Post by bon on Dec 16, 2010 18:19:31 GMT -5
Not so much a review more a warning from a seasoned veteran!!
Leicester, good venue and VIP meant at least we could sit in the bar area in preparation. Far more civilised than the O2 crowd (Though Brixton allowed to stay in)
Only downside was the heat this venue was really hot. The airconditioning had been turned of because it dissipates the dry ice smoke. Considering the only reason the dry ice is used is to keep DBP cool one wonders they couldn't have forgone the smoke and relied on the air con instead. (At least the standing crowd would have got some benefit.)
Standing on the barrier with us was a daughter and mother. Mother was an elderly woman at her first James gig. (When I say elderly she was about the same age as bon and mrs bon - mid fifties. But as I say having stood at almost all of the inumerable James gigs I consider my self a wise and seasoned campaigner).
Anyway 5 songs on and this woman obviously missed the signs and collapsed. The security was a tad slow in responding but she was taken away and didn't come back so I hope she found a safer place to watch. Still now I was on the barrier in front of Larry and giving it my all as usual. Sound was great, JamJ fantastic, PS stunning with Sauls middle break and Out to get you terrific. My faves Sound and Stutter brilliant. I was a 'pig in shit'.
Then the encore and Star (probably one of my least favourite songs and I sang along but with out much enthusiasm. Then Sometimes and again I was feeling less than committed. (What was going on!!)
Then I noticed the signs beginning, first the 'gold fish bowl sound' as if the band are suddenly playing in another room. Then the kaleidoscope curtain of lights over my vision. The band were disappearing The sound was starting to stimulate subharmonics in my lower bowel region (sorry to be graphic) My arms started tingling and my knees were struggling to stay locked.
I sipped water, I tried to fight and resist it, I breathed deeply into my cupped hands to change the blood chemistry but all to no avail. This was it!! I signalled to mrs bon with our 'standard' distress gesture (Not the Mad Chicken Dance!)
And together we headed out. The good news was that as soon as I got out the singalong bit of sometimes ended so I didn't miss anything.
Outside I was phasing in and out of conscioussness. Skin was cold and clammy and it was clear the BP had dipped causing the system into self protection mode (i.e. fainting and thus being low to the ground where the heart can pump the blood back to the brain.)
Of course what didn't help is 1) both bon and mrs bon had stinking colds (we always seem to get them on James tours)
2) We ate at 11am and should have a more substantial meal around 3pm and this would have saved the bloodsugar issues.
3) The venue didn't have water at the front (they do for 'younger' shows) Why would they think it was age related
So let me warn you all it can strike very quickly and it is important to be aware of the symptoms, don't ignore them!!
Just want to thank our two 'barrier buddies' who stayed with us post gig and ensured I was back functioning before decamping. Thank you! (You know who you are
)
Leicester, good venue and VIP meant at least we could sit in the bar area in preparation. Far more civilised than the O2 crowd (Though Brixton allowed to stay in)
Only downside was the heat this venue was really hot. The airconditioning had been turned of because it dissipates the dry ice smoke. Considering the only reason the dry ice is used is to keep DBP cool one wonders they couldn't have forgone the smoke and relied on the air con instead. (At least the standing crowd would have got some benefit.)
Standing on the barrier with us was a daughter and mother. Mother was an elderly woman at her first James gig. (When I say elderly she was about the same age as bon and mrs bon - mid fifties. But as I say having stood at almost all of the inumerable James gigs I consider my self a wise and seasoned campaigner).
Anyway 5 songs on and this woman obviously missed the signs and collapsed. The security was a tad slow in responding but she was taken away and didn't come back so I hope she found a safer place to watch. Still now I was on the barrier in front of Larry and giving it my all as usual. Sound was great, JamJ fantastic, PS stunning with Sauls middle break and Out to get you terrific. My faves Sound and Stutter brilliant. I was a 'pig in shit'.
Then the encore and Star (probably one of my least favourite songs and I sang along but with out much enthusiasm. Then Sometimes and again I was feeling less than committed. (What was going on!!)
Then I noticed the signs beginning, first the 'gold fish bowl sound' as if the band are suddenly playing in another room. Then the kaleidoscope curtain of lights over my vision. The band were disappearing The sound was starting to stimulate subharmonics in my lower bowel region (sorry to be graphic) My arms started tingling and my knees were struggling to stay locked.
I sipped water, I tried to fight and resist it, I breathed deeply into my cupped hands to change the blood chemistry but all to no avail. This was it!! I signalled to mrs bon with our 'standard' distress gesture (Not the Mad Chicken Dance!)
And together we headed out. The good news was that as soon as I got out the singalong bit of sometimes ended so I didn't miss anything.
Outside I was phasing in and out of conscioussness. Skin was cold and clammy and it was clear the BP had dipped causing the system into self protection mode (i.e. fainting and thus being low to the ground where the heart can pump the blood back to the brain.)
Of course what didn't help is 1) both bon and mrs bon had stinking colds (we always seem to get them on James tours)
2) We ate at 11am and should have a more substantial meal around 3pm and this would have saved the bloodsugar issues.
3) The venue didn't have water at the front (they do for 'younger' shows) Why would they think it was age related
So let me warn you all it can strike very quickly and it is important to be aware of the symptoms, don't ignore them!!
Just want to thank our two 'barrier buddies' who stayed with us post gig and ensured I was back functioning before decamping. Thank you! (You know who you are
)
