The end of Spotify in Ireland *insert sad face*

So today the dreaded email came:

"We're writing to you in regards to your Spotify account which up until now you've been using free of charge.  While we are really happy that you are enthusiastically using Spotify, we are unfortunately going to have to restrict access to your free account."

It seems as though everyone outside Sweden, Norway, Finland, Spain, France and the UK has received an email to confirm that their accounts will be effectively suspended.

There are two reasons this annoys me: 1) I am in the south of Ireland, but only about 20 minutes away from the UK border, and 2) I do live in the UK, I'm just staying for a while.

There shouldn't have been an option to change location if this wasn't allowed in the first place, so while I understand why they have to do it, this situation should never have been allowed to occur.

Anyway, I'm going back to England in a few weeks, and my account better come back!

Making the most of having music in my life for as long as it lasts, so current track is Lily Allen - 22.

Glastonbury 09

For those of you who are cool, and have Spotify, I have made a playlist of the best artists from Glastonbury 09 and some of their best songs.

Some of you may find it too "mainstream" and obvious, that's fine, but I know these artists, and know and like the songs :)

HERE IT IS. PLEASE CLICK!

This year's Glastonbury festival has been hailed as the best ever by some media outlets, and I think I know what made it...Bruce Springsteen. Watching that last night was like nothing else I've seen. So fantastically energetic, meaningful and from a top man too.

Bloc Party report, as promised!

So a week ago today, I went to see Bloc Party after a rush of spontaneity hit me. Managed to get two tickets in the second row of the balcony, right in the middle. This was at the Manchester Apollo by the way, so if you know it, you know it’s a great venue! If you don’t know it...it’s a great venue!


(image from Flickr)

So the support was Tommy Sparks and he was ok. Not as bad as the men behind me were making him out to be! I must find out what song was played last, because I really liked it and it made me smile.

So then after the usual setting up and sound checks, Bloc Party came out in modest fashion and went straight into ‘One Month Off’. From that moment, I just had “that” feeling that it was going to be a good’un!

I couldn’t contain myself at any point from head-banging/swaying/screaming lyrics! To anyone behind I must have looked like I was having some kind of fit, but at the time I really didn’t care. I was just so into it, and they really drew me in. I felt as though it was just me and them in a room, and I was lapping up everything they had to offer.

Matt Tong’s drumming was fantastic, and Kele’s vocals really reflected the beautiful but complicated lyrics.

I have to mention at this point that the couple in front of us disappeared after about 15 minutes, and never came back, so actually we more or less had front row seats!

They also played a cover version of the Girls Aloud hit ‘Call the Shots’ which was slightly surreal, as everyone was trying to work out what song it was. By the chorus, everyone was singing along! I think I’m right in saying they haven’t played that at any other venue?

Then the encore came, and a standing ovation after that, as the gig was over. We ran to the back of the hall to catch a train, and then...out they came again! WOW!

So we stayed standing this time, as everyone else was, and I completely let myself go. I must have entered the “really ecstatic” level of happiness as I waved my arms around (and I never do that coz I’m too shy!).

They finished on ‘This Modern Love’ which was brilliant, and most definitely one of my favourites.

I really cannot fault the evening at all, and it was a welcome change from sitting indoors with dull weather, staring at the TV (not that I dislike doing that!). I am so glad I was decisive enough to get the tickets and go to one of the best gigs I think I’ve been to.

Spontaneous Moment of the Year so far!

I saw someone on Facebook say they were going to see Bloc Party tonight, and I was gutted that I didn't know about it.

Looked for tickets and there still seemed to be some available. So I bought them, with only 4 hours till the doors open! =D

Can't wait to see them! So look forward to a Bloc Party gig review soon!