This was my first visit to Milton Keynes for a concert since seeing REM which would have been way back last century. That was, ironically, at Milton Keynes Bowl. which is where we parked for this gig, before a half hour walk to Stadium MK, normal home to MK Dons in League 1.
It was an unusual experience for me in more ways than one. Firstly, I am not a big fan of MCR. And secondly I was nowhere near the front, but more like the centre circle of the pitch with the acts being "behind the goal" at one end.
This is an indication of how far back I was. (Grateful for my zoom lens for later photos!)
Being at the front was not on the cards as there had been people queuing for ages to make sure they were at the barrier, and we didn't get in quite at opening time anyway.
Now the reason I had come to this gig was because young Luka wanted to go. And when I say young I mean a lot younger than he is now - probably aged 14. Yes this was a much postponed Covid concert - it should have taken place the last two Junes, but now it finally made it. And for MCR fans this was the huge reunion. A bit like a papal visit for Catholics, but with deeper religious fervour. I am not kidding.
So when we did arrive Luka met up with his mate (and drummer from his band) who was there with his dad, and they had taken up position in the centre of the pitch, and so we joined them. Which was very pleasant. I like meeting new people. And they were nice folk to chat to later when Luka & Louis went into the maelstrom for MCR. Actually it was a very decent spot given the barrier was taken. It remained calm throughout. Which is how I like it!
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| Luka taking a seat early on (personally not a surface I would like to be on, although maybe also if I had sat I would struggle to get back up!) |
Something that had been worrying me since getting these tickets was how to get us back on a Sunday night. The solution to my problems came in the unlikely form of our guardian angel - my colleague Hadassah. We were having a conversation in the office about Covid and how nice it was to be getting back to normal, and she happened to mention that she had tickets for a gig that had been postponed for two years now. I said so did I and asked which one. And it was MCR, and not only that, but this Sunday night (out of three nights they were performing). And with only minimal pleading on my part she agreed to drive Luka and me there rather than cram into a car with the friends she was going with. So, in addition to the gig we had a nice chat there and back, she and Luka being different generations of MCR fans, but clearly both experts in their field. (And also a revelation to see my sober professional colleague in full emo uniform!)
And just before getting to the music, Luka used another of his areas of expertise (bird-spotting) to observe an unexpected visit - that of a peregrine falcon - which seemed remarkably unconcerned by the noise of the stadium.
Ok, to the music. Four acts on the bill. Opening was Charlotte Sands, an American who meant nothing to me. An interesting divergence of opinion between Luka and me on this one. I quite disliked her - strident harsh vocals, felt to me like trying too hard to fill a stadium when it is just her and a zealous drummer. But Luka thought her the best support he had seen.
Note the blue hair by the way, almost de rigueur among MCR fans - blue, green, red even multi-coloured. (Other generally required features - black clothing, black make-up, tattoos, piercings with an array of metalwork better placed in a blacksmiths, and obesity. An awful lot of artificial fibres out there being stretched to breaking point. I hope their merchandise is checked for tensile strength...)
In contrast I quite liked the Starcrawlers, whom Luka hated. Rather more in the tradition of seventies rock so maybe I felt more at home with them. And the female lead singer's voice was generally kinder on the ear (barring a couple of scremo sections which seemed totally out of place, and as Luka pointed out, did sound a bit like someone doing something unspeakable to a horse.)
And finally to MCR themselves. Now my problem with them may just be the fans, and that I am not one of them. In the full sense of the word - fanatics. I mean I am not a fanatic about any band, even my favourite ones. But people around me seemed to be in ecstasy - just besides themselves with rapture. Its a bit like an atheist suddenly teleporting into the congregation of an evangelical church in full frenzy mode. Uncomfortable.
To me they are fine, have some good songs - Black Parade and I'm Not OK for example - and Gerard Way is a relatively engaging front man. But I just see and hear nothing that justifies the total devotion of the fan base that sells out this stadium three times over. There must be some deep connection that most of the crowd make with them. MCR have certainly found something, and it feels deeply cultural. Possibly it appeals more to folk who consider themselves outsiders. Probably the whole emo ethos.
So everyone in the crowd loved them, I was pleased for them, but can't go above "quite good" in the school report.
And for something utterly out of context while I am here, my current home floral display...
