So last night I saw Brand New and met Vinnie Accardi

So yesterday, I dragged my best friend to get a train at half ten in the morning so we'd be at the Roundhouse for twelve which we actually were. We made lots and lots of friends in the queue and actually when we got into the venue at the barrier - people kept asking me about my tattoo which I was quite happy to explain. It's weird though, never before had I really explained it to anyone as honestly, I'm terrified of what people'll think of me but telling a fellow Brand New fan? That's different.

I kind of feel for my best friend Susie. We've known each other since we were thirteen and I've never actually been as honest about my life as I was last night. We actually sat on the train and I told her everything which was  pretty life changing because now she can finally understand everything that's gone on.

But anyway, in the queue for Brand New, we actually managed to make so many new friends! At Taking Back Sunday, I made friends once I got into the gig, not before but at Brand New, people just wanted to make jokes, laugh and become one huge family which honestly, happened last night. We've all been adding one another on Facebook today and following each other on sites like Tumblr - it's the most amazing feeling in the world if I'm honest.

After waiting with Susie and an random American named Robert for seven hours (people joined us after four) for the doors to open, they finally did only right before, a security woman took my SLR and put it in storage as it turns out that The Roundhouse doesn't like student photographers that don't have photography passes.

But I must admit, I'm kind of glad they didn't let me take my camera in. I would have been distracted if they had.

So, if you know me, you will know that I saw The Xcerts supporting Taking Back Sunday last year and was less than impressed with them. Eh. They must have had a bad show last year 'cause when I saw them last night, I was hypnotized with their sound and the performance of Tom, their drummer whom I have a huge soft spot for admittedly. But yes, brilliant band! Go see them live, you might be impressed!

I Am The Avalanche were pretty awesome too! Not got much to say about them only that if they support a band I'm seeing again, I won't be disappointed!

Now, Brand New. Ohhhhh Brand New. What an intense band to watch! Seriously, they perform like they're on a major red bull high. For reals. But yes, the set list was absolutely incredible - I have no complaints about it.

As soon as Jesse started strumming the first couple of cords of  "Tautou", I just knew that their (close to) two hours on stage was going to be life changing. And it was. For the first fifteen songs, I was singing with all my might and trying to hold it together, I even threw my hat on stage for Vinnie (he wasn't wearing a bloody hat!) during Vices but sadly, he just threw it gently  behind him and (I thought) forgot about it.

Then they played The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot and I lost it.

I cried my eyes out until the gig ended and gah, it was all so emotional. I will tell the story behind my tattoo in the next few days on here but, yeah. It's just been a hard year for me and stuff. So when Vinnie was looking around the stage at the end, I was kind of confused until he lifted up my hat, smiled and moved to the edge of the stage closer to the crowd, looking for me.

Now usually, I laugh at girls that are like "*Lead singers name* was looking at me during the gig!" but, Jesse and Vinnie were looking at me as soon as they realized I was upset. Vinnie looking for me to give me my hat back kind of proved this.

All the girls on the left of me were screaming their head off, begging him for the hat thinking it was his but to the right of me, everyone was pointing at me and telling him it was mine (which I guess he already knew). Everyone freaked out when he jumped off the stage, strolled over to me and gave me my hat back before smiling.

I showed him my wrists, the left one decorated in a beautiful "Let your beauty unfold" and the other... Let's not talk about that right now. He looked up at me looking kind of happy and yet really sad before I told him that he helped save my life. We kissed one another's cheeks as he pulled me into a huge hug, me crying slightly on his shoulder before we let go of one another, smiled at one another again and he went to leave, high fiving and shaking the hands of other Brand New fans.

Honestly, I will never forget that split moment I shared with Vinnie Accardi from Brand New. Honestly, he made me not letting go so fucking worth it...

[There's a video that shows Vinnie and me actually...]

Half term week!

This next week is going to be really brilliant for me.

