The day started off with a very perky Ting Tings playing at the Odeon. Lots of people for a fairly early performance – considering things only ended a couple hours before. They played all their hits in the beginning (ie – Great DJ, Shut Up & Let Me Go) and saved the big crowd pleaser That’s not My Name towards the end. With only 1 slow song (Traffic Light) and ending their set with the same title name – We Started Nothing. Deliciously guilty pop music is what I call it. But I guess it’s no longer guilty – it’s just good!

The rest of the day after that was kind of slow for me. I took a few naps here and there. I woke up in time to catch Judas Priest at the main stage. Personally, it was more interesting to watch people around me than the actual band. I mean, who puts the PRIEST on in the day time? It was kind of lackluster. Rob Halford was way to nice for a metal god – you know what I’m saying? Plus I think he must have pulled a hip muscle himself… He was kind of dragging himself around real slowly – and with a metal studded leather trenchcoat the whole time. You could clearly tell he was sweating balls up there. I was hoping he’d be decked out in some bondage type leather vest or something. Oh Rob you dissappoint me!

Next act I caught was the recently reuinted My Bloody Valentine. I wasn’t expecting to SEE anything explosive really. They are more a sound band to zone out to – it did leave a good ring in my ear for the next couple hours.  No talking in between songs from what I managed to catch.  I can finally say HEY I SAW MBV LIVE.  I left a little early to catch a little bit of Neil Young on the main stage. The old man is angry at something. Early on during his set he complained alot about the sound and other stuff – which was as accidentally caught on the big screen and he was mic’d. Once he started with his slow folky stuff – I fell asleep. It wasn’t him though – it was me. I’ve been extremely exhausted! The nap did give me extra ‘oomph’ to catch LIARS at the Pavillion stage at midnight. This was my highlight performance of the evening. Not only was I up front to catch all the madness but they are my new jam. I’ve been listening to them non stop this entire time.

Of the songs I’ve heard by them (which you can also sample on their Myspace) - I don’t really know how to classify their music. They are mainly three piece band with Angus Andrew (vocals/guitar), Aaron Hemphill (percussion, guitar, synth), and Julian Gross (drums). They had another guy on stage with them to provide extra guitars though. Maybe he’s their 4th member – I’m not sure. Anyway, Angus is this tall, aloof looking guy who was clearly intoxicated or something but it was a good show. Aaron plays the guitar and he also plays a mean drum – in addition to the drummer they already have. He can bang my drum any time for sure! Also, when Aaron takes the main vocals – he makes their sound something like the Jesus & Mary Chain. Anyway, amazing band – I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of this band – and I ain’t lyin about.

LIARS (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

A couple during the Ting Tings set

Judas Priest fans high-fiving - happy to hear Breaking the Law

Showing his respect to the metal gods

Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine on the big screen at the Arena venue

Neil Young at the Orange stage

Yesterday I met with my sister’s dear friend Hash here. In the many years they’ve been friends and the many times I’ve gone to see her in New York, never once did I meet Hash. So finally we met up and had a drink at the Cittie of York – a bar with AIR CONDITIONING. I learned having airconditioning whether in your house or working establishment is a luxury in London. It was exceptionally hot yesterday but still quite acceptable and pleasant. The bar is located in “Holborn” and I assumed it was walking distance from the Holborn tube station. I walked ridiculously far to get there, and this wasn’t including the wrong turn I took before. When I finally did get there – turns out there’s another tube station only a block away.

Hash was there with another friend of his who was spending his last night in London before flying back to the US. He left a couple minutes after I got there but not after recommending I try the Samuel Smith lager – good choice too cause I found it very tasty and smooth!

After the Cittie of York pit stop we made our way to Aldgate where we walked to Brick Lane aka Bangla City!

We hit up a few places before settling at Vibe. They were having some street style hip hop launching or other so we went and sat outside and talked.

The night ended with more kebabs and a 10 pound taxi ride back to the Clink.

I would totally go back to that Brick Lane area. It’s also where Rough Trade is located and according to Hash, that area is the “real London” – a place bordering Zone 1 and 2. No visible tourists and a whole big melting pot of everything… Wonderful!

8:09 pm in Denmark now. Metro from the Kastrup Copenhagen airport broke down for nearly 45 minutes but it’s all good now and I’m at Aziza’s awesome pad a stones throw away from the Forum eating heavenly dip and chips and these flodeboler pastry things and they are just so …heavenly. Denmark, is just so…heavenly. If only I could speak Danish I would so live here.

Eating the floderboller thingies

Aziza with the waiter dude at Sushi & Sticks (OMG so good)

And last but not least – Denmark’s national bird  - The Swan

The sun sets at 10 p.m. during the summer time in Denmark. Beautiful innit? 

12:51 a.m. – I’m off to the Roskilde Music Festival tomorrow. The amount of luggage I am bringing (equipped with tent, sleeping bag and foam mattress) is not heavenly however.

More updates from the festival site! Radiohead will be performing tomorrow at 10 p.m. Ahh, it’s nearly been 15 years since I missed seeing them in Mexico. Long story but kids, don’t drink underage and act stupid. Cheers!