They say you should never meet your heroes. What about doing something you have always wanted? Well I managed to get that chance recently. Working at Oxegen, Ireland’s biggest music festival, was something in that category. A band i have worked for for many years got the call up a few weeks ago and (finally!) got to take to a festival stage. And i would go with them.
Unfortunately as would seam to be the case in my life timing doesn’t seam to be working in my favour. I was due to be on a work trip to the south of France at that time and with no direct flights back to get to Co. Kildare I had to take a 2 hour taxi, 2 Ryanair flights, travel through 3 countries and finally get on the slowest bus from Parnell sq. But i made it!
I was very nervous, for the guys, to make sure everything went right, make sure i didn’t fuck up. CODES were on stage at 945pm in the IMRO New Bands Stage. I dont know if its true but they worked it out to be the 3rd or 4th irish band on the bill! I was pepering around 830 trying to get the gear in but also looking like a professional, i do this sort of thing all the time!
Gig went well from the guys perspective – lots of cheering fans. As for me it was a nightmare. The simple things that i am ususally used to dealing with troubled me and it really did seam like i was blinded in the spotlights as Josh would say. However it was a learning experience of how different festivals are to other gigs and how to prepare for the next one. The guys were happy and thats the most important thing.
Finished out the night by watching the favorite band of my teens the Manics. i was amazed to see i still remember all the words. Due to our passes we got to watch them side stage – could get used to the rock and roll lifestyle!
All in all should you take the chance to do something youve always wanted – for sure – and if your heros are there, go say hello may not be as bad as they say!
EoinK
