Hull Arena
I left uni and headed up to Leeds on the train, where Bob was going to pick me up and then we were going to drive to Hull. He said that he was going this way to get some petrol but I'm sure he really went that way to take me past Elland Road. As we were going past, we saw a Leeds player arriving in his posh car (but apparently not as posh as they used to be. Ha!) This lead to Bob telling me all about Simon's new car and how he drove it to the Sheffield gig and back. And at the arena, Simon parked next to a wall and then made his parents park next to him so no one would be able to hit his car. On the way to Hull, Bob was telling me all about what happened at the aftershow the night before and how he had to 'talk floors' with Ricky. There was a beautiful sunset as we went along the M62. We also saw some Kaiser related things along the way. There was a van with 'kcfm' on the side and another van with "Simon's" written on it. Bob's satnav directions made us get off the motorway a bit too early and we pulled into a petrol station in a place called Hessle. When Bob was asking for directions, I got a text from Helen asking if we could get a couple of packs of fags for Joff. We followed the directions to find ourselves at a retail park, after driving around and still being unable to find the venue, we had to ask for more directions. Eventually we found the venue and parked in the car park.
Went over to the front of the queue where we found Joff talking to Helen and Kev (Earl of Pocklington). Gave Joff his fags and got a demonstration of his iphone. I want one, it looks so cool. He was showing us the messageboard on it, and how he could change the orientation of the view. Then I had to go to the loo and complained about having to use a portaloo in the dark. Joff offered me his torch which was kind of him, but he didn't seem to kind when I came out to find that he wanted to go and shake the portaloo. Wouldn't have made much difference anyway as the bass from WAS sounchecking was doing that for him. He went off for some grub and left us to stand in the cold. After a bit Dan came out and we talked to him before he headed for the bus, then Joff did the same. Willie came out and talked to us for a bit too.
For what appears to be the first time ever, the guestlist was down and ready for doors. Me and Bob went in and waved to Helen from the warmth :-P We got given a wristband and an aftershow pass and went into the main bit of the venue to find Helen and Kev on the barrier on Simon's side. I turned around to realise just how tiny the venue was. The whole of the venue was smaller than the standing area at Sheffield. It was going to be a good, intimate gig again. We were amused by the amp that had 'back' written on it, standing at the front of the stage. There were no screens and only about half of the massive background lights. There were also a few Christmas decorations around the venue.
Little Ones came on at the usual time. They've grown on me a bit, but I'm still not overly keen on them. I'm not going to rush out to buy the album, or go see them at their own gig. They said that Hull had the best crowd of the tour so far. I didn't believe them. Next was We Are Scientists. They came on wearing their shirts but took them off, seconds after arriving on the stage. The new guitarist/keyboard player still amuses me when he plays the keyboard one handed.
Just before Chiefs came onstage they played Housemartins - Caravan of Love. This was the song they came onstage to during the April 06 Arena tour, the first time I'd ever seen them. Me and Helen were singing along with big grins on our faces. I actually got rather emotional and nearly cried! Then it was time for the proper intro and they confused us as the support acts had come on from the right hand side of the stage but Chiefs came on from t'other side.
Ricky forgot the words again to EDILYLAL
I'm sure you all saw the video of Ricky falling over during BTBAD, its a shame it doesn't show you Peanut laughing his head off. NMAB had its first crowdsurfer, which Ricky was really pleased about. In fact, the crowd were crowdsurfing mad as there were crowdsurfers to Modern Way and LNAC. It was absolutely roasting in there and Ricky looked like he was struggling a bit. Even Whitey was about to start sweating!
