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1. bumblebee (26 days ago)

   the girl singer I couldnt remember the name of was Beth Rowley

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2. bumblebee (26 days ago)

   Ok so I wasn't going to this gig, I couldn't afford it and Chiefs being my biggest draw were meant to be on a break. The fabulous David Arnold however managed to persuade them and many others to perform last night and without a fee. I went along to Brixton to meet up with friends from near and far have a quick chat as I live down the road and go home. I was actually fine with this, I had seen the people I had wanted to see and all was good, however someone got me a ticket and next thing I knew I was heading into the Academy. All seemed a bit surreal.
   Speech Debelle, I wanted to like her I really did but she wasn't my thing so headed to the bar area to chat up with others who had made it down.
   Next up Rob Brydon, he is alright made me laugh a couple of times but I wouldn't say he had me in stitches.
   Then a lady who I cannot remember the name off, good voice but didnt hold my interest, so far this wasnt going well, not helped by the excitement I felt at seeing everyone again, I wanted happy bouncy fun time music, so far all we had was serious.
   Dara filled in next and he was ten times better in my opinion than Rob. He then bought on Damien Rice who was really good but again I wanted something happy so I couldnt really get into it, I think a different venue and time and it would have been tremendous. Especially as he walked away from the mic for Cannonball and still managed to fill the place with his voice and guitar. Rob and Dara again to fill in and the night begins to blur a little so I might get the order a little wrong.
   Gary Barlow was fabulous, he really doesn't need Take That the same way they need him, the backing singers were just as good if not better because they looked like they were actually singing. Ok before anyone has a go, I know they try and sing as much as they can but with those dance moves they arent singing all the time that perfectly. I have to say though my old teenage crush started to come back a little, awwwww. I think Back for Good was my fave, but he did also do Patience and Rule The World.
   Dara came back on after and had a wee go at the stage techs who kept appearing, was amusing but you couldnt help but feel for the poor sods just trying to set up for the next artist.
   Badly Drawn Boy was pretty good, kept complaining about his guitar being out in his amp, again this was an artist I would have loved in a different venue but Brixton Academy for me is all about the loud and its not a venue I choose to go to. Although I do think I have seen him briefly before and he isnt someone I would choose to check out either. Tried my best to give him a good go and listen but my mind wandered away to somewhere else instead I think to Dead Set and why the zombies hadnt started to eat each other at the main gate outside the big brother house - oh dear.
   Anyway back to the gig James Dean Bradfield - he is a legend right, I know this and I love his voice, clearly a man with talent who is deserving of his title. Again I found my mind wandering, I cannot get into manics as much as I try and believe me I have tried, as much as I admire James Dean Bradfield he never holds my interest, however he was a marked improvement on the other acts of the night in my eyes, he has that quality of raw which I like. He did If you Tolerate this and A Design For Life from what I remember, thinking there was one more but I would have to hear it.
   Dara and Rob continued to come on between the acts and tell jokes and keep us entertained, we enjoyed Rob's Tom Jones and Ronny Corbett impressions.
   David Arnold came on with Bond to do a few numbers and then something which changed the show around for me, he bought out David McAlmont who sung Yes with him, it was this moment which suddenly turned the night from being a showcase into something special. I love that song and my god it was so good to hear with David Arnold (who I have a huge respect for) on piano.
   David Walliams came on to do a little sketch with David Arnold and Mark Ronson, lets just say I think David Walliams hit it on the head when he said it was a little bit of fun that went too far!!!
   Mark came back on stage to perform with The Rumble Strips doing Back to Black, which was fantastic, and then Daniel Merriweather whom I had wanted to see so was happy he was there but quickly realised he wasn't doing anything I am particularly interested in right now. Good voice though no denying that.
   Then my worst nightmare, Simon Le Bon with members of Chiefs, I cant help it, I cannot stand the guy so when he came on I tried to listen, thought what a pile of poop and went for a loo break. He did Planet Earth.
   Thankfully he was only on for one song so I was able to rejoin my group.
   James Corden bounced cheerily on the stage next and bought on a friend called Sam McCarthy who was pretty good, they ended up doing a duet together of Nobody Does It Better, James is a pretty good singer and he looked well chuffed when he finished, he was then told to keep it going so quickly improvised with a bit of A Little Help, he did get a couple of words wrong but how can you fault him what a star. I wanted to keep him forever.
   Next up my band, my all time favourite band, Kaisers. They came on and after such an incredible line up of top top names and superstars like Bradfield, came out and went in for the ownership of the night. A high energy set of Ruby, I Predict A Riot, Angry Mob, Never Miss A Beat and ending on their usual extended Oh My God. It sounded fantastic and certainly gave me what I had wanted all night, a happy bouncy if very short set. I loved it.
   The night started slow but by the end I was so very glad I had been able to go. I came out completely buzzing.
   Hung around chatting to everyone until the early hours when I finally got to meet David Arnold, what a gent. We thanked him for putting on the show and finally having no reason left to stay said farewells and made it homeward bound.

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