Trixie Mattel, Architects and Marmozets

This weekend, I went to three very different shows: those of Drag Race queen Trixie Mattel, metalcore band Architects at their biggest show ever and Marmozets at an intimate venue.

I had no idea Trixie Mattel was coming to Brighton until the day of her gig Friday night. Devastated by Katya, my favorite drag queen, cancelling her tour, I still needed a dose of fun and flair. Since watching Trixie and Katya’s YouTube show together, I’ve fallen more in love with both of them and I love watching Trixie on this season of All Stars (although I’m totally team BenDeLaCreme). Although the gig was sold out, I managed to grab a general admission ticket from somebody who upgraded to a V.I.P. ticket. I’ve never been to a drag show before, so I had no idea what to expect.

I arrived at Club Revenge (which I’ve been to before and love), grabbed a drink and took a spot in the crowd. Before I knew it, a flamboyant host, Alfie Ordinary, took the stage with an amazing welcome number, “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, lighting themselves up like a candle at the end. Alfie was by far my favorite performer other than Trixie! Two other acts had short (about 10 minute) performances before Trixie took the stage with some lip sync numbers and stand-up moments before hosting her own lip sync with two members from the audience. Then, there was a short intermission before two other queens again took the stage before Trixie returned with more lip sync numbers and comedy dos. Although I was expecting a bit more such as performing original songs, I had an amazing time and hope to go to more drag shows in the future, both of locals queen and Drag Race stars, namely BenDeLaCreme in March!

Alfie Ordinary

On Saturday, I traveled to London to see Brighton metalcore band Architects at their biggest show sold out show ever at Alexandra Palace. First, I met up with my friend Sam for a day in London. The weather was rainy and cold, but we managed to walk Tower Bridge, visit the Getty Images Gallery for the last day of the 2017 In Focus exhibit, which displayed highlights of 2017 in pictures, walk around Camden market, grab dinner at Honest Burger and walk around South Bank before heading to the venue.

There, in the massive queue, I sold my spare ticket (Diego forgot to book his return flight from Spain in time for the gig) and met up with more friends, Emily, Tom and Islay and their friend Carlos. We didn’t get inside the venue in time to see the first band, Counterparts, but we did go in for the second band, While She Sleeps. I enjoy their music, but never listened to them enough to call myself a fan. Emily, Tom and Islay left Sam and I to join the crowd. Sam and I assumed a closer position after While She Sleeps for Architects.

Their set was absolutely mad, fun, emotional and cathartic. I went in the mosh pit for my favorite songs (it was brutal) but rejoined Sam for the other songs (it was miraculous I kept finding him so easily). To make my journey home smooth, I left right before the last song to avoid the crowds. However, I didn’t miss a beautiful tribute to their late bandmate, Tom, who passed from cancer in 2016. If there is an afterlife, Tom would have been over the moon about this massive show and the amazing support from fans. There was nothing but love in that room.

Me and Sam!

Tom memoriam

Tom, little Islay, Carlos and Em!

Last but not least, Sunday night I saw Marmozets in Brighton at Concorde 2. They’re a band I only got into really recently, but I’m already a big fan! Frontwoman Becca has the most amazing voice that sounds even better live. Sore from Architects and not dressed for the occasion of getting sweaty in the mosh pit, I took it easy and stuck close to the back of the small room, which still offered great views of the band. They (along with an opening band worth mentioning, Queen Zee) absolutely killed the venue with help from an enthusiastic crowd. I look forward to see what they do in the future, Marmozets are definitely one to watch.

What a weekend. My body is completely spent, thank goodness I don’t have lectures today. I either don’t have gigs for months, or several in the course of two weeks, in this case, three back to back. As far as I know, my next gig isn’t until July: The Gaslight Anthem. My friend Alyssa is coming from Utah to go to the gig with me and spend some time in England, I can’t wait!

Tom memoriam picture by the amazing Sam.

Photo by Joseph Pearson.