The Types of People At Gigs

Over all of the years that I have been going to gigs, it has come to my attention, that there are several different types of people who you come across, along the course of the evening..  

The Couple

Ah the loved up couple. He's standing behind her, arms around her like a protective forcefield. They will be, not right at the front, but somewhere close. The people around them are having a great time but they will not budge for anyone, occasionally things may get a little intimate. These people don't have any boundaries when it comes to public displays of affection. 

The Guy Who's Lost His Shoe

You don't know when this is exactly going to happen, but what you do know is that, it's going to happen. You don't ever meet the owner of the lost shoe, or see anyone without a shoe, but what you do see is an arm in the air holding a shoe. That shoe is usually, most definitely, a DC. Sometimes the shoe might even fly across the room. 

The Guy That Has No Clue

Usually a local. Fancies a night out, turns up, probably already on the tins, but you will spot him bobbing through the crowd in an unusual dancing fashion, with a beer in the other hand. He doesn't have a clue because this isn't his usual scene, he's just come because to him it's a local gig. He's also going to be wearing a jacket.

The Guy In The Leather Jacket

Please not this leather jacket is not always a leather jacket, so be warned they may be disguised by wearing something else. Never the less it will still be a jacket. The thing will either be soaked in their own sweat, ready to rub off on you, or you will just be left wondering how the hell this guy has no dropped dead from heat exhaustion yet. 

The Drinkers

One of my favourites, in a sarcastic kinda way. These guys could happily enjoy their night with a cheeky pint, the majority of us do, but they don't like to finish it before the band comes on. They like to push their way forward and stand directly where a pit is clearly going to break out, and they stand there and wait for the band to come on, full pint in hand, to wonder why there drink has been spilt over not just them but the people surrounding them, during the first 5 seconds of the first song. Best 6 quid ever I bet. Logic. 

The Crowd Surfer

Part of the experience, we know. But is there a thing as too much? You usually see this guy more than once throughout the evening, he won't stop, he will keep on coming back. If you're lucky, you may even get kicked in the head by this person. He doesn't care, just know he's having a good time whilst you have to stop what you're doing to make sure he's thrown to safety.

The One Who Has Spent The Past Few Months Planning His Outfit

He might have even gone all the way out and ironed his mosh shorts, he's dusted off his snapback, you'll find him in the pit. To them, every year is 2006.

The Mega Fan 

This one is a special kind of person, as it can go alongside the previous person we have discussed, or they can be a whole new category of their own. In some cases you will find it to be socially acceptable, there are a few. The one who wears the band merch of the band they are going to see. Some may go for a subtle t-shirt, or hooded garment, others will go the whole stretch. Why stop at a t-shirt? Why not pair that Emmure T-shirt with a snapback and shorts. Make a statement. 

This was by in no means meant to be offensive, it was just meant to be a bit of fun. And If I do cause any offence, please accept my apologies. I had a lot of fun thinking about this, I just wanted to over dramatise.

I'm interested to know if anyone else has anything they would like to add, because I am almost certain there are some I have missed.

Counterparts // The Dome, London // 18.11.2017

The Dome seems to be slowly working it's way up to being recognised as the next big thing in terms of venues around London. I have been there a few times before, mainly for bands that my partner likes. So Counterparts was refreshing as I hadn't seen a band play there that I was that into until now. But there is no hiding the fact that they are putting on all these great shows more frequently than ever, getting bigger names within the alternative and metal music scene, and I guess giving other great venues around the London area a run for their money. Especially after now they seem to have given The Dome itself a bit of a make over, it looks and sounds awesome. 

It came to my own surprise that I seemed to enjoy seeing them here more than I did previously at The Underworld. It may also be controversial to say but it may be due to the fact that You're Not You Anymore, is probably my favourite album by them to date, it was and still is one that i truly cannot put down. I found that there is not a bad song on the album and is one that I can continually listen to the entire way through. (Not to say that this isn't the case with their previous albums).  

There was a video, but currently having technical difficulty with it, so for now I leave you with a few images and a 10 second clip of some guy losing his mind. 

