Let's Get Rocked

So last week I went to two gigs (Black Stone Cherry, and Def Leppard) and had the best time! Me and the family are having a bit of a naff start to the Christmas holidays, my brother had to have an operation (long story) so we haven't really had chance to get in the 'Christmas spirit' yet. But these few gigs were a great distraction and they cheered us up in time for Christmas. 

Black Stone Cherry 13/12/2018

The first of the two gigs was Black Stone Cherry at Leeds First Direct Arena. We weren't even sure if we'd go in the end, due to my brothers situation. But he's stubborn, and forces himself to power through - god forbid he misses a gig for anything. Because of this we went to the gig late, and by that I mean we got there just before Black Stone Cherry came on and missed the support acts. 

The great thing about First Direct is the layout, you could literally be stood anywhere in the standing section and you'd get a great spot. It doesn't feel like you're stood at the back (if you are) as even at the back, you still get a sick view of the stage. The crowd for Black Stone Cherry is generally an older crowd too, so we didn't have to worry about much crowd pushing and shoving, mosh pits and all that jazz. We ended up finding a decent spot around the middle and stayed there.

Now, I swear I get overwhelmed with how much I love music whenever I see Black Stone Cherry play. They have such an uplifting and inspirational vibe to their performances (and music in general, goes without saying). I've seen them about 4 times now, and loved every single time. Forever grateful for each time I've seen them and their music. The set-list was long, and full of all kinds of jams. Classics such as Blind Man, Lonely Train, Me & Mary Jane, among hits off of their latest album such as My Last Breath, James Brown, and Bad Habit. 

I couldn't help anticipate one song in particular though because I knew they'd play it. Last time I saw them was at Download festival and they didn't play it then, as I expected because it isn't really a festival appropriate song. The first time I saw them play this song was beautiful, but it didn't quite affect me the way it does now. This is because the song was played at my Dad's funeral this year, so it's incredibly relevant and personal to me now and forever will be. The song is called Things My Father Said - you should check it out if you don't know it, cos it's a masterpiece. Emotional af, but amazing.

I didn't actually know how I'd react. I kept joking saying I'd cry, but I actually wasn't sure if I would (I'm good at bottling stuff in). But as soon as I heard the first few notes of the song, I lost it. Mostly because I haven't listened to it much since the funeral. But I got it together pretty quickly - turns out it's hard to sing along when you're crying. But I'm glad I did as I got to appreciate how beautiful and emotional the atmosphere was during the chorus. Cellphones and lighters lit the arena up like a night sky.

Somewhere there's a star that's shining,

So bright that I can see your smile.

And all that I need is one last chance,

Just to hear you say,

Goodbye.

They ended with Peace is Free which is an incredibly powerful song, and they had a moment towards the end where they made everyone in the crowd put their arms round each other, put their phones down, and sing from the top of our lungs. Nothing quite like feeling at home in a crowd full of strangers than singing your heart out at a gig to your favourite songs. 

All in all, it was a brilliant gig, and as I don't go to as much as I used to I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for the next time. There's always a next time.

Def Leppard 14/12/2018

The next day we saw Def Leppard in Sheffield (their home town!) with our Mum. We didn't get into Sheffield until around 6ish because boy, oh boy, are the trains heaving this time of year! We went for food first, there's a lot of food and entertainment choices opposite the arena which is convenient. That is until, everyone else has the same idea. We started at Frankie n' Benny's.. 40 minute wait. How about Bella Italia? 45 minute wait. Chiquito? What's that? A 25 minute wait? Oh, go on then. Safe to say it was worth every second of that 25 minute wait because the food was delicious. Mum and my brother had burritos, where as I had fajitas. Yum, yum in my tum.

We didn't get inside the venue until half way through Cheap Trick's set. After walking the long way round the arena to get down to the standing, that is. We were determined to get a good spot because no-one and nothing gets in the way of our endless bond and love for Def Leppard. They're our band. We did in the end - not quite a barrier position like last time, but we also had to bare in mind my brother was having an operation so we remembered that sometimes we have to actually be sensible. Again though, thankfully in this situation, the Def Leppard crowd tends to be older and therefore there's next to no pushing, shoving or mosh pits of any sort. We weren't too bothered about Cheap Trick, that was until we were like "Oh, they sing this song?" and "I know this song!" happened. Classic. 

One weird thing happened during the interval where they play songs before the bands come on stage. "I Fought The Law" by The Clash came on - my Dad's ringtone for pretty much my entire life. Not one thing in this world reminds me more of my Dad than this song. We all just looked at each other like.. crazy. Bearing in mind I've never heard this song in public, pretty much ever. 

And so it was time for the legendary Def Leppard (sorry I am incredibly biased). It's worth noting, that Def Leppard are super important to me and my family, as I said before, they're ''our'' band. We all adore them. Me and my brother grew up listening to them, and obviously my Mum got into them back in her youth, so they're nostalgic for all of us. Not to mention they're an example of an 80's rock band so I'm definitely going to be a bit obsessed with them since I wish I grew up in the 80's. If me and my brother had to choose one favourite band ever, it'd be Def Leppard (with Steel Panther creepin' up behind. Ma boys). 

On this tour they were playing Hysteria in full, their most iconic album (everyone that's a fan of Def Leppard just knows this album otherwise I'm not sure how they're a fan). And I remember them doing this tour in America a year or two back and was so envious as I really wanted them to do it in the UK (they're even bigger in America, believe me). When they finally announced it we were all so happy since it's been three years since we last saw them - which was actually our first time! I feel extremely lucky to be able to say not only have I seen Def Leppard, twice now, but I've seen an album as iconic as Hysteria live in full. What a lucky girl. 

 After they played the entirety of Hysteria, they did a few of their classics such as: Photograph, Rock of Ages, When Love & Hate Collide and others. It was a great set! Though I'd be perfectly happy if they just played their entire discography - impossible, I know. 

One thing that made me happy from the gig was seeing how happy the band were. They've been a band for what, 30/40 years? And they're still that happy on stage, loving what they do, and appreciate what they've got. It's nice to see a band as big as them, and them not having crazy high egos - not that I'd really care if they did. But I just think it's sweet seeing them smiling on stage all the time.

One last thing! Def Leppard have recently been inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame with the highest fan vote ever... So if that doesn't say it all I'm not sure what does.

See ya next year Def Leppard, I can't wait to see you rock Download's socks off (after 7 years of me going and waiting for you to be announced) and show 'em how it's done!

Thanks for reading.

-x.o, B.E.J