AC/DC

It had been thirty five years since I’d been to a really huge concert, the last one being Emerson Lake & Palmer back around this time in 1974. I’ve always liked AC/DC although I wouldn’t claim to be their biggest fan, but when a friend asked if I’d like to go and see them at the O2 Arena I jumped at the chance. So on Tuesday afternoon we trogged off to Londinium to see the show.

The support band was The Answer, from Belfast, and I’m sure they’ll go far. The singer sings in a Robert Plant style, nasally, a style that has never done Robert any harm. For all I know they could well be big already, but if they keep it up no doubt they will be filling arenas in their own right one day.

AC/DC were everything you’d expect. They are not the most innovative of rockers but they have a winning formula and they deliver it with great precision. There is no mistaking who the star of the show is and that’s Angus Young. If you don’t know who Angus is then if I say he’s the guitarist who wears the blazer, short trousers, school cap and satchel you’ll know, unless of course you have absolutely no interest in the popular culture of rock-a-boogie.

I remembered why I don’t go to large arena concerts when I got there. Even in the decent seats you are still a long way away from the stage. Most of my concert going is to smaller venues, I like the intimate feel, and I like to see the whites of their eyes! Although distant you could still appreciate the action, and the large screens that flashed with graphics and close-ups all add to the experience and ensure that you miss nothing. The show started with a short animation, staring Angus obviously, about a runaway train and inspired by the latest album. It builds up the tension very well the train crashes, the stage lights up and the band start to play. The set is a mix of old favourites and samples from their latest waxing - something for everyone.

Apart from some lengthy pauses between songs the show was perfect. They are a well rehearsed band with a tight road crew/organisation. The lighting, graphics, pyrotechnics and even the not so tasteful inflatable Rosie were all slotted in seamlessly along the concert timeline.

Brian Johnson, the lead singer struts, well waddles really, around the stage wearing his trademark cloth cap and sporting a six pack that probably owes more to the likes of Newkie Brown rather than any gym. He knows his place. I suspect when the Ex-Geordie singer was recruited to the band after Bon Scott’s death he was told not to ‘hog the limelight’. Meanwhile Angus dominates the proceedings through his undoubted skill and sheer energy. Having said that I don’t think I’m completely sold on the merits of his strip-tease although I did think it was a nice touch when he dropped his trousers to reveal the AC/DC logo on the arse of his pants.

In theory I shouldn’t really like AC/DC but I always have. I bought their first album on vinyl at the time of its release, when they were relatively unknown. They are the musical equivalent of Jeremy Clarkson. Their show is mighty on the macho. Macho by definition borders on the misogynistic which obviously fills me with unease. But on a baser level I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Oh the angst of the white middle-class middle-aged ponderer!

Brand AC/DC is a powerful and lucrative brand to be sure. It does what it says on the label and as a result I suspect that many a happy punter went home that night from the concert. I know I enjoyed it. My hearing didn’t recover for a day and a half. Boy, were they loud!

Further info:
concert pictures
official website

Busy

Easter was a busy weekend, unfortunately I was busy decorating. I hate DIY with a passion. Yesterday I went and saw AC/DC at the O2 Arena. Excellent! If I have time I’ll blog about it.

No-pay day

This recession, this unwelcome manifestation is hitting people in many different ways. I feel for those that have lost their jobs, for those that are about to lose their jobs, and those on short time working, which incidentally includes myself. I have no idea if I will come through this with my job intact but hopefully these measures that the company I work for is taking will do the trick. Each employee has to take five days off without pay per quarter. Small beer compared with what is happening in some companies, but never the less it represents a cut in pay; a cut that most of my colleagues are not happy with. I feel sorry for those single parents and others with young families and large mortgages, for them the loss of 1.6 days money per month is a hardship, although it might not sound like it. No doubt some will have to tighten their proverbial belts a bit further.

For me, whilst I shall miss the money and have to watch the pennies a bit more carefully, I welcome the extra time off, and I plan to put it to good use, writing this for a start. Whilst it’s considered as a no-pay day you do get some money. The government actually gives you £21.50 for the day. Hardly compensation for most, but it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. As far as I’m concerned time not spent at work is a valuable commodity, and I see this as an opportunity to do something that I enjoy, write. I plan to write a book. I’ve no idea if it will see the light of day, but I’ve made a start. I shall use my other no-pay days to continue this project. Today was my first no-pay day. Watch this space.

Maggie's End

Which side are you on?
http://www.billybragg.co.uk/news/news_story.php?id=492

Nothing left

Socialism isn't dead it's just resting a bit, and I am convinced that one day it will make an impressive come back. After all, the basic principles are pretty sound. If you truly understand what socialism is about you can't fail to want to embrace it, unless you are a totally heartless and greedy bastard. There is a no more equitable system than a true socialist path. I believe in, what Billy Bragg once sang about “a socialism of the heart". That's not to say that my head doesn't have an influence. But if you are not a compassionate and caring individual who has a love for humankind you are not likely to become or even expound socialist ideas and principles.

Thatcher thought she presided over the eradication of the socialist left, perhaps she did, and perhaps that was no bad thing, but the ideals of socialism live on. I feel that the time has come, for those of us that have kept the faith, to remind people about how good it could be. Now I know that some souls will have been plugging away with the same message for years, but nothing is constant and many of the ideas of the left that seemed appropriate or fashionable in the twentieth century probably won't be applicable today. If lasting socialist inspired governments are to be established a new way of communicating is needed.

The current economic turmoil that the western world finds itself in along with the impending ecological doom that will surely turn the world upside down and offer a perfect base to start building a new socialist future.

Discuss

Stop Worrying

New Year's Day

Another great thing about living in Norwich is that it is so close to the coast. This made it easy for us to yesterday pootle down to Horsey in search of baby seals.

Although a grey day it wasn’t too unpleasant weather-wise. We lunched at the Nelson’s Head before heading off to the beach. From the pub I would suggest that it is a good mile/mile and a half walk to where you can view the seals. I hadn’t realised that Horsey was part of the Broads National Park, but apparently it is. The Park authority now rope off the beach on the sand dunes that are set back from water and beach itself so that the seals a relatively undisturbed. This is just as well as there were hordes of people there to witness this amazing event.

There seemed to be quite a mixture of seals at various stages of the reproductive process. Lying around on the beach were mating couples, pregnant females, pups suckling, inquisitive more advanced pups, and bulls swimming and diving in the sea.

Apparently once a pup has first malted they become quite inquisitive and have a tendency to come to have a look at these strange creatures that have in turn come to look at them. They clamber through the dunes in their own lovable and clumsy way coming very close to us humans, sniffing, snorting and passively growling as they do so. The pub below came right up to my feet. I’ve placed a short video on YouTube of this pup as it waddled towards me.