new name required

Last night I went along with my comrades Jacqui and Justine to the Metro (it’s been a while – close to 12 years I reckon) to see Badly Drawn Boy. I was quite looking forward to this event given my recent experience of missing out on tickets to see Ben Harper – there was indeed a certain sense of achievement in just getting through the door!
Was not quite sure what to expect given the young Manchester lad’s reputation. However, in between shambolic rants uttered in the most unintelligible accent I have ever encountered (thank god for Jacqui who translated for me the entire show), I think I got value for money. $56 for a three hour concert where I could sit down (albeit on a carpet-covered step) was pretty reasonable.
He’s quite the serious musician – there were a number of false starts as he told off first the drummer, then the bass player (from The Smiths) then the stage itself for either being, or causing him to be, out of tune. I’m actually quite happy I was a fair way from the stage when I suggested things might improve for him if he removed his beanie. (I was quite amused anyway!)
Badly Drawn Boy? More like Grumpy Bearded Boy (with crusty beanie).
Actually he played a really impressive selection of stuff from his three CDs which I enjoyed immensely (sounded fine to me). I liked his 3/4 time rendering of some of the instrumental stuff and one ‘Billy Braggesque’ tune in particular (thanks, Justine). And he must have been having a reasonable time to stay on stage for three hours – the roadies eventually had to wind him up by progressively removing his little table of drinks and fags, his guitar, the microphone stand, etc, etc.
We were all congratulated for attending the first Melbourne Badly Drawn Boy concert and, if he never comes back, the ONLY Melbourne Badly Drawn Boy concert.
And the new accessory of choice for concert goers? Mobiles with little inbuilt cameras. They were everywhere (although mostly in possession of geeky boys.)