Okay guys, so earlier on +Danièlle Owen posted about the things she would tell her teenage self. She also included that I would do this from a male viewpoint. So here I am. Like her blog for the female viewer my post's will analyse items such as relationships, money, friends and family as well as others that are more unique to my teenage self. Obviously some of you reading may be teenagers, some will be older. If you have an points about the post that I write please send a tweet to (@totalJPM) or use the hashtag #JPMTeenSelf. So yeah here we go!
Relationships and Girls
Yeah obviously a big one to write about first haha. And to be fair, not even the me now could claim to be anything close to an expert on either of these. However I did have a close to 3 year relationship in my teens. I don't really know what to think about this nowadays really, like would I change stuff? Yes. But I guess there were the best and worst moments in hindsight. I know I would say to my teenage self "Don't be taken as a fool by a girl", as well maybe if I didn't have an element of naivety then I would have definitely noticed the end. It's important to not be naive, things can be great for 18 months, then something can ruin them, especially such things as lies. Trusting after the other has done whatever is incredibly hard, it's probably over from there in reality. Unless you can be a very forgetful person just to try to keep the relationship. Although back then it must have been the fact of really wanting it, really liking the person and therefore being willing to try to forgive.
I'd probably also tell myself that, hey, a relationship ending isn't the end of the world, it may seem like that initially, but it isn't. The single life is free and provides different opportunities and can save money as well! To be honest going the seperate ways and then looking back at the person also showed me how much they changed. I don't think I've changed (you'd have to ask my friends in the past 12 months if I've changed!) but she certainly has. Just wouldn't have been interested at all if we had a conversation for the first time now.
I'd also tell my teenage self here, that there is no rush. Life comes at you and shit happens. You learn from it. You don't need to run from one relationship and jump into another. Hell no, take a step back look at it, the good and the bad and take something from it. Probably should tell the person you're in a relationship with to log off Facebook on your iPod...especially if they're sending sexual messages to someone from the United States (or anywhere else, but in this case...yeah). Probably should stop here with this....
To be fair, regarding relationships, you probably have to go through the shit to find the green grass at the end of the road and that right relationship!
Money
Haha, what a subject. Well Uni has told me a lot about conserving money and budgeting. I think simply with money, it's just learning the value of it. I mean for instance before Uni you go out and £4 for a pint of Brothers Cider at Crabby Dicks in Bideford seems okay. Then you go to Uni and live under a budget and you think "wow this is a fair bit, I could buy lunch with this" until you're really drunk. I used to be way happier buying any skint friend a drink or something, now that isn't so much the case. I would say use money sparingly. Yes buy friends stuff, not every time though. I dunno, I also would buy pointless goods. So I would say think twice. Budget yourself. Don't take a card on a night out, you'll be an idiot. C103 last freshers proved that when I took out an extra £30 in there paying a fee of £1.75 to use that machine. And I soberly refuse to use them. Mind you that was an exceptionally drunk night!
So really, I'd say budget, there's always a goal, a big event. You don't wanna miss it!
Friends
This is one place where I don't think I've went too wrong. I mean at school I was in W1 where essentially I was in a friend group. Unfortunately some have gone their ways and we've lost contact. I mean James Ellis, where are you now mate? Then there's some which I clearly barely see because of moving after my A Level results, despite this I would still regard them as good friends if we met up.
I also am lucky enough to have one friend who comes down to visit me when I'm at Uni +Ryan Steppel as well as Craig who I get on better with at Uni than I did at school! Pretty awesome mates. I also have Elliot who goes to the same Uni from my school, still good friends. These are people I feel lucky to have, as these people I have been friends with as we've all matured from GCSE students all the way to...well, adults. Student adults, but adults. I've also done really well at Uni with friends. A base of friends who I am living with next year (plus ones that will essentially live with us, by that I mean Vikki and Milky....again) that are all individually amazing in their own ways is really a great marker! I mean I feel lucky to have met all of these people and that I really hit the nail on the head when it came to friends in the majority of cases. I don't really like to group these people. I've found that in general with these friends, each one is a great friend for a different reason, each friendship was formed in many ways, half of them wouldn't have happened without one of the other friendships. Sometimes though I feel they may know me better than me! Which can be a tad worrying guys ;).
I will briefly say about the 10% I get wrong. These are generally people with a lack of ambition, a lack of attitude, generally quite negative about their prospects and not willing to help other friends at a small cost. There are people reading this knowing I could be meaning them, or feeling they're so perfect in a world that really is their own little bubble. That bubble might be Xbox Live or whatever it is.
