart as my favourite band of all time. And 30 yrs later my wife will attest to me randomly putting on the music, only to tell me to turn that noise down, she really is a heathen 😂

We were fortunate that day to have three superb support bands who would go on to carve their own little parts of music history The Cranberries, Sleeper and Radiohead.

Back in the early days of the bowl they had a strange system in place where they didn’t accept money to purchase beer, you had this weird system where you had to go and purchase “tokens” before the gates opened, to use as your currency within the stadium. If you didn’t purchase enough or any tokens at all, then it was tough – you would be having a dry old day. I remember purchasing plenty, I was paying the price for days after – no pity for me it was all self imposed.

Here’s the set list for the day. It was also broadcast live on the BBC’s Radio one.

Set list

It was a cracking day out and a day that would stick with me throughout my life, as I became a fan that would now follow them,whenever they came back to the Uk. The last time I saw them was in Hyde Park London just after the London bombings, on 16th July 2005.

Man I really miss them. I’ve always said if they were to reform just for one concert anywhere in the world, then I would be there. The wife has always been on standby should that date ever be announced.

But I doubt it ever will, but we can only live in a constant state of hope. We all need that bit of hope in our lives.

In the meantime, I’ll just go and crank that stereo up to eleven, just so I can hear the wife shout at me one more time 😂.

Have a lovely day.

Rock and Crooner and a bit of classic

What is your favorite genre of music?

I really have quite an eclectic choice in music. I was brought up on the crooners of the 50s and 60s such as Como, Crosby and Sinatra whom I still love to this day. I also love rock, Heavy metal and Classical and one particular couple of months a few years ago this was my agenda:

  • Week one – Iron Maiden at the O2 in London
  • Week Two – Russel Watson at Watford Colloseum
  • Week Three – The Prodigy at the O2 in London
  • And three weeks later – Metallica at the O2 London

Man my ears ached for weeks but I absolutely loved it. The purity of a five piece string ensemble right through to the thrash sound of one of the worlds Rock mega groups, how’s that for musical range?

Kasabian & Kaiser chiefs

Nothings changed, in fact this very day I will be heading off to Leicesters Victoria park to see Summer solstice (Kasabian and the Kaiser chiefs amongst others) and guess what? In typical UK style is raining cats and dogs.

But it will be a good day.

Peace all.

Thoughts 8/5/24

What was the last live performance you saw?

The last live performance I saw was the Ukrainian national ballet and opera version of Puccinis “La Boheme” at the Demontfort hall in Leicester city centre.

La Boheme

Now you are probably thinking I’m a high brow poncey stuck up operatic lovey, you couldn’t be further from the truth. My music choice ranges from operatic, to big band sound, through disco and hip hop all the way through to seriously heavy metal and anything in between. If I like the sound I’ll go see the group that made it.

It’s good to have a variety of music to admire. My love of operatic and chamber music goes down to my total admiration of musicians who can play these beautiful instruments and make such wonderful sounds with them. And that’s why I appreciate live music and will attend a concert whenever I get the chance.

My favourite group is another question though, and that group is REM. As they are no longer around I’m off to see a tribute band to them called “Stipe” that will be in my area next month. I’m looking forward to that.

Happy days all…