G.C @ Manchester Apollo, England.

Thursday 18th December, 2003.

Being that I live in Wales, Lyshee's Dad drove us the long, 4 hour drive up to Manchester, and as we usually do when going to distant gigs, we experienced some funny encounters (including hookers on the street, getting very lost and meeting some strange hooded people.) After an hour's wait outside in the middle of manchester, in late december (im trying to imply it was FREEZING) we were so glad to get inside. First band up were Mest, better known as Benji's best mates...all i knew of them were three songs, "It's Over", "Cadillac" and of course, "Jaded". So, we spent the whole set screaming "CAAADILLAAC" whenever Tony was quiet enough to stop swearing for one second, and my wish was granted...as the tune kicked in, the 3 of us pushed our way into the pit, screaming the lyrics (with the top down, seat back, rolling in my cadillac) and leaving anyone around us shocked. It was to my joy when the tatooed frontman declared, "we're gunna sing our last song, its got 2 main words". Ok im thinking, last song means the set is over, 2 words, its GOTTA be "It's Over", so im smiling from ear to ear and starting to sing the lyrics already, only he then comes back with "this song is called 'Fuck You'". Leaving my final point proved, good band but this guys swears too much.

 

Sugarcult made a much better impression. The last time i'd seen them was in a little club, packed to tight you literally could not move; tonight there was enough room to jump about frantically and the fact that they had to entertain thousands more people, only made it better. With a new haircut, frontman Tim looked alot like Matt Skiba and had the cheeky attitude that Matt has too...his voice tonight was incredible and when they played "Bouncing off the walls" the crowd went mad.

 

I cannot explain the feelings that i had when G.C hit the stage...it was insane! All i kept thinking was "where the hell is Benj?" and it seemed like a lifetime before i set eyes on him, but when i did...it made it all come true. Their set tonight was AWESOME, and out of all the gigs i've been to (which is alot) i've seriously never seen a crowd sing along so much. There was not much point in Joel switching his mic on tonight, because the amount of people screaming thier lyrics back at them was mad. "Little Things" was incredible, and Benji came over really close to do the backups (FIFTY FIVE.....he's so cute). I must say, never judge a band by thier performance at a festival, because tonight just proved to me that they work so much harder at thier headlining shows.