On Saturday night, Don McLean paid a visit to our local theatre, and Mary, Sam, my Dad, my Step-mum and I went along to see him. Despite a pretty slow start (including a somewhat painful rendition of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be The Day”) the pace soon picked up, the band got into the flow of things, and by the time the old classics came out the crowd was whooping with delight. Well, kind of. Bear in mind that those “old classics” were first recorded 30-odd years ago and you’ll get some idea of the average age of the audience…

It was a fun couple of hours, topped off with what seemed like a half-hour sing-along version of “American Pie”. Despite the rumours that fly around the internet saying that he now hates the song (debunked on his own site, by the way), he genuinely seemed to enjoy playing the song that made him an overnight millionaire. Especially as it meant he could take a breather and let the audience sing for him.

(Dodgy cameraphone photo… sorry!)

Just back from seeing the Lostprophets play in Brixton. They’re not bad, you know – front man is good with the crowd and Fake Sound Of Progress rocked suitably.

Unexpected bonus of the evening, though, was seeing an unknown band who, for reasons best known to themselves, seemed to want to remain unknown. They kept doing that annoying ‘band-on-a-stage’ thing of saying ‘Yeah! we’re <garbled-mumbling-instead-of-name>!’. Never mind – we eventually found out their name by looking at one of the posters outside – they were Avenged Sevenfold, and they can best be described as a well drilled Metallica / Maiden tribute band with original material. I like. They have samples on their site

(They are from the US of A, which may explain why their site says they were playing in ‘Brixington UK’ tonight – hehe)

And there – finally – goes the last concert of the year, and what a one to end on. I am sitting here after the journey home, tea in hand, soothing music ebbing out from iTunes, in something of a reflective mood. Thanks to all my concert buddies of the year. Same time, same place next year? I’ll be there.

“So close, no matter how far,
Couldn’t be much more from the heart,
Forever trust in who we are,
And nothing else matters.”

And so to the end of the week… seems to have taken its time getting here this week. Iron Maiden @ Earls Court tonight, which should be fun for all involved – “Scream for me London!” Games chez Gibson tomorrow – which should be more fun. Oh and I am planning a dawn shopping raid tomorrow too – plan being to get in and out before anyone else is up and clogging up MY carpark. Time is ticking on towards Christmas, and purchases are almost complete. Festivities approach and I am looking forward to seeing people I don’t get to see enough of. You know who you are

Yep… I was right. ‘One’ thing made last night’s performance better than Friday’s, if you know what I mean There are some pictures from Friday on Garry’s site, and I’ll sort out some from Reading later once I’ve had a bit of a kip… Rock on! \m/

Edit: Pictures are up

They rocked. The best outdoor gig I’ve been to ever, bar none. But I’m thinking it may be surpassed tomorrow when we should get to hear One (as long as the safety barriers are up to the job at Reading).