Tour Diary - Starring....

25 November 2004 :: 21.51

It's over!
Zo - Web Producer & Pole Dancer

To the bar!!

As predicted, the Kaiser Chiefs caused a riot (har har) and Kasabian postured like their lives depended on it and sent the Hull massive into a writhing frenzy!

After I've written this I intend to join everyone else for an ‘end of tour’ drinking session before what I imagine will be a very queasy sleep on the bus home – joy!!

25 November 2004 :: 17.15

Physical wrecks
Zo - Web Producer & Pole Dancer

Glory be! I've just had the pleasure of being up close and personal with Tom & Serge from Kasabian for half an hour while they've been webchatting *sigh*. Hull is cold but the uni seems quite snazzy and I have a feeling that tonight's gig is going to be a fitting finale to the tour.

We are all ruined - Zane has flu, Flip has a cold, Rob has the runs, Joe is hungover and I'm knackered... But I'm sure a couple of drinks later will sort everything out!

25 November 2004 :: 14.24

The night before
Zane - DJ and Ghetto Gangster

Rough night last night. Got a bad dose of the flu and have vague feverish memories of some mass karaoke singalong to George Michael. That would be Joe then.

Dunno what or who set off the fire alarm last night but any further drama was averted by the sight of Skinner stalling his mini van in front of a few hundred stranded punters. A quick thinking and generous distraction. Hull looks glorious on this overcast avo. Von Z

25 November 2004 :: 13.03

Excitement builds...
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

The power of sleep-wow! I think my body has finally adjusted to the ways of the road. So looking forward to today- Kaiser Chiefs and Kasabian are always brilliant live so they shouldn't disappoint - will keep you updated...

24 November 2004 :: 01.45

The bus is rockin'
Rob - Producer & Pink Shirt Wearer

Tonight's gig was ****ing ace. Zane was on top form tonight despite feeling like death, crowd was mental and Dizzee smashed it.

Now 14 is on the bus stereo - senior producer Joe is a bad camp influence on the tour. He's come late to sleep on the bus. Gene Pitney and Erasure are not good even if it's after 3am. And he's in the bunk above me tonight. Jesus walks. Rob X

25 November 2004 :: 01.42

On fire!
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

Wow! Supreme UK mc showcase or what? Kano was a particular highlight! Tonight was special as we did the show from the stage - got in a few bad hiphop moves in - apologies to anyone who was witness to my bad dancing. Amazingly, the fire alarm was slightly mad at the end of the night, very funny to see all the crew freezing their bottoms off in the car park.

24 November 2004 :: 12.33

Rude awakening
Rob - Producer & Pink Shirt Wearer

I woke up this morning being spooned by zane - not a nice way to wake up. I've had 4 showers but still feel unclean. Ended up having decent night with the students - it wasn't Ritzys after all. Looking forward to dizzee etc, always fun having loads of garage mcs and their crews in one room, bring the mother loving ruckas...

24 November 2004 :: 11.30

Small men
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

Ah Razorlight. Possibly one of the best bands of 2005. It was a magical moment when they played 'Dalston'. Anyway what you really want to know is that Johnny Borrell looked devastatingly rock n roll. However I have decided that he is too short to be a potential suitor, so I am passing him to the lovely Zoe to fawn over!

24 November 2004 :: 11.22

Mystery illness
Zo - Web Producer & Pole Dancer

Morning! Just had my porridge and a shower and am in a much happier place. Last night we went to the worst club in Southampton and watched gladiator on the bus - rock & roll!

This morning the bus smells like a packet of dry roasted peanuts & zane assures us that he's got the flu but we reckon it's the Jack Daniels... Zx

24 November 2004 :: 00.48

School disco
Rob - Producer & Pink Shirt Wearer

Zane's snoring is grim. At least I hope it's snoring. We're on the bus post-gig with a load of students going to a Ritzys. I feel like a dad. Come on eileen...

23 November 2004 :: 21.46

Wall to Wall Lovely Men...
Zo - Web Producer & Pole Dancer

Wow! How good was that gig?! A M A Z I N G!!! The Bravery looked and sounded just awesome - the attention to detail was much appreciated, one of the guys even had eye make up to co-ordinate with his tank top. Razorlight were great (as always) and, joy of joys they played my favourite track from the album 'Rock and Roll Lies' 3rd song in whilst I was still down the front taking pictures yay!

Excuse me while I attempt to pounce on Mr Borrell in the bar - until tomorrow!

z/x

23 November 2004 :: 19.45

Hanging around
Zane - DJ and Ghetto Gangster

Howdy folks! Parked up in Southampton waiting for showtime. One night was all Scruff could handle so she has bolted...Zoe is back from Japan with chocolate balls of fun.

Razorlight are very jetlagged. The Bravery are very handsome. Rob is very conscientious. Philli is upbeat and I am anxious. von.

