Rock 'n' Roll Star?

I've just begun a short flurry of live music nights out which I've been looking forward to for months.  And there's just been an unexpected twist.

My little run of gigs - three different venues are involved, so let's call it a "tour" - began on Sunday evening when Vanessa and I saw The Killers at the First Direct Arena.

That's them above.......oh hold on, you can't see them.

How about this?       

You'll hopefully spot lead singer Brandon Flowers in the middle.  Vanessa loves Brandon Flowers and would be off with him in her big suitcase given half the chance.  (I'd be away in a taxi with Katy Perry should that offer present itself so we're even). 

But I digress.

Yes, The Killers.  They were genuinely fantastic, reeling off more hits than you probably thought they possessed (although the highlight was probably their energetic cover of Leeds-favourite "I Predict A Riot" accompanied by an ex-Kaiser Chief). 

Next gig on the list happens this Friday when a group of us including two special guests from Portstewart (one's actually from Portadown but doesn't talk about it) head to Leeds University Student Union for an evening with The Undertones.

This is what the band looked like back in the day. Former frontman Feargal Sharkey is on the left.  

And here they are now.

                

At least they seem happier since Feargal left (despite his good heart).

The only downside of 40 years passing by is that Friday's gig has a 10pm curfew to enable the band (and crowd) to head off for a sleep.  

Now let's fast forward eight days and the penultimate date in my pre-Christmas singalongathon when my pal Richard and I will be twisting our melons with the Happy Mondays at the O2 Academy in Leeds. (Call the cops). 

I saw them at CarFest in the summer and loved it.  (It was a wet night so Vanessa, Jamie and Charlotte listened from our tent).  

They were fabulous and I was determined to see them again if I could.  

Shaun Ryder has really cleaned up his act (if not his vocabulary) and is now partial to an occasional bottle of spring water.

But dancer Bez is just the same.

My musical adventure will end the following night at the First Direct Arena where the fun began.  And here's the twist.

I like to think I know my kids, but then they surprise me.  Until recent months, there was little to suggest that Jamie would turn into Liam Gallagher's biggest fan.  But somehow it's happened. 

I bought my Liam tickets at the beginning of September and was very lucky to get them.  Against expectation, the gig sold out in two hours.  I was walking past the Arena three hours after that and asked for two tickets.  They didn't have any.  And then the nice lady hesitated before pulling a pair out of a drawer.  

They'd been reserved by a man who hadn't come back to pick them up.  First tier of seating, dead centre, six rows back. Perfect.  

Since my piece of kind fortune, I've played Liam and Oasis music incessantly.  And Jamie's been listening, learning the words and singing them at every opportunity.  (He first discovered the great man after watching his now famous One Love Manchester set live on TV in June).

Jamie's been complaining loudly for weeks that he's not getting to see Liam in Leeds.  And yesterday Vanessa relented - and handed him her ticket (he sure as hell wasn't getting mine).

Is the boy excited? You bet ya. But Liam doesn't smile - so neither will Jamie.

As you were.             

Going down the local - Guiseley style

I've said many times on here that it all happens in Guiseley and, once again, the town has led whilst the nation waits to follow.

Despite the best obstructive efforts of two NIMBYfied Tory councillors who only ever appear here at election time, a new bar called The Potting Shed is due to open in Guiseley next month.  And many of us are most excited by the prospect.

But they've just been beaten to the punch - by our local supermarket.

Yes, Morrisons - my second home - has opened a new in-store bar.  Serving a range of beers and wines, "Barista" (as it's been named) is the only supermarket in the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to offer shoppers the chance to sup.

I thought it was a joke when I first heard.  And then I read the papers.

I've not stopped smiling since because I'm sad, shallow and predictable.

I haven't had my first pint in there yet but we've some visitors coming this weekend who are famously fond of a good night out.

And when in cutting edge Guiseley....

A chance to fly with the bogie men

Jet2holidays have launched a novel competition which has left one member of our family feeling a mix of great excitement and heartfelt disappointment.

Called the “Ultimate School Trip,” schools across the UK are being handed the chance for an entire class to visit Jet2holidays’ new Sol Katmandu Park and Resort in Majorca and participate in “fun educational workshops with celebrity hosts.” We’re talking Dick and Dom here folks.  

In total, nine classes of 9-13 year olds and their teachers will spend a long weekend next April on this “once-in-a-lifetime trip.” (Can you tell I’ve cut and pasted same of this stuff?) 

To enter, pupils are being challenged to "jet-power their imagination and produce their own promotional piece for Sol Katmandu Park & Resort, whether that be a poster, poem, song or video." 

The judges (we’re still talking Dick and also Dom) will "create a shortlist of five schools in each of Jet2holidays’ nine airport regions, which will then go to a public vote, with the final nine class winners announced on Tuesday 13th March. All 45 shortlisted schools will receive £1,000 worth of school equipment vouchers."

