Audience of One

Live 8, the ball, and another compound entry title

As of this moment Snoop Dogg is on stage, and so far I’ve heard three songs which have appeared to start in the same way, all contain unidentifiable lyrics with occasional expletives, and apparently all have backing singing with some lyrics referring to Snoop Dogg. I knew I wasn’t a fan of rap music but this seems like the epitome of all the stereotypes this indie fan has grown up believing. Oh, and he’s asked the audience to “put (their) hands together” approximately five times since the start of this last song. I think I just heard him say “one time” twice in a row again.

I didn’t try and get tickets to Live 8, not because of Bob Geldof, the bands playing, forgetting to text in on time or the hassle of getting there (all of which I’ve heard as reasons), but because it’s the sixth form ball tonight – possibly the last time I’ll see a lot of people in my year. Well, I’ll see my mates again so that’s no problem to me; I’d much rather be at Live 8 if I could. Unfortunately, I’m playing this evening. Not only that, I’m paying to play.

The logic goes that I’m playing for half an hour (“only half an hour!”) and enjoying the rest of the evening, so I should have to pay like everyone else (and get a five pound discount for the half hour, “very generous” apparently). Oh, and the rest of the band are paying, so I should pay too. Seems fair, doesn’t it?

Hmm. Not so sure about this one. The thing is, I’m not a ball type of person. Whenever I’ve gone to a ball that I’m not helping at, the only times I’ve enjoyed them is when I’ve been out of the main section, chatting to someone. I could do that at any other time, and to be honest the music, smoke and alcohol-ridden atmosphere makes conversation challenging. So even if I couldn’t get to Live 8, the chances of me going to the ball were slim without me playing.

As for “only half an hour”, I’ve put around ten hours into rehearsals over the past week (probably more if you include time getting to and from them), wasting the good part of today and a lot of yesterday and the day before as well. The five pound discount figures out at around fifty pence an hour taking that into account – except it’s worse than that because I’m not getting paid five pounds, I’m paying fifteen. So that’s me paying one pound fifty per hour of rehearsal.

I think the effort put in by the sixth form committee is formidable, and from the looks of things they’ve organised a brilliant evening for those going. The problem is that it won’t be brilliant for me because I’ve never enjoyed those kind of events for their own sake – I’m fine helping at them but I’ll never enjoy them as a punter. It’s like at the club I was at last night – I looked after the bags while the others danced and was happy doing that. (I also get the feeling I’d enjoy the ball more if I was with someone for the evening who was enjoying it. Which reminds me of a blog entry I must write. Never mind…)

So, let’s summarise. I’m paying fifteen pounds to do the committee a favour because they don’t realise that some people don’t enjoy balls. I even offered not to have any drinks or food and leave after I’d finished playing. Nope – if I want to come in I’ve got to pay. So I’m paying – I’ve no choice, because my band need me and they’re serious about not letting me in. It’s lucky we’re getting paid so well for a gig tomorrow, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford it. (As it is, I’m being lent the ticket price until we get paid for tomorrow.)

Madonna’s on the Live 8 stage now, playing a song I had in my music tech mock exam last year. I think I’m forever going to be haunted by particular songs because they were featured in exams. Ooh, she’s just sworn on live TV before the watershed. That was clever.

If I enjoy the ball I will return to this blog tomorrow and eat my words about the payment. Knowing me, and knowing balls, even if it’s twice as good as last year (which was apparently the best ball for years according to some of the teachers) I’ll consider the money wasted. (A lot of the ticket is going on drinks. Guess who doesn’t like wine? But that’s enough whinging.)

So, Live 8. A political discussion will no doubt follow at some point, but I have a ball to go to so I’ll set the video to record and be off.

Can someone explain how I’ve had less time to blog since finishing exams than while I was revising for them?

Matthew @ 18:39, July 2, 2005 to Diary | Comments (2)