JIMMY EAT WORLD

25th Anniversary Tour Bleed American Support from Jay Som, The Get Up Kids & Rise Against Cardiff Castle, Saturday 15th August.

JIMMMYYYYYYYY!!!! Oh god. Hello friends, because we know I like to talk and basically I could go on about last night forever, I feel like this gig needed a blog post...because this would be a longgggg Instagram Caption!

My heart is full and I am overwhelmed with so much joy. There's something so euphoric about a gig, and seeing Jimmy Eat World again was just the greatest feeling, I can't even express it with words if I'm completely honest, but I'll try. I just love that feeling live music can give you, there's not much else that can compare to that feeling if I think about it. Maybe the feeling I get when I watch The Lord of the Rings, but that could sway me down a completely different path so lets stay away from middle earth for now.

I think there is actually quite a lot behind this band meaning so much to me, and I don't even think I realised it until last night. I did shed a tear when I glanced at my emo pal Beckaroo, and I'm so happy I have this memory for a lifetime.

I first saw Jimmy Eat World TWENTY ONE years ago, they supported Green Day with Taking Back Sunday & Hard-Fi at the Milton Keynes Bowl in June 2005, I was 17! This was one of the biggest gigs I had been to, so it's a core memory. I went with the band I was in at the time, and a lot of my drum lessons were learning the drum beats to Jimmy Eat World & Rise Against. So I will always stand in awe watching the drummer in bands, especially these bands. It hits deeper because I can't really play anymore so it's just a whole heap of emotions, but I am so happy in those moments.

When I was in college, at St Brendan's here in Bristol there was this incredible art student, I think he was called Paul? We use to talk a lot and once he made me a CD of his favourite tracks (I kinda miss these things, mixtapes! Hits differently to a Spotify playlist) My favourite track off the CD was The Middle, which is track three on Bleed American, and honestly when they played this live, I couldn't cope. To hear and see this band again after so much time was just a special moment. Also, I think they're vampires because they haven't aged haha.

I can't believe I've only seen them twice, feels like a sin, especially because this was like my fourth time seeing Rise Against! I feel like I was in and out of hospitals a lot during the time they would have been touring and for a very long time I was unable to go to gigs. Then when they played recently I was away on holiday, Becky went and got me a tote which was cute, but I felt I'd missed my chance and that they wouldn't return again for me to see them.

Then the absolute legends of friends, that are Becky & Clare had each bought me a ticket as soon as this got announced, so I didn't miss out. How lucky am I? To have such amazing people in my life that I ended up with not one, but two tickets. This isn't me saying "my friends are better than yours" because I'm 26 (I wish) 38 and that's a stupid thing to say, all our friends are great in whatever friendship group you have, they all have a place in your heart and we should cherish each of them. I feel very lucky to be alive.

The feeling of being within a crowd of people, singing the lyrics to a band you all share a love for is really something special. Anytime someone accidentally bumped into you, they were highly apologetic...because we're older now there's seems to be a higher level of respect. When I was 17 I was definitely always covered head to toe in everyones beer. If you're spending £7.80 on a pint and throwing it, I think you have much bigger issues in life haha. Ohhh to the guy that politely tapped on my shoulder, I apologise for my resting bitch face when I turned around I was just very confused haha. I enjoyed the chat and you were super kind - if that was you (you said you were from Cornwall) reach out lets get a coffee! If anyone ever sees me and my friends at a gig, come say hi - I'll work on that initial look I give you, I promise.

Jimmy put on an absolute show, the stage presence, the lighting, the incredible sound. Just pure excellence, I just love them so much. I am just in a very happy place right now, I'm going to end here because this could easily be 10 pages. Gigs. gigs are life. Thanks to the gig crew Clare, Becky, Andy, Spencer, Stu & Kelsey (and Andy's mates Josh & Kim!)

This is probably up there with my top 5 gigs. Jimmy Eat World, I love you. PS - Thanks Beckaroo for finding us little hobbits in the crowd so we could enjoy this moment together.