I'd like to elaborate on the negative about prospects. Many of you will think I'm a negative person and yes, to a degree you are right. I shout my opinions out loud, I am not one who will sit back at something that annoys me or something that has angered me and stay quiet. That can be football or a cult like Beliebers, it could be David Cameron's next stupid idea, however the point being, I will say my opinion. This is not what I regard as negative, I regard this as opinionated. If something pleases me I will also say it. Sometimes I will only say it for the reaction! Negative attitude or negative about prospects regards those who are quitters, those that don't have the ambition to do well but the ambition to just stay in the same place doing sufficiently.
An example could be a placement year at Uni. Don't just apply for where you live if you live in a small town with little prospect. Reach out. Go and at least attempt to get something that is ambitious. Otherwise why are you at Uni. You have no ambition, go back home. It irritates me. I don't get this chance with my degree, so I'd like to see those who do take it, it shows ambition, pride, an attitude and I respect this and therefore would find it easier to be a friend. My teenage self had some of these friends. I don't really know what I've done wrong in the year but they have got to the point where they have decided not to reply to me even on their world (the gaming networks). They do of course like to try to put down those who are more ambitious than them, to a point that insulted me and the people involved. This happened over years in honesty to different people. However I have kept the friendships that mean something to me.
However I'd say regarding friendships, my friendship with +Ryan Steppel was the start of the me that showed ambition, pride and the attributes I have mentioned mainly because it is a friendship of two big personalities with a get up and go, an ambition and some drive. I would say before some of my friendships were settled, especially with those that shared my initials. It doesn't bother me now. As since the friendship with the Milky Bar Kid I've also made some equally awesome friends who also share the attributes that make them ideal friends, best bit is, I live with some from September!
Anyway, I shall post Part 2 in the next few days depending on work! So cya guys later!!!!
Showing posts with label Amazing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amazing. Show all posts
Monday, 29 July 2013
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Random Questions About Me
Well earlier on +Danièlle Owen did a questionnaire, I thought it would be cool if I did this too. So I have, so yeah, you can learn some random rubbish about me and maybe work out my intentions of watching a few matches of Wimbledon in the next fortnight while you're at it...and the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who....
28. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST "WHAT IF"?
What if I got rid of you when I should have?
29. DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS AND ALIENS?
Ghosts yes. You know when you suddenly randomly shiver briefly but it’s warm, yeah, that’s a ghost. Extra Terrestrial life, yes, but I doubt if we met them we’d be like “shiiiit aliens!”
30. STICK YOUR RIGHT ARM OUT - WHAT DO YOU TOUCH? SAME WITH LEFT ARM.
The car seat in front of me
31. SMELL THE AIR. WHAT DO YOU SMELL?
I can smell the outdoors, every now and again some cow shit. Or is it horse shit? What’s in my burgers nowadays?
32. WHAT IS THE WORST PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO?
Manchester.
33. EAST COAST OR WEST COAST?
In Britain the west, in the USA I don’t know, isn’t NYC the east? In which case east.
34. MOST ATTRACTIVE SINGER OF THE OTHER GENDER?
Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless
35. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
Carpe Diem
36. DEFINE ART.
Something you can physically see that makes you think. Although I hate art.
37. DO YOU BELIEVE IN LUCK?
Yeah, well kinda, look at the people who have the talent that has given them everything.
38. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Dry and cool.
39. WHAT IS THE TIME?
10pm
40. DO YOU DRIVE? IF YOU DO, HAVE YOU EVER CRASHED?
Nope, failed twice, wish I did crash in either test though, would be a good reason I failed rather than stupid faults by other drivers or being 4mph over the limit
41. WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?
My Booky Wook 2 – Russell Brand
42. DO YOU LIKE THE SMELL OF PETROL?
It’s addictive
43. DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES?
God! Nah I don’t have any.
44. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW?
It’s either Iron Man 2 or the Hunger Games
45. WHAT IS THE WORST INJURY YOU HAVE EVER GOT?
It’s either a broken toe from playing football in the hallway when I was 7ish or the scar I got drinking.
46. HAVE YOU EVER CAUGHT A BUTTERFLY?
No, no I have not.
47. DO YOU HAVE ANY OBSESSIONS?
If I say no someone will comment about Green Day and Liverpool so…
48. DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
Yes, although I’m still waiting for my letter from Hogwarts that must have got lost in the post.
49. HAS ANYONE SEEN YOU IN YOUR UNDERWEAR IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS?
I don’t think so….
