Guess where I was yesterday?
It was hot.
It was sweaty.
There were a lot of people in a very confined space, and
There was live, loud music.
Me and Nick went to the
Kerrang! Day of Rock, and much fun it was too! I had a shower this morning and I
still smell of other people.
It was good, though. I thought it might be all 13 year-olds but there was a good mix of all ages. We didn't get in for the first band,
yourcodenameis:milo, and we kept getting moved around so we didn't get to watch them on the screens that much either. We managed to be let in on the 4th wave though, we had snuck our way into the huddled queue and were in the last group they let in before
Reuben began their set.
And my, my, what a set!
Hustling, bustling, crowdsurfers and my glasses breaking, I haven't been in such a fun pit since Schpunk in June. They're thoroughly fantastic, and if you value good music you'll vote for them in the Kerrang! awards, and ever after too. They really got the crowd going, and though I didn't see them because I was too short, I had a damn good mosh about.
And my glasses? A brightly-dressed surfer clipped me hard in the back of the head, cracking me into the guy in front. My forehead broke one lense out and twisted the frames, making them pretty unwearable. I thankfully managed to find the lense on the flor before anyone stood on it, but it wouldn't go back in for love nor money. I have to go to the opticians today to get them fixed.
In between bands they had a guitar competition, and one of the competitors looked so much like David that it took me a minute to figure out it wasn't him. But bloody hell, if you believe in doubles, here was a living example.
Next band was
Minus, a shouty outfit from Iceland who played a short but effective set that ended rather abruptly. I sat this one out, to dry off as much as anything else, but I managed to find a good vantage point, letting me actually see what was going on, rather than pondering what the band looked like. Not my kind of music, but damned good anyway.
Drinks were uber expensive, but then Costa Coffee always is. I only buy stuff from the one at work because I get a 10% discount in there.
Last up was who we had been waiting for:
Biffy Clyro. Need I say more? Scottish, stoned and immensely energetic, the only thing that spoiled their set was a couple of wankers in the crowd who kept kicking out despite the small space. Ahh, they were fantastic, and I got their autographs. At some point I'll scan them all in. Mmm, Biffy Clyro. It was even more packed than Reuben, and at times it was difficult to breathe. I'm quite surprised I didn't pass out, it was that hot. My top got soaked and strtched all out of shape, but do I care? No, it was worth it, especially considering the top cost me £2.50 out of Primark.
Gotta love Primark.
After we got out, we managed to buy a copy of Reuben's album about 3 minutes before HMV shut, letting me get my discount on it (yay!). It would have cost £1.20 more if we'd bought it in Virgin instead.
And finally, my list of losses and gains for the evening, something I always manage after gigs and pits.
Lost:
1 bracelet
1 earring
Hearing (since regained)
The integrity and shape of my glasses
Gained:
1 lumpy bruise, lower left leg
1 sore, left shoulder
1 pink stain, left wrist, from a pink wooden bracelet
1 small bruise, left hand
1 neck ache, right side
Dirt on shoes that wasn't there prior to gig
DNA from approx. 100 people
Approx 5 pints of donated sweat
1 BAD smell
I'm definitely going next year, and look out for my bracelets in next week's Kerrang! magazine.
