17/12/11 - 02 Arena, London Gig News - Page 40 - Forever Delayed

amy606 · #**586** 19-12-2011, 11:07

What a great gig! Was nice chatting the peeps in the queu and made the day go by a lot quicker! We ended up stood in between James and Nicky on the barrier it was immense. My pics from the gig...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1719992&type=1

Embla Claymore · #**587** 19-12-2011, 11:18

My two cents: I seriously thought I was not going to make it - massive transport strikes, severe weather warnings and whatnot... but the Easyjet flight went super smoothly.
I only panicked at Gatwick when StandAndStare's flight was delayed 90min. and there were no info on the displays!
We had seated tickets so there was no need to queue,doors opened about 10min late on our side of the entrance (but I'm Italian, I always expect the worst!) and security check was quick. We were allowed to keep our entire ticket, I actually asked one security guy if they they had forgotten to rip the stub or what!

Merch was rather poor, IMO, and expensive, but I did get the two white shirts. I was kinda lusting after the cotton bag, but 15£ was a bit steep.

The entire gig was awesome, personal highlights were the Lifeblood singles (yeah I'm one of those who love that album!) but all in all it was fab to hear all the singles!
I hated Nina - that chick can't sing live (or she had a cold, anyway I never liked the Cardigans) I can't believe they said that filming a DVD would be expensive and then they flew her from the US to ruin a 4min. song!!
Not impressed with the guests actually.
Oh and those keyboards need to be turned down. A LOT.

Too bad the glitter and ticker tape didn't reach at least the lower tier, we were pretty much all standing at some point during the second half of the set, so it would've been cool!
Managed to say a quick hello to Franny, Dan, Rich, Lauren on our way out - massive crowd towards the tube (here everyone takes their own car!).

Flight back home was right on time but awful. Never seen so many kids and infants on a flight, they kept crying/screaming/running up and down (with parents following them) and for some reason a hostess burst into tears a few minutes before we started our descent... Crazy!

Attending Manics gigs has proven to be a fantastic experience so far. Getting there, not so much! I'm actually glad they're taking some time off!

gallafield · #**588** 19-12-2011, 11:35

I thought the piano was rather too loud on ystsfmh, but other than that, it was fine.

Midlands_Junk · #**589** 19-12-2011, 11:36

I can't really fault the sound, and I thought the cowbell was a laugh.
At the time, I didn't even notice how much slower Stay Beautiful was.

darkanddivine · #**590** 19-12-2011, 11:46

I was surprised Revol was at full tilt given that Faster, Stay Beautiful and Life Becoming a Landslide are noticably slower than back in the day.

FacelessSenseOfVoid · #**591** 19-12-2011, 11:54

Right, better late than never but my own personal account of the big day goes like this.....

Crappy journey on the train from Birmingham to London Euston, but NT lasted almost entirely the length of that journey, which was a good sign. Got into London just before 2pm, decided to go to the pre-show meet up in Hammersmith. Me and another girl were sitting in opposite sides of the room for 30 mins before a couple of others came and since I felt like a total lemon sitting there like Billy No-mates, I decided to leave after an hour of boredom.... no one's fault, just didn't work out very well.

Managed to meet a few more people before the gig, which was nice, including Radiomanic and his other half. Before doors, I visited the queue briefly at around 6:10pm as wristbands were being checked. Didn't really recognise anyone since it looked like full of newbies, but I did spot Franny, shouted out his name, pointed towards him but he looked scared and looked away! (yes, I am sure you remember that!).

Anyway, the gig itself. Took my spot in Block 101, had a lovely view and the sound wasn't too bad. Some of the songs were slowed down massively, so it seemed at the time, particularly Stay Beautiful and Faster (ironically). Really enjoyed hearing LSE, Revol, TBTGOG and Nixon for the very first time. The intro to OS was a nice surprise and I was slightly confused by the "live to kill" thing going on in S'n'B. Since I stood for pretty much the entire gig, I was knackered by the end of the first half and when the second half started I was totally knackered!!! The crowd seemed a bit crap overall, especially in the seats but I put that down to the length of the set, mainly. I was very surprised that they didn't have a few more guests since they were talking it up for ages. Nina was a disappointment, with her croaky voice (and what's up with her gold tooth?) and Gruff did a good job on LRS, although he did drown James out with his deep vocals during the chorus, which wasn't good.

After the gig I met up with Lucyloo and her partner Tim and made our way back to the hotel, where we stayed up until past 2am having a great chat in the bar with Archivesoftherevollover (Paul). Lovely day, shame I didn't get to meet everyone I hoped to.

Mary Chain · #**592** 19-12-2011, 11:56

Nina's had a gold tooth for most of her career... It's pretty visible. I love it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midlands_Junk

I can't really fault the sound, and I thought the cowbell was a laugh.

The cowbell was wonderful, I'd be devastated if it goes. Nothing like doing air-cowbell along with Readie on the barrier.

Big salute to security too; the organisation of the front was seamless and not stressful at all. Quick, completely ordered, fair etc. With regards to queue jumpers, we did notice the group of about 10-15 fucking obnoxious-looking kids push in about 10 people back from us. It's annoying but ultimately they can only get away with it if you tolerate it. People will only move if you get assertive and confront them; tutting and scowling will get you nowhere.

franny · #**593** 19-12-2011, 11:56

Ah it was you, wasn't sure if you were pointing at me or a comrade. Sorry about that.

astrogirl · #**594** 19-12-2011, 12:01

I think all this calls for a serious Manic fan meet up in the new year, to stave off the comedown and meet all the people we wanted to meet but didn't quite manage to!

franny · #**595** 19-12-2011, 12:02

I've organised at least 2 Manchester ones but they all fail, can we try again?

scott_laconia · #**596** 19-12-2011, 12:15

utterly utterly amazing!
great to hear love sweet exile and revol live and found that soul sounded brilliant. can't really find the words to describe how much i enjoyed this gig.

the everlasting manic street preachers

astrogirl · #**597** 19-12-2011, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by franny

I've organised at least 2 Manchester ones but they all fail, can we try again?

I promise I'll come if we do

So it cannot fail haha.

franny · #**598** 19-12-2011, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrogirl

I promise I'll come if we do

So it cannot fail haha.

Good enough for me. Our meetup brings all the Manicsfans to the yard.

Mayhew · #**599** 19-12-2011, 12:39

What a wonderful gig, absolutely just wonderful. The first time I had heard Lifeblood songs live and loved them, I think all the songs were done really well!

I did sadly cry a lot! I started to go off at Your Love Alone, and then when Design For Life started I was trying to hold it in, saw Amy crying, and then I started haha! Seeing Simon Price the next day in our hotel was amazing! My friend got his autograph, aww it was lovely!

It was so lovely being with my friends and meeting other Manics fans was just as lovely too, it was all so lovely. One of the best weekends of my life and I'll never forget it.

astrogirl · #**600** 19-12-2011, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by franny

Good enough for me. Our meetup brings all the Manicsfans to the yard.

Perhaps appropriately, Unrequited by Lykke Li came on the radio as I read this. Off to sob now, before I get in trouble for going OT.

PS It will be great, I know it