My Best Ever Gig
Saturday 26th April 1996- Maine Road, Manchester.
I still have my crumpled ticket, not that I need a reminder of the most brilliant night ever.
The Manic Street Preachers warmed up the crowd, the rain was drizzling but the atmosphere was electric.
Noel and Liam came on stage singing 'Round are our way the birds are singing' (sic)
The crowd surged toward the stage and the best gig ever got underway.
The lyrics didn't really matter that much- it was the tunes and the music that got under the skin, made you dance, made you sing, made you feel so good to be alive.
The adrenaline flowed, everyone loved each other, the crowd was a huge buzzing bee.
The playlist:
The Swamp Song.
Acquiesce.
Supersonic.
Hello.
Some Might Say.
Roll With It.
Morning Glory.
Cigarettes & Alcohol.
Champagne Supernova.
Whatever.
Cast No Shadow.
Wonderwall.
The Masterplan.
Don't Look Back in Anger.
Live Forever.
I Am the Walrus.
and then the encore.
Cum On Feel the Noize (Slade)
Now, that's what you call a play list.
It did not disappoint; it was history in the making. A once in a lifetime experience.
I wished it didn't have to end.
I joined the throng of fans leaving the stadium, everyone was buzzing.
After wandering through streets and streets of Coronation Street type houses we finally reached our hotel. I felt as high as a kite, but no synthetic drugs were in my blood steam, just music induced euphoria.
As I pushed through the revolving doors, I noticed a small guy in front of me.
It was Noel.
In my ridiculous excitement I started babbling away to a bloke I had never set eyes on, and it turned out he was a roadie with The Manic's, and he invited me to the after-show party there in the hotel.
I found myself in the hotel with Noel and Meg, Liam and Patsy and the rest of Oasis as well as The Manic's.
I couldn't believe how ridiculously 'cool' Noel was, you would never have imagined that he had just performed a supersonic gig of a gig, one that would go down in history.
I was on an adrenaline high for about a fortnight afterwards, I felt like a teenager, which was a bit embarrassing for my kids as I danced and sung as I walked them to school, wearing my Oasis t-shirt and tracksuit.
It really was the best night of my life and one I will never forget.
Thank-you for the best memory.