The new songs went down well, and as You Want History was introduced, me and Helen did the loudest cheer possible. We jumped to Retirement without any items of clothing falling down. When Ricky went to his pole during TMT, something was happening to him as instead of singing he was shouting '**** off' and the second verse didn't really happen apart from Whitey's 'oh ahs'
They went off for the encore and as they came back on Ricky was asking if we'd enjoyed Little Ones and everyone cheered. Then he asked if everyone enjoyed WAS and everyone cheered. Finally he asked if everyone had enjoyed Chiefs and everyone cheered, apart from Whitey, who booed. Ricky then told everyone to go mental and me, Helen and Bob all turned to each other with puzzled looks and comments like "what? to LNAC?" Then we were even more confused when Whitey started doing his guitar bit for OMG as we hadn't had TYVM. During the extended bit at the end, Ricky attempted to get his mic over the lighting rig at the top. It took him several attempts and when he finally got it over, we all cheered.
Helen is trying to get Willie's attention because he promised her a setlist. As she is doing that, I spot the only roadie who's name I don't know unsticking Simon's setlist so I nudge Helen. He throws the setlist and Helen catches it. I'm laughing at Helen having to unstick yet another setlist when I look up and see the roadie back and he throws a setlist to me. I actually manage to catch it and he winks at me.
I follow Helen down to the side of the stage where Dan presents her with the bottom half of Ricky's mic stand, much to her surprise! We then go over and meet Otter again before nipping to the loo (complete with mic stand) We come out and I hear Otter shout 'Blonde' so I went over and he asked me if anyone needed aftershow passes. I pointed at Helen and Kev and as they were discussing whether they were going to go straight home or not, Otter had changed his mind and there were no spare passes after all. Those Whites are a right tease :-P
Found Bob and we headed upstairs to the aftershow along with Micah and her friend. We went over to the bar and I got a round in. Simon's mum, came over to us and Bob asked her if she was going to South Africa. At first she said no, til she found out it was over the Easter holidays. She then asked Simon's dad if they could go. So he reached into his pocket, got out his change and said that there'd be no drinks tonight and they wouldn't be able to eat before Easter. Hehehe. Everytime she'd take the mick out of Bob she'd wink at me, which was amusing.
Simon eventually came out and said hello to his parents. He brought his mum a bottle of beer, but when his back was turned she tried to hide it as she doesn't like it. She said that he does it all the time and its a little game they have. Bless, he's 30 years old and still playing games with his mum. He did find the bottle later on though and took it back. He hung around for a bit and he was telling us about his new car and how he won't let his mum drive it. How he's hoping to be able to hide behind Lucas Radabe in Johannesburg so he wouldn't get shot. He even gave us a demonstration of him hiding, the fangirl! Simon told us that they'd dropped Thank You Very Much because Nick was still feeling ill and Mick had taken him straight home. Whilst we were talking, Whitey appeared and there was a big cheer. It turns out that his scooter club were there. I asked Simon if their scooters were all lined up outside but he said they weren't as they would probably need more than one tank of petrol. Someones obviously not a fan of scooters... Simon then decided to drop me and Moo in it with Bob. Cheers. He told Bob that Moo and someone else (ie me) had said that Bob was to stop making them go to gigs. I admitted that the someone was me. All the time when he was stood with us, Simon kept on fiddling with his pass. He kept on looking like he was about to strangle himself. Silly boy...
Simon went to chat to someone else and Peanut came over. He said hello and shook my hand, obviously trying to be polite. He admitted to laughing his head off when Ricky fell on his arse. Simon's mum saw the logo on Peanut's jumper so she poked it whilst asking if it was a snowman. It wasn't it was a penguin. Peanut then said he had to go as he was tired so Bob moaned saying how could be tired when he's only been working for an hour and a half. Peanut looked a bit speechless til I turned to Bob and said "thats more than you've done today" Peanut was like "yeah!" Bless him.
When Whitey came over he told Bob that he needs to smarten up and should wear a shirt and tie, all whilst adjusting the collar on Bob's coat. Whitey then turned to me and said hello in an over enthusiastic way before giving me a special handshake. It may sound stupid, but this was the highlight of my night. It was a bit of a shock when he didn't let go of my hand, but I'm not complaining. Bob then told him that BigYT was planning on holding the Elland Road after-aftershow at Bob's house with Hobbo on BBQ duties. Then he went on to say that BigYT would be in the same hotel as him in Newcastle. So Whitey turned round and told him that he 'doesn't want any funny business' and that he doesn't want Bob as his brother in law. I <3 Whitey.
