They all, bar one for clear reasons, happen to be at the same place: Wolverhampton Civic Hall. A fantastic venue in my home town that many acts have confessed their love for, notably McFly, who claim it is their absolute favourite venue to play because "the crowd are so loud, they go nuts", but the hall is also noted for the rumours that there is apparently oil placed beneath the floor of the main room to make it easier for attendants to bounce. On stage, this must ensure a wonderful spectacle, and with brilliant acoustics and facilities, who can argue?
Stewart Francis
1st June - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Now I know it's not music but bear with me! As soon as my exams finish I am heading home to my loving family. The first thing me and my Dad are going to do? Go and watch Stewart Francis. A notorious one-liner with a droll onstage demeanour that makes Fonzie seem uncool, his delivery is perfection. You may have seen him on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Michael Mcintyre's Comedy Roadshow, and if you haven't, please go ahead and YouTube him. A man who, like the great Colin Mochrie, pokes fun at his Canadianism, is a hot ticket right now and is currently in the middle of his UK tour. Having seen many hilarious comedy shows in my time from the likes of Stephen K Amos, Jimmy Carr, Reginald D Hunter, Milton Jones, and of course, the great Frankie Boyle, Mr Francis certainly has a lot to live up to. I just hope it's not a case of 'My Dad took me to see Stewart Francis and I remember swimming back to shore thinking...'
Blur (TBC)
5/6th August - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Welcoming back the Britpop Daddys is going to be one hell of a night, provided I acquire a ticket considering they go on sale on Friday, hence the TBC. Having seen Blur at the Civic Hall back in 2009, I am excited to be able to relive that night. I sat on the balcony on the right hand side very near the stage, and I don't usually like to sit at gigs but it was fun to watch the crowd go completely ape. Wolverhampton are lucky to have Blur visit not once, but twice. This again crosses with the fact that Blur love the venue, and they must have a good time here back in 2009. Considered warm-up shows before their big gigs in Hyde Park, that very gig could be the last time we could see Blur live, so I'd consider it an honour if I got to go to this with my dear friends. Fingers crossed!
Leeds Festival
24th-26th August - Bramham Park, Leeds
Being something of a V Festival veteran, I decided this year to branch out a bit and try something else. So when V announced the lineup a couple of months ago, I was left a bit unimpressed. I've had some fantastic years there seeing some great shows but as a fan of rock music, I don't really get my fill at Weston Park. Along with a selection of my chums from home I shall be heading up to Bramham Park in Leeds for a five day binge whilst seeing the occasional band. Seriously though, I will see as many bands as I can, with the ones I'm looking forward to most being the mighty Foo Fighters. I last saw them at V Festival in 2007 and they were brilliant; it's been a long time coming, and I especially look forward to seeing the new material played live. A dilemma on the Saturday leaves me having to choose between The Cure and The Maccabees, but as with every time I go to a festival, it always ends up as a last minute decision. Sunday will be a fantastic send off to what should be a smashing weekend, with Kasabian holding a reputation as an energetic live band. Like with Foo Fighters, I last saw them at V Festival 2007 (passing up the opportunity to see them headline the 2010 festival in favour of The Prodigy), meaning I have yet to see their last two records performed live, and I anticipate an incredible finale. I will also be checking out Pulled Apart By Horses, The Gaslight Anthem, Bullet For My Valentine (for old times sake), The Black Keys (sadly missing Two Door Cinema Club in favour of watching The Black Keys and getting a good space for Foo Fighters), Foster The People, Enter Shikari, and Gallows. This has potential to be one damn fine weekend of music.
Lostprophets
1st November - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
A visit to Wolverhampton once again to see the Welsh metal-pop-emo hybrid known as Lostprophets. Coinciding with my brothers 18th birthday two days later, this is a fantastic excuse to come home and spend some time with him, however he is not going to this gig. I will be attending with my cohorts James and Daniel for my fifth time seeing this band (twice at V, three at Civic). Guaranteed carnage awaits when the anthems of old come out in force. 'Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja' guarantees nobody remains untouched in the crowd and by the end of that song the people at the back will have swapped places with the people on the barrier. This is the third time in four years that Lostprophets have played this venue, so something tells me they enjoy the lovely people of Wolverhampton.
Feeder
21st November - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Twenty days after the Lostprophets gig I am back in Wolverhampton once more, this time to see one of the most underrated British bands of all time with Mr Potts: Feeder. Having had the pleasure of seeing them in the Wulfrun Hall back in October 2010, it will be a mass sing-along from the off. Last time for me it was a shame though as a week prior to the gig, I tore my ankle ligaments playing football and was on crutches for a while, hindering my attempts at bouncing throughout the show, even during 'Buck Rogers'. I did however manage to get my crutches in the air when 'Feeling a Moment' was played; whether the band noticed or not I have no idea. I did have the pleasure of meeting the band after the gig though after a while of waiting in the cold with some obsessed fans who had seen them about 20 times; this was my second Feeder show after seeing them at V two months prior. They were true gentlemen and apologised for keeping us waiting with offerings of cans of Guinness, Coca-Cola and even a bag of sweets. Singer/axeman Grant Nicholas knows how to write a tune, and is also a big influence on my guitar style, and when I told him this he genuinely seemed flattered, and our friendly handshake turned into a half-hug; for a man who must get a lot of compliments thrown his way, it was a nice moment to see his face light up when I praised him. God I'm a suck up...
Yes I was wearing a Muse shirt under the cardigan. WOT OF IT?!
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