Right, that’s the bumpf and, to be fair, it is a very clever piece of marketing.

Jet2holidays reps have just begun a fortnight roadshows across the country to plug their initiative.  And on Wednesday they rocked up at Jamie and Charlotte’s school. 

Not only that, Jamie was chosen a one of three St Oswald’s boys to be interviewed on camera.   

But here's the disappointing bit. He was one of only one boy who had stardom snatched away just as he was set to say his piece.

See for yourself (the whole film only lasts a minute).

I’ll let you know if St Oswald's get shortlisted (and we need your votes). Surely it's the least Dick and Dom can do. 

Visiting the Lions' den

I'm very nervous tonight - I'm missing my boys and I'm worried about them.

"Who are your 'boys' Barry?" I hear you cry.  Very good question. 

I'm talking about the players of Guiseley AFC who I've grown very fond of.  And I'm not alone. 

Here's another fan visiting them at home.

  

Yes, that's Jamie on the left eating his pie and peas in the clubhouse prior to kick-off.

And then we went outside.

That was our first visit. We've had a few trips since, including the one below to Guiseley's FA Cup 1st Round tie against Accrington Stanley.

There was a bigger crowd that day.  And Guiseley earned a well-deserved draw.

10 days on and the replay is taking place right now. That's why I'm nervous. A win tonight followed by another against Mansfield Town and the Lions will be in the proverbial hat for Round 3 with the possibility of a crack at one of the Premier League big guns.

These are exciting times for our town.  The club went full-time professional just a few weeks ago and have since signed a bucketful of new players.  The future is looking bright for all involved.  And the least local residents like me can do is turn up, pay our money and shout our encouragement.

Loads are doing already doing it.  I see other people I know (but who I've never met at a game) every time I go.  And crucially, the kids experience is hugely positive.  

They let them in free for a start - removing any excuse parents might have for refusing an experimental visit.

Once in there, there's no shortage of sustenance. Last Saturday, Jamie topped up his pie and peas with a tray of chips and a hot chocolate (which, admittedly, he burnt his tongue on. It was a very hot chocolate).

And crucially, the atmosphere is incredibly friendly. The home fans have a laugh but swearing is essentially banned and terrace aggro barely exists.

So, people of Guiseley, Yeadon, Menston, Rawdon and all points in between, do yourself (and your young 'uns) a favour and get yourself along to Nethermoor.

In the meantime I can report that tonight's half-time score is Accrington Stanley 0 Guiseley AFC 0.

Go Lions. 

One is to become a grandfather

Just back from a family walk, during which Charlotte informed me that I'm set to become a grandfather. 

"I'm going to get children," she announced.

"Oh, that's nice," I replied, with a mixture of pride and alarm.  "Do you want boys or girls?"

"Well," Charlotte continued, "I think I want one of each."

"Right."

"Yes, I'll get one to begin with. And if it's not too hard, I'll get another one."

An only child it is then.

Grappling, glamping and GAWA

Greetings all, it's been a while since we last spoke.  No particular reason, I've just been a bit lazy and lacking in inspiration.  And if I've got nothing of particular interest to say, why would you want to hear it?  You wouldn't - so I haven't.

I've been feeling a bit more sparky today and there are good reasons.

First, last night I took the kids to their - and my - first ever WWE Live wrestling experience.

Here they are.

And this is what we watched.

And some of this.

We even stood back whilst seven ladies (pretended to) kick the poo out of a big bloke. That's him lying in the middle of the ring (also pretending to be) dead.

The highlight was watching AJ Styles, the newly-crowned WWE World Heavyweight Champion, retain his title.  He's phenomenal.

Told you.

Despite all the excitement,  I didn't sleep well afterwards.  I was too nervous.

That's because today was the day that CarFest North tickets went on sale and there are never any guarantees.  If you're a Radio 2 listener or Chris Evans fan, you'll know what I'm talking about.  If not, it's a event organised by Chris Evans on Radio 2 and tickets are really hard to get.

We've been for the last three years - this was what we got up to in 2016 -  and it's become a signpost for the start of the schools holidays.

We were in two minds about going next year - for all of two seconds.  But when we heard that Madness, The Proclaimers, Status Quo, Bananarama and  Peter Kay (DJing) were on the bill, we knew we had to got for it. 

Initially it seemed like all the tickets had gone.  That was until a weekend family camping ticket suddenly appeared - and I quickly shoved it into my virtual basket before virtually tripping up as I rushed to the virtual checkout.  But job's a good 'un and no-one is more excited than me (including Jamie who might even get to meet his hero Bear Grylls, also due to make an appearance).

However, even those levels of exhilaration are guaranteed to be surpassed tonight if Northern Ireland's footballers get a positive result in their World Cup Finals play-off first leg against Switzerland. 

I'm sorry I can't be in Belfast, but I will most certainly be there in spirit. Well, Guinness.

Let's hope it's physically possible to drink one (or maybe two...) with my fingers crossed.