25m11sec minutes of musical history

The following video is footage of Queen in their world famous set at Live Aid at Wembley Arena, 13th July, 1985.
I was approximately 4 months into my foetal stage in the womb - so unfortunately, and for obvious reasons, did not get to see it, but this is Queen, one of the greatest rock bands of ALL TIME, at the height of their powers. I've read that this performance has since been voted by more than 60 artists, journalists and music industry executives as the greatest live performance in the history of rock music.

Below is a quote I found regarding about performance. Not sure who said it:

Every band should study Queen at Live Aid. If you really feel like that barrier is gone, you become Freddie Mercury. I consider him the greatest frontman of all time. Like, it's funny? you'd imagine that Freddie was more than human, but ... You know how he controlled Wembley Stadium at Live Aid in 1985? He stood up there and did his vocal warm ups with the audience. Something that intimate, where they realize, 'Oh yeah, he's just a fucking dude.

If you are a fan of music, I'm guessing you've most probably seen it - play it again, Freddie.

A really, really tall man (he plays guitar)

I wanted to write a review on a gig that I went to. (The Tallest Man on Earth @ The Corner Hotel 25.10.2011) (And no, he is not LITERALLY the tallest man on earth - unfortunately. He's a small Swedish man named Kristian Matsson)

But I couldn't put into words the amazingness of the gig. It was one of those concerts, that rarely happens, where the crowd was simply mesmerised by his songsmanship - occasionally there would be singing from the crowd, rounds of applause, witty banter, but mostly, the crowd was just fixated on the emotional and stunning songs that he is able to project.
And when you see 'one of those gigs' you know you're watching something special - that despite the technical problems, and a hilarious drunk Scotsman - the whole crowd was captured in the moment.
I had whole body shivers at various points throughout and one of my friends who also was lucky enough to be there, said he nearly cried. A song called the 'King of Spain' had the audience joyfully singing along and even dancing, before a haunting song with a female (who I've read is his partner) silenced the crowd in wonderment. It was beautiful.
I can't say any more - I can only let you watch, let you discover and let you see it for yourself. This video does not even begin to show how amazing he was.



Do yourself a favour - listen to his music and jump at the next opportunity you get to see him. You won't regret it.

History changing?

Around 2 years ago to this day I made what I think is the biggest mistake of my life so far.
If only I could change what happened, if only it was different! But what can I do now ? Almost every day I think about redemption, reconciliation, another chance, I have even dreamt about it! but I'd that possible? Do I get another chance or is it simply too late and I have missed it all... I fear, and don't even have the courage to make the call, because of my betrayal. I am undeserving, but I don't know if I can go on without at least trying... Do I?


Written on my mobile device.

in... Belgium @ Rock Werchter

Tough to some it up quickly, but here it goes:
4 days, 80 thousand people, rain, hail, thunder, sun, cold, hot, wet, camping in the smallest tent known to man, the rifleman, banoffie pie, when, cool name, cheers c***, raspberry (or cheery) hoogarden, 'you do know that's a girls drink', the doghouse, half a chicken x 2, the Hudson Cup and some pretty bloody good music.
(And that's just what I can remember now!)

She Johnny Bloody Rock Werchter

Here's a couple of photos of the fun.




More stories to come later.

in... the UK for 10 days.

Welcome to the first blog entry of Tom in…(other places than Fitzroy)

These will be a random collection of stories and events of my travels with no particular meaning or generally no reason– just observations or actual (mostly un-exciting) events and general dross.

The first leg of the trip has taken in London-Edinburgh-London-(#thelinkup)
This will be by far the ‘nerdiest’ of my posts as in Edinburgh occurred the Touch Football World Cup. I am not shy to say I am a touch head, but a mate, Chris Loth, was playing for the Australian Men’s 30’s and I went and watched a lot of his games as well as a few others. All a bit of a laugh. More to come on this later.

Before Edinburgh, the 23 hour transit with 6 hours sleep is a slog – especially when the (plumpish) lady next to you drains 5 double whiskys in the first 2 hours, steals the drains a bottle from a passing cart, has another double and then promptly passes out. Immovable and in fly catching position. Lucky I was able to control my bladder for the duration otherwise she would’ve copped a Bruce Lee knee to the throat as I clambered over her.

Rendezvous with #dicksahoy (Fen and Tone), Edo and Anna Mac and Griff in a pub for a froff, who was kind enough to come up and hang out with me for the couple of days and show me some London.

We did all the touristy things in London – Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster, Buckingham Palace (underwhelming) and the bottom of several pint glasses (a frequent occurrence over the next few months) and Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC – an interesting tour where Griff managed to get interviewed by a Portugese TV crew AND a British radio program on the fortunes of (see photo)
Managed to luckily get found by my Spanish mamacita and massive lad C.Pring which turned into a good night in Picadilly Circus before leaving shortly after for Edinburgh. The fact the tube doesn’t run past 12 is probably a good thing as it ends nights pretty early.




The weirdest thing about the UK/Edinburgh is adjusting to the light. Sunrise during summer 4.15am, Sunset around 11pm. Sleeping mask is essential. I shudder to think how average it would be during winter here. The weather is also bloody average (reminds me of Tasmania, except worse) but I did manage to get pretty badly sunburnt on my last day here. Stay sunsafe kids. Slip slop slap.

