Shiiine On Weekender

12/11/2021 To 14/11/2022

The weekend sees me travelling to Butlins Minehead for the Shiiine On Weekender, This was booked last year and after my diagnosis and operation I never thought for a minute I would be well enough to attend. It also gives me chance to meet up with some mates and just enjoy myself again. Looking forward to seeing GLC, Peter Hook & The Light, The Bluetones & 808 State.

12/11/2021

We arrive at Bultlins abut 13:30, After collecting our wristbands we head to the pub for a couple of drinks(Lemonade for me) because we can’t enter the chalet until 16:00.

First band we see is GLC(you knows it),

Despite an energetic performance the sound is poor, Next up on the same stage is the Pigeon Detectives, A band I know only by name, Again the sound is poor.

The Coral are the next act of the evening, The sound improves and its a decent little set finishing with Dreaming of you, Which I think is one of those just perfect records that always sounds great.

I head back to the chalet with a fish & chip supper, The rest of the gang stay out, I need to take my evening medication & rest up with my fatigue setting in. It's just been good to get out, see some bands and my friends again, something 5 months ago I didn't think possible. 

13/11/2021

So the lads present me with my t-shirt for today.

We make our way to the Centre Stage to start off with 3 tribute bands, Stones & Roses, Nirvanot and Oas-is.

Nirvanots slot is cancelled due to a member of band testing positive for Covid so we get and extended set from The Stones & Roses an American comedy tribute act to Stone Roses, Rolling Stones & Guns & Roses,  To be fair they wasn't bad and the audience entertained for 90 minutes including a version of Supersonic to the tune of Song 2. They mainly cover the Stone Roses to keep the crowd of Bucket Hats happy.

The evening on the main stage I catch The Farm followed by Black Grape, The Farm produce easily the best set of the weekend so far.

I had hoped to stay to watch Cast but my fatigue sets in so I grab a Burger King and head back to the Chalet to take my evening medication and some sleep.

14/11/2021. 

I wake up around 7:30, Take my medications, Change my Stoma bag then have some breakfast, I head out about 8:30 to have a Latte, Everyone else is still fast asleep by the time I get back at 9:15. They'll be some sore heads this morning when everyone wakes up. The first act we see is Chris Helme(The Seahorses) he basically plays the whole of the only Seahorses album. Next up is Repubilca who are as bad now as they were in the 90s.(My personal opinion). We were also hoping to see the Bluetones,Myself and my friend Mike are big fans, I'm extremely disappointed because I had to miss their gig with Sleeper end of August due to my recovery and now I have to miss them again as a member has tested positive for Covid.

The evening is much better, Start off with watching the F1 before going to see Jim Bob, All I'm waiting for is the Only Living Boy In New Cross, We then head to the sports bar for a game of pool, Then head to see the Living Legend that is Peter Hook & The Light, Hands down easily the best band of the weekend, They finish with rousing renditions of Temptation and then Love Will Tear Us Apart.

What seems to be a fitting end to the night turns out not be, The joys of living with a Stoma spoils my evening, I remove my bag to change it and my Stoma has became enlarged, This has happened before but this time its much worse, So when I get back home looks like it's a call to my Stoma nurse, Let's hope it's not a visit to the hospital, Will be a shame after having fun for the weekend.