The Rolling Stones; No Filter Tour : Southampton & Cardiff!

This lucky little Rolling Stones Princess got to see The Rolling Stones on their UK No Filter tour TWICE! At the St.Mary’s Stadium in Southampton and at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. I thought I would be kind enough and share my experiences with you ❤ 

MAY 29TH – SOUTHAMPTON
For this gig I went with my Dad once again; took him for a cheeky nando’s before hand also 😉 I bumped into the Our Propaganda lads Jack & Charlie, Ed from Pirates of Panama, my Dads work mates Gordon & Robbie, my Stop, Stop pals Lainey & Mark, Jimmy from Western Sand and Chris & Jordon were hovering around somewhere, but everyone looked the same or like Liam Gallegher by that time haha. I know quite a few of my other friends also went, so that’s not bad! Hope you all enjoyed it 😀

Now, my opinion is probably going to be extremely controversial; I’ll explain why first. I have been a die-hard fan for 20 years now, which sounds mental but it’s 100% true, I think they have a lot to live up to in my head. I’ve watched so many concerts, got most of them on DVD – saw them at the historical 50 year anniversary gig at Hyde Park, which they were absolutely phenomenal! So, I think I have this perfect image in my head… and when it isn’t that I’m like “oh, this isn’t like them?”. I feel that if that was the first time you had ever seen The Rolling Stones, then they were absolutely bloody fantastic and everything you could ever of dreamed/wished for. For my PERSONALLY, it was slacking. Keith walked out to Start Me Up and the first 3 chords were flat! Mick missed out several lyrics on Tumbling Dice & Midnight Rambler (unless they’ve changed it since I last checked), the new Lisa’s microphone wasn’t working for Gimme Shelter which was such a shame; and I feel Charlie was a little…. not up for it. I may be going bonkers, but that’s what I heard.
I think I’ve studied and loved them for so long,  it’s quite sad and pathetic really. Like I said though, if that was the first time seeing them then they were out of this world! Honestly, it hasn’t even hit me that I’ve seen them a second time yet – it was honestly like I wasn’t quite there, but I was. Such an odd feeling.

Someone on the way out, quite a young lad actually, said “their sound hasn’t changed for 50 years”, I couldn’t help but turn round and say “yes it has! they were a blues band 55years ago, they played covers, they now play stadiums rather than pubs AND Brian Jones isn’t in the band…”. I’m proper cocky, cos I know a lot of people went for one or two songs “Jumpin Jack Flash” and “Satisfaction”. If that’s all you know the Stones for, you’re missing out massively! I was so happy to see that they played “Sweet Virginia” and that was done pretty good actually. Darryl Jones was absolutely incredible during his bass solo on ‘Miss You’.

I did enjoy the gig! For sure! Mick was A LOT closer than he was in Hyde Park, and I didn’t cry this time or break my Dads back. Mick at 74 almost 75 years old, still has it to a tea, and that is something everyone can appreciate. I do prefer the lineup with Lisa Fischer. I miss her so much! I adore Bernard Fowler and Darryl Jones – they are fantastic members of the band; and good ol’ Chuck Leavell! Their set list for St.Mary’s was brilliant, they proper mixed it up.  I still scream incredibly loudly when I see Mick – they’re forever my special boys ❤

If I was to go again I think I definitely would’ve got their earlier to take in all of the stuff which they had going on outside of the actual stadium, like all of the food and drink places, because it was pretty amazing the amount of effort and work that went into putting on that show. Going to a Stones concert is an experience, and it is one you’ll never really forget – they always manage to make it extra special and that’s what makes them so damn good. It’s not just the music, it’s the atmosphere that goes with it.

The best part of my night has to be standing in the middle of St.Mary’s stadium, looking up at all the people and the stage, turning to my Dad and saying “Dad, this is what I want to be doing. I want to be putting on shows like this”. I think he saw the happiness in my face, cos he turned back to me and said “Go and do it then”. ❤

JUNE 15TH – CARDIFF

First things first – massive thank you to Josi Tovi who said “yes” to coming with me, the eve before, and giving me a place to stay! My original plan had a bit of a spanner thrown in the works – so it was looking pretty impossible to be able to go. So HUGE thank you to Josi for saving a damsel in great big distress!

 

Had a lush time just chilling before the show. We had a game of table tennis at Kongs, and realised I’m actually pretty ace at it! First time for everything 😉 we had a bit of a walk about before going into Tiny Rebel for a drink. Met a couple of drunk lads that I swear I’ve met somewhere before………. I of course tried their beer… cos I am THAT person who drinks strangers drinks………………….. Chocolate & Raspberry Guinness though… fuck yea, I’m having some of that no matter who it comes from!

