Introduction

Well this is the 2nd blog iv created now, and this one i plan to be all about the gigs i go to and music in general, and hopefully get an idea across to folk just how much music means to me and what i think about it. Theres a few reasons why im making this, firstly iv been thinking alot about music today and what it means to me due to a not very important conversation that sprung up with my friend Neil, who claimed i couldnt actually "love" music, to which i disagreed. But that tied together with the other reasons got me thinking how would i describe why i love music the way i do? sure everyone likes music, but im sure others dont appreciate it nearly as much as some others do for all its various merits (not claiming im one of these people here, im sure i love music nowhere near as much as some of my friends - but i love it enough, and the love grows. Also not claiming Neil doesnt appreciate music enough... yet =P). Then there was the gig i was just at tonight - Machine Head. Its the 3rd time iv seen them live, but tonight, they earned the title of the best gig iv ever been to (not an easy spot to take!). And i hope that this blog will also be a good way for me to remember in future the way that music has made me feel in the past (now) and not forget all these awesome gigs in say 20 years time. 3rd reason: i cant sleep.

So i reckon ill start off with tonight's gig. I made it just in time to catch most of the first band (i believe it was All Shall Perish), who were alright, i stayed on one of the raised levels until they finished so i could find the cloakroom - big jackets are far too warm at a gig in general, let alone if you plan on going in a mosh pit. But after that i set out and found my friends, Freya and her mum were on the middle tier of the lower level (02 academy has this strange tier system, which is quite good for folk at the back to see) but i joined Dechlan and Kris who were at the barrier at the front. And stayed there for the next 2 bands, Really enjoyed Bleeding through, and Hatebreed were brilliant, put on a great show. Also they were quite clever in calling anyone who didnt move a Panic at the Disco fan, of course the place went mental for that song, nobody wants to be associated with them, even if they did like them in the past *cough cough shameful fidgeting* So that gave my head a good warm up for Machine Head. Now as iv said its the 3rd time iv seen them live, but they just seem to get better and better. I first listened to them probably like 2 years ago, and liked their music, so i went to see them supporting slipknot, good gig, machine head were great, seen them next at Sonisphere Knebworth 2009, They were Awesome. Seen them tonight, me and all my friends had our minds blown. They always get a good atmosphere, but tonight the crowd went MENTAL, mosh pit from wall to wall. I joined in for the first 4 or 5 songs going through some of my favourites such as clenching the fists of dissent, or anything off the blackened album really. And they played some never-before-heard material for their new album, which was just awesome being among the first to hear it. Unfortunately i had to leave the gig early to catch my bus (which i almost didnt as i tried to stay as long as possible) and ended up missing them playing Halo, probably my favourite song, and according to Dechlan singularly their best live performance ever. So slightly dissapointed that i missed that, but the rest of the gig was simply unbelievable, and if i missed the best part then you can only imagine that my friends would be even more enthusiastic about just how amazing this gig was. I Decided the best way to get out quickly would be the good ol' crwodsurf, so i turn around to the guy behind me, and made the "go and geez a leg up" hand gesture, and wee! off i went, retiring from the pits in style.

Theres some feeling of freedom you get while crowdsurfing that iv yet to experience in anything else. Youre essentially placing your trust in the people in front of you to not let you fall (which happens and isnt always pleasant), and i think its quite liberating and relaxing. its also really fun =P. And its quite a sight to see sometimes, when a rather large (shall we put it) man manages to crowdsurf, you wouldnt think its possible but physics disagrees!

Other Memorable moments: the previous sentence happening, getting ranted at in the toilet by a drunk christian who didnt like black metal (i wasnt entirely aware Children of Bodom were black metal? maybe im just being silly, i dont know.) getting an entire pints spilt on me just before machine head - i reek of booze and other peoples sweat now, yay!, headbutted in the chin in the moshpit (teeth feel ok now but they felt odd for like an hour after)

So yeah, review of my most recent and new favourite gig over, in the next posts ill probably start catching up on other gigs and memorable moments, most likely ill put a list of gigs up to help me keep track. Going to try to sleep again, good night fellow Metal-heads and all other assorted music lovers.