Isle Of Wight Festival 2007 - Day 3

I felt better when I woke up on the Sunday. I had a really chilled out day. It was hot again so I just drunk lots of fluids and no alcohol. I actually gave away the remaining beer token I had (It would have been a shame to waste it!)

James Morrison was good. The Fratellis were fantastic. I really love them! I watched Keane right from the back of the field. I like some of their songs but I find them too depressing to listen to for too long.

Then I decided to stand pretty much where I ended up for Muse to watch the Rolling Stones. The only problem was, there were SO many drunk people piling out of the V.I.P area. Some of them were really rude and obnoxious. I ended up having an argument with one of them because I stepped forwards to let him by. Apparently I should have stepped backwards and I was actually trying to block his path. Twat! The Rolling Stones were fantastic though. I’m SO glad I got a chance to see them.

I went straight back to my tent afterwards and I slept amazingly well considering the chaos around me! I was woken up at 6am by a big commotion going on in the next field. There was this girl screaming her head off and some other people shouting. It turns out this girl had done something and the security guys had gone over to her and she had spat at one of them. An argument then broke out and this girl was literally dragged across the field screaming her head off to a car. Her friends were protesting that they couldn’t do that as they were not police. But the security guys were insisting they could. Then someone actually stole the car keys. So the security guys were saying no one was leaving the whole campsite until these keys turned up. There was then a huge outcry as people were packing up and were leaving to get ferries and actually had nothing to do with the incident. In the end, the police turned up, the keys were returned and the girl was driven away and peace was restored. It was quite scary at the time though.

I decided since I was awake I’d pack up and leave then. I ended up having to get 5 trains home because my train was cancelled. That was no fun at all with the amount of luggage I had with me.

The things I do for Muse!

Isle Of Wight Festival 2007 - Day 2

On the Saturday, it was a really hot day again. At least my stomach was better. I decided the best thing for me was to drink lots and lots of cold drinks as I didn’t want to be ill with dehydration which I am very prone to. I also decided absolutely no alcohol. That would be a sure way to dehydrate. I SO didn’t want to be ill for Kasabian and Muse.

I watched a few bands throughout the day from the back and just chilled out on the grass. I made a point of drinking loads of water. But I got bored and decided I really fancied a beer. So I had 2, but still carried on drinking the water. Then, sometime in the afternoon I decided it was time to make my way to the front. I loaded myself up with 3 bottles of water and made my way forward. By the time Amy Winehouse came on, I was at the barrier and I had every intention of staying there for the duration. She was really good too. One of the highlights of the weekend for me. After she had finished I realised I need the loo. There was no way I was going to make it until after Muse without going. Gone are the days when my bladder could hold out all day!!

So I fought my way out. And all I can say is thank god for the red arrows. While everyone else was looking up, I snuck back in and ended up at the barrier again!

Next was Wolfmother. They were good but I’ve seen them a few times now and they don’t really do much for me. I do like a couple of their songs though. After they had finished I got talking to the girl next to me. She was there mainly to see Wolfmother and Kasabian.

Next up was Ash. I do like them, not as much as I used to though. I love the stuff from their 1977 album. It reminds me of moving to London! By the end of their set, the familiar feeling struck me again. I needed the loo. There was no way I was moving at that point. I’ve never seen Kasabian from the front row before and since them and Muse were the whole reason I was there, I wasn’t moving. I really enjoyed their set. I was singing along, jumping around, like you do. Then during the set, Tom said something about it being important to drink lots of water. It made me realise I had a headache coming on and I decided to drink some of the water I still had with me!

When they finished I felt awful. My headache was getting worse, I had used up most of my energy jumping around to Kasabian and I was really dying for the loo. But I refused to move! I knew I knew I wouldn’t last out the whole set at the front though. So Muse came on and it was amazing. I tried to forget about needing the loo but I was in pain by the 3rd song, so I fought my way out. As I was making my way out, Muse started playing Butterflies and Hurricanes. I was singing it at the top of my voice all the way to the loos. I continued to sing it IN the loo and all the way back. I stopped somewhere at the side quite a way back, but I didn’t care. It didn’t bother me one bit not being at the front because now I had room to jump, dance and I was still singing away!! Also, I could see the full effect of the lights and the video screens, which is something I miss being at the front. The highlight of the whole set was Assassin. That totally blew me away! The whole thing was fantastic!

