UK tour - Newcastle upon Tyne

Monday, June 27th, 2011.

After a long journey by coach bus from Birmingham, I finally made it to Newcastle around 3pm, in the pouring rain. I felt like home at once in this lovely city. In fact, I felt so good there I've decided to move in it on next Autumn/Fall... ANYWAY, I went straight to the venue of course, the O² Academy. When I saw "Transfer" written in big letters above the doors, I couldn't help but feeling proud like a mother on her sons' graduation day. Fan feelings can sometimes be so foolish!

 

Bought my ticket, and, as I was, as ever, so early, I went and had lunch in an awesome american restaurant, and hung out there for two or three hours, looking desperately for internet on my cell phone, recharging my precious ipod and camera, as a genuine Concert Weirdo. You must know Concert weirdos who follow a tour often have the same ritual. First, we arrive freakishly early, even when it's not necessary. Then we hang out for hours in a fast-food, because hamburgers and fries are our fuel unfortunately. No time and no money for eating healthier. And because we always look for plugs and free wi-fi. Concert weirdos often are geeks. Can't help tweeting, facebooking etc.

I went back to the venue where I met some Babies, Angela, Nicola and some other girls, joined a few minutes later by Jade my fellow admin from the UK Street Team. I was very glad to see her, but didn't want to annoy her and her friends with my presence, so I left them alone and listened to some Transfer songs on my ipod instead, while waiting for the doors to open.

When the doors opened, I went to my usual spot, on the left side of the stage, as ever. And for the first time, it would be Shaun playing in front of me, not Jason. Next to me, my fellows were chatting cheerfully, and we were all glad to hear Mr Brightside from the Killers playing twice while waiting for the show to begin. Then we had to suffer, not two but THREE bands before Transfer. I wouldn't have minded so much if I had actually liked one of them, but they were all tasteless to me. Besides, the second band broke our ears, and we got all an awful headache after they left the stage. So let me tell you we were waiting for our four Californians like others would wait for the Messiah!

Then, finally, Our heroes arrived on stage. The first row, full of Babies, exploded with cheerfulness.

Losing Composure filled me up with utter joy, once more.

Like It Used To Be. Take Your Medecine. 

Then, I held my breath, for I was waiting for a particuliar song. My favourite one. They didn't play it the day before in Birmingham. It had been my first Transfer gig without that song, and I had felt frustrated. But at this very moment, Matthew looked at me, and said:

"- I guess you know Laure, which song we're playing next...

 - MY SUSPICIONS!", I couldn't help but shouting happily.

And indeed, I was right. They played My Suspicions, and I was so moved, as ever ,by this song, some tears of happiness rolled on my cheeks. 

Wake To Sleep. The Possum. On stage, the boys were beaming, looking happier than ever. And they actually played better than ever. Definitely the best Transfer live performance I've ever seen so far. And believe me, that is a lot to say, as they're always  so fucking  brilliant already. And the Possum definitely was the climax of this gig. 

Then, they played a song I didn't know. And I got breathless from the very moment Matthew started to sing. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! I looked at Shaun's setlist, and saw it was written "Blaine Osborn". I was so mindblown that I wouldn't be surprised if my mouth was wide opened with shock, and my eyes going out of their sockets.  At 1'57, Jason played a guitar solo, and shivers ran all over my spine. From 2'11, when Matthew started singing again, and until the very end of the song, I cried a river. I couldn't believe it, but Blaine Osborn had just replaced My Suspicions on the top of the piedestal in my heart. Again, that is a lot to say. 

You Are The Wolf. Sinking Sailing. and White Horse. Perfect. The show had been perfect. Beyond of all my expectations.
Shaun gave me his setlist, put his hand on his heart as he always does, thanking me again and again. Why the hell do you thank me for making me happy, Shaun?! I was the one who should say thank you, so we fought again about who was the most thankful. Him and I always fight after every gig haha! But I always win :p

 

After the gig, we Babies all waited for the boys to go out. To our greatest pleasure, Andy and Shaun popped out of the venue, and chatted cheerfully with us. Despite my broken voice, I talked to them about Blaine Osborn. I told them, showing them the title of the song on the setlist: "What the hell was that?! Didn't know that song, but deeseez a masturpeece [this is a masterpiece]!" ... I was so moved my accent had suddenly come out very frenchy. They burst into laughter. "A masturpeece!" Andy repeated, imitating my french accent. "When you say it with your french accent, it's more significant!"

Then, the boys went back to the venue to pack away their stuff, and Anna (their agent, right?), who attended to the gig on that night with her mother, came and joined the conversation. We recognized each other from White Lies Ritual tour. It was such a pleasure to see her again. Then, she lead us to the artist exit behind, and brought us into the artist dressing rooms where we were all invited to sit and have a drink. the boys joined us a few minutes later, and sat with us. Anna's sweet mother asked a lot of questions about our fandom, and we were all more than happy to answer. Then Matthew asked us each our name, and where we were coming from; when it was my turn, he said "Well I'm not asking you Laure, I know you come from France :)".

Then we were kicked out of the venue by the staff, so we hung out all for a little while outside the venue. Andy told Matthew: "hey listen to what Laure said about Blaine Osborn"! so I repeated "deeseez a masturpeece, and Matthew laughed as well. "It means so much more with your french accent!"

Then we all took some photos together, then the boys hugged us goodbye, and left on their van.

Next show: Manchester!

[ Laure ]