16. DAVID DUCHOVNY'S 'GESTURELAND' EUROPE TOUR. LONDON 2023
They say third time is the charm? Well, I have to honestly say this experience topped the previous two gigs I have been to so far! The strange thing was I had decided it was too expensive this time, what with the cost of living crisis we were going through in the UK and other things. But, fate must have decided otherwise, as through a stroke of unexpected luck ( and help from an influential friend!) I ended up going, and with VIP status! I was even offered a chance to bring a carer with me at no cost, but unfortunately I was let down. Not to worry, as I decided to go solo.
I was rather concerned about making it all the way to London on my own? However being disabled I was able to get assistance through Northern Rail from my town in Derbyshire to Euston Station. I was so pleased with this, especially when I only had 8 mins to change trains in Stockport! I had booked a night in the Euston Square Hotel. Struggled a bit with my case, but least it was on wheels! After taking rather a long time at reception, they showed me to my room on the ground floor, literally behind the door. I then realised I only had about 25 mins to get ready as I had a taxi I booked online in advance, coming to pick me up. It arrived on time, but when we got to Cadogan Hall he couldn't park outside due to construction, so dropped me off on the main road. I had planned to ring my online friend from Sweden, but found her as soon as I entered the lobby! I explained I had to go get my ticket, as I was on the guest list and would meet up afterwards. After a mix up where I almost wasn't allowed in, I told them to get hold of David's music manager (who follows me on Twitter) who would sort it out. He came almost immediately, then went and got me a Meet & Greet pass which he threw over my neck, and a complimentary ticket! I gave him a big hug and a little thank you present, because without him I would not have even been there that evening. I then went and met up with Dinara and we had a drink while I told her and her friend how I met David back in 2004 online. She has her own X Files podcast and recently she interviewed me via zoom which was so much fun!
I was rather concerned about making it all the way to London on my own? However being disabled I was able to get assistance through Northern Rail from my town in Derbyshire to Euston Station. I was so pleased with this, especially when I only had 8 mins to change trains in Stockport! I had booked a night in the Euston Square Hotel. Struggled a bit with my case, but least it was on wheels! After taking rather a long time at reception, they showed me to my room on the ground floor, literally behind the door. I then realised I only had about 25 mins to get ready as I had a taxi I booked online in advance, coming to pick me up. It arrived on time, but when we got to Cadogan Hall he couldn't park outside due to construction, so dropped me off on the main road. I had planned to ring my online friend from Sweden, but found her as soon as I entered the lobby! I explained I had to go get my ticket, as I was on the guest list and would meet up afterwards. After a mix up where I almost wasn't allowed in, I told them to get hold of David's music manager (who follows me on Twitter) who would sort it out. He came almost immediately, then went and got me a Meet & Greet pass which he threw over my neck, and a complimentary ticket! I gave him a big hug and a little thank you present, because without him I would not have even been there that evening. I then went and met up with Dinara and we had a drink while I told her and her friend how I met David back in 2004 online. She has her own X Files podcast and recently she interviewed me via zoom which was so much fun!
After finally meeting Kerry Lee, who I'd communicated a little with online, and who organisers all the Europe events. The staff let me sit down so I didn't have to queue, and then sent me into this room where both Brad and David were waiting. I'd brought my final X Files fic with me in a plastic bag, and Brad took it off me, till I'd had the photo, which was part of the Meet & Greet experience. I joked with him that I'd got enough photos of David and me, so could I have one with all three of us, as I hadn't got any of him with me? He suggested I have one with Dave, then we'd have a second one where he'd jump in with us! And this was the result! Really happy I now have one with both guys, with Dave as a rose between two thorns! LOL!
Before this was taken, I noticed David giving me a curious look, as if to say 'I know you don't I?' Then, Brad took me over to him whilst saying quite briskly, 'You KNOW Penny!' LOL! He then acknowledged me, and I remember saying something like how he doesn't have to sign anything for me, as I have enough autographs from him! I also thanked him very much for zooming with an online American friend who is dying! I reminded him of Amber, and how I arranged through Brad for her dream to come true, by getting him to meet her this way. She was too ill to actually go to one of his events in the States, and also I met her during the pandemic, when no one was doing 'live' events anyway. I told Dave she thinks of that zoom often and how much it meant to her. Then we had the photo taken.
