bell x1 @ union chapel

04 December 2013

This isn't so much a documentation of a gig as it is an ode to a friendship.




When I started at a new school aged 14, I made a very special friend who has been with me through thick and thin ever since. She's one of those friends that I can't really imagine how one goes through life without.

At my previous school, I had struggled somewhat to fit in; it's not a sob story, I wasn't bullied or mistreated in any way and had some very nice friends there too. But it just wasn't really for me.

One of the things I tried so hard but failed miserably at, was keeping up to date with mainstream pop music. Funny story: I used to try and memorise some lyrics of top of the chart songs before going to birthday disco parties so I didn't have to feel like an idiot! (like that didn't make me one...)

But I loved the music my dad liked, like the Beatles, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Queen... I was an old soul at heart, I suppose.

Anyway, then I met my friend S. She introduced me to bands and singers I probably would never have discovered myself, like the Frames (the lead singer stars in the movie Once). For my 19th birthday, she took me to their concert in an intimate venue where we were standing right up front, because at the time they weren't as famous as they are now. It was one of the best nights ever.

Another band she got me into was Bell X1. I listened to their first two albums over and over through lots of little milestones in my teenage years, as did S.

So when she told me she had got us tickets to go as a birthday gift, I was beyond excited! I never thought I would see them live.

The concert was at Union Chapel, an amazing venue with a cosy atmosphere.




They played some of my favourite songs, including the beautiful Eve the apple of my eye, which gets to me every time. Their songs have fantastic lyrics, and they just speak to you.

Here are a few more of my favourites by them if you're up for a listen:

I hope S and I will have many more nights like these!



15 comments:

  1. Looks lovely, I love cosy intimate gigs. They can be pretty hard to find, especially when the band gets big! I haven't heard of the Frames, will have to check them out, I love finding new music :).

    Cat xo 9 Lives London

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    1. For that exact reason I'm selfishly glad that they're not too well known yet! x

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  2. Awww what a wonderful friend you have Miho! I'm always interested in learning about new bands and musicians... I will have to check these artists out :)

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    1. I'm very lucky I know! Please do they're great :) x

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  3. ohh lovely and she sounds like a great friend! the venue looks so pretty and looks like a great concert!

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    1. The venue was really quite amazing! So unique and atmospheric. x

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  4. Had a little listen and love them already! I'm terrible at keeping up with music, so this is helpful.

    It sounds like a wonderful friendship too :)

    Hmm maybe...

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    1. Ah yay! I love to discover new music through blogs x

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  5. you had great taste in music. can't go wrong with the beatles, u2 and bruce springsteen!

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  6. Bookmarking to listen later! I'm blasting Christmas music with my mom right now haha. I am always down to get some new music, thank you :] Also I am totally with you with the oldies...my sister and I listened to our parents' music exclusively growing up.

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    1. They are oldies but goodies for a reason right? I have to admit Christmas songs are the priority right now ;) x

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  7. What a beautiful friend you have & such a thoughtful gift for you both to enjoy together! So perfect <3

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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    1. It really was, any excuse to hang out with my best friends is a bonus gift really x

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  8. You have a good friend; a good friend introduces you into new things :D

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