Part 3: The Gig, How it went [great actually!]

Finally, to the gig itself! Having been unable to find any coaches that woiuld return us to Leicester at night after the gig we had to drive up, so I took the afternoon off work and did exactly that, we parked outside a friends house in Tottenham (I think I don't do navigation very well I just go where the wife tells me).

I had planned it so that we would have four hours or so to do things around London, go to Camden etc. before the gig. I had forgotten juts how long it can take getting across London. Our two hour teip up took nearly four hours and then the trip across London took about another hour. So we just hung around Kings Cross and had sushi at Wasabi and tried to spot arriving steampunks, before going out to queue outside La Scala.

While waiting outside I was reminded of the bad old days when smoking was allowed everywhere, stuck in a queue beside smokers is not pleasant! but the people seemed friendly and we got to looka t how other people were dressing for the event, apparently some of them just didn't bother, and some were goth with a few brass bits stuck on, and some others had made an effort. Each to their own.

We were briefly surprised when Abney Park wandered past and into the building, it was wierd seeing them on the pavement by daylight, yes they are real people, wow! I think I just grinned like a simpleton, lots.

Once inside there were some stalls which we looked at, but mainly we just got a drink each and headed into the main roooma nd found a place down at the front of the stage. The first performer on was Professor Elemental, brilliantly funny and a talented gentleman rapper of the finest ilk. Completley insane, of course, but great. I would have paid just to go and see him.

Next up was Sunday Driver, who I had heard a bit about, apparently other Steampunks like them. I listened, I watched, I wondered where exactly they fitted into steampunk. I reminded myself that one important aspect of Steampunk was not telling others how Steampunk they were not. They were good, tight, talented, with an interesting mix of western and Indian music, and I enjoyed it, but it didn't shout Steampunk at me. It was the first time I had heard them though so maybe I was missing something, I plan to try to listen to some more of their music in the future in case I have got the wrong end of the stick. I did like the Rat song a lot. At first I thought one problem might be the Indian lyrics which I didn't understand, but then I remembered I listen to Rammstein and I have no idea what they are on about either, so that shouldn't be an issue. I shall investigate further.

Then up came Abney Park. They were everything I had hoped for, again. The weird thing was the audience around us. Last Abney gig I went to everyone was dancing, having a hell of a time, this time down at the front lots of them just stood staring and filming, leaving no room for those of us who wanted to dance. I managed to jig up and down on the spot a bit. I don't know if it was just London or what, but a lot of the stationary masses actually looked bored. I hope the band didn't get the same feeling, they did their bit damned well and I can only suppose the walking dead had wandered in or people who didn't understand what you do at a gig. I don't know what it was like further back, as we were hemmed in by the motionless.

The band, however, rocked! they moved, they danced, they played like the devil, they sang with heart and soul and humour. One of the things I like about Abney Park is the movement on stage, its not the singer at the front while the rest stand motionless at the back like an afterthought, they all move back and forth changing places so everyone gets a shot at the front of the stage. Titus' violin is a very, very cool thing, like worn splintered wood in a skull shape, and had its own intro. We heard old favourites and intriguing new songs [as we had yet to purchase the lastest album 'Ancient World']. I don't think I could have asked more of the band themselves.

Afterwards we headed out to buy posters and CD and get things signed. I love the way they stay to talk to people, to sign things, and have a drink with fans. Last time I was too shy to say anything to them, this time myself and the wife sidled up to Kristina and actually chatted a bit, she is really nice and genuine and friendly. Apparently the warm weather caught them by suprise, they expected it cooler. Next time we shall try to expand our socialising to other members of the band. Seeing them at the end really helps round off the night, its not just they leave the stage and then you get kicked out onto the dark streets. It helps make it all work, thank you guys.

Overall a cracking good gig, just the weird element of the crow made me raise an eyebrow or two, not entirely sure why they were there. I hope the rest of us made up for it, and that they didn't upset the band. Now we start the wait to see them again...