23 November 2004 :: 15.20

Johnny AWOL
Zo - Web Producer & Pole Dancer

Just had a look at Razorlight soundchecking - where is the lovely Mr Borrell?? Either he's put on a bit of weight or he's above soundchecking with the rest of the guys!

23 November 2004 :: 15.05

Freshened Up...
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

Getting used to the bus now! Feel a lot better after a shower and some lunch. The Bravery and Razorlight are parked up next to us - lots of tourbus envy at the moment! Still having lots of fun though.

23 November 2004 :: 14.30

Arrived!
Zo - Web Producer & Pole Dancer

I've been here for about 2 hours now and am just getting used to life on a bus! Razorlight were already here when I arrived in a much bigger blue bus and The Bravery have just crawled out of their little black minibus - lord knows how they all keep their hair looking so perfect - they're all wearing big parkas too - in true American style.

Just had some lunch with the students in the canteen - they all seem quite bemused that their campus has turned into a tour bus fest!

23 November 2004 :: 09.05

Last night...
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

How great were Kings Of Leon last night? So tight and electric! Awoke this morning feeling slightly claustrophobic in my bunk. Had hearty breakfast of a cereal bar and now I'm ready for a day of Razorlight fun!

23 November 2004 :: 00.14

Hungry like the wolf
Scruff - Web Producer & Macca fan

Oh so knackered and it's only just gone midnight. We're all slumped in the bus lounge listening to Rob's Duran Duran faves. Flip is amazed by the breadth of Rob's Duranie knowledge - he protests that it's all down to having a sister.

Ah the bus is stopping for food...!

23 November 2004 :: 00.10

A good night at the Rodeo!
Zane - DJ and Ghetto Gangster

What a great start to our mammoth tour (yeah right...4 whole dates). Hope yall enjoyed the mighty Kings! (RODEO!) And The Subways were phenomenal. Next stop, services for a Ginsters and a juice.

In the spirit of "new music", Rob has just put on Duran Duran's 'Save A Prayer'...and Scruff is talkin about Wings! Oh well.xx Von

22 November 2004 :: 18.11

Nathan & Caleb to Richard & Judy
Scruff - Web Producer & Macca fan

We had a lovely lunch in 'Quod' in Oxford- Zane scoffed a massive pizza, Flip had something green & Rob had something unhealthy. I just did a webchat with Nathan & Caleb who were very nice unassuming guys - check out the pics in the gallery.

You'll never believe me but we're now all on the bus watching Richard & Judy. How rock'n'roll is that?

22 November 2004 :: 16.03

Kings sound check
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

Getting used to the tourbus now! Had a good lunch - now getting ready for the show tonight and can hear the Kings Of Leon sound checking!

22 November 2004 :: 12.32

All roads to Oxford
Zane - DJ and Ghetto Gangster

The road is long (but not very). Oxford is looming and the new Nas album is getting a good rinsing.

All hail the Kings. Your friend The Von.

22 November 2004 :: 12.26

Tiny bunks
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

So, we made it onto the bus! The bunks are tiny so am a bit scared about getting in one.We're thinking of seeing how many members of Kings Of Leon would fit in one bunk!

22 November 2004 :: 12.19

The Franz Connection
Scruff - Web Producer & Macca fan

The tour's got off to a great start. We've met our bus driver, Lloyd, who is fresh from touring with Franz Ferdinand. The only mishap so far is that not 2 mins onto the bus Flip had dropped my laptop on the floor. Here's hoping it survives the tour...

22 November 2004 :: 09.10

Getting on the bus
Rob - Producer & Pink Shirt Wearer

Bring it on, spirits are high in the team Lowe camp after U2 in Dublin - but I think it's going to be a struggle keeping the bus in order with all the girlie make up/clothes/face-packs everywhere - and that's just Zane's s**t. This is going to be the most time the team has all spent together - I think these diary entries are going to become like the Big Brother diary room. By Wednesday watch the insults start to fly...

Oh and I've been informed by someone who knows him well that Zane has severe wind problems during sleep. Will let you know if it's true. I need to believe they were joking.

22 November 2004 :: 09.06

Wooooo!
Flipper - Broadcast Assistant & Hippy

After hours of battling, my on-tour wardrobe is sorted. I'm so excited about seeing all these bands... not to mention meeting the delightful Kings Of Leon and Razorlight.

I don't think this tour is going to have a lot of room for sleep. Definitely going to have to take lots of vitamins to keep up the energy levels. I shall take a picture of my bunk for you all to see our glamorous sleeping arrangements!

22 November 2004 :: 08.45

Oh noes
Scruff - Web Producer & Macca fan

It's only an hour til we get on the bus and I've got so much stuff to get together. Laptops, cameras, phones, chargers and numerous bits of wire. I'm certain I'm going to forget something vital. If nothing happens on the site today you'll know that I did.

As the web guru on the tour it's my job to spend tedious hours patiently explaining how stuff works to the techy challenged. But I also get to take pics of the bands! And I'm very much looking forward to standing in the pit and trying to get that perfect shot.

And what's the photo of? Well it's me testing the camera phones...