Fri, 11 March 2016, 7:42 pm: That sign over the stage at London’s 02 Brixton Academy confirms I’m in the right place… as if there were any doubt.
Though they won’t take the stage for a little while yet, I can feel The Stranglers’ presence in the air. I’m like Darth Vader picking up on Obi-Wan Kenobi being on the Death Star… if Obi-Wan represented the essence of British punk and if Vader were American and traipsing around on five hours of sleep in four days.
After clearing security and having my printed-from-the-email ticket examined, the first thing I see inside the venue is the merch stall. Is it just me or is the vendor lady giving me the stink eye for taking a photo of her (above)?
I buy the black and white BLACK AND WHITE shirt hanging in the middle: band pic on front, list of this tour’s dates and cities on back. I will wear it with pride, gleefully regaling anyone who asks with the epic tale of how I powered my American ass to three of those cities on three of those dates and had three once-in-a-lifetime concert experiences.
Stepping through the doors into the concert arena itself, I am struck right away by the unique design of the room. The arches, the columns, the railings… it’s reminiscent of the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
Cool-looking as this place is, let’s be honest: There’s only one item of decor I need to see in order to know this is about to become one unforgettable night. 