Catfish and the Bottlemen

What a beautiful morning!...

And, oh what a wild night! Sometimes good things just happen to you and today was one of those days, as we suddenly found ourselves on the guest list for Catfish and the Bottlemen's sell out tour! After a glorious day of orienteering, we sped east to the bright lights of Manchester's Apollo Theatre. I was so excited, I nearly exploded!

While a huge que of fans was waiting out in the rain, having parked virtually right outside, we strolled straight into the 'other' 'priority' entrance! We were ushered into the dry and given special wristbands for the 'after show area'. 

Having spent the entire drive to the Dolomites and back this summer with only their CD in the van, we knew the album inside out and we're looking forward to the show - and what a show it was! Much more than just going to a music gig; it was a real performance!

After the support band had finished there was a real buzz of anticipation in the crowd. Thankfully, we were in prime seats up on the safety of the balcony, because when the band took to the stage, the crowd on the floor literally erupted! 

The whole place was full of energy. It was jam packed and the sea of people were going wild for it! A mass of bodies vibrating around like crazy. I think even the singer, Van, was a bit taken aback by the level of psych in the crowd as they all sang and bounced along to every tune.

The music was really tight, the sound quality amazing and the light show gave it an extra edge. All too soon it was over and the lights came up. But instead of leaving, we got ushered in to the bar with the other lucky wristband wearers.

Having met Bob, the drummer (and son of the Chaplin), we had to exit via a secret back alley as there were fans still blocking the main exits! Apparently sometimes they have to get smuggled out of venues through mobs of fans! Very rock and roll!

What a buzz! What an evening! What a show! Felt very lucky indeed and privileged to have been and seen a part of something like this. Rock on!