Hey guys, it's yer ol pal Warpangel, with the 4th and final instalment of the Wheatus adventure! (Ok, technically it's the 5th, but I posted the Norwich one last week!)
So Sonja and I get up early again. we get our stuff sorted and head on down to the train station. I had decided not to drive as I am not familiar with London at all and figured I'd get lost. It was also going to be a long journey by car and I doubted I'd feel like driving on the way back!! So we bought our tickets and headed to McDonalds while we waited for the train. (McDonalds and Burger Kings profits were up that particular week as it was all we seemed to eat!!)
The train journey was fine, if not a little dull. I had time to relax and rest a little longer. The week was begining to take its toll, and my eyes were hurting from lack of sleep. But this was going to be a great day..I just knew it!!
We arrived at Euston station, little did we know how much time we'd be spending there later!!! We caught the tube to Shephards Bush and it was really easy to find the Empire. We arrived around 2ish, just as the tour bus pulled up. The crew got out and started loading the gear into the venue. As soon as the stuff was unloaded, the bus left again to take them on to their next port of call. The guys had meetings and interviews to go to.
It was while the crew were unloading that I got to mingle with a few of the frogs gathered outside. Zo and her crew were there, Sam, Flick and Jemma were also there. And I got to meet Jop, Eternal Phoenix Gemma and Tanja too!
I also finally got to meet my young bro Eddy!! It was really great finally meeting the guy. He's very cool. Sonja went to spend some time with Sam Jop, Tanja and other frogs, and So Eddy, his pal Dwayne and myself popped over to a pub to celebrate with a couple of drinks, before going to find Sonja and the girls at McDonalds (who we totally missed until we got back to the venue!).
On return to the venue, we were greeted by Liz (BBB and Pete's sister), furiously waving to me from across the road. Liz, Kelly and Jon, who I met in Dublin had turned up and so we spent some time catching up, before heading inside the venue for soundcheck.
The soundcheck was brilliant as ever. It's always great to see the guys jam on stuff you dont get to see in the live show! and Liz enjoyed herself loads, dancing and cartwheeling over the floor! She's a born entertainer, just like her brothers!
After soundcheck we went out with Liz, Kelly and Jon to the local pub. We chatted for a while before Sonja and I returned early so we could get a good place to see the gig.
we managed to get to the front and I was happy to see that it was mostly frogs at the front of the crowd, Eddy and Sonja were next to me and we talked as we waited for the show started. When Dirty Harry came on my eyes just immediately started hurting as the stege lights really got to them. So after they left the stage I begrudgingly had to give up my position at the front as I knew I wouldnt enjoy seeing the guys while my eyes were so sensitive. Luckily I was allowed to watch them from the side of the stage, like I did in Dublin. and as the lights werent directed near me, it was a lot better and I could enjoy the show.
They ROCKED!!!!!! Their final UK gig was amazing and the put on a blinder of a show! I've already mentioned so much about their set in previous reports but they really are amazing live. On this tour, they have played with the chemistry of the songs and really added and changed them. During Leroy on this tour it was great to see them include 'The Kukabura song' in it midway. That always made me smile. And during Pretty Girl, they have broken into Paul Simons 'Diamonds in the souls of her shoes'.
It always sounds awesome! I think Pretty Girl, Wannabe Gangsta and William McGovern have been my favourite live songs on this tour. But there really hasnt been a low point of the show at any gigs they played. They have such a solid set.
One particular highlight of the night was that Phil decided to smash his banjo up on stage after Sunshine. After BBB complained that it was a terrible instrument that had caused them nothing but bother. Phil looked like he enjoyed himself while he destroyed it!
I was joined sidestage by Sonja, Liz, Kelly and Jon near the end of the set. Sonja had lost her shoe as she was pulled over the barriers by security and she wasnt so happy about that (luckily she got it back!!). the guys broke into Dirtbag during the encores and like everynight when they play it, they get folk onstage. Phil came over to where we were stood and beckoned us all on, as BBB got more from out of the crowd. So there we were grooving to the end of Dirtbag..and when Truffles came on we gave it our all, because this was the last time I'd hear them live for a while!! What a great gig!! A great end to a great week!!!
After the show the guys had an aftershow part in the venue which had been organised by Sony. Bruce Dickinson (Lead singer of Iron Maiden) had been at the show with his kids. BBB got presented with '2 tickets to Iron maiden', which was very cool. The lead singer of James was also there.
Nearer 1am, the guys left the venue, and spent some time signing stuff for fans, before getting on the tour bus. The last sight I got of any of them was Phil and Vanesa sat on top of the tour bus with Liz, Daniel the soundguy and the sony reps. They smiled for photos and Vanesa even took photos of us. Then they all got back inside and the tour bus left it's final venue!!
Come back soon guys!
We discovered that the tubes had closed for the night, so Sonja, Eddy, Dwayne and myself took a cab to Euston station. On arrival we also discovered we had all missed our last trains (by SEVERAL hours in our case) so we decided to just crash in the station. Zo and her friends turned up also and we ended up being bundled into a 'customer lounge' by some very nice staff who let us sleep in rather than kicking us out while they closed for cleaning. So we tried to get some sleep, which was very hard when another woman who was in there had the loudest snore you could imagine! When the station re-opened at 4.30am, we all went to stretch our legs and get coffee. Eddy and Dwayne managed to get an early train back, we said our goodbyes. Eddy, you rule man, I cant wait to meet up with you again bro! Sonja and I got on the 6.25am train to Preston....when we got home..all we wanted to do was sleep!!! and sleep we did!!
But it was a fantastic end to an amazing week following th eguys around the UK shows. I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
The END!!!
Take care all!
Glenn