When they finished, I realised how ill I was. I now had a thumping headache, I felt really sick I had no energy and I could barely walk. Despite all that water, I STILL got dehydrated! I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it back to the tent. Luckily, it wasn’t too far away. I just managed to get myself into my tent before I was sick. But you know what? As ill as I felt, I still couldn’t keep that smile off my face. Kasabian and Muse, in a combined effort nearly killed me but I couldn’t have been happier!

Isle Of Wight Festival 2007 - Day 1

I had been in two minds whether to go to this festival or not. I knew I’d have to camp on my own. I wasn’t sure if I fancied that. But then again how could I miss out on seeing my 2 favourite bands one after the other (Kasabian are my number 2 band!)

On the Friday, I headed off to Portsmouth to get the ferry to the Isle Of Wight. I had SO much stuff with me. I was so weighed down I could hardly walk! There was a problem with one of my train connections (I had to get 3 trains!) and I was panicking that I’d miss the ferry. But I got there just in time.

I then sat on a very crowded boat and sailed away into the sunset. Actually, it had been threatening to rain but by the time I got to the campsite it was hot and sunny!

I decided to head for the family area as I thought it might be safer than anywhere else since I was by myself. I finally found it but it was full up! I had a look around and eventually found a tiny spot where I just about squeezed my tent in. The problem is, I was tripping over everybody else’s guide wires to get in and out of my tent which was all well and good while I was sober but I told myself to be extra, extra careful if I decided to have beer!! I also took the time to tell the people around me I was by myself. That way I knew if they saw someone else going into my tent they would know something was wrong.

After I had put my tent up I headed off to look around. I had a couple of beers and some food and waited for the gates to open to the arena.

There wasn’t anyone playing on the Friday I really wanted to see. I really enjoyed Groove Armarda though! I wanted to watch Snow Patrol but by the time they came on, I wasn’t feeling too well. I had a bad stomach and was in agony (the timing couldn’t have been worse!) So I headed back to my tent. I just remember laying in my sleeping bag and hearing them play run, singing along to it by myself. It was both a really happy moment and a really sad moment at the same time.

I didn’t get much sleep, but then again I didn’t expect to. You don’t go to a festival to sleep do you! There was a guy in the next field who had a REALLY loud voice. I’d just nod off to sleep and then he would shout something random and wake me up again. All night this guy had been saying how he wasn’t going to sleep. Around 6am all was quiet and suddenly I heard the familiar voice saying ‘No! I will not sleep! I wont sleep! Do not surrender!’ Which made me laugh in my tent!

Luxembourg 2007

The following day, I got a text from a very excited Keeley to say she had arrived in Luxembourg and she had her ticket too!

A bit later, I met Keeley and Sam for lunch. Liz and Maysie had already gone off to the venue and Tracey was resting back at the hotel. We thought we’d have a quick lunch and then join the others at the venue. Except we must have chosen the slowest restaurant in Luxembourg to eat at. We had been there for over 2 hours and were only on the 3rd course of 5 so we paid up and left.

We got the train to the venue and met up with Liz and Maysie. Tracey joined us a bit later. About an hour before the doors opened, the sky turned really black and a storm started. It was really windy with thunder and lightning and heavy rain. Luckily we were under the sheltered bit so managed to stay mostly dry. There was a group of people desperately trying to hold down the canopy of the beer stand to stop it blowing away in the wind. I didn’t like being out in that one little bit.

I was very glad when the doors opened. We ran in there and got in the second row, just to the left. Maysie made it to the barrier. While the support band were on, I needed the loo. I was amazed to be able to get out from the second row, go to the loo, and still get back to my place. That’s unheard of here. If you leave your spot that late in the day, its gone for good.

Then at last the lights went down and Muse came onstage. It was a fantastic show. They had different lights. Matt had a new piano and a new sparkly red guitar. There was hardly any pushing. It was so nice to enjoy the show without worrying about trying to stay on my feet! They played ‘Microcuts’ and ‘Unintended’, both of which were a total surprise. I guess they were just trying them out before Wembley! Matt looked my way a couple of times. I think the band kind of recognise me now, but I’ve said it before, I can never be sure if it’s me or someone near me they are looking at. There were a couple of technical problems though. Chris had a problem with his bass and Matt mic cut out at one point. But overall, a fantastic show as always!

