Sat 23/6 – 16147 steps (musical marathon)
We did not sleep late, because we could not find the black out curtains when we got back to our hotel just after midnight. So we had an early start as the sun rose at about 5:30am. Luckily, the hotel had a cafe that sells Starbucks coffee and a very good breakfast for $15. Then we set off to find the free shuttle buses to the Rose Bowl, about 2 blocks away from our hotel, that run every 10 minutes, from 10am to 1am on Sunday morning. What a pleasure!
It took ages to get through the queues and security checks, but when we eventually got inside, we were blown away. The event takes place on the golf course next to the Rose Bowl. There were 3 stages, in different locations and as for the line-up, words fail me. Almost every act could headline in SA. It was hard work deciding who to see and getting from one stage to another, as well as seeing all the other vendors etc. We walked around absorbing the energy, watched North Mississippi Allstars, who were very good and then rushed to the bottom end of the course to watch Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park) and the Mildred Snitzer orchestra who played wonderful old jazz.
I must admit I had splurged out and bought VIP passes for this event. These allowed us into the air-conditioned clubhouse, which was a good thing as it was extremely hot. There were tables ladened with a never-ending supply of every type of candy, doughnut, cookie etc, as well as nuts and fruit. There was also 1 tub of mini meat sticks, so I put a few extras in my bag – very good travel snacks for low carb (haha) diets. Sadly, these were not replenished. In addition, waiters walked around with free samples of a variety of cocktails, kombucha, beer or wine etc, as well as having buckets of ice-cold water and juices freely available. From about 3pm till about 9pm, they also periodically walked around serving of different hors d’ouvres, from sliders to pot stickers to ceviche to lamb chops, and many more, all delicious.
At 5pm, we rushed back to the main stage to get good places for the Pretenders, but it was unnecessary as they cleared the area before the show and our tickets gave us access to a cordoned-off area. It is as if they cut our golden circle in half, left and right. Right is for clubhouse ticket holders only, so it was easy to get to the front, without having to keep your place all day.
Chrissie Hynd was incredible. Her voice was amazing, better than ever. What an inspiration! I must be honest and admit I did return to the clubhouse for a break and missed some of Jack White, but I had to be prepared for Neil Young. It has been a dream of mine to see him perform live for so many years.
With some help from the people around us who discovered we were all the way from South Africa, we got to the front, me right at the railing, David a row or two behind. He was being a gentleman and let a few shorter folk stand in front of him. There was such a happy atmosphere amongst the circle around us. Young and not so young, all laughing and joking. All the stage hands were also not so young. Then Neil (forever) Young and his group, Promise of Real, walked on. The atmosphere was electric and he had so much energy, I was not disappointed.
Chuckle of the day: An American lady, who we shared a table with, thanked us for visiting their country while they were in such a mess and apologized for their president.
What I learnt:
I thought one of the members of Promise of the Real was Neil’s son, but he is actually Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas, and it is well worth looking up his song “Georgia”. It is excellent. Unfortunately I cannot post videos on this blog.
Growing older does not stop you from being amazing.
Sometimes in life you have to go first class.
Kim's journey 