up then go.” If there’s no financial reward, no way am I dealing with the general public.
Sam hands a clipboard to the longhaired guy who’s kept quiet since Sam arrived, intently counting the contents of the boxes. “This is yesterday’s stock count. Make sure everything is accounted for.” Sam catches sight of my badges and raises a brow.
I smile sweetly. “Am I allowed a t-shirt to go with my badges? Call it a work uniform.”
Grabbing an item from the nearest box, Sam chucks a t-shirt at me with a small shake of the head. “Wear this. The one you’re wearing is old and not a great ad for the new gear.”
I hold up the stretch tee with the tour dates on the back and the Blue Phoenix logo on the front, and debate whether to ask for a Ruby Riot one instead. Their logo is prettier, but Jax might take it as a hint. “Cheers!”
“Right. I’ll be back when the doors open,” he says to the nameless guys with me.
Sam disappears and my companions aren’t chatty, so I set about grouping the t-shirts and tote bags into piles on the long table, singing to myself.
Blue Phoenix.
Access All Areas.
Tonight’s going to be interesting.
****
An hour later, I hang around between the front barriers and the edge of the stage, as the stadium slowly fills. When I approached, security was on the brink of shoving me away until I flashed them my pass. One man gave me a curt nod and spoke to the burly guy threatening to put his hands on me. The second guy’s stance softened and he nodded too. Now, I sit on the edge of the barrier chatting to head of security, Mac, about his experiences on tour with Blue Phoenix. Mac’s from Newcastle, and toured with the band since the early days. He’s moved up the ranks from hired muscle to chief of the hired muscle, as integral to the tour as any PR guy or manager. Crew cut, muscle-bound, and with an aura telling those around he means business; he’s definitely somebody I need onside.
As I wait, the venue fills, and I watch the groups mill about, reserving their spot on the floor as they stand and chat. There’s a real mix of people: groups of chattering teen girls, a middle-aged couple and a quiet and serious looking group of guys. I guess there’s no such thing as an average Blue Phoenix fan; their music permeates the world.
Two girls in Ruby Riot t-shirts stare at me and I grin; I have pride of place in my position close to the stage. I’ve never been important before; I’ll stay here and make the most of my VIP status.
****
JAX
Pre-performance alcohol has never been more tempting, but never such a bad idea.
Opening Blue Phoenix’s European tour is a huge honour but terrifying. Okay, we moved on from dingy pubs and clubs to larger venues when we toured under Jem’s guidance last year, but never a stadium. Only tonight, when I saw the size of the place did the reality hit home. Thousands of people. Tens of thousands . The largest place we played last year had around three hundred.
I steer clear of Ruby until I have to talk to her; she’s never personable before gigs. Quiet after the drama this afternoon, she at least looks better. Ruby never has a lot of colour in her face, but her eyes are brighter. I expected Jem to be around; but Ruby informed me she’d told him to stay away and needed to do this without him hovering.
Suits me.
Will and Nate go through their pre-show ritual, a lot of jostling and piss-taking of each other. They extend the joking to me, but they learned long ago to leave Ruby alone.
The twins are happy to indulge in a couple of pre-show drinks, their nervous energy increased by the beer as they charge up and down the hallway like big kids. At one point, the pair plays their bizarre twin ‘word game’ that involves shouting, dares, and more beer. At one point, Will runs past waving Nate’s jeans yelling something indecipherable. I gave up figuring out their secret signals and language years ago.
Fuck knows what they’ll
Sam hands a clipboard to the longhaired guy who’s kept quiet since Sam arrived, intently counting the contents of the boxes. “This is yesterday’s stock count. Make sure everything is accounted for.” Sam catches sight of my badges and raises a brow.
I smile sweetly. “Am I allowed a t-shirt to go with my badges? Call it a work uniform.”
Grabbing an item from the nearest box, Sam chucks a t-shirt at me with a small shake of the head. “Wear this. The one you’re wearing is old and not a great ad for the new gear.”
I hold up the stretch tee with the tour dates on the back and the Blue Phoenix logo on the front, and debate whether to ask for a Ruby Riot one instead. Their logo is prettier, but Jax might take it as a hint. “Cheers!”
“Right. I’ll be back when the doors open,” he says to the nameless guys with me.
Sam disappears and my companions aren’t chatty, so I set about grouping the t-shirts and tote bags into piles on the long table, singing to myself.
Blue Phoenix.
Access All Areas.
Tonight’s going to be interesting.
****
An hour later, I hang around between the front barriers and the edge of the stage, as the stadium slowly fills. When I approached, security was on the brink of shoving me away until I flashed them my pass. One man gave me a curt nod and spoke to the burly guy threatening to put his hands on me. The second guy’s stance softened and he nodded too. Now, I sit on the edge of the barrier chatting to head of security, Mac, about his experiences on tour with Blue Phoenix. Mac’s from Newcastle, and toured with the band since the early days. He’s moved up the ranks from hired muscle to chief of the hired muscle, as integral to the tour as any PR guy or manager. Crew cut, muscle-bound, and with an aura telling those around he means business; he’s definitely somebody I need onside.
As I wait, the venue fills, and I watch the groups mill about, reserving their spot on the floor as they stand and chat. There’s a real mix of people: groups of chattering teen girls, a middle-aged couple and a quiet and serious looking group of guys. I guess there’s no such thing as an average Blue Phoenix fan; their music permeates the world.
Two girls in Ruby Riot t-shirts stare at me and I grin; I have pride of place in my position close to the stage. I’ve never been important before; I’ll stay here and make the most of my VIP status.
****
JAX
Pre-performance alcohol has never been more tempting, but never such a bad idea.
Opening Blue Phoenix’s European tour is a huge honour but terrifying. Okay, we moved on from dingy pubs and clubs to larger venues when we toured under Jem’s guidance last year, but never a stadium. Only tonight, when I saw the size of the place did the reality hit home. Thousands of people. Tens of thousands . The largest place we played last year had around three hundred.
I steer clear of Ruby until I have to talk to her; she’s never personable before gigs. Quiet after the drama this afternoon, she at least looks better. Ruby never has a lot of colour in her face, but her eyes are brighter. I expected Jem to be around; but Ruby informed me she’d told him to stay away and needed to do this without him hovering.
Suits me.
Will and Nate go through their pre-show ritual, a lot of jostling and piss-taking of each other. They extend the joking to me, but they learned long ago to leave Ruby alone.
The twins are happy to indulge in a couple of pre-show drinks, their nervous energy increased by the beer as they charge up and down the hallway like big kids. At one point, the pair plays their bizarre twin ‘word game’ that involves shouting, dares, and more beer. At one point, Will runs past waving Nate’s jeans yelling something indecipherable. I gave up figuring out their secret signals and language years ago.
Fuck knows what they’ll
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