Never Say Die Tour // Electric Ballroom, London // 05.11.2017

I'm no stranger to the Never Say Die Tour, and almost every year it's one of those events I look forward to. My initial thoughts when the line up was announced was that I most importantly have to go to see Polaris come over to the UK for the first time. Followed closely by, can't wait to see Emmure again for the hundredth. 

Unfortunately, this post will start of a bit of a low note, as I never actually got to see Polaris, and I was gutted. But due to the major disruption of the train lines that day between Milton Keynes and Euston, there was no physical way of getting there any earlier than we did. And to be fair, in situations like that, my heart goes out more to the reason that situation was caused. Anyways, moving on.

So, we arrived on time for Sworn In, who are a band I for some reason just can't get into. I tried before hand, and I tried to enjoy them live, but i'm sorry to say it just wasn't happening. If anyone wants to try and change my opinion on this, I am open to that.

I was looking forward to seeing Chelsea Grin, as I saw them a few years ago at the Mosh Lives tour, and I had never really listened to them properly before that. The Mosh Lives tour changed my opinion though, as I properly enjoyed them. That still stands for this time around at the NSDT, they were just as tight as I remembered, and I came home once again wanting to listen to them. 

Deez Nuts, again, I've seen these guys a few times. For me they are a band where I like singles, not full albums. I find myself getting a bit tired of them after a while. I think that applied to me on the night too. By half way through the set, I had enough. I see why people love this band, I really do. I mean, they're fun, you can tell they are there for a good time, and I love when you can feel that from a band. But from a personal point of view, I just started to get a little bored.  

It was interesting to witness the new line up of Emmure, and after the latest album it was refreshing to hear them play some new material. Though haven been a fan of Emmure for many years, I can also say I'm a huge fan of Look At Yourself. I think my only downfall here, was that the setlist seemed to be a little short. Now I don't know if that's because I was having too much for, but I've seen them play the NSDT before, and I'm pretty sure their setlist was a lot longer previously. But you'd rather have a small amount of something great than a large amount of something terrible, right? 

So now that's all over, we can only wait for the rest of the Impericon tour announcements. I'm going to try my hardest to get out to Europe next year, IF the line up is worth it. We can only play the waiting game!

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Why Rats Make The Best Pets

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a dog lover and a dog lover I will always be, they are THE best pet in my opinion. But right now for me to have my own four legged maniac of a best friend, it’s just not an option.

You know, I actually forget that some people fear rats. I’ve learnt that more whilst having them. I’ve met more people who are genuinely scared of them, or turn their nose up at them, than I have people who are open to the idea of rats as pets. The first part I can understand, we all have fears, I’m not one to judge. I’m terrified of a lot of things, spiders being the most common one! But as for the second half, will now send me in defence mode and make me instantly   Want to crack out the PowerPoint presentation on why these creatures are nothing but a bundle of joy. You don’t want to make me do that. We will be here a long time.

We’ve had Shadow and Link aka ‘the boys’ for a about two months now and don't get me wrong, it’s took a lot of patience when trying to win over their hearts, but slowly it’s starting to show that it’s  all worth it. Their personalities are starting to finally come out and both have individuality.

When we first got them they were waaay to scared to even come up to the cage to say hello. They would sit in their house and make a quick dash out now and then for food. Eventually, they started to come around, and every few days they would do something new that shows they have a little more trust in us. They are still doing things now and learning new things which is the fun part! 

I think the best part about rats, is they have their own personalities. Both our rats are starting to show their own individuality. Shadow loves to cuddle and for you to chase and tickle him, which is so adorable you have no idea. Link on the other hand is a bit more of a lone wolf, he's constantly trying to cause trouble, and never sleeps. He literally doesn't leave his ledge that he sits on and patiently waits for attention. Or to be let out so he can run around, which is funny in itself. Though he always lets Shadow win in their play fights. 

The reason I think these guys make such great pets, is because like I said to Dan yesterday, they are quite unique animals. For an animal so small and dismissed by many, they are smart and intelligent, fun, loving, and adorable. Adorable may be a personal observation, but smart and loving you can not disagree. 

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