Expecting Spector

We sat on benches in the courtyard of The Dome, somewhere too far north in London for me to recognise it as London anymore. The tube station name sounded like a football team I've never heard of, rather than a destination for a gig. The occasional drum beat from inside the venue echoed out to remind us to consider going inside soon. We spoke about the importance of complimenting women in bathrooms, as there is no compliment more valued. We videoed pigeons attempting to break-through nets and laughed whilst trying to blow smoke rings.

We went inside, bought expensive ciders and stood at the side of the crowd so I felt like I could breathe for a while and laughed some more, about pigeons. Then we stopped laughing, in awe of the energy Spector brought to the stage. A good band will do that; take a complicated moment and make it entirely simple.

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Seeing a band on the cusp of potential fame is always an excitingly rare moment. The band are often still grateful, like an insecure lover, pandering to every bit of affection they're not sure they actually deserve. Before the gig Fred, the lead singer of Spector, wandered over to the march stand at the back of the venue, followed by a small trickle of excited teen girls. He seemed genuinely happy to pose for selfies and sign an array of things, that shining bit of gratitude undimmed. I'm not sure most band members would or could genuinely smile about these days and it's genuinely refreshing to watch the band in their prime, before the wildness nature of popularity.

This in-between time, in-between rugby club gigs and arenas, gives the band space to still be excited by their own music, perhaps just as excited as the crowd in front of them. Which, in my gig experience, often fades a bit too quickly. But Spector performed with rugby-club approachability and stadium quality songs, making them and their London gig an absolute winner.

There's a definite age gap between their debut and soon-to-be-sophomore instalments, despite them only being three years apart. The guitar-heavy tracks and fan-favourites from the first album and the synth-rinsed slow jams they keep practising at shows strike a nice balance. (If nothing else, it gives you time to run to the bar during the songs you can't sing along to yet.) It's also sad to come into the game when the band are already one album down. Some of my favourite tunes, like No Adventure and Upset Boulevard are now strangers to the stage and are left for me to sing along to in showers only.

What redeems this, somehow, are the equally lyrically intriguing songs that the band keep hitting us with. All The Sad Young Men, Bad Boyfriend and Kyoto Garden all lend great lines to indirectly tweet at people and turn into Instagram quotes for ex-lovers, ex-friends and lost people to see. Standing in a crowd of people chanting with such conviction -I don't wanna make love, I don't wanna make plans, I don't want anyone to want to hold my hand- I found it difficult to remember whether I meant the words, or not.

I shall wait with great anticipation for Spector to birth their metaphorical baby into the music world, as it's expected to appear sometime this year. If it's the heartbreak album that leaves you confused about whether you want to dance or cry that I suspect is it, I can't be expecting Spector too much longer. 

Grab your wellies and waddle through the mud to catch the band (and a potentially drunk me) at Glastonbury this year! They'll also be at Reading Festival and so many more places across the summer, so check them out before that youthful gratitude is swallowed up by the ego of sold out shows and screaming teen girls, because I said so. Although, I have a feeling they're way too cool for that. I hope so, anyway. 

(Also, shout out for the band trying to make Southend look way more cool than it actually is in the All The Sad Young Men vid. Bravo.)

How to Survive: Shopping and Other Humans.

Honestly, this has been a slow ol' week.

Between the heat and the schools breaking up, the world outside my little London flat was not somewhere I wanted to be. And because my kitchen flooded and had to be re-tiled, inside was not particularly great either. But it was payday and I was bored and there was no hatred of people strong enough to stop me having a little spend. So off to Westfield in Stratford I went.
Why would you go to one of the busiest places in London if you don't want to be around other people? I hear your eyebrows raising and eyes a rollin'. Fear not! I've got a pretty good Stratford shopping system in place.
The first rule of Stratford shopping is to not talk about Stratford shopping. I jest, I jest. This is not Brad Pitt talking. My first rule is that it's all about knowing your days of the week. Without a doubt, everyday that Westfield is open it is busy, even worse now that all the youngens have put down their thinking caps for the summer. But just like you know not to catch that 6pm train from London, shopping has it's peak times too.
Ignore what Rebecca Black told you. You haven't gotta get down on Friday. It's more than often payday and those lucky enough to have a couple of hours spare will probably be there, just as irritable as you, but with that new money crazy eye. Fight the urge and wait until after the weekend, or don't go at all. (Mega-saves).  Saturday and Sunday are kinda hit and miss. Either people avoid it because they think it's going to be busy so it's actually quite quiet or it's just as busy as everyone would expect. The latter applies to every weekend during the summer break. Damn those kids with freedom and no bills to pay.
My second rule, which applies mainly if you're shopping with other humans you can tolerate, is communication! If your pal asks you if it's okay to go into Primark one more time, because they're still not sure whether jelly shoes are a good investment or not, don't say yes if you're starting to fantasise about setting fire to the store to make it all stop. Instead suggest going for a cheeky drink break, where you can debate the shoes over a nice cold alcoholic beverage (or non-alcoholic if you're feeling brave).  You'll feel much better about that final lap of the shops after, promise.
This brings me nicely to my third and fave rule which is drinking! In every sense of the word. If you're like me and love to buy things but hate to actually shop then this is key. Spending large amounts of time in crowds of people, with dodgy air-con, panicking about the money you've spent will dry out your throat. Keep water on you, just to stay a little sane if nothing else.
Well done, you managed to be in a crowd without killing anyone, have a drink. Well done, you got out the house today, you deserve a drink. Oh God you've spent how much? You need a drink. There are five soaps in your basket that you don't need but they smelt so good and anything that makes you happy in this time of need must be bought!! This scenario demands a drink! Just one little drink can help you forget your worries or ease you into buying things you weren't so sure about. (Probably not good advice, but true nonetheless). I took myself to TGIs to splurge on a cocktail. I opted for the ultimately refreshing Frozen Strawberry Margarita, which was so so so good. It was that drink that meant other people in the bar were coming up to me to ask what I had ordered. A+, 10/10, would recommend to everyone who's hot and bothered and shopping.
My fourth and final rule for now is do not shop on an empty stomach! I repeat do not shop on an empty stomach. You will get into a fight. Also don't shop on a full stomach, that time is for napping. Find a happy medium.  To make it an even happier medium download the 'Voucher codes' app and find yourselves a fab little deal to treat yo'self. We went for Gourmet Burger Kitchen, which offered up the deal of two burgers for £10 (not including sides). Super delicious, quick service and a not overly expenny.  You're welcome!

It's not advice for everyone, but by golly, it's not bad advice either. If none of the above sounds good to you, maybs internet shopping is the way forward. It's definitely my fave way of doing things. But why should you listen to me? Because I said so.
(Also, jelly shoes are a good investment; fun, comfy and in-expenny. Why the hell not?)