I’ve attended a few concerts since the last time I stopped by to share some thoughts around here. The biggest one was Taylor Swift which I would go see again. The biggest surprise was Keane. Once in London and once in Stockholm. Other things have happened in the meantime too but let’s take them one by one.

Keane in London. Well, London first, Keane a bit after. Phantom of the Opera x 2 as well, because seeing it once felt insufficient. London, still one of my favourite cities for things to do, places to see and just breathing in the extraordinary vibe of it. It so happened that a thing to do this time was to attend a Keane gig at the O2 Arena (my old tennis house). Though I was surprised by how many songs from them I actually know, impressed by their live performance, the audience, and seeing a live gig in such an amazing arena, I can’t say that this was the highlight of my trip to London. I would say that the highlight is hard to chose between going to a West End play, visiting the Science Museum (the geek in me was so, so happy), the concert, catching up with friends or Buns from Home. The whole trip was a high, in the end. However, a month later, Keane played in Gröna Lund in Stockholm. It was a rainy day and it literally poured until two hours before the show. Then the Sun came out and, even though it was cold, there I was seeing Keane again. And I enjoyed them so much that now they’re my month’s favourite artist (most listened to) on Spotify, dethroning Marillion (though I presume this won’t last long – read the last part of this post’s title). The guys were so happy it stopped raining and people actually showed up at their gig, and they interacted with the (somehow still) Swedish audience to the point where everyone was dancing and singing. Not a lot of artists can get that out of Swedish crowds. And they gladly shared with us the memory of their first gig abroad: opening for The Ark (very good Swedish band, favourites of mine) in Malmö.

As much as a surprise Keane were, I was kept away from other concerts either by the bad weather, or by a dreadful back pain that I get to treat with strong meds, rehab and medical massage. And though I don’t want to talk about it, because it is annoying, the good thing that came out of it was lying on a yoga mat in the middle of the living room, with the cat by my side, and the TV on, randomly playing Marillion songs on YouTube. And that’s how I got my new Marillion fix: Happiness Is the Road. Cause that’s how Marillion and me work. But when you can barely move, see or hear because of the pain that goes through the roof, when just simple rehab exercises take all the effort and the courage in the World, listening to this song’s live version on YouTube was soothing. And that’s how Marillion will surely shift back to the top of the list of my most played artists on Spotify.

And now, of course, I’ve started missing both London and live gigs. Both will have to wait for a while, as now I am on an intense rehab & chill program and enjoying the Swedish Summer and filling up with vitamin D for the long Winter ahead. But long story short, a surprisingly good live gig in a fabulous city or a wonderful song randomly hooked on a rainy evening are just some of the little things that make me smile.