Tuesday, Jan 24, 2006

First night of the NME Shockwaves Tour, and shock indeed rippled through the Irish cityside. Dublin, our first visit, though two of us (Murray and Cain) bear heritage. Mystery Jets, 7:30. W.A.S., 8:20. Arctic Monkeys, 9:10. Maxïmo Park, 10:10. A tour of goliaths.

Chris, frayed by overnight travel, neglected to bring his goggles onstage, thus tethering himself, a rottweiler nuzzling his muzzle excitedly into sixpack packaging. Keith and Michael proceeded apace, aware too well that disaster wasn't an option, that a tour of this size demands at least partial penitence to form; that, jet lag or no, we couldn't blow this one. Tomorrow night we'll blow it though, big.

We're supposed to be shooting footage for MTV2 US and UK, but the camera battery gave out just as we unholstered it to record the inaugural post-show champagne decapitation. We were a painter unrolling his brushes just as the sun goes down. The loss, ultimately, will be born by television audiences the world over.

On a positive tip, the April UK tour has expanded like a tomcat who reverts from his mouse diet to milk. Bristol, Glasgow, and Birmingham have upgraded, and a show at the Empire has been added in London town. Be there or be square. Or be from outside the U.K.