After the show we all made our way outside and round the back and stood by the gates of the backstage area. We were chatting away excitedly to each other. After a while, a minibus pulled up by the exit and we were convinced the band would just get straight on it. Then the security guys handed out some set lists. Maysie got one, which I was really pleased about because out of all of us, she seemed the most keen to get one.

It wasn’t long after that, the band came out and came over to us!!! I saw Dom first and then before I realised it, Chris was stood right in front of me. I said ‘Hi how are you?’ and handed him my ticket. Didn’t get a chance to say anything else as other people were talking to him. Next up was Matt. I said exactly the same ‘Hi, how are you?’ and handed him my ticket. He said ‘I’m good thanks’ and I said ‘good’ He then moved on to the girl next to me. She asked him for a photo. Now I still really want that elusive photo with Matt but I didn’t ask as there was a big gate between us. Anyway she was trying to work around it, but she couldn’t figure out how to work the camera phone! In the end she gave up and he moved on to the next person. Next was Dom. Again I said ‘Hi How are you’ he was ‘OK thanks’ Its amazing isn’t it. Sometimes I sit and think oh if I ever met them I’d say this, I’d say that. Yet when they are stood there right in front of me, all I can manage is a lame ‘Hi, how are you’! I guess it’s better than the Aberdeen awkward silence then ‘great show tonight!’ They made sure everyone got their autographs then got onto the bus. We all waved goodbye, apart from Tracey who chased the bus down the street for a laugh!

None of us felt like going straight to bed so we went to the bar opposite the hotel where the girls were staying. The locals were all really friendly. It was around 2am when I eventually made my way back to the hotel.

The next day, I was alone again as the others all flew back home. I got up quite late, then went into the city and did a couple of sightseeing tours. I then got some food and headed back to the hotel. I was really tired so I decided an early night was in order. I switched on the TV and found one of the French channels was showing ‘Titanic’ And guess what. Even though I couldn’t understand a word I STILL cried at the end! What a girl!

Luxembourg is a beautiful country. Its not somewhere I would have thought about going if it wasn’t for Muse playing there, but I’m so glad I went. Also, I’ve now got over my fear of going to countries where I don’t speak the language. I cant believe how worried about that I was! All in all, a fantastic weekend, with great company!

Ticket and Travel Trauma - Luxembourg 2007

I thought I wouldn’t be able to go to Luxembourg, but my days off work fell perfectly, giving me a long weekend. So I searched around a few weeks before hand for a ticket. The only place I could find was a ticket agency, which basically buys peoples spare tickets and sells them on. Yeah, glorified ticket touts. I paid 3 times the price for it, which I didn’t mind as I really wanted to go.

A few days before I was due to fly out, there was still no sign of my ticket. Keeley from the message board had bought her ticket from the same place and hadn’t received hers either. We had both sent them emails which they had eventually answered saying they still hadn’t received the ticket from the suppliers. I gave it a couple more days and gave them a ring. They said they were waiting for the ticket to come from their suppliers in Luxembourg, to be sent them in the Netherlands then to be sent to me in the UK. I pointed out that there’s no way that’s going to happen in 2 days. In the end, I gave them the address of the hotel in Luxembourg and they said they would send it there.

By this point, I was seriously beginning to wonder if this ticket actually existed. Then the day before I was due to fly, I got a phone call at work from the agency. They had tried to deliver my ticket to the hotel, but they hadn’t heard of me. Of course they hadn’t, I wasn’t due there until the following day. They assured me they would send it again the following day. I felt a bit better then. At least I knew the ticket did indeed exist and they fully intended to deliver it to me. But I still couldn’t rest easy until I actually had it in my hand. My Mum phoned the hotel, just to make sure they knew I was expecting a ‘very important delivery’.

The following day, I got up at stupid o clock in the morning and made my way to Heathrow. I was really excited the whole way there. Here I was, off on another adventure, and I got to see Muse again too!