Afterwards, he led me over to a table and Brad gave me my bag back with my fiction inside. Without thinking, I just said 'You love my fiction?' David's reply was not what I was expecting, when he answered with. 'Well yes, you know I do!' That was 100% conformation for me that he was that code name in that chatroom on a Duchovny website back in 2004 – 2005! So, I took out my story and told him I'd brought him my very last X File fiction called 'Apokalypsis.' My Quantum entanglement, dark parallel universe tale of Mulder in Hell etc! LOL! He seemed intrigued, especially with the cover.
This is my link to the story
|
During our conversation I told him I'd recorded my version of his song 'Lately It's Always December' just for fun, with a composer friend who was a pianist and had made a composition of this. I then added my vocals later, and I stuck it up on YouTube. I still have the backing, so I asked him if I could have permission to perform it in future gigs (where I would be making money) when my husband and I move to the Isle Of Wight. He seemed to know the place I was talking about, which surprised me. Later I discovered something very interesting. Anyway, he smiled at me and said how honoured he would be if I sang his song. Then he added that he wanted to hear it! I was quite taken aback, but then he had already heard me sing on that DVD of the UNICEF gig I did for the House of David Duchovny website back in 2010. I asked him how was I going to get it to him? He replied, through Brad, who agreed that I could do that, no problem. I have now sent David the audio link via Twitter! I was so touched by his kindness, I just had to lean across and give him a kiss on the cheek! He really is one of the nicest folk in showbiz who I know, and am proud to be acquainted with!
The concert itself was even better than the previous two I had attended in the past, and David and the band performed various numbers from all three of the albums. I was a little disappointed I didn't get to see 'Playing At The Same Dream' live, but pleased he did my favourite one from Gestureland, the mind bending 'Sea Of Tranquility'. It was also interesting to find out where he got the idea from? He'd read about a couple who had wasted their lives on addiction, and sadly thought they had to get to the moon as it was made of drugs! When I checked my ticket I discovered I was sat in Row G near the aisle. I also discovered some of the band members family were seated right in front of me! Later, when David was getting folk to stand up, I managed to get down to the front of the stage, with the help of a lady called Deb, who I got chatting with, and was the mother of the wife of Matt, one of team DD! I also found out later, she had relatives who live on the Isle Of Wight! Amazing! I was kind of glad of the fact I wasn't on the list at reception, otherwise I might have been sitting somewhere else, and would never have met her! She actually took me down to the front a few times! Before, the main event though, we had a warm up act from his keyboard player & composer, Colin Lee ( Kerry Lee's brother.) His music was quite surreal and reminded me of a modern day Jean-Michel Jarre. At other gigs during the tour, one of his guitar players Keenan O'Meara was the opening act. I think it's wonderful that David gave some of his band members a chance to shine! But then, he never has taken centre stage deliberately and always thinks of others and their talent! As I have discovered this for myself over time! ;)
At one point during the gig (when I was seated) David explained how he'd ripped his next song from Shakespeare! But, couldn't remember where he got the title of his second album and song 'Every Third Thought' from? I couldn't resist and yelled out, 'The Tempest'! Strangely enough, this was the third time I had mentioned this to him. When we met in that chatroom all those years ago, I was telling him it was my favourite play of the Bard's, and how I loved the mysticism in it. Then when he'd released his second album, he was on Twitter asking where the title of his song was from? I remember tweeting the answer back then. This time, I yelled it out to him in London! LOL! Yes, it was Prospero's line near the end of a speech where he renounces his magic and looks forward to returning to Milan. Where he will contemplate on his mortality at the end of his life.
“ ...where every third thought will be my grave. “
At one point during the gig (when I was seated) David explained how he'd ripped his next song from Shakespeare! But, couldn't remember where he got the title of his second album and song 'Every Third Thought' from? I couldn't resist and yelled out, 'The Tempest'! Strangely enough, this was the third time I had mentioned this to him. When we met in that chatroom all those years ago, I was telling him it was my favourite play of the Bard's, and how I loved the mysticism in it. Then when he'd released his second album, he was on Twitter asking where the title of his song was from? I remember tweeting the answer back then. This time, I yelled it out to him in London! LOL! Yes, it was Prospero's line near the end of a speech where he renounces his magic and looks forward to returning to Milan. Where he will contemplate on his mortality at the end of his life.
