The highlight of my Download Festival weekend was undoubtedly seeing Henry Rollins and his spoken word act.
To set the seen, Henry's set was on Saturday afternoon and held on the second stage in the Snickers Tent which I believe can hold up to 15,000. I was very lucky, as I had been granted media accreditation at the final hour and after speaking to stage security learnt I was allowed to go front of stage to take photographs (sadly not my forte). So at this point my adrenaline and excitement was up – this was all new to me and I admit, I was rather getting off on the thrill of it all!
As I stood waiting in line I got talking to a photographer from Kerrang, Canada who was a nice bloke. He was obviously the real deal in festival photography and had a camera that looked like what mine might grow up in to. He was telling me of previous Rollins gigs he’d seen and that only added to my excitement.
The stage manager appeared to give us our directions, the usual, photographers would be allowed to stand at the front of stage for photos for the first three songs.
"Mmmm" spoke up Mr Kerrang Canada, "he’s a spoken word act, how do we measure three songs?!"
"No one told me" said a very flustered stage manager before scurrying off back stage.
"I hope we get more than three words" I observed, "or Henry knows some very long words."
The security manager reappeared having spoken to Henry direct who had said we could take photos for the whole set if we liked. What a gem!
Henry came out on stage and we were allowed in. I tried to get some decent photos but wasn’t confident enough to barge ahead of the ‘proper guys’ and thanks to being in a giant, dust filled tent it wasn’t going to be easy even for those who knew what they were doing. I snapped away and frankly just took in the atmosphere of being at Rollins feet!
After about five minutes I moved back to join the crowd and Mum who hadn’t known what to expect from his show. As I saw her I knew she was hooked!
Henry Rollins is more than a stand up comedian, his act is a monologue, a lecture and this one was a cracker.
Immediately he had the crowd on his side, it was if they were welcoming home a favourite relative.
Having never seen his show live before I was somewhat taken aback. I knew he would be engaging but I wasn’t expecting the level of self-deprecation.
It is fair to surmise he isn’t a great fan of President Bush! And he certainly is no supporter of the conflict in Iraq however, he is a huge supporter of the men and women who are out there in the frontline and as such he does a lot of touring in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East to put on shows for the troops.
In one moment you are crying with laughter as he tells you of the mishaps on his journey, the next the tears are sorrow as he tells you the horrifying scenes he has witnessed visiting those soldiers who have been injured.
He has an interest in everything and I mean everything. I think this is why I engaged with his performance so much. I too am of the mindset that everything is interesting. It infuriates me that before my days are out I will not have even touched the tip of the iceberg of ‘everything’, then I get more annoyed as the time spent being infuriated could have been spent chipping away at the iceberg – but hey, that’s me.
Henry (I hope he doesn’t mind the first name terms) believes the mind is the most potent weapon of mass destruction in the world. I think he has one of the most explosive minds I've ever witnessed. At the same time I was in awe and envious, he was saying what I was thinking but could never articulate so well.
He told a great story about how he recently flew to Australia to appear at a large festival out there. On the flight he sat down to read his book but the man next door struck up a conversation. Henry is polite, and answered the guys questions on what he did for a living and why he was going to Australia and general mid air chit chat.
A few days later Henry gets an email from the Australian security people, the man on the plane had reported him as 'suspicious' as he found Mr Rollins book objectionable.
Henry thought a minute. They had not discussed his book, the man had only the title to go on. The title was Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia
Anyhow, the tale that followed was hilarious. Henry fired back an email defending his book laced with a good bit of emotional fuelled sarcasm noting some thoughts on his president and their PM, which involves the word ‘sissy’. In fact go here (January 30th 2006) and read Henry’s words yourself.
An email came back, basically stating not to worry they get a lot of these ‘reports’ and just have to follow through. Henry sees funny side, blogs about it, goes to bed.
Henry wakes up to find everyone wants to talk to about it! All because of the title of a book!
Ah, you have to laugh at this world we live in at the moment, otherwise you’d cry.
He ended his set with a bag load of ‘sense’. It’s very much the same ‘sense’ that a lot of parents want to get into their children’s minds yet as it leaves their mouths the communications gremlin coats it in a substance which make children repel it. When ‘sense’ comes from the mouth of Henry the communications gremlin gets confused and before they can coat the ‘sense’ it has reached the kids' ears and some may have been absorbed.
‘Sense’ – it isn’t smart to be dumb. There is no place for fighting and harassment. This is your time and these are your people. Nourish your brain and ask, ask, ask.
I’m going now….I can hear the communications gremlin trying to get into my study.
Henry Rollins, the star of my Download weekend. I hope he comes back to England soon (and reads whatever he wants on the way!). I think I've developed the 32 year olds version of a teenage crush!
An excellent review, Beki. Thanks, I really enjoyed it.
Posted by: Adm. Pooper | 21 June 2006 at 12:55 AM
Actually during his set I thought you'd enjoy it Pooper.
Posted by: Beki | 21 June 2006 at 10:11 AM
I've seen him twice, Beki and the first time I was totally with you: inspiring, passionate, grown-up crush and all. The second time I was disappointed. He never really seemed to get with the 'flow' and he also made a few almost-misogynistic comments.
The first couple I let him have. I was thinking maybe I misunderstood, he can't have just meant what I think he said, but then, by the end, I was unimpressed. It was a shame cos he really is so very cool.
The self-deprecation went a bit over the top too. I wasn't sure I bought it. I think secretly he thinks he's pretty hot stuff.
But I'm glad you enjoyed it! Great photos too.
Posted by: Keris | 22 June 2006 at 12:15 PM
Great review! I have only seen his musical stuff. I gather he has pretty strong opinions though, so I would love to see him perform 'talking stuff'
Posted by: Kate | 22 June 2006 at 02:50 PM
I bet that was awesome. I've heard one of his spoken word albums and really enjoyed it. I think it must be great in the flesh. Good for you.
Sorry to hear about Zuzu, too.
Posted by: * (asterisk) | 25 June 2006 at 08:07 AM