Welcome back to my weekly diary,
This week I just have to talk about Friday the 29th June, and to top it off, probably one of the hottest days of the year.
Or at least it felt like it.
It started the usual way, woke up :) had some Coco Pops and then started to get ready.
Spice was arriving midday at Stafford Train station and from there we headed back to the house to load up.
The excitement in the room was electric and as we finished loading the car, windows down we started to head onto the M6 to pick up Jake.
We knew we wanted to put on a really strong show at the 02 Academy, so we headed to Robannas for a 2 hour warm up before the show.
Yep, it was totally boiling in the studio but the energy we took from that went straight onto the stage.
Plus it’s always good to see Rob at Robannas.
We loaded the car back up and decided to drive until we found some shade not far from the studio.
There, we unpacked some sandwiches and sausage rolls which Grace had prepared earlier.
Yes, not quite the blanket on the ground in the green fields of tranquility.
Instead we found shade via the tall buildings and the back streets of Birmingham.
Grace did suggest we sit on the roof of my car, which I think we were all up for, however my car needs a good wash. So it probably wasn’t a good idea.
It was really nice just having a bite to eat, chatting and having a laugh before we headed around the corner to the 02 venue.
Navigating the roads and finally arriving at the back of the O2, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a few months back when me and Grace went to see Trivium for a meet and greet.
I remember their coaches and trucks being round the back.
Now, here we are at the same place.
We arrive and check with security that’s it’s cool to unload and we are directed to this little back room to store our gear.
Honestly seeing the stage for the first time, I think we were all itching to get on there.
But we were 25 mins early and the other bands had to sound check first.
I think this was the hardest part, just waiting around.
We went outside to get some fresh air and it was kinda crazy seeing people queue for the show.
We walk back in and it turns out Lee, the sound engineer for the night was running slightly behind and we were asked to do a Line Check rather than a Full Sound Check before we start our show.
Finally 7pm arrives, doors open and the place starts to fill up.
We watched the first band Awakening the Hollow for 15 mins or so and then we decided to head back stage to get ready.
We hear the last song play out and it’s then all hands on deck to get our kit set up in 15 minutes.
Next thing we hear is Spice saying, I’ve lost my snare.
We were like, What ?
He said yeah, I put it here and now it’s gone.
So a couple of frantic minutes running around looking for his snare drum and finally we found it.
We think someone must have moved it.
Maybe to a safer place.
Finally all set up and a quick line check.
We were good to go.
The sound of rain and the crack of thunder, Spice starts the show with drums, and then a nice heavy riff to start the show which sounds like a war cry or a call to the Wild.
Big finish and a quick shout into the mic,
We are the Wild Strays,
and Bang, we blast into our set list.
It was a great crowd and atmosphere.
We were totally rocking out and I seen people jumping around head banging, dancing and generally having a good time.
I looked out over the crowd and it felt amazing.
We had such a great time playing for everyone who was there.
We did get a 5 minute warning, however we knew our set run time was about 28 mins.
The last song on the set list is a track called The Wild Strays and this is a crowd participation and big crescendo song.
So we wasn’t about to cut it short.
A shout out for the other bands and a clap track for Gathering and Calling all the lost souls and we bring this show to a end.
Amazing place to play, great sound.
A big shout out to Lee on the desk for a huge sound.
We can’t wait to play there again.
I did get chatting to a few people back stage, Autumn from Surrge was totally lovely, plus Anthony from Awakening the Hollow.
Plus a quick chat to the headlining guys Broken Lungs, at the end of their set.
Really lovely people and we hope to see you all down the road sometime soon :)
Till next time,
Keep it Wild,
KT x