Last year we were in America – it was the best holiday, and I saw some great gigs. I turned 40 when we were over there – the trip, all of it, everything – was my present. A gift to and from all of us, really. A family vacation – an amazing one. Disneyland, a few different cities, great fun, catching up with friends and family…but my “official” 40^th present was a last-minute ticket to see Peter Gabriel and Sting. I was mostly interested in seeing Gabriel – nothing wrong with Sting (I’ve seen him solo and with The Police) but Gabriel: He’s not coming to New Zealand in my lifetime. Seems unlikely now. So it was a joy to see and hear those amazing songs.

Sting was brilliant too, of course. Both of them on stage together the whole time, with their full bands – you can read my gig review up in the link above. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

Also we were only fleetingly in Seattle, we were staying on the outskirts – and I did this mission in alone to the gig. I’d spent most of our time in Washington state looking after a 4 year old, restricted, largely, to our accommodation. Bad, packaged food, a great spa pool, lots of Netflix and writing stories…and then my treat was to go to this gig. It was the best.

I’d been getting little reminders, last month, of our American travels and the gigs and things we saw and did. So it’s time to add this to the ‘Stubs’ file. One day I’ll no doubt write about it all over again and add it to the ‘Best Gigs Ever’ file.
Stubs is an occasional feature here at Off The Tracks – looking back through the ticket-stub box and remembering how the show went down.