Sit Down

In an attempt to give our unborn child a cultural head start in music we went to see James in concert last week. Glad we did too. From the first rousing cords of Destiny Calling to the stomping climax of Laid it was an excellent night out. OK, so there was a mid set hiatus as they tried out new and unfamiliar material but for the majority of the time we (bump included) jumped and danced around like good ‘uns. Even numbers I didn't really rate in the past spoke straight to the soul this time. Gold Mother was a prime example. I had never been a huge fan of the song but what with the current situation it took on a far greater significance and was well worth its place along with so many old favourites.

Of course this isn’t the first time I’ve seen James in concert but I couldn't believe it when I realised it was fifteen years ago that Kieran, Martin and myself watched them during our teenage quest to the Feile festival. Despite having to shake off the unwanted attention of some stalker (i think he was called Greg) we had an absolute blast, but it really seems like a lifetime ago. Who would have thought during those cold nights, Kieran fighting the ‘screaming ab dabs’ and Martin forced to sleep with his pungent feet outside the tent that we would have come so far in 15 years. Did we really salivate forlornly at the noodle bars and burger vans without the means to buy food having spent everything on beer? Was I really such an old woman that I made us go home early on the first night to ‘avoid the crowd?’ Have Kieran and Martin ever really forgiven me for making them miss Simply Red’s finale as a consequence? So much water under the bridge yet here we are; two of us married, one with a baby on the way – although Kieran is still making a good fist of living like the backpacking festival goer of yesteryear.

It doesn’t half make you wonder about where you’ll be in fifteen years time but then I suppose it’s the unpredictability of life that makes it so interesting. As long as we keep filling the years with unforgettable moments spent with family and friends, the fun will continue, with numerous bands, like James providing the soundtrack of our lives.

Feile

Not Feile