So I went to see "the most important female star in the world" (copyright the idiot of a warm-up chap) on Saturday - the one and only Beyoncé Knowles shaking some booty at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.
It was only a recording of 6 songs to be shown on CD:UK, but they made us pay for it in time spent. "Turn up at 5 on the dot", they said. So we did. And then went to the pub for the next hour and a half. Suddenly, movement! The pub was fortuitously directly across the street from the queue, and we manged to queue-jump our way back into the front and soon were quaffing Guinnesses in the Riverside bar.
But that didn't mean we were soon watching La Knowles strutting her stuff. Another hour or so passed before we were allowed into the studio - more standing around, waiting for our idol to make her first appearance. Which was FANTASTIC - her Nirvana-go-disco stomper "Crazy In Love", Beyoncé wearing a thoroughly indecent red leather dress. It was so fantastic, she then played it again. Whoot!
Trouble is, she isn't happy with the little red number, and goes for anoither costume change. She then does this 4 more times, each time leaving us to twiddle our thumbs and try and avoid the exhortations of the warm-up guy. This truly is a job for the desperate. However, he does unearth at least 2 amazing singers among the crowd, who entertain us in the quiet times. Shame the only thing people can do these days is the warbly nonsense perfected by Beyoncé herself.
But it's fun. I leave the show tired and hungover (nothing like getting the headache before you even get to sleep) and desperate to download Crazy in Love. Not that I'd do that, of course - what kind of criminal do you take me for!?
Posted by biondino at July 09, 2003 11:00 PM