50. IS THERE ONE PERSON WHO CAN ALWAYS MAKE YOU SMILE?
Yeah, Milky, Elliot, Steve, Josh, Andy, Danielle, Vikki et al all in their own ways haha.
Well I hope you learn't something new, do it yourself if you want, it would be interesting! If you have anything to say, comment or tweet me!
Toodles!
1. SEXUALITY
I am a heterosexual male
2. IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE ON THE PLANET, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
If we include dead people probably JRR Tolkien because of how much imagination it would have taken for him to create his books. I mean The Lord Of The Rings…wow. If we’re on about people alive, Russell Brand would be hilarious, especially if we did a few phone calls!
3. GRAB THE NEAREST BOOK TO YOU, GO TO PAGE 23 LINE 17...WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Due to the fact that I’m in a car I don’t have a book on me…I’ll do this later from the book I’ve been reading for a long time which is Steve Jobs’ biography.
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MOST?
That I need a job, how to get money, will my life be success of a failure
5. WHAT DOES YOUR LAST TEXT SAY?
"I love the U20 team" – this was from Danielle, declaring her love for some Welsh rugby players, I moved this conversation to tennis on Facebook…
6. DO YOU SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
Depends on the heat, doubt you wanna know, but usually an old tour tshirt and my boxers. I have slept in a onesie before though!
7. WHAT IS YOUR STRANGEST TALENT?
Umm, being a mug, not the china things, the too forgiving kind. I think I’ve changed that though.
8. FINISH THE SENTENCES: GIRLS.......... BOYS..........
Girls can be tempermental. Boys will be boys.
9. EVER HAD A POEM OR SONG WRITTEN ABOUT YOU?
Yep, Rusty James and St Jimmy are both poetic songs wrote about me! Nah in all seriousness I have not L
10. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU PLAYED THE AIR GUITAR?
1st June 2013 at the Emirates Stadium. Green Day!
11. DO YOU HAVE ANY STRANGE PHOBIAS?
Mushrooms. They feel horrible, taste horrible and make me vomit.
12. EVER STUCK A FOREIGN OBJECT UP YOUR NOSE?
The Germans haven’t tried to bomb my nose
13. WHAT IS YOUR RELIGION?
The religion of the lost and damned.
14. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO BE DOING?
Going to a club, pondering a pasty or fish and chips, commonly with Josh.
I am a heterosexual male
2. IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE ON THE PLANET, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
If we include dead people probably JRR Tolkien because of how much imagination it would have taken for him to create his books. I mean The Lord Of The Rings…wow. If we’re on about people alive, Russell Brand would be hilarious, especially if we did a few phone calls!
3. GRAB THE NEAREST BOOK TO YOU, GO TO PAGE 23 LINE 17...WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Due to the fact that I’m in a car I don’t have a book on me…I’ll do this later from the book I’ve been reading for a long time which is Steve Jobs’ biography.
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MOST?
That I need a job, how to get money, will my life be success of a failure
5. WHAT DOES YOUR LAST TEXT SAY?
"I love the U20 team" – this was from Danielle, declaring her love for some Welsh rugby players, I moved this conversation to tennis on Facebook…
6. DO YOU SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
Depends on the heat, doubt you wanna know, but usually an old tour tshirt and my boxers. I have slept in a onesie before though!
7. WHAT IS YOUR STRANGEST TALENT?
Umm, being a mug, not the china things, the too forgiving kind. I think I’ve changed that though.
8. FINISH THE SENTENCES: GIRLS.......... BOYS..........
Girls can be tempermental. Boys will be boys.
9. EVER HAD A POEM OR SONG WRITTEN ABOUT YOU?
Yep, Rusty James and St Jimmy are both poetic songs wrote about me! Nah in all seriousness I have not L
10. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU PLAYED THE AIR GUITAR?
1st June 2013 at the Emirates Stadium. Green Day!
11. DO YOU HAVE ANY STRANGE PHOBIAS?
Mushrooms. They feel horrible, taste horrible and make me vomit.
12. EVER STUCK A FOREIGN OBJECT UP YOUR NOSE?
The Germans haven’t tried to bomb my nose
13. WHAT IS YOUR RELIGION?
The religion of the lost and damned.
14. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY TO BE DOING?
Going to a club, pondering a pasty or fish and chips, commonly with Josh.
15. DO YOU PREFER TO BE BEHIND THE CAMERA, OR IN FRONT OF
IT?
Umm when I’m drunk I am shocked at the amount of photos I find myself in and what they look like, however sober behind the camera.
