This entry will be terribly long, but it's fun to read!
26-04-07.
This was the day I flew over to London. Everything went wel besides the stressing out part. Yes, I do think traveling is way to stressfull for me. When the plane landed in London we just had to wait for a bus that would drive us around the airport to the arrivals hall. It took ages, but finally I met Tillie. She ran up to me and gave me a hug, no Tillie the hug did not scare me, I'm just not that used to getting them.
Around 2 we arrived at our hotel in London. It wasn't as bad as I expected. This was a place where I could spend 4 nights.
After settling our stuff we went walking around London. We first walked to Earls Court. That place is immense! I'm so glad that the bands I love do not play in venues like this in the Netherlands. After that we walked up to the Natural History Museum, Tillie wanted to see the T-rex. It was pretty cool. The T-rex scared me, I do not like it's eyes. After that we went to the London Eye, made a bunch of pictures. I met James Bond as well, what are the chances?!
27-04-07.
Day 1 of Give It a Name Festival. The bands Tillie and I saw are; Lostalone, Kill Hannah, Fightstar, The Sleeping, Cry for silence, Peacefighters, Mindless Self Indulgence, Ignite, Juliette and the Licks, Alexisonfire aaaand the Used.
The Used and Alexisonfire made my night. They are so awesome. It was strange seeing the Used again after a year and a half. I missed them. They were fantastic. They keep on getting better and better. It was weird though seeing them without Branden, but (this I found out later) Dan is a really nice guy and if anyone should replace Branden he is the one for the job.
The Used played (not in this order); The bird and the worm, Liar liar, Hospital, Pretty handsome awkward, A box full of sharp objects, Another one bites the dust, Take it away and a medley of The taste of ink/All that I've got/Burried myself alive.
28-04-07.
Day 2 of Give It a Name Festival, best day. I met new people; Laura (Tillie's friend), Sarah and another Laura. The bands we saw were; Brand New, The All-American Rejects, New Found Glory, Motion City Soundtrack, Cute Is What We Aim For, Enter Shikari, Senses Fail, Madina Lake, Kevin Devine, Zebrahead, Kids in Glass Houses, The Zico Chain aaaaand Saosin.
Saosin was fantastic. For them I went into the pit and went all ape. I love these guys, I cannot wait for the 27nd of May. They played; Voices, Bury your head, You're not alone, They perched on their stills and daring me to break custom, Seven years and another one from their album (which I forgot).
Besides Saosin I really loved Brand New and Enter Shikari. People were disappointed by Brand New, I wasn't. I loved it so much, and trashing the stage at the end was pretty sweet as well.
29-04-07.
Day 3 of Give It a Name Festival, the most boring one. I saw; Sparta, The Receiving End Of Sirens, Hit The Lights, Boys Like Girls, MXPX, Mewithoutyou, The Audition, Hellogoodbye, Attack in Black and Beat Union.
The Receiving End of Sirens kind of disappointed me. I mean, I love their cd but they weren't as good as I expected live. Hopefully it was just an off-day.
GIAN was over that day. GIAN contained a lot of hotdogs, Krispy cremes, waiting and dancing. It was good times.
30-04-07.
Today we left our hotel in London, which was a good thing because being waked up every morning by the fire alarm kind of wears you out. Tillie and I traveled to Victoria coach station and then hopped on a bus that would take 4,5 hours to get in Nottingham.
I was pretty beat down when we arrived in Nottingham. While waiting for my bag, I found out it wasn't there anymore. Little freak out moment happened, I mean everything was in my bag! Some seconds later some guy came running back because he took the wrong bag with him. I was so glad he did, I got my bag back! He kept on apoligizing.
Nottingham is a really cool city. I just liked how it looked. The hotel was pretty good as well, compared to the London one it was really luxurious. We couldn't smuggle Laura into the room with us so she had to book a room in Travellodge.
After 5 minutes in our hotel room my bed already was filled with my crap. Tillie is terribly clean compared to me. I make a mess in seconds and I'm okay with that. We hung out in Nottingham for a while that night. I love Subway, best sandwiches ever.
01-05-07.
The Used concert day, aka one of the best days of my life. Kate texted me in the morning, she had been sleeping in the queue that night and she saved a spot for us. I love her. Well, when we arrived at the venue I saw Kate again! It's always good seeing her. Laura was there already and Kate brought a friend, Kellie. The five of us are a pretty awesome queue crew as I say myself. They are my favourites.
Between waiting in line we hung around the tourbusses. At one point I see a Landrover coming up and I see Jeph in it. I just froze actually, all I could do is wave like some nerd. Eventually Laura called him over. We talked for a bit and made pictures. I love him, such a nice guy.
After that the rest of the Used arrived. They immediatly went inside their tourbusses but after a while Dan came out. We talked to him and made pictures as well. He is a really nice guy. I know it's terrible that Branden isn't in the Used anymore but Dan is a really good replacement. So yeah, I don't want to read any bitchy comments about Dan!
Also met the guys from Madina Lake (I like Dan the drummer of Madina Lake, nicest guy ever) and Sean from the Blackout!
The show was really fantastic. It was good seeing the Blackout! again. They are really good, so yeah check them out. Madina Lake was good as well, I want the balloons!
Then...The Used! I've never seen them in such a small venue. They are truly fantastic. I was at the front between Bert and Quinn. their setlist was the same as the GIAN one only 'Liar liar' was replaced by 'Pain'. They were so close, it was surreal. I went ape off course. The gig contained a lot spit/beer, pushing and dancing. I'm all bruised now but it was so worth it.
You can check out the whole concert at youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_u83ghtyYUC.W. was filming on stage and when they finished they made a group picture with their backs to the crowd. Chances are big I'm in it looking like a dumb ass.
Afterwards got my merch and went outside again. Met the other guys from Madina Lake. Dan was talking to fans, for a really long time. Haha, apparently he's good at drawing good at helicopters. Quinn came out as well, off course with some food. Talked to him and made a picture. He was looking forward to the Amsterdam gig so yeah that's great.
After all this we wentback to the hotel again. Bert wasn't in the best mood, so I figured I would leave him alone. Maybe I get a chance of meeting him on the 30th. I really hope so. I'm already glad that I finally met Jeph and Quinn after 4 years!
We said our goodbyes to Kate and Kellie. I said my goodbye to Laura and we were off to the hotel. I flew back home the next day.
( Pictures! )