By the time I got to the departure lounge, my excitement had worn off and the reality of what I was doing had set in. Here I was, flying off to a country where I don’t even speak the same language, by myself, and I wasn’t even sure if my ticket for the show was going to show up. I actually felt really sick and nearly didn’t get on the plane. I told myself not to be so silly. I was due to meet up with some of the girls from the message board later that evening, so its not like I was completely on my own.

I hated the plane too. I’ve been on smaller planes before, but this one was thin, with 2 seats, an aisle then a single seat. It made me feel really claustrophobic!

So I arrived in Luxembourg. I hadn’t really calmed down any during the flight, so I was already in a bit of a flap. First thing I did was buy a map. Of course I was spoken to in French and I kind of looked back at the guy blankly!

I then had to figure out how to get from the airport into the city. When I looked it up on the net, it said there was a bus. I walked outside into the sunshine. There was no sign of a bus, only the car park shuttle buses. They were doing rebuilding work and there were no signposts anywhere. There was a line of taxis though. There was no way I was getting one of those though. How could I explain where I was going?

I went back inside and sat down. I was close to tears at this point. I was really tempted to just get the next flight home. I’ve never felt so alienated in my whole life. I was at that airport for around an hour, trying to escape.

Then I took another look outside. There must be a bus stop somewhere. I looked to my left and saw people disappearing behind this prefab building. I thought ‘I wonder where they are going, maybe they know something I don’t’ I decided I had nothing to loose, so I followed them. Sure enough, there, before my eyes on the other side of the prefab, was the bus stop!

I bought my ticket and settled down. Then I began to panic again. How will I know where to get off? I needed the train station to get me from the city centre to my hotel. In the end, I just looked for an area which looked like the centre and got off the bus. I then had a wander round Luxembourg city, in the blazing sun, suitcase in tow, attempting to find the station. It was 2 hours later when I finally hooked out my French phrase book and realised that ‘Gare’ was the French word for station. All the signs I had passed, pointing the opposite way, were the ones I should have been following. What’s more, when I finally made it to the ‘Gare’ I realised if I had stayed on the bus for 2 more stops, it would have dropped me right there!

I then had another panic attack when I couldn’t find a machine to buy a ticket from. I’d have to ask for it. 20 minutes later, I told myself, not to be so silly. I couldn’t just stand there, I’d eventually have to go and ask. I realised how silly I had been when the guy behind the counter spoke English.

Then I went off to get my train. It was then I got excited. Double–Decker trains!!!!! We don’t have them in this country. I really wanted to sit on the top deck, just because I could, but I decided against it as I had my case with me. I promised myself I would when I went back into the city later.

I got off the train and found my hotel no problem. Then I was wandering about a bit trying to figure out where I check in. I eventually worked out I needed to go into the restaurant. I was halfway through checking in, when the phone went. So the guy stopped dealing with me and answered it. I glanced down and I saw a notepad with my name, a room number and ‘very important’ written on it. There were some pigeon-holes just to the left of me, where they kept the room keys. I looked for the number written on the paper, and saw, to my immense relief, an envelope sticking out. My Muse ticket!!! The guy finished on the phone and carried on with the check in, while I kind of jigged on the spot impatiently like a kid waiting for her present at Christmas. He reached up and got the key, picked up the envelope, looked at it, looked confused then looked at me. I said, ‘yes that’s for me thanks’ and almost snatched it out of the poor guys hand!

I had a little wander around the area and bought some supplies, mostly the all important bottles of water as I don’t do heat very well and I didn’t want a headache. A bit later on, I got a text from Sam saying she had arrived safely but her luggage hadn’t. It was still in Manchester! Still, she wasn’t going to let it spoil her fun. So I headed back into the city (on the top deck of the train of course!) to meet her. We wandered around for a bit before eventually finding the pub where we had arranged to meet other people from the message board.

Shortly after that, Tracey, Liz and Maysie arrived and we had a lovely drink and a chat. A bit later we decided to go off for some food. Just as we were about to leave, someone else from the muse board found us but we were just leaving! We found a pizza place and settled in there. While we were walking back to the station, the weather changed and it started thundering. Now, anyone that knows me knows I have a few phobias, thunder and lightening is one of them. I just took a deep breath and kept walking. There was nothing I could do about it, unless I wanted to miss the last train.

When we got back, I went back to my hotel as I was really tired but the other girls all stayed out. I wanted to save my energy for Muse!