The Stranglers. The Best Of British,
Midem, 2000.
Day One - 23/01.
Never been to one of these (Midem, an music
industry only festival) before, and I
suppose it is not really the 'artists' thing,
more business. We are the main event. The
hotel we are at is the centre of attention
every night. Ours is 'the hottest ticket in
town' apparently, and I am aware that we
will basically be performing to most of the
music industry in at least Europe. The hotel
reception is packed and we are checked in
and hauled off for dinner. It's like someone
has moved all the people in the business
side of music that I've ever met to my hotel!
Day Two - 24/01.
A walk along the seafront in Cannes is a
pretty good way to start the day. At 12 30
we soundcheck and we have Max back with us
for this one. Then on to an intriguing press
conference for the British industry with my
old mucker Chris Smith (Culture Secretary in
UK government) where he makes a speech about
the government's commitment to creativity
and music in the youth of Britain etc. It
sounded very promising I have to say.
Pictures were taken all round and then we
went down to the beach to do some shots for
our good friends Dr Martens which was quite
fun. JJ did an early press conference and a
short interview on the beach and that was
that until the gig. I hadn't realised the
effect of seeing these kind of people at a
gig, or indeed how I'd react to being
scrutinised as the 'new singer'. I mean, a
Minister is no problem, but under these
unusual circumstances it felt like I was
starting with the band again. I guess I need
not have worried, it was a great show and
everyone seemed to love it, subsequently we
were told that there hadn't been a reaction
like this for a long time. It was an
excellent feeling.....
…..now here's a funny thing.........After
the show, a guy in a hideous blue
leopard-skin (draylon or some such thing)
jacket asks me if I remember a guy called
Terry Pearce.......!!!!!!! **** ME I says
(in a Cornish accent) "You what mate?". "He
says Hi.". "..who are you?". I'm dumbstuck.
"we've been working together for a few years.
I met you years ago at a mutual friends
house, I used to clear rubbish and stuff." (reeeaaally)
OK, this is weird....but then he whips out a
CD by the two of them.....Terry is the guy
who played the bass with the band I started
singing in (See I Talk To My Car, Made In
Heaven and Brand New Melody on the
discography - C.i.B.). What a shock I can
tell you.....talk about full circle.
Hit the hay at 5 to be up for 9....nice.........in
Cannes.
Day Three - 25/01.
Hmmm got up - ish, struggled to breakfast.
Went home......
Paul.
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