La Cigale
It seems that I've actually been to a gig at the famed La Cigale without even realising it.
Having said that I was too loved up on the sweet yet demure Mark Morris, and too out of it on second hand pot smoke. I didn't really know where I was or what I was doing. It was Paris, they were gigging, and they were supporting Radiohead. I was just along for the ride, to provide a bit of company and adoration on the road in the romantic city of Paris while they tried to please a crowd of Radiohead fans with their 60s style pretty boy pop songs. They were a good band, they made nice music, but they didn't rock my world. And he was pretty and sweet and had a nice voice, but he didn't rock my world either. He liked mod clubs and 60s music and appreciated girls who backcombed their hair and wore go-go boots. He wanted to be in the 1960s and so did I. It was enough. I wouldn't have known love back then if it bit me and I was far too cautious to let myself be bitten. It was more than enough to be along for the ride and then packed off back home with the family and friends on the tour bus the following afternoon, watching Quadrophenia for the first time. I should thank them for that experience too.
Played my part and stood supportively at the side of the stage during the Bluetones set which was enjoyable but not groundbreaking. Then the pot became too much and I wandered out and to the back of the crowd. I recall having a transendental moment sat on some (I think) iron steps at the back of the venue, situated just below the upstairs crowd but my view was rising and dipping in slow waves over the fans in the mosh pit like a soaring eagle. The roomy was hazy and so was my mind. The air was thick with smoke and the blue lighting was cool and relaxing. They began to play Creep and I phased out, swept up in the momentum of the music and the jubilance of the crowd... and the fragrant smoke prolly had a lot to do with it too. The whole experiance was intoxicating and divine. I've never bought a Radiohead album, but since that night I claim them to be one of the best live bands ever in existance.
And some *gorgeous* person has posted footage of it on Youtube more than a decade later so that I can enjoy it with a clear head.
*sigh*
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