Metal to the Masses… from the supportive girlfriend perspective

Fellow band baddies and other halves of free spirited frontmen. I know you love a gig as much as the average metal head, but in some cases your love for the band is more than just finding a member fit. I’m talking about being the life partners of band members. I have been with my partner now for two years and I’m ashamed to say I’m fairly new to being the designated merch salesman and second pair of hands. So I thought I’d take you guys along with me for the first heat of Metal to the Masses in Kent, through my biased perspective for Malicious Compliance. 

Starting the day strong at… work because I didn’t have the annual leave left to join them for the whole day. So while I’m working from home I’ve got band members in and out of my living room taking apart bags full of wires, testing equipment, someone in my bathroom showering, and too many conversations to keep up with. All good though as they have to leave early in the day to set up. Fast forward to the end of the workday and I’m getting ready to jump in a cab with the resident Malicious photographer (and my brother in law).

It’s 17:22, there are a total of six people in the pub-half of Leo’s Red Lion. We have two hours to burn while the bands run around like headless chickens prepping for the heat. At this point I can either have a drink, write some notes, or doomscroll. Obviously I picked a drink. It gets to five minutes before the doors open, I’m getting my wristband and feeling merry, turns out I bought two tickets (God knows how), so the charity pot got a nice little top up. I’m trying to socialise while the gnawing anxiety in the depth of my chest is trying to convince me I am factually the most annoying person to be around. Drink number 4 solves this. 

Finally at 19:15 doors are open, the bands are introduced, and the night gets BUSY. While dipping in and out of the crowds I’m manning the Malicious merchandise table, trying to be the best saleslady I can be and attempting to steal a kiss from the vocalist. Have to say, the first half of the night was slow as many people were too busy necking their drinks before the first act. 

However, when Malicious Compliance started playing the energy shifted immediately. The crowd was warmed up, now they seemed in the mood to get a little chaotic. Everyone is finally moving, headbanging, two-stepping and fucking shit UP. It takes a few songs to get to a mosh pit and fuck me it does not disappoint. Sorry to the guy I fell square into and nearly knocked clean over! Just as quickly as the fun began, it was over. I gave myself the closing words to run to the back and climb into the merch table. Good thing I did as Malicious made three sales back to back immediately after their set. 

As you can tell from the title, this is a biased perspective. So I clocked out pretty soon after the set and went back to enjoying myself. Dancing and enjoying the high spirited vibes of the place in between selling t-shirts. At some point I think I totaled seven drinks, nearing the end of the night I was pretty happy to float around making small talk with fellow punters. Everyone was so lovely and would not stop singing the praises of all the bands. Unfortunately I was losing self awareness as the drinks kicked in. I nearly lost my Skullpanda bag charm, the buzz was dying and I was beginning to miss my bed and cat. 

So dear readers, my night ended with a Maccies and a happy boyfriend. As I’m writing this with a hangover I realise five drinks was probably enough.