16. FAVOURITE BAND?
Green Day
17. WHAT WAS THE LAST LIE YOU TOLD?
“I’m leaving” – I was getting out of bed.
18. DO YOU BELIEVE IN KARMA?
Karma’s a bitch, although Karma is life, so life is a bitch.
19. WHAT DOES YOUR URL MEAN?
That I have a blog and I am a God?
20. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS?
Strength – I can beat my weaknesses. Poor balance, take up rowing. Struggling cycling proficiency, go out for a few hours until I know I can pass.
Weakness – “Love”,
21. WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?
Jenna-Louise Coleman & Laura Robson.
22. HAVE YOU EVER GONE SKINNY DIPPING?
Nope.
23. HOW DO YOU VENT YOUR ANGER?
Punch walls, bed and stuff. Shout about it online, can’t do that too much with parents looking on my twitter…@jamesmartinlfc
24 DO YOU HAVE A COLLECTION OF ANYTHING?
I used to collect TY beanie babies when I was little
Umm when I’m drunk I am shocked at the amount of photos I find myself in and what they look like, however sober behind the camera.
16. FAVOURITE BAND?
Green Day
17. WHAT WAS THE LAST LIE YOU TOLD?
“I’m leaving” – I was getting out of bed.
18. DO YOU BELIEVE IN KARMA?
Karma’s a bitch, although Karma is life, so life is a bitch.
19. WHAT DOES YOUR URL MEAN?
That I have a blog and I am a God?
20. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS?
Strength – I can beat my weaknesses. Poor balance, take up rowing. Struggling cycling proficiency, go out for a few hours until I know I can pass.
Weakness – “Love”,
21. WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?
Jenna-Louise Coleman & Laura Robson.
22. HAVE YOU EVER GONE SKINNY DIPPING?
Nope.
23. HOW DO YOU VENT YOUR ANGER?
Punch walls, bed and stuff. Shout about it online, can’t do that too much with parents looking on my twitter…@jamesmartinlfc
24 DO YOU HAVE A COLLECTION OF ANYTHING?
I used to collect TY beanie babies when I was little
25. DO YOU PREFER TALKING ON THE PHONE OR VIDEO CHATTING
ONLINE?
Have to see myself on a video chat, so on the phone of course.
26. ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE PERSON YOU'VE BECOME?
In the last year, I’ve grown up emotionally, so yeah. I speak my mind and people have to deal with that. Because it’s important to stand up for what you believe and not go with the crowd.
27. WHAT SOUND DO YOU HATE, AND WHAT SOUND DO YOU LOVE?
I hate the sound of people eating with their mouths open, my fist starts to feel a magnet in it being attracted to their face. Regarding sounds I love it depends, I’ve always liked the sound of a beach, or like a festival noise before the music, just the anticipation and excitement that can be sensed.
Have to see myself on a video chat, so on the phone of course.
26. ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE PERSON YOU'VE BECOME?
In the last year, I’ve grown up emotionally, so yeah. I speak my mind and people have to deal with that. Because it’s important to stand up for what you believe and not go with the crowd.
27. WHAT SOUND DO YOU HATE, AND WHAT SOUND DO YOU LOVE?
I hate the sound of people eating with their mouths open, my fist starts to feel a magnet in it being attracted to their face. Regarding sounds I love it depends, I’ve always liked the sound of a beach, or like a festival noise before the music, just the anticipation and excitement that can be sensed.
28. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST "WHAT IF"?
What if I got rid of you when I should have?
29. DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS AND ALIENS?
Ghosts yes. You know when you suddenly randomly shiver briefly but it’s warm, yeah, that’s a ghost. Extra Terrestrial life, yes, but I doubt if we met them we’d be like “shiiiit aliens!”
30. STICK YOUR RIGHT ARM OUT - WHAT DO YOU TOUCH? SAME WITH LEFT ARM.
The car seat in front of me
31. SMELL THE AIR. WHAT DO YOU SMELL?
I can smell the outdoors, every now and again some cow shit. Or is it horse shit? What’s in my burgers nowadays?
32. WHAT IS THE WORST PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO?
Manchester.
33. EAST COAST OR WEST COAST?
In Britain the west, in the USA I don’t know, isn’t NYC the east? In which case east.
34. MOST ATTRACTIVE SINGER OF THE OTHER GENDER?
Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless
35. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
Carpe Diem
36. DEFINE ART.
Something you can physically see that makes you think. Although I hate art.
