So yesterday I was off to Birmingham for the James Marriott gig.

Honestly if it wasn’t for the stranger things cafe and checking stuff I’d have gone much later, but alas. Train trips for gigs now are pretty eh. I mean the journey was fine, but my phone is useless and it’s not as if I can take anything to do or read.

And of course the ticket machine at the station was closed, there was no one on the train and even the fares to pay thing at the Birmingham station was closed so that was annoying.

But anyway. Mum had the ‘smart’ idea that I should check to see if the Hellfire jacket was at Primark and wear it to the gig. At the very least I was hoping to try one (the stock check before I left said there was some albeit low stock) so I went there first. But there was none in any size (I even asked someone to check, in case they were somewhere else since the one in Telford, and apparently elsewhere, has stuff spread out). Alas there wasn’t any, which was fine by me. (And probably for the best)

Since the cafe was open I did have the pizza twist thing and it was nice (other than the tough ends) but it also looks like this which is certainly… a thing. I had to have a drink cause it was warm but damn. A can of 7up was £2 which feels crazy to me.

After that I wandered round Birmingham a bit. The christmas market is on already so everything is annoyingly bright, but they have churros now! I didn’t get any but the smell was so nice. Annoyingly both the game outlet and forbidden planet had discounted figures, which I likely would’ve got if I’d been able (damn gigs being bitchy).

After wandering round the bullring (which was uneventful) I went to the venue and the queue was quite long, much longer than Coheed. After waiting around till doors open it was time to head inside, security felt a tad absurd checking my hat. Like what did he expect to find in there?

Inside the first support was on and he sounded pretty good, though I only heard two songs (and one was a cover of Chappell Roan) but I just went to merch. I’d seen some of the tees were nice looking so I got the grapes one cause Grapes is one my favs, though the dogs playing cards was so cute (I hope he adds it to his site later)

The second support were just ok, I couldn’t really make out what any of them were saying even when they were talking.

Then there was James’ set. For the supports I’d noticed there were these strange banner things up, so I just assumed they were some sort of decoration, but no! They were these really cool light things that changed colours over the course of the set which was good and pretty. I wasn’t a fan of the general lighting of the opening song though which was just every light flashing so I had to spend the song with my eyes closed for the most part.

But the set was really great! He played Car Lights which is always a fav and then Grapes was the last song which was an awesome one to end on. I was surprised Him was on the set list and there was the new California Rain song which has only been played this tour. Also we got Limbs which apparently isn’t one played often?

But James is one of those natural showmen, he interacted with the crowd constantly, did a roll and just looked so great too. Apparently our date was the biggest show they’ve played at so far, especially since it was sold out! (Which was a worry last sold out show I had at this venue people were passing out like crazy, thankfully that wasn’t the case this time but it was still so warm).

Apparently he does small sets after the gig outside but I didn’t know where it would be and didn’t wanna hang around (apparently it was right by the entrance which was annoying to find out! Though I dunno if I missed much).

I grabbed a poster from outside, then a drink from a store by the station cause I was parched and I just flopped on a seat at the station. Though I did get veggie sushi from a place at the station, though I wish I could more than one cause it was half off and didn’t know till I paid.

Everything then was just waiting around and then the train was delayed, then on time, then delayed but it was on time at the end. Once I got off the station and was walking home that was when I had an issue. I was about half way home and got my phone out to use the torch, then saw my tee had gone. I panicked and then had to ring it was gone) but I managed to find it. It was just across from the station laying on some leaves and I dunno how it got there. It was stuffed in the bag pretty good (or so I thought) and it had lasted the whole gig just fine so.., ugh. At least i got it.

At home I just flopped. I looked into getting the jacket on click and collect (I was gonna today but had to sort something for mum) so that should be in town by the time I go in for Predator Badlands/Keeper. plus I ordered the Lego Star Wars advent calendar cause Amazon had it for £14 off.

I did see the new Mario trailer before heading up and it looks pretty fun and very pretty.

In a bit I’m off for the other opticians appointment, then seeing the new Pokopia vid and tonight is the Taskmaster final which should be fun.