First off, I'm seeing Brand New tomorrow with my best friend in the whole entire world. I've been out today and bought supplies for our queuing (seeing as we plan on arriving in London before midday) - some energy drinks, four bagels and I'll probably end up buying sweets at some points too along with picking up a James Herbert novel that I've already got so it I end up losing this copy, I won't get all upset like.

I know what you're thinking - she's seeing Brand New, how on earth can this week get any better?

Hello half term!

I have a week of getting to sleep in, catching up with all my friends that are still in school or at the main college site in Peterborough and just being lazy. I also have the week booked off work which means I won't be rushing around, trying to find my work uniform and stuff.

And then there's the fact that my friends in The Famous Class are coming to Peterborough to play a show along aside As We Climb with local support from White Clouds and Gunfire, Centre Excuse and Dropout Dan. Not only do I finally get to see them live but, I also get to interview them along with most other bands on the bill.

My life is officially awesome.

Dirty Sanchez @ Club Revolution, Peterborough [February 4th, 2012]

Since I was a kid, I've been a huge fan of the MTV show, Dirty Sanchez so when I heard Pritchard and Dainton were coming to Peterborough, I just had to get a ticket and make sure I was as close as I could possibly be to the stage so I could see everything.

I actually was lucky enough on Saturday night to be sat on the side of the stage (in lots and lots of beer) and watch them fuck each other up whilst taking photos and recording it all with my camera. 

The set list...

So after about waiting over an hour with the crowd for the guys to come on, they stormed the stage and did what they do best - make everyone scream as they rip apart their bodies. If you've seen the TV show though, you just don't expect any less from the guys although, watching them  bleed in front of you is actually more horrible than watching them bleed on your TV screen where you can laugh away without feeling bad.

They were so funny and amazing though to the point where I ended up recording videos instead of taking photos just because it's something that is impossible to truly catch in a photo.

All I'm gonna say about the show is, if you ever get the chance to see them perform live, do it! You'll kick yourself if you don't get to see them beat each other up in front of your very eyes!

Pritchard and Dainton posing at the wall of posters I made

Overall, the night was incredible and lucky little me got to meet them backstage right after the show! They were the loveliest guys ever and after I finished taking photos of them and staff at Club Revolution/JD's bar and grill, they asked me to take some photos of them in front of the wall of gig posters that I'd created with a member of staff earlier on in the afternoon. 

I think the best part of the night for me was when Dainton was explaining to me what was on his DVD, going on about how I'd love it as it had men grinding up poles, ect and I quite casually without thinking pointed over to Pritchard and muttered "I think he'd enjoy that kind of thing more!"

At least they all laughed it off...

Lucky me posing for a photo with the guys!

Brand New!

Look at what my best friend just posted on her Tumblr!

I can't believe that we're seeing Brand New a week tomorrow. It's a dream come true!

Roll Deep @ Club Revolution, Peterborough [January 29th, 2012]

So a couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get the chance to interview the lovely Tania from Roll Deep over the phone which was a new experience for me. In the past few months, I've managed to interview the epic bass man that is Brian Weaver (formally of Silvertide and Automatic Fire, current bass-face of Terrible Things) via Skype (which meant two hours of me being mean to the poor, poor man) and Army of Freshmen with awesome recording equipment that I rented from college.

Phone interviews are more nerve wracking than being sat on a sofa talking to some of your favorite musicians face-to-face, trust me.

But thankfully, Tania was lovely and even though I managed to trip over my words quite a few times, she didn't get arsey like I know some musicians would have. But overall, the interview was actually great and even though it lasted ten minutes at the most; I got the questions I asked answered and have a giggle with her.

It was reasonable that I make the effort then last weekend to go and see Roll Deep when they played my favorite local venue and grab some live shots of them (which, I haven't had a chance to look through yet).

Sneaky photo time!

So after I arrived at Club Revolution (because it's the only local venue I ever seem to go to!) and said a quick hello to everyone, I ended up in the band room (before Roll Deep arrived) and met an awesome photography and film crew, the Hennessy Crew. They actually took all the photos in this blog post, so check out their page! They're actually really good and talented guys who I hope to get the chance to work with again in the future!