37. DO YOU BELIEVE IN LUCK?
Yeah, well kinda, look at the people who have the talent that has given them everything.
38. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Dry and cool.
39. WHAT IS THE TIME?
10pm
40. DO YOU DRIVE? IF YOU DO, HAVE YOU EVER CRASHED?
Nope, failed twice, wish I did crash in either test though, would be a good reason I failed rather than stupid faults by other drivers or being 4mph over the limit
41. WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?
My Booky Wook 2 – Russell Brand
42. DO YOU LIKE THE SMELL OF PETROL?
It’s addictive
43. DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES?
God! Nah I don’t have any.
44. WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW?
It’s either Iron Man 2 or the Hunger Games
45. WHAT IS THE WORST INJURY YOU HAVE EVER GOT?
It’s either a broken toe from playing football in the hallway when I was 7ish or the scar I got drinking.
46. HAVE YOU EVER CAUGHT A BUTTERFLY?
No, no I have not.
47. DO YOU HAVE ANY OBSESSIONS?
If I say no someone will comment about Green Day and Liverpool so…
48. DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
Yes, although I’m still waiting for my letter from Hogwarts that must have got lost in the post.
49. HAS ANYONE SEEN YOU IN YOUR UNDERWEAR IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS?
I don’t think so….
50. IS THERE ONE PERSON WHO CAN ALWAYS MAKE YOU SMILE?
Yeah, Milky, Elliot, Steve, Josh, Andy, Danielle, Vikki et al all in their own ways haha.
Sunday, 16 June 2013
A review of Green Day at the Emirates.
This blog is about two weeks late, but I feel as I still feel it is fresh in my mind and the fact that there are thousands of people who have bought their Reading and Leeds 2013 festival tickets where Green Day are one of the headline acts.
I think firstly it is important to remember the two support acts, these bands were All Time Low, a band that originally was a Blink-182 tribute band and the Kaiser Chiefs, a band from Leeds who in the mid noughties had some huge hits like "I Predict A Riot" and "Oh My God" as well as my friend Josh's favourite "Ruby". The first band of these two to perform were All Time Low who played a mixture of their hits such as "Weightless" and "Lost In The Stereo". In all honesty having seen All Time Low twice at Reading prior to this it was my opinion that they were better during their first Reading, despite this when they were playing their songs, the crowd clearly knew and like their music and therefore went along. Between songs however, where some bands are so good, they were very average, merely shouting swear words randomly and talking about how it would be a success if twenty percent of the crowd were to receive a handjob to go along with their Green Day experience, all this with no instruments playing a riff or anything between the songs. I realise that makes me sound like I'm a pensioner, but really it just seemed pointless. Needless to say their biggest cheer was when they mentioned Green Day.
The Kaiser Chiefs in my opinion were much better. With their collection of hits placed well in their set list, managing to actually take up a large portion they really managed to get the crowd warmed up and ready. There was a point where they played a new, presumably unreleased (the way their last album was digitally released I can't be completely sure) track exclaiming that Green Day has told them to play "some new shit", although I agree with the girl nearby who said "I guaranty you they didn't say that". Funnily enough this was their only unknown song and thank goodness it was as it failed to live up to the standards of any of their other songs. They finished with the song "Oh My God" which managed to last about three time the length as the studio edition of the same song, that said it was an excellent performance as all the crowd got hyped up. The stage presence of the Kaiser Chiefs was also fairly good for a support act in a stadium and they come quite close in my opinion to the level of Biffy Clyro when I saw them support Muse at Wembley stadium. With their performance at The Emirates I can safely say anybody who goes to see them is in for a treat.
Now for the main act, the act I had been waiting for months to see. I can't pretend that with all the none musical happenings of Green Day in the last 12 months that I wasn't a little worried or apprehensive about their gig, I was very much hoping that they would be on the same level as they were when I saw them in 2009 and the secret Reading 2012 set. They were even better. The traditional pink bunny came on before the Blitzwing Bop played and on came the band. Starting with the tune "99 Revolutions" from Tre they performed through a set that saw tracks from back in the early days such as "Sassafras Roots" and "Welcome To Paradise" all the way to singles from the Uno, Dos, Tre trilogy such as "X-Kid", "Stay The Night" and "Stray Heart". For well over two hours they played their hits before ending with a superb encore made up of "American Idiot" "Jesus Of Suburbia" and the slow "Brutal Love" where the crowd got out their lighters (and phone torches), which believe me, in a stadium such as the emirates, that is a real site to behold!