“ ...where every third thought will be my grave. “
David's song for me however, reflects more on obssession. How at the forefront of the mind is what's happening now, then your conciousness is trying to deny your feelings, towards those deeper thoughts (third one) which are about the love you lost. Another song from his latest album, that moved me was 'Tessera'. Especially when I found out he'd written that with his Mum in mind, who sadly passed away last year. She'd been suffering from dementia. It reminded me of when my Mum passed in 2015, and I dedicated a song in her memory, which I had recorded with online friends from Australia and Denmark.
David always encourages folk to join in, and gave us a quick rehearsal, so we could join in with the chorus to 'Holding Pattern's.' He then told us he was loving his London choir! To be honest I had been singing most of his songs throughout the gig! I absolutely love harmonising to 'Half Life', so was happy when he performed that one during the encore!
By the end of the concert I had been on my legs for a while, even dancing a little, and was getting rather tired. Unfortunately, Deb couldn't come back down to me as too many people had gathered down at the front! I mentioned to a few close by that I was disabled, so they grabbed my arms and helped me up onto the stage! I'd just like to add that I was closer to the side of the stage at the time. After a while a security guard approached me and told me I couldn't sit there. However, one of the female staff who had offered me assistance, saw him and explained my situation. After that, I was allowed to sit there for the rest of David's encore performance! I should also add that the friend of Dinara's (who was also in the stalls, while she was up in the gallery) helped me to my seat in the first place!
After the concert, I returned to my seat with Deb's help, then she had to say goodbye as she was meeting Matt and the rest of the band backstage. She's known the guys for a long time, when they all went to Berkley College in Boston. She told me how David had been looking to form a band and how it all came about. I was so tempted to ask if I could go with her? But, I refrained from this as I am not pushy like that as a person. However, while I was sat in the foyer waiting for the taxi to arrive, she came up to me with Matt in tow, and introduced him! We talked about music, and I asked him if he'll be doing an opening act in the future? He replied, only if he can pluck up the courage and have a decent set of songs ready, to which Deb then gave him some encouragement. He asked if I'd been before to see them? So, I mentioned how I'd suggested Manchester to Brad online back in 2019, and was glad they did go there as it's nearer home. Only not for long, as my husband and I have big plans to move to the Isle Of Wight, where I will be able to get singing gigs in the hotels. This was when I found out about his wife's Mum's relatives living there! So, I told him there is a music festival every year, and suggested he go tell team DD about it! He said he would, so we'll wait and see if they decide to bring the band there next time? I also DM'd a link for the Shanklin Theatre website to Brad, when I sent an mp3 of my version of 'Lately It's Always December' to David, through him. I also saw Kerry again and told her how much I loved Colin's compositions in the opening act. I was still waiting for the taxi at 11pm, when Cadogan Hall was closing! I think I was just about the last fan out of that bloody building! I tried calling the company again, and was told he had arrived but since I wasn't there it had been cancelled! I think due to the construction, he had parked on the other side, maybe? I explained how I'd been waiting outside by the main door and never saw him arrive! Even some of the staff had been looking for it, which was kind of them. I noticed my phone was running out of power, and started to panic a little! I then saw Brad and some of the band members loading music equipment into a truck, and was so very tempted to ask if I could get a lift with them? But, luckily I managed to re-book and told the driver I'd wait near the main road! Time was passing by and I seriously thought I was going to end up alone in the middle of London, at night! But, finally the taxi did arrive, and I got back to the hotel around 11.30pm. I was so hungry, as all I'd managed to get at the concert was a very expensive sandwich during the interval, with a can of mineral water. Although, I did also have a vodka and orange when I was with Dinara and friends whilst waiting to see David. Room service was now closed, but I had two chocolate health bars left that I'd brought from home, so had them with a cup of tea then finally got to bed. I had a very restless night though, which was probably due to being in a strange bed and also the fact I was still hungry! I managed to order breakfast for the morning on a tablet (which also worked the TV) only that didn't arrive the next day! So, I had to go to reception and re-order it! The train left Euston just before lunch time, and there was a buffet car on board, so I was glad of that! I was happy to be leaving London that day as I knew the Remembrance service was taking place, and had heard it would most likely have protesters everywhere, which sadly it did! The journey home was only delayed by an hour when I got stuck at Stockport, as the London train was late arriving at the station. But, I phoned my husband Pete and spoke to him several times during my trip back. Later, I discovered clips on YouTube from fans in Europe, and found out David is planning to make the fourth album, and hopefully return sometime next year! So, we'll see how that pans out? But the journey is far from over! ;)
Thanks to my new friend Dinara, here are some photos of David and his band in action, and me sat in my seat at Cadogan Hall. All in all, it was an amazing, surreal experience and one I won't forget in a long time!
