#hrcalling

I used to listen to hard rock when I was 18. Now I only follow few bands of this kind. However, we have won tickets from a Songkick contest and we thought it would be a good opportunity to get revenge for Bloc's catastrophy. Different music, different people, different place.  I have never been to Hyde Park for a concert before. There might be a reason that only big events take place there, but I have to declare that it is the best site for open air concerts. It's located in the city, with many options to travel there, many entrances/exits and in case of good weather, a lot of space to relax. Although, the weather was rainy for the last weeks (maybe months...), the organisers managed to cover the main areas with woodchip in order to beat the mud and it was successful. What's the smell of the old warehouse compared to clean pants, shoes and no need for wellies?

We went there after work, just before Iggy & the Stooges came on stage. It's a shame I haven't seen Iggy before. Performer like no other. Will our generation ever have such a great personality on stage? I doubt. I didn't expect much in terms of his voice quality, taking into account his age, so I wasn't dissapponted. The Stooges banged generally well, Iggy was making fun with the crowd and the angry clouds seemed to stare from above ("will you carry me over there 'cause I don't want to get muddy?" said to the stewart). It was the appropriate hour to get rid of this week's tension. 

We didn't move from the stage to check Mars Volta, because we knew we could never get such a good view later. The Soundgarden came on stage just 20mins later. I have never been a huge fan of them (until last night), although I see grunge as one of the best things that ever happened to rock. I always preferred the Pearl Jam, the Screaming Trees and the Dinosaur Jr. But last night's performance forced me to listen to Soundgarden's discography again. I reminded myself how great drummer Matt Cameron is. I never liked Cornell's attitude on stage with Audioslave (I was biased with De La Rocha), but yesterday he was in his real ground. Heavy basslines, drum breaks and guitar solos made the crowd go crazy for TWO HOURS (the longest act I have ever been in the UK so far)!!! The funny thing was that while Soundgarden were playing the "Black Hole Sun", heavy rain started. Rock n' roll and all inclusive! Yesterday's gig made me reconsider my attitude towards pure rock acts and mainstream festivals...in order to avoid further disappointment. \g.