Me and Tania from Roll Deep

The crowd went crazy for the group which made me realize that I was probably better up on stage at the side getting shots and not interrupting people's good times just to try and get that perfect shot. Big ups to the security guy that pulled me up onto the stage in exchange for a photo of him, got to love kick ass guys like that!

The gig itself was actually brilliant.I'm not the biggest fan of urban/R 'n' B/rap music but, I had such a brilliant time! The group put on a fucking brilliant show to the point that I will be making the effort to go and see them next time they're in the city and dragging friends along with me!

Grinning like a fool whilst taking photos!

Honestly, even if you're not into the genre or going to a gig at two am, I would make an exception for these guys 'cause you'll regret it if you don't!

In a couple of weeks times, I shall actually post the interview along with parts of my interview with Brian Weaver and my Army of Freshmen interview along with my Roll Deep on, of course!

Paycheck

You know those people who spend their paycheck on stuff they really don't need? Yeah. I'm one of those people. This month so far, I've spent £28 on buying nineteen DVDs from the wonderful world of Amazon and $40 on seven band shirts for myself, a band shirt for my best friend, a bag, a poster and a sweat band.

But at least the rest of it will be going on things like seeing Brand New on the 12th with the best friend and coffee!

Hello new merch!

White Clouds and Gunfire @ Lock 42, Leicester [January 27th, 2012]

So this past Friday night, I was lucky enough to experience an incredible show that was put on by Peterborough's very own White Clouds and Gunfire, a pop-punk group that's louder than life itself.

 
Jake from White Clouds and Gunfire

Since this past October, I've been lucky enough to catch every single last White Clouds show whether it's been here in Peterborough, in Stamford or like Friday, in Leicester - if a band's good enough, I'm willing to either travel by train alone to see them or hitch a ride in their mini bus or van and White Clouds are certainly one of those bands.

I'd never been to Lock 42 before Friday night and I must say, I was incredibly impressed with it. Not only was it a huge venue but also a slightly warmer then your average venue meaning that for once, I didn't have to cuddle my coat whilst enjoying whatever band was playing at the time. That and a venue that serves tea whilst a gig is going on is a fucking ace venue in my books! I was actually discussing this earlier with a guy I go to college with and he just couldn't believe that I actually had a cuppa whilst watching the show on Friday night - it may not be rock 'n' roll but c'mon! Who doesn't enjoy a nice brew as they watch an off the hook performance?

Eveline from White Clouds and Gunfire

With a sound that's caught between Paramore, Straylight Run and Evarose, White Clouds and Gunfire put on a chart worthy performance with songs their catchy songs such as Dreams becoming instant hits among the small crowd. Eveline the lead singer definitely owned the stage without an effort and showed that females can hold a crowd just as well as any other male fronted pop-punk group.

I think what made the gig more special than usual was the fact their bassist, Rob had just had a birthday that week meaning the band were bouncing from that still along with the fact balloons decorated the stage and they quite happily gave out chocolate birthday cake after the show. 

Who doesn't love free birthday cake at a rock show?

Birthday boy Rob from White Clouds and Gunfire

If you live in Peterborough or the surrounding area and you haven't already, go to a White Clouds show 'cause I can ensure you that you'll be impressed with what you see and hear. If you're not then you're a fool. 

Hello!

I'm not really sure how on earth I should start this. I mean, I guess I'm only starting this blog because in my journalism class, tutors keep telling us to start one and a friend keeps suggesting it too. I go to enough gigs, interview enough bands and have enough shots to start one - what's been stopping me?

Not knowing what to really write about has been stopping me, that's what.

Who wants to listen to an eighteen year old music fanatic from Peterborough rabbit on about bands she loves seeing live or just adores chilling with? I probably wouldn't, not unless she hung with bands such as Panic! at the Disco and fun. or maybe even the likes of Green Day or bloody Lostprophets. Yeah...

But give my blog a chance 'cause you never know, one day I could be chilling with some of your favorite musicians and you wouldn't want to miss that now, would you?