MY TRAVELS

A MEMORABLE TRIP AND NIGHT

I had wanted to see Lynyrd Skynyrd for some time now and had missed out a few times when they had come to the UK before so when I found out about their brief UK Tour I just had to go and picked Hammersmith Apollo as it's one of my favourite venues and is the one I have been to most. I got the Berrys Coach from Ilminster at 8.30am on Sunday and we arrived at 11.45am. I was staying at Hammersmith Rooms which is in Bute Gardens and very close to the Coach Station and also the Apollo so it was in an ideal location for my stay. I had been there once before when I had seen Jagged Edge and Joe there, I had stayed in a dorm room that time but I found a spare single room when I booked this time. After having some nice Chicken and Pasta for lunch in a Pub I walked over to Hammersmith Rooms and checked in. The room was pretty nice and you could see the place had been newly refurbished. I had a bit of time to kill so had a short kip as I was rather tired as I had to be up early to get the Coach. I had some tea in Subway, just a Turkey Breast and Ham sub on Hearty Italian (No Italian left) then made my way over to the Apollo and stood waiting to go in when the doors opened at 7pm. I looked around and there was a big crowd forming and many were dressed in Lynyrd Skynyrd attire with Tour T Shirts and some were draped in flags. 

The support act was a band called Red White and Blues, they were quite good and had a Metal/Rock style with a tinge of Blues added too. The name was pretty apt I thought given Lynyrd Skynyrd's song "Red, White and Blue". There was a huge cheer when Lynyrd Skynyrd came on and they soon got into the memorable tracks as they opened with Workin for MCA. Below is the full setlist. 

1. Workin' For MCA 
2. I Ain't The One 
3. Skynyrd Nation 
4. What's Your Name 
5. Down South Jukin' 
6. That Smell 
7. I Know A Little 
8. Saturday Night Special 
9. Simple Man 
10. Gimme Back My Bullets 
11. Whiskey Rock-A-Roller 
12. The Needle And The Spoon 
13. Tuesday's Gone 
14. Gimme Three Steps 
15. Call Me The Breeze 
    (J.J. Cale cover)
16. Sweet Home Alabama 
17. Encore:
17. Free Bird 

Hammersmith Apollo before the Lynyrd Skynyrd Gig. 3rd June 2012.

It was a truly fantastic gig and really showed the musicianship of the band. Johnny Van Zant proved himself to be a fine replacement for his elder brother Ronnie who died tragically in that Plane crash in 1977. My highlights were the performances of Simple Man, Sweet Home Alabama, Tuesday's Gone and of course the closing "Free Bird" which is such an iconic song. The usual encore with "what song is it you want to hear?" instantly responded to with "Free Bird!!!!". I was waiting for this moment and what a moment it was. The live performance was mind blowing and everyone in the building was stood up singing along with Johnny. This was a moment I will never forget and gave such a buzz to me and pretty much everyone who had bought a ticket for the night. An amazing experience and one that I will want to repeat as soon as possible. with a new album out soon Lynyrd Skynyrd are one of the rare breed of bands who have had success in the 70s and the present day. There was a real sense of something special when you didn't need to ask anyone how they liked the Gig, it was just evident in their faces and the air, even the pouring rain couldn't dampen our spirits.