Edinburgh as a city is pretty cool - heaps of old buildings and cobblestone streets. But I am of the belief that if you think you want to see it, don’t read about it online, get out and do it for yourself. There won’t be a lot of ‘this is what this place is like’ just, if I thought it was cool, maybe some highlights, maybe some stories, and that’s it.
Having said that, the castle was cool and definitely worth a look, but after a couple of hours of looking at war museums (I think there were 3 or 4 in there) it all seemed the same. Mark Lutwyche would’ve been in his element.



Touch World Cup
Throughout the week saw some good quality (mainly on finals day) and some sub-standard touch and a good chance to see Edinburgh and do a bit of travel Jason DeRulo style (ridin’ solo for those not familiar with modern pop hits) Having seen the quality of touch offered aroud the world I have come to the conclusion that the RMIT Touch team is at least the 13th best mixed team in the world and Take A Dump the top 15 mens teams. If you also like touch, have a listen to the FIT Anthem that they revealed at the game. Pretty ridiculous. If I can find a youtube of it or something, I’ll post it out. A disbelieving chuckle went through the crowd when it was played though.
Finals day was awesome, except when Australia lost. The Mixed open and Men’s open finals were both really good, close games with some quality touch being played. Certainly got my fix. Lothy represented the occasionals and got it done. (see below)




From Edinburgh: Shout out to Laura (the American Nanny from Holland) who is going to play for the USA in touch one day, I’ve got faith (if she steers clear of a bloke her best mate Sander) and the 2 WA lads, and lads they were – plenty of Alf Stewart quotes and general shenanigans (beer throwing) doing the round that night. Went out with them and a crew and got kaboshed entry into a nightclub (probably because one dude we were with was wearing a space invaders tshirt and had a photocopy of his passport as ID - idiot)

Anyway, now back to London for #thelinkup where the lads had been at The Church all morning and one, who I will not name here, had gone MIA, passed out mega early, naked, with 4 blueberry muffins and a bag of twix strewn across his bed. Well played sir.

It is finally hot in London and did some serios walking from London Eye to Tower Bridge but will be a couple of pretty quiet days I think here with prep being done for Rock Werchter, a massive festival we’re heading to in Belgium hosting the likes of Kings of Leon, Coldplay, TV on the Radio, Jimmy Eat World, Ke$ha, My Chemical Romance and many more. Fingers crossed for fine weather and good times.

After months of anticipation #thelinkup is complete, #thelegionofreptiles has assembled and we’re ready to unleash for a couple of weeks

Until you hear from me next, Go and get someone up for me.

The Heathrow Injection... not worried

A friend of mine mentioned that as soon as you step off the plane on arrival into London and enter the Heathrow terminal you recieve what is called the 'Heathrow Injection' - this, for whatever reason, means you'll become fat. (Something which my metabolism has never allowed me to do - lucky) I have, however been assured that this will not matter, and I will be unable to resist the urge (whatever urge that may be) and will, like biggest loser in reverse, become obese.

Using a 'clever' application on my phone I've managed to see into the future and upon landing in ye 'ol mother country. The result, as amusing as it is, is here:



Looks like if it ever happens I'm not going to be a very jolly fatty!

11 days (until injection).
#ohboy

Coming Soon - Tom in... (places that aren't Fitzroy)

Yes, so my blog has been quiet - the constant jibbing from Isaac (@isaaclowrie - follow him on Twitter and abuse him)

Anyway, I am going on a holiday - a 10 week holiday to be precise, departure is in 20 days. I'll TRY and update this regularly with short insights on where I am and if it's good. If you're lucky you might also get some photos that are funny OR MAYBE even informative - but not likely the latter.

This will be my first ever major trip overseas (apart from a 2 week Japan trip) and here is a sample of a photo you can probably expect to show up:


Littering butts. Hehehe.
That'll do.

South Park Top 15

Some VERY VERY tough decisions had to be made here - what do you think?

FAIL

J. Sidebottom or @jsid182 for those following on twitter faceplanting a backflip. Gold.

Australia Day 2009 (hence the flag) - Hakuba, Japan (hence the snow)

Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

Here's one not about music! In my procrastination time at work (I have lots of it) I discovered this. If you've got 10 minutes, well worth a watch.

I probably should go and do some work now.

Teenage Crime

Very interesting clip, was actually a bit surprised by it, but none-the-less, a cracking song. I would love to do an in-depth analysis of what is essentially every teenagers dream, when they're about as old as this kid (who i'd expect is obviously under 20) - being picked up by a great looking cougar. But it's too late and I've had a long day.
I can definitely see this track being as one of the big hits of the summer. Channel V have already started using it in their promo ads for 'loves music'
Anyway, enjoy!

Sorry will never be enough.

It was not your fault but mine.
It was your heart on the line.
I really fucked it up this time.
Didn't I my dear?



I only hope one day, we will meet again and change what I ruined - until then.

Dynamite

Taio Cruz - Dynamite. (or sung, dy-no-myte) For some reason I have an obsession with this song. I do not know why, I just find it bloody catchy. Although admittedly it is actually pretty average. It is really no way better or any less forgetable than any trashy, drunken club/dance/pop money-making repetitive anthem/bs that you hear on the radio these days from Usher/Nelly/Timbaland/Whoever
Anyway, here's a cover of it which is a lot cooler than the original! Enjoy :)

The Naked And Famous - Young Blood

Thought I posted it earlier, turns out I didn't. Here it is:
The Naked and Famous - Young Blood.

The Naked And Famous - Punching In A Dream

Going to see these guys at the Northcote Social Club soon. Pretty freakin excited.
Posted a video for their song Young Blood earlier - both cracker songs.