6 Years Later and I'm Still On That Road
Tuesday April 7th, possibly one of the best nights of my life.
Mark Read, formerly of the band a1 played a show at a club in Sunderland.
As was the norm back in the day me and Vicky were first ones there, but thats fine he was expecting me. Secretly I was having a mild panic days running up to the meeting and the first words out my mouth? "Is it not open yet?" - as the door of the venue was locked.
The fact that various correspondence ensued to set this up and then he said he had sent a message through and was hoping I wasn't waiting around as he had only arrived himself was just so sweet.
It was surreal, we reminisced - he knew it had been a while since we had last met and that, although insane, was true. Hallingmarken festival in Norway back in 2003. Great times.
We listened to soundcheck, chatted, laughed.
Heading back to the nightclub alone. And I went in, grabbed some water and stood and he came over chatted, gifted him the strepsils bless his cottons, and up until he was due on the small stage when he was mingling he'd come over and have a chat. Which if I'm honest, is one of the sweetest things ever - he didn't have to, but he did.
Last song was Take On Me, and in reply to my little Saturday Night Fever style action and asking dancing? he laughed and replied "I was just going to say without the dancing" - this went back to earlier when we were asking about if he was going to dance and things.
I can honestly say that he has not changed, I think the only thing that is different is that he is even more amazing. And he is an amusing guy, trust me there were numerous lulz.
All I will now say is that his eyebrow wiggles are very distracting, his album is going to be incredible - the songs he performed were gloriously boppy and sprightly, and there is going to be some lovely ballads on there too. I can not wait for its release.
Last time we saw him, I wasn't able to actually say a lot. Mostly due to the fact that it was Mark Read who was standing right beside me/in front of me, the most I said was thank you/ could we get a photo please/ could you sign this please.
And there was me - the very same Mark Read standing beside me/ in front of me chatting away as if we had known each other for a while. Surreal, yet without doubt, the single greatest moment. Dream turning to reality. I might seem biased saying this next thing, but in my mind and, as lame as it sounds, in my heart I can honestly say that he is one of the most properly genuine and grounded people I have ever had the opportunity to meet.
All I can say is, can't wait until the next round of shows and the next chat.
Mark Read, formerly of the band a1 played a show at a club in Sunderland.
As was the norm back in the day me and Vicky were first ones there, but thats fine he was expecting me. Secretly I was having a mild panic days running up to the meeting and the first words out my mouth? "Is it not open yet?" - as the door of the venue was locked.
The fact that various correspondence ensued to set this up and then he said he had sent a message through and was hoping I wasn't waiting around as he had only arrived himself was just so sweet.
It was surreal, we reminisced - he knew it had been a while since we had last met and that, although insane, was true. Hallingmarken festival in Norway back in 2003. Great times.
We listened to soundcheck, chatted, laughed.
Heading back to the nightclub alone. And I went in, grabbed some water and stood and he came over chatted, gifted him the strepsils bless his cottons, and up until he was due on the small stage when he was mingling he'd come over and have a chat. Which if I'm honest, is one of the sweetest things ever - he didn't have to, but he did.
Last song was Take On Me, and in reply to my little Saturday Night Fever style action and asking dancing? he laughed and replied "I was just going to say without the dancing" - this went back to earlier when we were asking about if he was going to dance and things.
I can honestly say that he has not changed, I think the only thing that is different is that he is even more amazing. And he is an amusing guy, trust me there were numerous lulz.
All I will now say is that his eyebrow wiggles are very distracting, his album is going to be incredible - the songs he performed were gloriously boppy and sprightly, and there is going to be some lovely ballads on there too. I can not wait for its release.
Last time we saw him, I wasn't able to actually say a lot. Mostly due to the fact that it was Mark Read who was standing right beside me/in front of me, the most I said was thank you/ could we get a photo please/ could you sign this please.
And there was me - the very same Mark Read standing beside me/ in front of me chatting away as if we had known each other for a while. Surreal, yet without doubt, the single greatest moment. Dream turning to reality. I might seem biased saying this next thing, but in my mind and, as lame as it sounds, in my heart I can honestly say that he is one of the most properly genuine and grounded people I have ever had the opportunity to meet.
All I can say is, can't wait until the next round of shows and the next chat.
when i asked you on twitter i KNEW i recognised the guys name from somewhere, but i just kind of wrote it off as some random band guy. IDK.
that's so awesome. i was never a fan really but meeting people from 90's pop bands FTW.
It was so weird though, earlier when I went and chatted and stuff my friend was there, and like an hour before the little performance, I went to the club alone v awkward people were looking at me weird haha.
But yeah I'm finding things very strange still, I say strange, I mean strange to the point that 6 years after last meeting him my brain is registering that hey we held a conversation and he said that he had fun during our chat - that right there is an insanely illogical thought, but seemingly true, I can sense my head exploding soon