A part which many particularly like about Green Day is their crowd participation and once again this bought some of the highlights from the gig, with a green Union Jack given to Billie Joe near the beginning from the crowd as well as a man in his morphsuit for "Know Your Enemy" giving a letter for Billie Joe to show to the camera's declaring his love for someone and a girl who could play the guitar (my friend was worrying that she could be lying to get on stage and embarrass herself in front of what has been confirmed to be a record attendance for a gig in the stadium). There was even a moment when a little boy came on stage with his "Green Day Rocks" sign and held it aloft, it was a slight shame that the nerves got to him and he didn't smile, but being on stage with one of the greatest rock bands of their generation will surely be an experience he will never forget and more importantly brag about in years to come!
Therefore I would conclude, if you have plans to go to a gig, then really, I would definitely say make it Green Day. They are in a league that only a couple of bands such as the Foo Fighters and Muse are in. So if you get the chance, don't say no!
I think firstly it is important to remember the two support acts, these bands were All Time Low, a band that originally was a Blink-182 tribute band and the Kaiser Chiefs, a band from Leeds who in the mid noughties had some huge hits like "I Predict A Riot" and "Oh My God" as well as my friend Josh's favourite "Ruby". The first band of these two to perform were All Time Low who played a mixture of their hits such as "Weightless" and "Lost In The Stereo". In all honesty having seen All Time Low twice at Reading prior to this it was my opinion that they were better during their first Reading, despite this when they were playing their songs, the crowd clearly knew and like their music and therefore went along. Between songs however, where some bands are so good, they were very average, merely shouting swear words randomly and talking about how it would be a success if twenty percent of the crowd were to receive a handjob to go along with their Green Day experience, all this with no instruments playing a riff or anything between the songs. I realise that makes me sound like I'm a pensioner, but really it just seemed pointless. Needless to say their biggest cheer was when they mentioned Green Day.
The Kaiser Chiefs in my opinion were much better. With their collection of hits placed well in their set list, managing to actually take up a large portion they really managed to get the crowd warmed up and ready. There was a point where they played a new, presumably unreleased (the way their last album was digitally released I can't be completely sure) track exclaiming that Green Day has told them to play "some new shit", although I agree with the girl nearby who said "I guaranty you they didn't say that". Funnily enough this was their only unknown song and thank goodness it was as it failed to live up to the standards of any of their other songs. They finished with the song "Oh My God" which managed to last about three time the length as the studio edition of the same song, that said it was an excellent performance as all the crowd got hyped up. The stage presence of the Kaiser Chiefs was also fairly good for a support act in a stadium and they come quite close in my opinion to the level of Biffy Clyro when I saw them support Muse at Wembley stadium. With their performance at The Emirates I can safely say anybody who goes to see them is in for a treat.
Now for the main act, the act I had been waiting for months to see. I can't pretend that with all the none musical happenings of Green Day in the last 12 months that I wasn't a little worried or apprehensive about their gig, I was very much hoping that they would be on the same level as they were when I saw them in 2009 and the secret Reading 2012 set. They were even better. The traditional pink bunny came on before the Blitzwing Bop played and on came the band. Starting with the tune "99 Revolutions" from Tre they performed through a set that saw tracks from back in the early days such as "Sassafras Roots" and "Welcome To Paradise" all the way to singles from the Uno, Dos, Tre trilogy such as "X-Kid", "Stay The Night" and "Stray Heart". For well over two hours they played their hits before ending with a superb encore made up of "American Idiot" "Jesus Of Suburbia" and the slow "Brutal Love" where the crowd got out their lighters (and phone torches), which believe me, in a stadium such as the emirates, that is a real site to behold!
A part which many particularly like about Green Day is their crowd participation and once again this bought some of the highlights from the gig, with a green Union Jack given to Billie Joe near the beginning from the crowd as well as a man in his morphsuit for "Know Your Enemy" giving a letter for Billie Joe to show to the camera's declaring his love for someone and a girl who could play the guitar (my friend was worrying that she could be lying to get on stage and embarrass herself in front of what has been confirmed to be a record attendance for a gig in the stadium). There was even a moment when a little boy came on stage with his "Green Day Rocks" sign and held it aloft, it was a slight shame that the nerves got to him and he didn't smile, but being on stage with one of the greatest rock bands of their generation will surely be an experience he will never forget and more importantly brag about in years to come!
Therefore I would conclude, if you have plans to go to a gig, then really, I would definitely say make it Green Day. They are in a league that only a couple of bands such as the Foo Fighters and Muse are in. So if you get the chance, don't say no!
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