Hard News by Russell Brown

Probably the same dude at Bene who screamed at me to “put [my] fucking leg down!” as he barged past me leaning against the bus stop on his way back from the front. And so many young women careering through audience throngs. Noticeably ruder than any of the guys trying to squeeze through. Just my observation

The new Truento is the bomb. Seems to be that rare musician that graze across styles and always keep it interesting, never boring or cheesy.

Difficult for everything – including the weather – to line up for Festivals, but agree they are of enormous cultural significance in many & varied ways. Woodstock, Sweetwaters, Sunsplash, Glastonbury, BDO etc the list goes on.

And the Massive Attack drink ticket was something I found a few weeks back – from the Auckland show down near the old Railway station/yards. Clearly surplus to my needs, as my memories of the night are a bit blurred due to booze at the show and the old passage of time. Great clip, wish they’d tour these ways again.

Hugh, I suspect I may well have sent that ticket your way at the time (or were you working?). Nice Celebre logo on it.

As I recall the police did everything they possibly could to interfere with the operation of that bar in an orderly manner.

I wasn't working at the show, but would have been in your office earlier that afternoon. Funnily enough I do recall seeing you and your then neighbour Anita there :) Still got the T shirt as well.

Always enjoy reading your experiences at music gigs in my homeland Russell. I go to see Massive Attack for the first time tomorrow at AFAS Live (previously Heineken Music Hall) in Amsterdam. Capacity 6K. I'll be skipping the second half of England vs Ireland for that to get me a nice spot.

And the Massive Attack drink ticket was something I found a few weeks back – from the Auckland show down near the old Railway station/yards. Clearly surplus to my needs, as my memories of the night are a bit blurred due to booze at the show and the old passage of time.

I have only the vaguest memories of that show too – but I do remember Horace Andy.

Great clip, wish they’d tour these ways again.

Their last show in Auckland was at Spark (then Vector) Arena, where the dodgy acoustics made it a lottery for sound. We we seated in what should have been good seats up along the side and getting blasted, while people just down below us on the floor was calling for the volume to be be turned up. It was bloody frustrating.

I refuse to see any show at the Arena in Auckland now because bad experiences there vastly outweigh the good.