I was lucky enough to be front row for this show!! (that doesn’t include the golden circle). I met a family there actually, who happened to be from Wantage, which is close to where I used to live. We bonded over my joke of “this is the band with Francis Rossi, and they play Wont Get Fooled Again, right?”. 😉

This show was absolutely fantastic! Was a million and one times better than Southampton! It was everything I have ever dreamed of AND MORE! They were on top of their game by miles. I had to admit, I did spend the first hour crying on and off every time I saw Mick – my brain just went “my god, that’s the bloke you’ve been watching for 20 years… and he’s right there! In touching distance!” – was absolutely insane!

They opened with “Street Fighting Man” and absolutely aced it! It was like being thrown back in time, they are absolutely ageless.
The vote song (we actually got one in Cardiff wooo!!), was “Get Off Of My Cloud”, which I’m not overly fussed about, but of course they nailed it. In fact, they nailed every single song. They did an absolutely stunning cover of “Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan – I’ve always dreamt of seeing them play that live, especially after seeing it on the Bridges to Babylon DVD. It was just the same, if not better! I felt like my little 5 year old self had her dream come true right in front of her very eyes; you can hear me singing away, tears in eyes as well, on the videos.

The boys were in fantastic moods, you could see Charlie actually smiling at points – and Mick was totally on point joking around and being sarcastic; very Jagger! I actually spotted Sally Wood and their two twins in the crowd – I think I’m in the wrong profession, perhaps I should be a paparazzi instead haha!
I love the fact that Mick joked around with Charlie, saying “there’s a curfew, stop being so slow!” – got to have a little chuckle at that.
I was also very thankful that Mick came out to “Sympathy for the Devil” wearing the special jacket he wore for all the other shows (just not Southampton). That’s always a highlight for me – love seeing how flamboyant he goes on that song, when it comes down to fashion choices.

A highlight of the evening has to be… Keith absolutely annihilating “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”! He started it so wrong that I thought they were playing a new song! Not only did he start it wrong, but Ronnie came in at the wrong time, which made Charlie go wrong, followed by Darryl… ended up with Keith throwing his arms in the air saying “stop stop!”, luckily Mick also turned that into a laugh by saying “pretend that didn’t happen haha” and they carried on and played it fantastically without a hitch. Just goes to show even the Greatest Band in the world at the level that they are, still make mistakes and don’t make a big drama about it.
It honestly was such a gorgeous relaxed atmosphere. I think it out did Hyde Park 2013 for me.

All in all, I am so thankful that I did get to go, and that they really did improve from the Southampton show. I was very disappointed – but I think I was also so stressed out that week, that I didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I could’ve done.
I am so glad that my boys showed up trumps, and made my life so much happier after all the crap that’s gone on this year – man! I think I fell deeply in love with Sir.Michael Phillip Jagger, again…. maan… ❤

If you ever ever get the opportunity to go to the Stones – DO NOT TURN IT DOWN! It’s a chance of a lifetime, and one not to be sniffed at.
Massive congratulations to a band that is still out there and proving why they are indeed for sure… The Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band in the world, and they will for sure go down in history.

 

Don’t forget to check me out on Social Media (especially if you want to see more photos and footage) – I’ll also leave some Stones related links for you all as well ❤
INSTAGRAM – JodieBowie
FACEBOOK – JodieBowie
THE ROLLING STONES – http://www.rollingstones.com/

If you can’t rock me, The Rolling Stones will! Till the next time…….

Jodie x ❤ x

Because I’m Happy :)

Let’s share the positivity … this chick is HAPPY! and here is a blog as to why.

PLANS
I have so many awesome things coming up which I am so looking forward to.
My bestfriend Emma is coming down from Didcot to stay with me for a weekend… going to be awesome tearing up Bournemouth with my Mod. I’m seeing the Dead Daisies in Bristol supported by The Treatment. I’m also taking her along to that, she’s a mod so her reaction to John Corabi is going to be a card 😛
Me and Emma have also booked a weekend away in Cardiff; which is going to be amazing! I love Cardiff, it is a beautiful city, and to just get away with an awesome chick is going to be so worthwhile. I genuinely cannot wait to see my Welshies and make some memories ❤
I’ve also bagged myself tickets for The Rolling Stones in Cardiff << genuinely can’t think of anything better! (yes, I’ll also be at the one in Southampton).

