The best gig of my life?

A good question. I've seen a lot of bands live, some of the highlights have been Rammstein, Within Temptation, NIN, David Bowie, Terrorvision (back in the day!) and Queen (with Paul Rogers).

While all of these bands, with the possible exception of Terrorvision, are huge successes with legendary live shows and the kinds of artists you expect great things of, there is something about big venues and fancy light shows that makes you forget about what's really important... the music, and the chemistry between musicians and audience.

Terrorvision is in that list for the very reason that back when I followed them around Yorkshire playing pubs and small clubs they gave me my first taste of live music. They were accessible and created an amazing atmosphere in limited space with limited shiny resources.

The screaming, the palpitations and me being star-struck at any of those huge gigs you care to refer back to is not to be sniffed at. Gigs of that scale (David Bowie drew a crowd of over 100,000 at Glastonbury 2000) can be awe-inspiring and incredibly atmospheric (NIN). You can get up close too, within mere feet of your idols, the lead singer can make eye contact with you and make you feel like she's singing just to you (Sharon del Adel, WT). They can fill you with the trembles from the power and shock of the performance (Rammstein). They can send you home singing at the top of your lungs and desperate for more (Queen). These gigs and many more were each amazing for these very reasons and more besides.

But sometimes, like Terrorvision at the Harrogate Arms before they got big, a gig in the back room of a pub, with no more than 50 people in attendance can blow your mind. Just sometimes, the chemistry is just right between the band and the crowd. Sometimes, despite mistakes and having to restart the opening track due to amp-error, a band you've seen a couple of dozen times before can give you chills again. Sometimes a band you see for the first time can remind you what live music is really all about. It's not about the lights or the pyrotechnics. It's not about 100,000 people screaming and singing along. It's not about fainting from the crush and heat of the mosh pit or the charisma of the lead singer!

It's all about the music and the atmosphere. And you don't need tricks to create the atmosphere. You just need really, really good music, played with energy.

And that is what happened last night. The venue: The Croft. The music: The Sky is Blue, The New Root & Seagull Strange.

The fist band, The Sky is Blue had some good material but their frequent need to retune and a slight lack of stage presence let them down. The New Root started their set in the manner that those of us who have seen them play a lot have become accustomed to, taking to the stage one by one as their intro track plays and that kick ass whammy riff from Dave leads them into their opening track, My Truth. It's always a good start, high energy, quality rock. Last night, however, there was a problem with Trish's amp and she had to stop the band, something that has never happened before. They handled it professionally and started up again quickly, taking the track from the top and playing it at a fantastic pace to get in their full set with now limited time. Sped up the song rocked even harder than ever!

The bulk of their set is made up of fairly new material, each song a new twist and emotional turn. I spotted my other half wiping away a tear at the end of "30 Years of Our Marriage" and "So Alive" always gives me chills. They finished the set with the re-vamped version of Tell Me, which I absolutely love to pieces and left the stage to massive applause and me literally bouncing off the walls. Despite the hiccup at the start, or maybe because of it, the set was exciting, entertaining and rocking. "That's the best they've played in a long time!" Was Andy's first comment, but he says that every time, testament to The New Root's constant improvement.

The friend we had with us, for whom this was only his second TNR experience was grinning like a loon and bouncing almost as much as me. Another happy fan. I didn't think the night could get any better. How good would a band have to be to follow that performance by TNR?! I have always liked Seagull Strange, but hadn't seen them live before. But as Trish said before the gig, "Live is better". And she was spot on.

It's easy to see why they are signed to a label. They have charisma oozing from every pore, their songs rock and they know how to interact with the crowd. After a couple of songs, the lead singer, Dan told us that due to there being a "fire hazard" at the back of the room, we all needed to move forwards. Obediently we did so, filling the few feet gap right in front of the stage and I think it was only once the crowd had moved that anyone twigged the ruse! From that moment on the front section of the audience loosened up, there was much dancing and jumping about, especially during "La La La Ley"! Andy dived from our spot at the side right into the middle to mosh with a fellow regular-Rooter and I got to jump about like a crazy person right at the front too.

Rapturous applause had them perform an encore and more dancing ensued. We left the gig hyper and feeling that something special had happened in that little room at the back of the Croft. We kept bursting into song all the way home and when we got back played songs from the gig at top volume, singing along and dancing around the house, probably to the deep annoyance of our neighbours! But that is the price you pay for great rock.

Jack Black stated that "One great rock show can change the world!" Well I don't think it did that this time, but this show reminded me about the point of live music and made me feel once again, as I did when I saw Terrorvision that first time, that everyone in the world has to hear these guys. If they don't, if people miss out on this, they will never know what live music is.

Deathly Hallows

I was right about R.A.B. I was right about Snape. I was wrong about so much else.

When I finally stop weeping and get some more sleep I will write a proper review (spoiler free, don't worry).

Nervous twitch

I had two assignments to complete this week. As of last Thursday I had done none of the reading for either essay. I had one due on Tuesday and one today. I got both in on time even with my regular roleplaying sessions on Monday and Thursday nights and going out Saturday night. It's the result of very, very hard work on my part, furious reading and note-taking followed by rapid typing to get all 4000 words total written, formatted and sent to my tutors.

