Gigsq

If you’re not sure. Check the venue. Tell them how you’re fixed, most of them are really helpful. Some places physically they can do nothing about. It’s nothing personal it’s just the way it is. These buildings were built before rock bands and you. It’s better finding out before hand

.I’ve done hundreds of these things. Seen just about everyone, most of them for nothing. Worst was Led Zeppelin at Knebworth. Weather conditions, amenities. People. Especially the people.Almost put me off rock music.I grew to hate The Chieftains there was a period when every big band who played Ireland had this band as support. You’d turn up and there would be a line of kitchen chairs and someone would happily announce ‘Special guests. The Chieftains’ the sound system more than adequately masking the sound of disappointment from the crowd

.So, retired, for the first time in forty years somebody bought me a ticket……..for Springsteen at an outdoor gig in Belfast.We went. I blagged a TGA super light rwd scooter. Big seat, ready to go across a bomb site. And I had my own seat. Of course Springsteen put on a show. Never been a big fan of crowds. Never been a big fan of Irish crowds and even less a fan of Ulster crowds. So there I was securely seated on a heavy duty scooter wondering how people managed to get through life as they tripped over holes in the ground,   fences, other people and me. And it was still daylight.

Cocktails were acquired. Beer too. as we watched people trip over things and spill liquid. Band tore the place up and I had a great time. Of course they were good

“Ha” said the dame “Now you know what its like”I had no idea what she was taking about when she pointed out that I had by using a scooter gone from being 6 foot to under 5 foot tall. and almost invisible. A lesson learned. (Not an Irish problem they seem equally stupid in Europe) But when some drunk came barreling through the crowd, shoving everyone out of the way and stopped at me . It took a minute. ‘Hey he’s on wheels’ so it seemed sensible to push me out of the way. Only these things don’t move when switched off so my country friend got himself a hernia and spilled his beer. He wasn’t happy.

So indoor and outdoor gigs with my own transport and seat is pretty damn good.Plant, Thompson, Parker. Yes I’ve been tripped over at all of them. Famous support act tripped over me and proceeded to give me such a look for a moment i thought it was my fault she wasn’t looking where she was going.There is a question usually asked of chair and scooter travellers. “Why the shitkickers” (sensible shoes) arseholes, drunks and doorposts. Arseholes and drunks tripping over my feet and well meaning people shoving the chair and my feet into a doorpost. and going ‘Ooops’.Its not funny.  

I’m beginning to think people should treat one of these forms of transport like a Texans hat. ‘Don’t touch my hat’.

So. Festivals. Are you mad. Nope, we go to one every year. fine tuning as we go along. we think we’ve got it sort of rightIts probably worth a separate post.Next one Springsteen doing The River in Dublin. First time in Croke Park.Second time seeing him do The River.First time was at Slane.