My first *ever* Travis gig. The first of many more, but still remains in my memory as the best. I know you probably get bored of hearing stories of people's first gigs, but hey, I feel the need to ramble, so humour me...

Vicky and I had been promised Travis tickets from my parents for about a year, but every gig they did was always too far out, or too expensive, or came at a bad time... but eventually, this gig was announced, and FINALLY my parents said that it was OK. So, excited as hell, I phoned up the minute the phonelines opened, but it was engaged. I kept trying, and when I got through it said they had JUST all sold out. So, as any teenager would, I threw myself upon my bed and cried for hours until my Dad decided to step in and purchase some with his credit card from the internet. And that was the happiest day of my life.

The next few weeks were spent in acticipation of one thing only - the Travis gig. All our friends at school began to avoid us, they not being interested in Travis and not having much interest in us while we were so totally obsessed. And finally, joy of joys, the day came! We just finished our Maths GCSE (!) and came running out of school ready to go to London to see the men we had idolised for so long...

We eventually got there, and the anticipation was almost too much to bear... and then they came on stage! I swear I almost died (in a good way). Fran was so charismatic, and good with the audience, and as The Invisible Band hadn't actually come out yet, my Dad and I were the only ones who actually seemed to know any of the words. I made friends with a weird long-haired guy called Shaxxy, I stared adoringly up at the first guy I ever had a real crush on, I wrestled with a six foot burly guy for Andy's sweaty towel (and won), and I went home knowing in my heart that no day until my wedding day would EVER be able to top it.

So thankyou, Travis. The English language just doesn't hold enough words to tell you what you guys gave to me that night. Hope, love, inspiration... I felt it all, and all because of you. Never lose sight of what's really important, because that's what made me fall in love with THIS band, THIS music. Don't ever lose the ability to reach out and touch the hearts of total strangers.

Yours always,

Lawie.

this gig was right in the middle of my a-levels. i finished a psychology exam, hopped on a train, watched travis (with tickets i had won - than you web team!)and made it home to get to bed before a history exam the next morning! the gig was fantastic. it was good to hear songs off the new album before it came out. dougie was especially fantastic singing all hte young dudes (great to see that done live). just a great gig (as always!)

I'd only seen the guys the year before when they opend party in the park. So this was my first Travis gig. I'd never really been to a venue like this before so was a little intrigued. I remember I had horrendous tonsilitis on the morning I woke, but drugged up I certainly wasnt gonna miss this! I remember the day being very warm as we queued in the evening sun outside the forum before I noticed some commotion by the side entrance of the building I made my way to see what was going and there were the lads, finishing up their soundcheck and happy to sign a few things, even Andy and Dougie were minding their own business by the back door and just asked me how I was... MAGIC stuff! Fran even took off his cap to show us his legendary mohawk. The support were Turin Brakes of who's album I bought weeks later as I was so impressed. Then the boys came out kicked it off with Sing and the rest as they say is history. Ok so maybe I shouldnt have sung my heart out with my terror throat, which resulted in the rest of the week off work but it was all worth it. Cant believe that will be 8 years ago this year. It's all still so vivid, yet a wonderful thing to know that even today we are still being blown away by these guys evrey time they go on the road, so heres to the next 8 years and so on snd so on.....guys you're the best!