I am unashamedly congratulating myself on this feat.

Speaking of congratulations... The reason I was out on Saturday night was to celebrate my new job! It's the best paid job I've ever had and the most responsibility and I am really excited about it. I start on the 30th, so with those two essays out of the way I have a week to kick back and enjoy myself - or more wisely, to make sure I get loads of coursework done as I will be back to having only the evenings and weekends in which to study once I start work!

So, it's Friday night and I am exhausted after a very tiring week (it has gone remarkably quickly though) but I cannot rest yet. I have one more thing to do... read Deathly Hallows. Andy and I will be heading to the bookshop before ten to queue for our copy, the shop opens at midnight for this, the last Harry Potter book. I will not sleep and possibly won't even cook (I'll make Andy fetch me food!) until I have devoured every last page. (It's alright, I'll do the same for him when I hand him the book to read right after I finish it!)

I got the last two finished within 24 hours doing this and they were of comparable length to this one (~600 pages). I am very excited, my knee is bouncing as I write this, causing the laptop to rock under my fingers. This time tomorrow I will know everything; if my suspicion of who RAB is is correct...Snape's true allegiance...who lives and who dies.

One question, what will I do with my life with no new Harry Potter to revolve around?

Cerne Abbas Giant... meet Homer Simpson

There has been a bit of fuss in the pagan community over the huge drawing of Homer Simpson next to the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset. Some are threatening to perform rain magic to hurry the flow that will wash away the soluble Homer, others are making noises of anger on internet forums, talking about disrespect of culture and religion, saying no one would have dared deface a mosque in such a manner... all I have to say to those people (some of whom are very good friends) is "Don't have a cow, man!"

Lighten up. It ain't that big of a deal, it'll be gone within a fortnight and it is pretty funny! I can just imagine where Homer would throw that doughnut. The Simpsons is well known to be a sharp and critical social commentary, though it disguises the serious aspect of itself well with brilliant humour, obviously so well that some people simply don't see the serious side at all. This advertising stunt is funny in itself but I think it also speaks to those of us who can see it. Taking a step back I think the people who came up with the idea are raising their eyebrows in a "see, we knew it would get this reaction" sort of way. I think they did it not only to advertise their film, not only because it's just funny, but also because they knew there would be a reaction and the act itself comments upon that reaction.

We shouldn't be so precious about religion, or cultural artefacts. Sometimes people need to take a step back and just laugh at these things, laugh at themselves.

Under 10s on DNA database

The government's campaign to monitor the innocent at any cost continues as DNA records for young children and elderly people (over 90 years old) appear on our ever-growing DNA database. For more on this see www.homeofficewatch.com

This disgusts me. What business does the government have taking DNA samples from little children and storing them for 100 years? What about those elderly people too? Are the government afraid of an OAP uprising over pensions or fuel allowance?!

Write to your MP and demand an answer to the question 'What has my gran done to you?'

Bloody good gig

The New Root are a fantastic Bristol band who have been touring local venues for about three years now. The lead singer (Trish) and lead guitarist (Dave) happen to be very good friends of mine and Andy and we have been following them around Bristol and Bath since the beginning and seen the band go through a few line-up changes along the way. They have only ever improved with each new phase that they have gone through. Their material keeps on getting better and better, the live performance gets tighter and more professional with each gig.

The current line up looks secure and set to propel them to great success, if their recent shows at the Fleece and Louisiana are anything to go by.

Last night was The New Root's first Friday gig at the Louisiana. This is a big deal. The Louis is one of Bristol's most popular live music venues and my good friends (TNR) have been playing there for quite some time prior to their recent break from live gigs, but they had always played on week nights.

Even after a quiet period, the band left a strong enough impression from their last run of shows with the promoters and sound engineers that they have been able to walk straight into a Friday night slot. They have another Friday night gig lined up at the Croft on the 27th, another fantastic sign that their star is in the ascendant.

Of the four bands on the bill last night, TNR stood out as the most unique, the best musicians, the best material and by far the most compelling to watch. The group of friends that Andy and I took along were blown away and each vowed to come to the next gig and bring others. I heard a comment from one of them in the middle of So Alive (a fantastic new song that sticks in your head with the greatest of ease!) "How does she do that with her voice?! She's so good!" and the feedback after the set was full of glowing praise.

It's a shame they weren't the last to play, as the following band were a let down in comparison, TNR being such a tough act to follow, their set was truly the climax of the evening.

I have long believed TNR to have great potential, last night's gig demonstrated this perfectly, it being their tightest and most energetic performance to date. I have said before and I'll say it again, it would be criminal for these guys to not sore to dizzy heights of success.

I would love to see them grow in confidence a little now, though their humility is a wonderful gift, not many musicians of that calibre would be as modest about it, but their presence on stage would be improved with the ability to hide their occasional mistakes and the ability to present themselves as a complete package. If they can do this a label is sure to snap them up.

If you want to know more about The New Root check out their website and their myspace and come see them at the Croft on the 27th July :-)