Currently sat in the Science Museum in London writing this as not sure if I’ll get the chance to write later on. No internet connection here though so not sure what time this will actually be posted today (it’s 14:30 right now).
I’ll start where I left off yesterday. After dropping Mum back at Liverpool Street station late afternoon (after the posh cafe – decided in the end that beetroot juice is not my thing…), I took the tube and went to the Southbank Centre. Always forget how much I like it there and it had one winning edge over pretty much everywhere else – it was warm! Full of children admittedly, but warm. Then met Eli and went for a cheap and quick dinner at Spoons before going to the Ben Montague.
I love his album, but wasn’t sure what to expect as the gig was in a small ish pub. When we got there this place was tiny, with a tiny music room behind a curtain and a stage in the corner. But it was nice enough and intimate venues like that are often some of the best gigs. BM was wandering around chatting to people as the majority of the audience were friends of one of the three bands.
There were two support acts, both very small local/friends of Ben type thing. Nonetheless they were okay, the second act, Tenth Electric were particularly good, just two guys and a guitar (though apparently there’s normally more of them). I did enjoy both acts, but the whole thing felt a bit thrown together, and it definitely wasn’t helped by the really rude audience who were all talking at full volume, so much so that the first act (Farrah, or something like that?) asked everyone to shut up!
I’m pleased to say that Ben Montague was amazing. He really is so talented, and as a frontman he was far more likeable, funny and at ease on stage than the previous had been. Unfortunately the tour had been organised so that it followed the 17 day support act tour he’d just finished supporting Amy Macdonald, and being the first date, it wasn’t as well rehearsed as it maybe could have been. The sound guy at the venue was appalling, could not get anything right and insisted on cutting him off at 10pm, despite the fact he hadn’t played his biggest hit. The audience were one of the rudest I’ve had the misfortune to be in, and Ben Montague actually stopped a song at one point to ask people to be quiet, which was a shame because he was worth listening to! Before the crazily early 10pm cut off he managed to fit in half a song with his cousin who he had promised could perform, meaning his biggest hit went unplayed. As a raw talent and showman he cannot be faulted, and I definitely would not hesitate to see him again, but I think the organisation of the show might need a bit of work!
As I mentioned I’m sat writing this in the science museum and this is quite a lengthy post as my feet ache, so have plonked myself on a bench!! It’s very noisy and very busy! Not sure in hindsight visiting during half term was my best idea. Museums seem to bring out the best and worst of parents. You see some parents who cannot encourage their child enough, have the patience of a saint, answer every single why question and let the child dictate the pace. But there’s nothing sadder than seeing a child want to ask a question or look at an exhibition only to be tugged away and told to hurry up or worse, shut up (nope I couldn’t believe it either!) by a disinterested parent just after a free day out.
Seeing Deaf Havana Unplugged tonight, which should be good. Sold out, think it’s a 900 capacity venue. Looking forward to that!
Until Tomorrow,
M x
Student on a Mission 