Reliving my youth
Tonight I relived a night from the summer of 1984. I was 17 years old. I was in love with a boy called Richard (who came to be known as loony Richard in later years, but that’s another story). One of my best friends, Al, and I headed off into the scary metropolis that is Birmingham city centre.
There are parts of that day I remember very clearly.
Like going into HMV, and browsing the records. Coming to the ‘O’ section, and Al, nice friend that he was, making a grab for the 10 inch version of ‘Souvenir’. There was only one copy. I was bitterly disappointed.
To this day, ‘Souvenir’ is my all time favourite record. I don’t know why, but it just does something to me.
Then we headed off to the Birmingham Odeon.
This was in the days before it became a cinema.
And I went to my first ever concert.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. OMD. The ‘Junk Culture’ tour.
Because Al had bought the single, he didn’t have enough money for a programme. I did. So, in the end, I got the better deal, because I bought the 10 inch single at a later date. He missed his chance to buy a ‘Junk Culture’ programme forever.
Tonight I went to see them again.
The place was full of 40 something people. Loads of men, which surprised me until I thought about it. OMD were never a ‘girly’ band. And a lead singer who dances like a dick and doesn’t care because he’s enjoying himself would appeal to just about every bloke I know.
Back in the day I had a huge crush on Paul Humphreys. He was the pretty boy of the band. And he didn’t dance like a dick.
However, with age and maturity (and the realisation that almost all blokes dance like dicks), and the fact that I don’t think Mr Humphreys has aged all that well, I have now switched my shag allegiance to Andy McCluskey.
The concert was great - and incredibly civilised. Because I bought tickets so late, we were sat right up in the gods. I wish I had been down on the floor (like when we went to see Jason). Because, it started in trickles, just one or two people, and then more and more people joined. And the bouncers did nothing to stop them. People were lining the floor in front of the stage. A stage that is no more than 3 feet high. There was nothing to stop anyone from arsing about and jumping on stage, but nobody did. Everyone stayed back where they were supposed to. I guess that’s what happens when you get a bunch of 40-something year olds together.
After about 3 songs I could bear sitting in my seat no longer. Fully expecting to get a tap on the shoulder at any point, but not caring, I headed to the end of the row, and down to the front of the balcony.
And I danced my pants off!
And sang my heart out.
I can’t believe I still know all the words to the Architecture and Morality album. The singles makes sense, since I have the greatest hits cd in my car, and have been listening to it for weeks. But I can’t remember the last time I listened to A+M - I have it on vinyl, and the last time I owned a record player was in 2001, and I think it was years before that.
It wasn’t a cheap concert - but then I suppose it was aimed at the ‘prosperous’ 40-something people, a group that I suppose I now belong to. It wasn’t cheap, but it was so worth the money!
I want to go again!!!