So. 4 July, 2007. As I was saying, we (me, Lydia, WH and WVO) went to dinner in the Temple Bar area; no, I don't remember the name of the place, but I had some lovely chicken and mushrooms. No pear cider, but the apple was nice. After the meal, we ambled down the narrow lanes back to the Olympia to take our seats: first circle, row D. WH was several rows behind us, and it turned out that J&M were almost directly in front of us. It was grand to have a chance to visit with them a bit before the show.
Opener was Via Rosa, otherwise known to the memory-impaired as Viagra (because, as Lydia said, they helped Robyn hitch his cock). Their music is okay, nothing special. After a couple songs from them, Robyn Hitchcock joined them. Then the Viagra guys left and Robyn was joined by two of the Venus Three - Scott McCaughey and Bill Rieflin. Robyn is so bizarre and so entertaining.
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Then finally, R.E.M. (+2) took the stage for the "working rehearsal". Mills used the bullhorn to make certain that everyone knew "This is NOT a show". No, it wasn't a "show". It was something far better - an opportunity to see the guys relaxed and happy, in "making music for the fun of it" mode instead of "performing because we have to" mode.
There are reviews of the "shows" elsewhere. For me personally, much of the evening was spent thinking how much Jessica would have loved to have been there. Yes, it would have fed her obsession with JMS, but seeing him enjoying himself, smiling, relaxed, would have meant the world to her.
2 comments:
I thought it was great that J and M were seated there; one of those lovely coincidences.
I'm glad that whether in spite of your thoughts of Jess, or partly because of them, you enjoyed the concert so much. It was great for me to see you having such fun. That's something I love about going to see good live music with friends; witnessing their joy at the experience.
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