This Is This

Live 8 was crazy. After working most of the day, Wife and I jumped in a cab in time to see REM take to the stage with a mighty “Hello. We’re REM and this is what we do.”

The VIP tickets rocked, and I’d like to thank my wife for bearing with me while I pointed out every other journalist, colleague and showbiz I knew over the 8 hours we were there, stretched out having a picnic in front of 190,000 other people. Folks behind us, I hear what you’re saying, but if you could have been in my shoes you would have. Besides, this was the only ticket I could get.

So here is my rundown, in order of appearance, of my highlights of Live 8:

REM
They were let down by their soundman, but they were OK. I would have wanted them to play something upbeat, like Orange Crush, King of Comedy, It’s Been A Bad Day, Stand or What’s The Frequency Kenneth, because I think they are a good soul-pop band, but they wear they settled for Man In The Moon and Everybody Hurts instead. Still, there’s something about Mike Mills’s voice that I really like, so they were good.

Travis - it really was this crowded.
Travis
A band I wouldn’t go and see on my own, but great in company. They had fun playing where others (Madonna) gave sincere performances.

The Killers
My new favourite band, who I couldn’t wait to see, played one song. It was the perfect crime, but a crime nonetheless.

Razorlight
Great band I’d never heard before. Boys with guitars, and why not.

Scissor Sisters
Good party anthems from a band I think are great. It’s not just because I fancy Anna Matronic (why does everyone else crave women who are too young and too thin - they look like boys, for God’s sake) but because they enjoy themselves.

Sting
Always a winner. I was the world’s biggest The Police fan and it was good to hear him play Driven To Tears.

The Who
Balls out British rock. Alan White is one of my favourite drummers from the James Taylor Quartet days, and now I’ve seen just about everyone I have ever wanted to see play live.

Roger Waters finally gets a decent crowd to witness his Frank Spencer impersonation.
Pink Floyd
Belting it out live to Wish You Were Here (”…two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl…”) was a great moment for us, which made it a great one for them. How can they feel that good and not smile? I’d be grinning like a loon. I’m sure Sid Barrett was watching. They always sound like the record live, so you get what you pay for with the Floyd. Since I paid nothing, I reckon I came out on top.

Also on This Is This
“Well then you have to ask for no milk.”
Why? Do I have to tell people what I don’t want now?
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