Draft blog overview of whole day, Delays stuff starts at para 4 for anyone who doesn't fancy reading about the other bands or the junk we got upto. For those of you that bug me - check your inboxes shortly. As always, love is sent.
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Middlesbrough Music Live
Journey began with a heavy heart on Saturday, as the warm sun poured into the car from all angles we knew from studying the weather reports all week that for Sunday the gods were intending for it to piss it down. Undeterred, we journeyed on, taking a little detour to visit the Angel of the North before hitting Middlesbro. Its rather big you know. The angel, not boro. Although in proportion Middlesbro is in fact bigger than the angel.
We awoke on Sunday of course to pouring rain, which meant that my Eos would be staying indoors. Too expensive to get wet, we weren't sure of getting a close enough spot, and as I discovered later, my beastly zoom lens had somehow become a little bit fucked & now refuses to work. Sadly not the only camera calamity of the day, as during Ash's set later while we were chillin on the sidelines, a 6 year old brat decided to kick a football at Ailsa sending her mini Ixus flying out of her hands & landing in bits on the floor. By the time we'd retrieved the parts the aforementioned delinquent brat and its mother had scarpered from view. I hope you stepped on a turd on your way out.
After getting horrendously soaked in the first half an hour of being there we headed to Starbucks to dry off. No sooner had we ordered coffee than the rain decided to subside. Typical. A little dryer, we first wanted to check out Royworld, as Dust has been on heavy rotation on the stereo since its release. Unfortunately they were playing an indoor venue, which as you can imagine was overly subscribed due to the conditions outside, and we couldn't get in. Back to the main stage I guess. Wildcats All Star Jam were stirring the crowd into an unexpected (by me that is) frenzy. Headed by a couple of guys on a fiddle & double bass, they played raucous covers of well known tunes, and were pretty funky. Time for some munch, and as we ordered some nice healthy chips Ailsa pipes up "Hey, isn't that guy over there from Ash?" as drummer Rick casually saunters past. There was almost a ketchup incident. I am liking this festival malarky. Back into the throng to watch Jack McManus whose voice is almost as big as his hair. Bit too middle of the road for me, but your mum would probably love him.
During this time we'd made friends with a girl called Carly who was standing near us with her friend. As the crowd shifted & jiggled between acts, they eventually found themselves on the front barrier with us just behind. So they kindly agreed to let Ailsa & myself 'borrow' their spot to watch the boys. Result. I gave her my Delays badge in return, as she had remarked on how cool Rowly's drum artwork was, ie the head. I do have to point out that she was extremely pissed, and probably won't remember why or where she got the badge in the morning. Bless. Next band Infadels passed in a blink, their set cut short due to overrun. Not my kind of thing, but their energy & gusto almost outshone everyone, especially their insane pogo-ing keyboard player who finished the set by leaping offstage & rolling about in the muddy grass. In white jeans.
Equipment changeover, drizzle began once again, someone at HQ forgot to order the sunshine this week. No matter, I barely noticed the rain by the time they stepped onstage. Opening with Girls on Fire, well, actually thats a slight lie, as a technical hitch gave us 40 seconds of Hey Girl before trying again. I wasn't expecting them to open with Girls, given that this wasn't a Delays crowd, but was pleased nevertheless as I adore that song. Sound appeared better near the front than further back for some reason. Usually the reverse is true. Although Greg's guitar needed upping a notch as it was a little on the quiet side throughout.
Carly: "Oooh, he's really small in't he? And that keyboard player is well fit!"
Rapidly blazed through the setlist, pausing briefly when it looked like someone was kicking off in the crowd. I couldn't see from my position what was going on exactly, I only saw the agitated security, and Aaron shouting for them to cool it. It seemed to work though, and he proclaimed proudly that he'd managed to stop it. The pace was picked up again, with the mexican wave enthusiastically initiated as per previous gigs. Although everyone around me was listening intently there didn't seem to be as much pogo-ing as in Nottingham, which I found unusual for a northern crowd. Perhaps the rain had put a dampener on peoples enthusiasm to witness a band they hardly knew. It seemed as though I barely had time to wipe the drizzle from my eyes before it was over, curiously with the omission of Hooray, Keep it Simple & Hideaway from the setlist. Culled due to overrun. Of course headliners Ash getting to keep their full hour slot with a less than perfect (and at times lackluster) performance. Hmpf.
Position swapped back with Carly, we bid her enjoy the rest of the gig & headed to the beer tent. We had neither intended or expected to see the boys offstage at this gig, and as we headed from the beer tent to the candy floss store - Ailsa wanting a lolly to dip into her cider (don't ask!) - we have to pass the back of the stage, as all the fairground attractions are located at that end. Like beacons in the mist we spy a couple of girls in a group wearing Delays t-shirts up ahead and they are talking to Aaron, who is standing next to a hooded figure partially obscured from my view but whose physique & white trainers could only belong to Greg. As we have to pass by, it would be rude not to say a quick hello. Aaron looking mightily pleased with himself after getting snogged by 2 of the girls, proclaiming that he's "Dizzy, but cool!" They say they are all very much looking forward to IOW festival in a couple of weeks, making me feel guilty for sitting this one out (so if you are going, then give them lots of love & pogo your asses off!) I ask Greg how the old voicebox is doing, as it sounded much better. He says it feels alot better, isn't quite right yet, but should be after the 2 weeks rest they have now. I said I was surprised to see him out & about in the damp air (it had stopped drizzling at this point however) thinking he might have still been under doctors orders and all that. "Well, y'know, I saw you guys down the front getting wet, so..." he shrugs & grins. I want to bow down & kiss his feet but its far too muddy. Did I ever mention that I fucking love these guys?? Now bugger off in the warm before Marshy starts shouting at you, there's candy with our name on it still waiting.
Completely miss One Night Only due to our gossiping, but I really only wanted to see Ash now anyways. I like Ash, I've never seen them live though. It might have been the dodgy sound setup, but I have to say neither Ailsa nor myself were impressed by what we heard. We sheltered by the mima building, and at times it was difficult to work out what the songs were from the intros that little resembled what I have on record. Perhaps I'll get chance to see them again under different circumstances. Shame it was a Sunday, as most of the gang couldn't make it due to work the following day. But still, massive kudos to the local council for putting this on for free. I wish there was more of them in our cities - do it for the kids!!
Aaron: "Trust me, you don't wanna know what he's doing in there"