primal scream in london

A rather splendid time was had down in old London town yesterday evening, watching Primal Scream do Screamadelica at the Olympia in Kensington.

Some random memories of it :

Getting there in pretty good time (5.30pm aprox), surprising the FPO with cans of beer for the journey, and then being stuck in traffic and driving around for ages trying to find somewhere to park that wasn't resident permits only or £30 for the night. Finally ditched the car without having to pay by the Army Museum, along from the Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea pensioners. Bought some small bottles of wine, then headed to Victoria to get the tube, as we couldn't find the Sloane Square station (maps are for girls).

Two old pissed up/drugged up scousers on the tube to Earls Court (also on the way to the Primal Scream gig) who managed to get the train to stop twice by leaning on the door (not realising what they were doing). The train driver tried to get some police to arrest them, but then carried on the journey as there were non available. I told them how to get to Olympia and which stop to change at, for which they were very grateful, so l thought l might ask if they had any disco biscuits spare when we changed at Earls Court. They then disappeared the wrong way, never to be seen again, so God knows what happened to them. As l said to the FPO, that could easily have been me (some say it is).

Down the front for the gig, which was great. A really large hall with everyone standing/dancing.

They didn't play Screamadelica in order, which was better really, so they had the slow songs in the middle and more crowd pleaser's at the end. Could have hit the bar again during 'Shine Like Stars' and 'Inner Flight' though (price of a small bottle of cider - £4.60 each). They also had a good stage set up with screens/lasers etc, plus it was all filmed.

Queueing for an hour after the gig to get the FPO's coat back from the cloackroom. What shitty organisation, a very small cloakroom with hardly anyone helping, yet loads of security trying to clear the place.

Getting the tube to Sloane Square after the gig, knowing the tickets were not for two zones. I got through the barrier by quickly following someone, but the FPO never made it and had to get assistance. Luckily she pleaded stupidity, was believed (I wonder how) was let off, and let through. We then walked to the Chelsea and Westminister hospital by mistake, looking for the car. Went past lots of toffs outside flash nightclubs (don't get me started) and when we realised our mistake (standing outside the wrong hospital), we got a taxi to the car instead (£7 plus a £3 tip). Well worth it, as it was bloody freezing.

Going through red lights on the way out of London and then getting pulled over by the rozzers (painful at the best of times) in Kilburn High Street. I thought it was for the red lights, but turned out it was a random number plate check and they realised the car was from miles away, so investigated in case it was stolen. Denied I had been drinking, but as the car had a load of beer cans in it, they were suspicious and breathalysed me. Hurrah! The first one l have ever passed! They even gave me the bit l blew into as a pressie (see photo above).

Lots of snow and traffic jams on the way home, so we stopped twice for a kip in the car (took a sleeping bag and quilt with us). In the end, it took about nine hours getting home, dirty and knackered, but still chuffed we went.

Already looking forward to the gigs next year.

toodle pip