Belle & Sebastian at London  Shepherds Bush Empire
Monday 7th September 1998

• swinging down London way...

So to my second live Belle & Sebastian concert. I went with my faithful steed M., for whom this was his first time. By the time we managed to find the Empire there were a fair number of people sitting outside on the steps. A few touts were frantically  accosting anyone who walked past, trying to relieve them of any spare tickets they might have. We dashed off to get some burgers and chips in preparation of  the wait before doors opened. Luckily for us, we sat down right at the spot where one of the big yellow t-shirted security blokes plonked a 'Queue here' signpost, so we managed to get in first, to secure that all important vantage point. I ran to the ever-present merchandise stall, and bought a t-shirt, two  posters and another mug. I carried my haul back to my space, and waited...

• Oh, the agony...

It wasn't too bad at first. I noticed  Sarah make a few appearances, lurking at the back of the stage, and I duly waved  at her. However, by the time National Park arrived to perform their short  set ( not bad, very guitar laden, but couldn't hear the singer properly, and I was at the front), it was absolutely packed to the rafters, and everyone was trying to jostle for a bit of space. I also had the added difficulty of trying  to defend my B&S hoard of treasures set down on the floor between my legs...

• (Elliott Smith was quite good  though...)

...but by this time, the crowd was sweating like mad and getting pretty restless with it. After his set, Elliott  Smith troubadoured his way off-stage and we were treated to what seemed like 4 hours of dusty back catalogue renegade 60s and 70s tunes. It was so uncomfortably hot I distinctly recall offering to kill my entire family for a  glass of water (not a bad trade in all actuality..).

• ...the pain and the suffering...but at last!

...choruses of boos started to greet every new song the DJ played, as the crowd grew ever more impatient. Finally,  finally, the belles strode out, apparently oblivious to the crowd's discomfort.  A number of hecklers shouted abuse, people booed the hecklers, then complained  that they couldn't hear the band- it was an incredibly tense atmosphere. However, B&S weren't about to have their feathers ruffled. Showing admirable  calm, they displayed all the qualities which made all the individuals buy  tickets for this show in the first place. By about the fifth song, the hecklers has significantly quietened, becalmed by

Isobel gives it her all on 'Is it  wicked not to care?', whilst Stuart nails the glockenspiel

the soothing music I imagine. By this  point, I myself no longer cared about the sweltering heat. This is the band I love. This is the band I cherish. I let the music wash over me, and sung heartily along to every song I could. Even the rather disruptive break for a Tigermilk raffle didn't spoil the whole affair. 'Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying<' was the most popular sing along number, though the high point for me was the forceful and inspired rendition of 'I Don't Love Anyone'. Isobel finished the evening off in grand manner, despite (by her own admission), having a bit of a frog in her throat, with her delightful "Poupee de Son."

The crowd cheered for more.