Brixton 08

[Aidan]

I knew it was going to be a tough one - but the next 3 nights in Brixton were my calling, I owe it to myself to make the journey each night....

It sounds a bit like military planning, and I do not have OCD but I now have to think in advance what course my night might take - last year I lost 2 pairs of spectacles to the hidden depths of the pit within 24 hours - try getting an eye test and the glasses on christmas eve !!! So now I try to make sense of what I may intend to do to get the maximum enjoyment from the gigs i.e on the first night I will know that I will get pretty much slaughtered end up right in the front - so I leave my phone and glasses at home. This works pretty well because I know I have to get to the front then in order to actually see anything. The next night I would intend to wear the glasses - still have a few to drink - but maybe stand at the front but be a bit off side and watch the show - there is so much to see that you miss whilst in the pit. The arrangements, the cock ups, the humour they are all as much a part of the bigger picture that makes the gig into a show .

So the scene was set - me and two friends got to the Canterbury. We met up with Roman and his crowd of german friends who I have been meeting there for 3 years now. They travel from Dortmund each year - the first year there was 2 of them - the next year 3 i think - this year 6 of them made the journey and they are a great bunch of guys. Had too much to drink - got in the academy and eventually i convinced a couple of them to get down the front - more booze / no glasses = great enjoyment - great gig ( I think ) - back to the Canterbury - take off saturated t shirt - couple of drinks then run for the last tube.

Friday was meant to be the big one - it started about 8 a.m with a big hangover that lasted all day. Met up with Brendan, Chris and Dennis who are all brothers from Mayo and all their gang about 6 in the Cantebury. Before the place got packed we were already doublin up on the drinks and drinking them in half the time !!! I have never seen the Canterbury operate a 1 in 1 out policy - God even the back room looked like it was packed. So we left and I got in the queue at the side of the academy - whilst brendan was trying to divide the tickets amongst his lot. I spoke to a couple in the queue and said i had no ticket - they told me they had a spare for 30 quid. Then something funny happened - I walked past the guy who says have your tickets ready - with no ticket. Walked past the scanner man - with no ticket and got to the inside doors, pointed at the girl with the spare for 30 quid and said she has got my ticket and walked right in !!! when she got in i asked her if i could have it now just to get in downstairs - she let me have it - for my bare faced cheek she said. Thanks. Anyway we all got down the front a bit off to the left. Having a great time, the crowd, the band, the place, the sound .... everything really spot on. Then it happened.... Body of an American.... now it could have been me ( cos you can't keep still to this one ) or everyone else - i'm not so sure now but .... off went the glasses.....bloody hell. In for a penny.... may as well get in the front again. Back to the Canterbury. Regroup - few drinks - run for the last tube.

Saturday was a quieter affair all round but particularly in my house- my wife is wondering where the money is coming from for new glasses, pogues tickets, canterbury lock ins, travel cards etc etc. I think I just mentioned that its all to do with Rock and Roll - she should try it (except she wears lenses and doesnt drink that much). Brendan, Dennis and me met in the canterbury went to the gig, stood up near the back - Dennis had apparantly got bashed the night before so was reluctant to go forwards tonight (he is 52) - so I couldnt see anything - but all night there was no queue at the bar atall - now thats a first - before the band came on we spoke to a young guy who had come down from scotland cos he missed the scotish show - he had a portrait of shane macgowan tattoed on his arm and his little lad was called shane. He told us his dad had got hime to the pogues from an early age/ it was the only music that used to be on in the house. Had to much to drink on the saturday - saw nothing and the only memory that stands out is the scottish fella and the fire alarm going off at some stage.

So now I am really angry at myself - I feel like I have wasted a couple of shows from being shortsighted and careless and a pissed up idiot. Although in hindsight I know I had a blast - I drank alot, I sang alot, I met up with friends past and present - I just can't remember that much about The Pogues in Brixton 08........ and that makes me sad.

I wonder if vision express will be suprised to see me again this coming december.