If You Could Relive One Night of Your Life...

Yeah it's that big round up of the year post that probably appears on the first page of the blogging handbook.  Earlier I was wondering what I've actually done in 2012, as it certainly doesn't feel like a whole year, and what the best parts of it have been, which led me directly to Reading Festival, especially the Saturday night. Well Kasabian basically. Have you ever enjoyed a night so much that every time you get the slightest reminder of it, you literally ache in your desire to relive it? You close your eyes and imagine it, you try to emulate it, but it's never the same.

Without hesitation, for Kasabian alone, my one reliveable night would be the Saturday night of Reading Festival 2012. Being about five people back from the barrier ensured it would be an unforgettable night from pain alone, after being knocked to the ground no less than 3 times from the violently swaying crowd. And then other people falling on top of me as I lay there like a fish out of water, wildly shaking my arms in hope of a kind stranger lending a hand whilst imagining tomorrow's headlines - "Much Loved Teenage Girl Trampled to Death At Festival'. It didn't help that an absolute twat had lit up a flare next to me and also that I lost my friend in the crowd at the beginning so was alone for the whole set. So how was this possibly the best night of my life?

Bouncing around a tent to Azealia Banks for half an hour and then half-heartedly "moshing" (er) along to Florence in the rain was the best possible lead up to Kasabian. My friend and I battled our way through the Florence fans, much to their dismay, and ended up near the front for their set, which was great even when Smells Like Teen Spirit played through the speakers before they came on - which was basically a re-enactment of the iconic video. Then we see Tom and Serge and those other unknown members grace the stage, hear the roars of the crowd and see the lights brought up as we hear the opening riff and 'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaAAAaaaAAAaaaaa' of Days Are Forgotten...

...a moment I will literally never forget. I'd never been a huge fan of Kasabian and always found them a little overrated. What blasphemy. I think the festival buzz may have helped a bit, along with their headlining title, but they're still the best live act I've ever seen and have watched this same set like nine times. Another highlight was the opening of Underdog:

And Switchblade Smiles... And Shoot the Runner... And Re-Wired...

The moment where Tom coolly shouts 'Drop' and the crowd does the exact opposite is still great to watch. The interlude of The Prodigy - Fire was also unexpectedly great, as was their cover of Fatboy Slim - Praise You and the acapella snippet of The Beatles - She Loves You at the end. Despite spending it with no friends and almost dying, it was an incredible night.

There's something phenomenon-like about watching one of your favourite bands in the middle of a sweaty crowd of people not considering anyone's personal space AT ALL in positions that would normally be more than questionable. When described, it sounds like the worst possible experience but when you're there you can't think of anywhere else you'd rather be in that moment, and everyone is nothing but ecstatic, whether that's serotonin induced or a cause of slightly stronger substances.

Long story short - if you ever get the chance to see Kasabian, TAKE IT. With both hands and all fingers and never let go.

I'll leave you with this:

What have been your most memorable experiences of 2012?

Bises,

Riona