By the end of the concert I had been on my legs for a while, even dancing a little, and was getting rather tired. Unfortunately, Deb couldn't come back down to me as too many people had gathered down at the front! I mentioned to a few close by that I was disabled, so they grabbed my arms and helped me up onto the stage! I'd just like to add that I was closer to the side of the stage at the time. After a while a security guard approached me and told me I couldn't sit there. However, one of the female staff who had offered me assistance, saw him and explained my situation. After that, I was allowed to sit there for the rest of David's encore performance! I should also add that the friend of Dinara's (who was also in the stalls, while she was up in the gallery) helped me to my seat in the first place!
After the concert, I returned to my seat with Deb's help, then she had to say goodbye as she was meeting Matt and the rest of the band backstage. She's known the guys for a long time, when they all went to Berkley College in Boston. She told me how David had been looking to form a band and how it all came about. I was so tempted to ask if I could go with her? But, I refrained from this as I am not pushy like that as a person. However, while I was sat in the foyer waiting for the taxi to arrive, she came up to me with Matt in tow, and introduced him! We talked about music, and I asked him if he'll be doing an opening act in the future? He replied, only if he can pluck up the courage and have a decent set of songs ready, to which Deb then gave him some encouragement. He asked if I'd been before to see them? So, I mentioned how I'd suggested Manchester to Brad online back in 2019, and was glad they did go there as it's nearer home. Only not for long, as my husband and I have big plans to move to the Isle Of Wight, where I will be able to get singing gigs in the hotels. This was when I found out about his wife's Mum's relatives living there! So, I told him there is a music festival every year, and suggested he go tell team DD about it! He said he would, so we'll wait and see if they decide to bring the band there next time? I also DM'd a link for the Shanklin Theatre website to Brad, when I sent an mp3 of my version of 'Lately It's Always December' to David, through him. I also saw Kerry again and told her how much I loved Colin's compositions in the opening act. I was still waiting for the taxi at 11pm, when Cadogan Hall was closing! I think I was just about the last fan out of that bloody building! I tried calling the company again, and was told he had arrived but since I wasn't there it had been cancelled! I think due to the construction, he had parked on the other side, maybe? I explained how I'd been waiting outside by the main door and never saw him arrive! Even some of the staff had been looking for it, which was kind of them. I noticed my phone was running out of power, and started to panic a little! I then saw Brad and some of the band members loading music equipment into a truck, and was so very tempted to ask if I could get a lift with them? But, luckily I managed to re-book and told the driver I'd wait near the main road! Time was passing by and I seriously thought I was going to end up alone in the middle of London, at night! But, finally the taxi did arrive, and I got back to the hotel around 11.30pm. I was so hungry, as all I'd managed to get at the concert was a very expensive sandwich during the interval, with a can of mineral water. Although, I did also have a vodka and orange when I was with Dinara and friends whilst waiting to see David. Room service was now closed, but I had two chocolate health bars left that I'd brought from home, so had them with a cup of tea then finally got to bed. I had a very restless night though, which was probably due to being in a strange bed and also the fact I was still hungry! I managed to order breakfast for the morning on a tablet (which also worked the TV) only that didn't arrive the next day! So, I had to go to reception and re-order it! The train left Euston just before lunch time, and there was a buffet car on board, so I was glad of that! I was happy to be leaving London that day as I knew the Remembrance service was taking place, and had heard it would most likely have protesters everywhere, which sadly it did! The journey home was only delayed by an hour when I got stuck at Stockport, as the London train was late arriving at the station. But, I phoned my husband Pete and spoke to him several times during my trip back. Later, I discovered clips on YouTube from fans in Europe, and found out David is planning to make the fourth album, and hopefully return sometime next year! So, we'll see how that pans out? But the journey is far from over! ;)
Thanks to my new friend Dinara, here are some photos of David and his band in action, and me sat in my seat at Cadogan Hall. All in all, it was an amazing, surreal experience and one I won't forget in a long time!