Alleycats LIVE!!

We had started the journey from Basingstoke at around quarter to 3 and arrived Colindale about half past 5. Had underestimated the traffic in central London hence, the delay. *Fingers crossed* . Half of me was saying that we might not make it (to meet Allyecats) and the other me, just stayed optimistic. I was told that the show will begin at 4pm but had no idea how long the show is for.

As we stepped into Oriental City, there they were, the Alleycats!! Unbelievable. All six on the stage, with an appropriately decorated backdrop, complete with a silhouette of the famous two Arumugam brothers clad in bellbottoms, made by what seemed to me, cuttings from black cardboards. The Alleycats' logo was nicely squeezed in beneath.

We were lucky for we had arrived exactly just before the 2nd show begins. (Missed the first one). We soon learnt that there are 3 shows scheduled. First between 4 till 4.45pm, second between 5.30 till 6.15pm and last at 7 till 7.45pm.

People were seated on long benches located at the front of the stage. Almost full. Each member of the band was busy preparing for their next perfomance. David Arumugam (DA) was squatting by the stage, discussing something important with the organiser. And DH was busy focusing the camera on David, Z getting our videocam ready for recording and I, busy finding a good location to enjoy the music that was soon to begin. As the music started, LO had a hard time adapting to the loud live-band music. Half scared, she insisted to be carried and hugged me most of time, refusing to tilt up her head to listen to the excellent music or watch the band performing. At the end of every song, people contently applauded. The crowd grew bigger and bigger and inevitably inundate the concourse area.




The whole performance was very entertaining. Indeed, awesome!! Some guys in front were shaking their booties. During the last song (my favourite one in the show, a zapin song with Tamil lyrics) an indian guy, whom I later learnt a M'sian Indian from the mamak stall at the food court danced wildly to the rendition. I wasn't, at that time, sure whether his act was to justify his undying idolisation towards Alleycats or because he simply loved dancing to the Zapin beat.

DH was really over the moon for seconds after David had started to sing, he recognised the drummer as his long lost friend. Later, we met up and after a brief introduction, he catches up with stories of other acquintances through him (the drummer). He told us that they have been in London since last week and are flying back home tomorrow. They have come to London, fullfilling an invitation from Datuk Jimmy Choo whom have sponsored them all. By the way, he (DJC) was there too. He is just a medium-sized man, looked very humble and calm. He is indeed a person who loves to smile.

Snapped a photo or two with David and Logan. Cool!

Remarked Logan, "...Fantastic camera you have there!" ..and this, I guess will make DH continuously smile in sleep tonight for he is indeed proud of his camera.

The most funniest thing happened though, as we were exchanging words with DA, LO was overly concerned with his afro; she was trying hard to push herself away from me (I was standing near to DA). She was exactly afraid of the physical look of the massive hair !! I had hoped that DA hadn't notice LO's reaction. He brushed LO's cheek and made a remark she looked rather sleepy, though. Hahahaha..



Later we went out of the building and browsed the pasar malam. Saw DJC humbly eating mee (probably mee kari) on a pasar malam table, perhaps surrounded by his family or relatives. And half an hour later, we went inside to the food court to snack on something light before the 3rd show starts. There too, I had spotted DJC eating (yes, again) and David and Logan talking with a group of an Indian family (looked like they already knew each other for a long time). I suddenly had the temptation to snap Datuk's balding head (his back was in my view) but decided not to, after realising it would be a rude thing to do. But, I tell you, later while waiting for my soto ayam, I realised that Datuk was standing and looking around at people around him, and as he was scanning towards my direction his vision seemed transfixed to me (maybe I was imaganing it, or maybe he was just staring blankly, dreaming or maybe I was in the awe mode feeling perasan + jakun hahahaha)

We managed to catch the 3rd show. At the end of it all, someone had requested 'Hingga Akhir Nanti' (or maybe it was everyone's choice) and DA jokingly said...

"Huh? Saya sudah ampat kali nyanyi itu lagu!"

But he sang it again anyway. And the whole audience sang along.

All in all it was one worthy day of an outing. It was worth missing the FA Cup Final game for Arsenal won the cup and plus the fact that we could still watch rerun of the game on Sky tonight.

Well, guys I am too tired to elaborate more. My eyes are now half closed and yet my teeth need brushing.

Enjoy the video of Alleycats. We had only captured them doing the Malay rendition (they did sing other popular English songs including the pops by Maroon 5 and Avril Lavigne). Ohh..loved the way Logan rapped away and danced!!

Last but not least, would like to thank Kak Teh for if it wasn't her blog, we wouldn't have the chance to meet them today.

...'MA KASEEEEEEHHH !!!!!!!!!!!

P/s:- Kak Teh, you didn't have the wig on did you? Had a hard time spotting which one makcik blur is you. Had a wild guess though. Were you the one with white tudung, sequinned denim-like blouse and batik-printed long skirt? And most importantly, sat beside Datuk Jimmy Choo?