Dizzee Rascal is coming to my local city. Not the local mobile phone provider named 1741 capacity venue? But one of the smaller independent venues with a capacity of 520 …… say what???
Yes it’s an outstore, one of the the local record shops overseas the flow of artists promoting there albums through small venue instores (a performance in the store) and outstores (a performance locally at a venue).
We have previously been to other outstores, they are a great way to see artists and bands up close. This was Dizzee Rascal. It was a special occasion evening anyway so I bought myself a ticket, the second ticket as a surprise, that came with the new album on Vinyl and a meet with a signing, winner!
Two days before an email came through with rules, one of them being doors open at 7pm, last entry 7.45pm with Dizzee taking to the stage at 8pm (Sharp). We wanted a good view but were running late so didn’t get there until 6.30 but the queue was still small, within 10 minutes it changed dramatically, soon we were in and front row leaning on the stage, to be that close, bonkers!
The DJ came out and taped his MacBook down, the time ticked down to 8pm (Sharp), nothing? I checked my email, yes (sharp). We were entertained by one of his people sticking setlists down either side of the stage.
8.21pm, Dizzee takes to the stage to an expected rousing applause. We knew the songs from the album ‘Don’t take it Personal’ already thanks to a lot of streaming, as expected it was well known by the audience also so everyone was in good voice. Songs like ‘POV’ and ‘Stay in Your Lane’ to name a couple. We had already seen favourites like ‘Bassline Junkie’, ‘Bonkers’, ‘Dance Wiv Me’ and ‘Holiday’ on the setlist so definitely in for a great show!
The 12 song setlist was dispatched in about 45 minutes but, what a 45 minutes. It’s 45 minutes I will never want back as it was Dizzee in fantastic form, sounding as great as ever. I know we all have rose tinted specs on while at gigs for vocals, specs not needed! Each song as good as the last, it was flawless, his energy matched by the audience both young and old word for word. Just a great, great evening. Up close, an intimate gig, so close we were leaning on the stage as none of the normal row of monitors bands use. So close at one point he grabbed my partner in crimes hand while at the same time he stood on the fingers on her other one.
45 minutes – ish done, being told only wristband wearers aloud upstairs for the signing. I stayed down in the end heading outside to grab some fresh air. My partner in crime for the night headed up for the signing, excited ………………….. 40 minutes later she appeared, had given up. After being directed via two different stairs along with others and stopped at one and sent away, then finding a place in a static queue. Dizzee was nowhere to be seen over 30 minutes after leaving stage. People were headed out to cars to grab record covers ready for signing and joining at the back of the queue but grumbling and questioning texts had started. She, along with a sprinkling of others left or started to leave.
“It was a great show but not hanging around, onstage late then making us all wait? There’s kids up there flagging with moaning mothers”.
Not sure why, the venues organisation? the record store planning with numbers? maybe he was just chillin’ for an hour first rather than meeting the fans quickly, but grabbed a setlist off the stage and certainly enjoyed the music?
We were out. A great night to be remembered, no signing on my album ‘Don’t take it Personal’.
I won’t take it personal.
