Following on from their amazing set at download, the ET rock crew decided it was high time we saw Slipknot in their own gig. For T, this would be a first trip to the o2 arena and what a band to make his o2 debut for!
T arrived at E’s ready and prepped for the journey to London
and soon the ET crew were heading east towards the capital in E’s motor. During
this journey several odd looks were given towards us, largely due to the fact
we were blasting several bands music rather loudly. I hope the inhabitants of Wandsworth
and Greenwich like Iron Maiden, Slipknot and Amon Amarth! Arriving into
Greenwich and with the car safely parked, it was off to the hotel to drop the
bags and freshen up prior to the night ahead.
People say eating is cheating, but not for the ET crew!
Before sampling some of Greenwich’s licensed premises a lining of the stomach
was required. Thankfully, both E and T are big fans of Mediterranean food so what
better place to fill the stomachs than the amazing Zeytin’s round the corner
from the hotel. T said this was the best shish he’d ever had. E was in complete
agreement. This will definitely become a regular place for the ET crew before
o2 gigs in the future!
After dinner it was time to head along the Greenwich high
road and to the first pub of the evening, Belushi’s. A decent little pub in
which the ET crew enjoyed a couple of ciders for E and a couple of Ale’s for T.
Following Belushi’s it was again north along the Greenwich High road to the
Mitre. This was much more to the ET crew’s scene. A proper old school pub with
hand pulled Ale for T and a decent cider for E. With time pushing on, it was
time for the ET crew to take one of London’s finest to the venue for Slipknot,
the legendry o2.
On arrival at the o2, E managed to secure passes for the
Amex lounge. On noticing a cocktail bar, the crew decided it would be rude not
to partake, only disaster! There were no Mojito’s on the menu! Fortunately, the
legendary south African barman had heard our displeasure and said he’d make us
some! These went down an absolute treat and following a couple more pints and
the obligatory merch stop, the ET crew were ready for the legendary Slipknot!
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| Mojitos!!!!! |
Anticipation in the arena grew and then suddenly, onto the stage they burst with Unsainted. The ET crew, as did the rest of the arena, went mental. What an entrance! The band kept up the energy throughout the rest of the gig and finishing proclaiming “we’ll see you in Milton f*****g Keynes”, a reference to the then cancelled Knotfest. Never before has anyone been so excited to go MK!
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| We are not your kind! |
Following the gig, it was into the Slug and Lettuce for the ET crew for a couple of post gig pints and to discuss what had been an amazing show from Corey and the guys. Whilst sitting in the Slug, the ET crew learned there’d been a boxing event in the o2’s smaller venue, indigo. Two blokes sitting on the table next to the ET crew said that there night at the boxing had been made even better by walking out hearing Slipknot!
During the ET crew’s time in the slug, plans were forged for
the rest of the night ahead. Upon googling various late night venue options and
sifting through endless jungle, afrobeat and drum and bass nights, E eventually
found an 80’s/90’s night in Hackney. It was then into another one of London’s finest
and soon the crew were en route to Hackney. Deciding that 11:30 was too early
for clubbing, it was into the nearest pub, the Wetherspoons Baxters court on
Mare street, round the corner from MOTH where the crew would head next.
After a few vodka oranges along with some G&T’s it was
time for the crew to make the short walk to MOTH. Past the bouncers and with
the entry fee paid, the ET crew entered what looked like a village hall which had
been converted into a nightclub (on further, sober investigation it turns out
that the club used to be a serviceman’s club which has been converted into a
nightclub). A couple of double mixers ordered, it was onto the dancefloor where
the ET crew enjoyed artists such as Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and Toto mixed
with many more drinks. It must be said that this is one of the most fun the ET
crew have had at a post gig club in ages!
With the clock nearing 4am, the ET crew were in need of sustenance
so it was out of MOTH and over the road to the kebab shop to find a massive queue.
Even in our state, the ET crew couldn’t be bothered with such a wait so left.
This turned out to be a great move as next door was another kebab shop with no
queue! Result! The owner can thank us later for bringing half the queue from
the previous place into his previously empty shop.
Fuelled up and in need of bed, the ET crew summoned an Uber
(sadly none of London’s finest were around) and were soon on route to
Greenwich. T fell asleep during the return journey and needed to be woken by E
on arrival back at the hotel. With the key card swiped to gain entry, the crew
thought it would be a case of up the stairs and into bed. But no. A pissed off
receptionist decided to yell at the crew to close the door! Talk about customer
service!
The next morning, once the crew had sobered up, it was back
into E’s car for the trip back west stopping off in Tolworth at the legendry
Sunshine Café for a spot of breakfast.
What a night the ET crew had. Who knew a night at Slipknot
followed by a night of classics was not only possible, but also so much fun!
E
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