FAMILY
I’m a lot closer with my Nan than I have ever been, since staying at hers for a week in Didcot. She’s a family member that I have realised I actually really need, and appreciate having her in my life.

FRIENDS
I don’t have many, but the ones I do have are bloody beautiful. The support some of them have given me recently has been phenomenal. I am so lucky to know such kind hearted and wonderful people, that just want to see me be happy. I couldn’t ask for better pals. I may have few friends, but the few I have are worth far more than having millions of friends who don’t care. I really do have some of the best friends on the planet, I’m one lucky girl ❤

PROJECTS
I am looking to start moving my Rock Nights to a different venue, or possibly branching out to other venues around the South. I also want to work with bands that are not necessarily local, but have a talent I’d like to share with the Bournemouth/Southampton area. I have my ideas! Feel free to get in touch with me though, and tell me what bands you would like to see at my Rock Nights – I am up for a challenge!
I am also back doing some paid work at the Memorial Centre, finally, which is great.
There is a few possibilities that I will also be starting an NVQ course… which to me is rather exciting.
My good friend has also asked me to be part of a podcast, and I’ve said yes! So that could be super interesting 😉
Gosh, there’s so many projects I’m getting involved in – another friend of mine has asked me to join forces with “Razor Metal Reviews”; so I have my fingers in many pies right now!
I am also going to try and put more effort into this blog, and maybe start videos if that is something you guys would like to see? Please let me know.

TREATING MYSELF
I treated myself to a phone upgrade. It was due an upgrade anyway; but I decided to go for the best upgrade I could get… because, everyone deserves a treat now and then. Worked out pretty well actually, as my new contract is a lot cheaper than it was for my old phone, but I’ve got a far far better phone. How that works I am not sure, but THANKS! I now have a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, in orchid grey. I have the same mobile number also, thank goodness… I love my phone number; I can actually remember it!

HEALTH
Yeaaa… Imma try and be vegetarian again. Let’s see how long I can keep it up for this time.
I have also lost about a stone and a half of weight. Which I am personally loving! I was petite anyway, but now I’m just slim, which I feel more confident about.
I’ve also started taking walks, and doing a couple of old dance routines to keep me active. It’s rather lush to get out into the fresh air you know.
I am also completely off my Fluoxetine/Prozac, and I haven’t taken Zopiclone for over a month – go me!!

PETS
Of course I got two rats, if you didn’t already know. Billy and Teddy. They are absolute treasures, as well as little shits. I am so glad I got them; definitely one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. I’m not sure if I’d get anymore in the future. For now, I am happy with my Bills and Teds, and I’m more than happy if they are my first and last ratties. Not only are they just wonderful creatures in general, but they have given me a purpose. I have 2 little lives that are dependent on me, to feed them, clean them, play with them, spend time with them, look after to them etc, and they are giving me something to focus on other than myself. I will admit, I was quite selfish at one point in my life, and couldn’t understand why some peoples commitments were so important. Now I have a commitment of my own now. I can’t just bugger off as and when I feel like it, as no one else is going to look after my boys. I have to plan things, and save up money, and negotiate/compromise; which isn’t as bad as I thought! I am so thankful to my little ratties for helping me become a better person each and everyday.

COUNSELLING
I paid for some online counselling; and the service is incredible. It was a real life changer/turner for me. I’ve never felt so positive in my life, nor have I ever felt this happy. It is a specific counselling service, and it is also American, so is a tiny bit pricey, but the reviews are amazing and the help I have so far received has been worth every penny. Their services have been proven to be very successful.
I think I am on the waiting list for further one to one/face to face counselling in my area. Which again will be a specific counselling service, but I’m feeling open minded and confident that it will make a massive difference to my life and my health.

GENERAL
In all honesty, I am just a genuinely more happy, positive and confident person. I have fixed myself, seen a direction I have wanted to take, and have become more settled within myself as a person. I have realised mistakes I have made, and come to terms with the fact that most of the time I was quite a selfish person, with a very closed mind unless it involved stuff to do with me. That is not who I want to be anymore.
I was self centered to the point, that I didn’t care who or if I hurt anyone by my actions, because I wanted opportunities no matter what. I did come across as heartless and ungrateful on a lot of occasions; all I can do is apologise.
I have also had a lot of time to just ‘do me’ and do my own thing; managed to come to terms with the fact I do actually validate myself.

I hope you have enjoyed this lengthy piece, haha, and that maybe it has inspired you to change or do things differently too. Change is good people, change is very good… don’t be scared of it, embrace it.

Don’t forget to leave a comment, and to follow me on social media.
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‘See you soon dolls ❤