All the band left to get on the bus, Simon's parents came over to say goodbye. A couple of minutes later, Willie appeared and asked where everyone had gone. We told him that they'd all left as the band had to go. So he said he's stay and talk to us for a bit. He gave Micah a pile of setlists and she handed them out. The four of us ended up with one each as I had my one I got earlier. After chatting for a bit, we all left as they were closing the bar.
We left the venue in time to wave the tourbus off before saying goodbye to Micah and her friend.
Hull was definately the best night on the tour so far!
Went over to the front of the queue where we found Joff talking to Helen and Kev (Earl of Pocklington). Gave Joff his fags and got a demonstration of his iphone. I want one, it looks so cool. He was showing us the messageboard on it, and how he could change the orientation of the view. Then I had to go to the loo and complained about having to use a portaloo in the dark. Joff offered me his torch which was kind of him, but he didn't seem to kind when I came out to find that he wanted to go and shake the portaloo. Wouldn't have made much difference anyway as the bass from WAS sounchecking was doing that for him. He went off for some grub and left us to stand in the cold. After a bit Dan came out and we talked to him before he headed for the bus, then Joff did the same. Willie came out and talked to us for a bit too.
For what appears to be the first time ever, the guestlist was down and ready for doors. Me and Bob went in and waved to Helen from the warmth :-P We got given a wristband and an aftershow pass and went into the main bit of the venue to find Helen and Kev on the barrier on Simon's side. I turned around to realise just how tiny the venue was. The whole of the venue was smaller than the standing area at Sheffield. It was going to be a good, intimate gig again. We were amused by the amp that had 'back' written on it, standing at the front of the stage. There were no screens and only about half of the massive background lights. There were also a few Christmas decorations around the venue.
Little Ones came on at the usual time. They've grown on me a bit, but I'm still not overly keen on them. I'm not going to rush out to buy the album, or go see them at their own gig. They said that Hull had the best crowd of the tour so far. I didn't believe them. Next was We Are Scientists. They came on wearing their shirts but took them off, seconds after arriving on the stage. The new guitarist/keyboard player still amuses me when he plays the keyboard one handed.
Just before Chiefs came onstage they played Housemartins - Caravan of Love. This was the song they came onstage to during the April 06 Arena tour, the first time I'd ever seen them. Me and Helen were singing along with big grins on our faces. I actually got rather emotional and nearly cried! Then it was time for the proper intro and they confused us as the support acts had come on from the right hand side of the stage but Chiefs came on from t'other side.
Ricky forgot the words again to EDILYLAL
I'm sure you all saw the video of Ricky falling over during BTBAD, its a shame it doesn't show you Peanut laughing his head off. NMAB had its first crowdsurfer, which Ricky was really pleased about. In fact, the crowd were crowdsurfing mad as there were crowdsurfers to Modern Way and LNAC. It was absolutely roasting in there and Ricky looked like he was struggling a bit. Even Whitey was about to start sweating!
The new songs went down well, and as You Want History was introduced, me and Helen did the loudest cheer possible. We jumped to Retirement without any items of clothing falling down. When Ricky went to his pole during TMT, something was happening to him as instead of singing he was shouting '**** off' and the second verse didn't really happen apart from Whitey's 'oh ahs'
They went off for the encore and as they came back on Ricky was asking if we'd enjoyed Little Ones and everyone cheered. Then he asked if everyone enjoyed WAS and everyone cheered. Finally he asked if everyone had enjoyed Chiefs and everyone cheered, apart from Whitey, who booed. Ricky then told everyone to go mental and me, Helen and Bob all turned to each other with puzzled looks and comments like "what? to LNAC?" Then we were even more confused when Whitey started doing his guitar bit for OMG as we hadn't had TYVM. During the extended bit at the end, Ricky attempted to get his mic over the lighting rig at the top. It took him several attempts and when he finally got it over, we all cheered.
Helen is trying to get Willie's attention because he promised her a setlist. As she is doing that, I spot the only roadie who's name I don't know unsticking Simon's setlist so I nudge Helen. He throws the setlist and Helen catches it. I'm laughing at Helen having to unstick yet another setlist when I look up and see the roadie back and he throws a setlist to me. I actually manage to catch it and he winks at me.
I follow Helen down to the side of the stage where Dan presents her with the bottom half of Ricky's mic stand, much to her surprise! We then go over and meet Otter again before nipping to the loo (complete with mic stand) We come out and I hear Otter shout 'Blonde' so I went over and he asked me if anyone needed aftershow passes. I pointed at Helen and Kev and as they were discussing whether they were going to go straight home or not, Otter had changed his mind and there were no spare passes after all. Those Whites are a right tease :-P
Found Bob and we headed upstairs to the aftershow along with Micah and her friend. We went over to the bar and I got a round in. Simon's mum, came over to us and Bob asked her if she was going to South Africa. At first she said no, til she found out it was over the Easter holidays. She then asked Simon's dad if they could go. So he reached into his pocket, got out his change and said that there'd be no drinks tonight and they wouldn't be able to eat before Easter. Hehehe. Everytime she'd take the mick out of Bob she'd wink at me, which was amusing.
Simon eventually came out and said hello to his parents. He brought his mum a bottle of beer, but when his back was turned she tried to hide it as she doesn't like it. She said that he does it all the time and its a little game they have. Bless, he's 30 years old and still playing games with his mum. He did find the bottle later on though and took it back. He hung around for a bit and he was telling us about his new car and how he won't let his mum drive it. How he's hoping to be able to hide behind Lucas Radabe in Johannesburg so he wouldn't get shot. He even gave us a demonstration of him hiding, the fangirl! Simon told us that they'd dropped Thank You Very Much because Nick was still feeling ill and Mick had taken him straight home. Whilst we were talking, Whitey appeared and there was a big cheer. It turns out that his scooter club were there. I asked Simon if their scooters were all lined up outside but he said they weren't as they would probably need more than one tank of petrol. Someones obviously not a fan of scooters... Simon then decided to drop me and Moo in it with Bob. Cheers. He told Bob that Moo and someone else (ie me) had said that Bob was to stop making them go to gigs. I admitted that the someone was me. All the time when he was stood with us, Simon kept on fiddling with his pass. He kept on looking like he was about to strangle himself. Silly boy...
Simon went to chat to someone else and Peanut came over. He said hello and shook my hand, obviously trying to be polite. He admitted to laughing his head off when Ricky fell on his arse. Simon's mum saw the logo on Peanut's jumper so she poked it whilst asking if it was a snowman. It wasn't it was a penguin. Peanut then said he had to go as he was tired so Bob moaned saying how could be tired when he's only been working for an hour and a half. Peanut looked a bit speechless til I turned to Bob and said "thats more than you've done today" Peanut was like "yeah!" Bless him.
When Whitey came over he told Bob that he needs to smarten up and should wear a shirt and tie, all whilst adjusting the collar on Bob's coat. Whitey then turned to me and said hello in an over enthusiastic way before giving me a special handshake. It may sound stupid, but this was the highlight of my night. It was a bit of a shock when he didn't let go of my hand, but I'm not complaining. Bob then told him that BigYT was planning on holding the Elland Road after-aftershow at Bob's house with Hobbo on BBQ duties. Then he went on to say that BigYT would be in the same hotel as him in Newcastle. So Whitey turned round and told him that he 'doesn't want any funny business' and that he doesn't want Bob as his brother in law. I <3 Whitey.
All the band left to get on the bus, Simon's parents came over to say goodbye. A couple of minutes later, Willie appeared and asked where everyone had gone. We told him that they'd all left as the band had to go. So he said he's stay and talk to us for a bit. He gave Micah a pile of setlists and she handed them out. The four of us ended up with one each as I had my one I got earlier. After chatting for a bit, we all left as they were closing the bar.
We left the venue in time to wave the tourbus off before saying goodbye to Micah and her friend.
Hull was definately the best night on the tour so far!