walk with jimmy

Chapter 140 The Song of England

When the Planets showed up at Stewart's show, both Lance and James were a little dazed.

Because this performance is completely free of charge, anyone can enter if they want.

"It costs a lot of money to rent such a stadium for a whole day, right?" James couldn't help asking Lance in a low voice, and said in a somewhat inconceivable tone, "Stu and the others don't charge money?"

Lance also frowned, unable to figure out what Stuart was doing for a while.

At this time, a staff member who came to greet the Planetary Band and guide them into the venue heard what James said, and casually interjected: "Not just one day, but three days in a row without charging."

"Open for three days? All free?" James was shocked.

Although he is not such a person who cares about money, he still doesn't understand Stuart's (take advantage of) operation.

After all, even if it is for charity, it is generally necessary to deduct the cost and then donate the remaining income.

But this kind of behavior of renting a venue to perform by yourself without collecting money is completely losing money.

If it is some [-]th-tier small bands, it can also be understood as wanting to increase exposure, which is a loss of money; or it can be understood as being rich and powerful with the support of powerful sponsors.

But the problem is that the Dancing Sculpture Band became famous earlier than the Planetary Band, and they don't need to earn fame for free; as for the sponsors, I haven't heard of any sponsors they have met?

In short, James and Lance looked at each other, and they both saw doubts in each other's eyes, and both felt that this performance was a bit strange.Especially when they walked in, they saw many colleagues and acquaintances, who should have been invited...

This is even stranger.

It's not that colleagues don't want to watch their performances, but it's rare to have a concert and invite a bunch of colleagues, right?

At this time, it was still early before the show started, and Lance wanted to say hello to his colleagues around him, and inquire about the situation by the way; James was too lazy to socialize, so he decided to go to the backstage to say hello to Stewart. If you have any questions, it is better to ask him directly.

So, the two split up.

But when James came backstage, he found Stewart leaning against a wall and vomiting into a trash can.

"Fuck! You have... what's wrong?"

James almost said "You have it", but considering the character of the other party, he hurriedly changed the words back.

"Jimmy, you're here!" Stuart smiled at him.

Then, he wiped his mouth with paper, his face was pale, but he showed an embarrassed expression: "It's okay, it's okay, I'm just a little nervous."

"Nervous?" James repeated the word.

"Yes, won't you be nervous before going on stage?" Stuart asked casually.

"If that's what you mean by nervousness, of course not," James replied.

"That's great." Stuart said enviously.

James didn't want to ask any more questions.

He walked over and said, "Dude, don't be afraid, I'll share your courage with you."

Stuart laughed, and the hesitant and anxious expression on his face disappeared. He hugged James, but suddenly asked: "When we first met, what did you give me to drink?"

"what?"

James froze for a moment, turned his green eyes, and insisted on sticking to the lie: "Mineral water."

"Little villain!" Stuart laughed all of a sudden.

He sighed: "Jimmy, it's good of you, don't change, never change."

James looked at him incredulously.

But Stuart didn't say anything more, just smiled at him.

He was dressed very formally that day, with a three-piece suit and a British-style long windbreaker, but his whole body was only black and white, without any decorations, and there was no strange makeup. He looked serious as if he was going to Go to a dinner party instead of a rock concert.

However, when he laughed, his brows stretched, and the serious and almost serious atmosphere receded in an instant, and he returned to his usual gentle and amiable feeling.

James couldn't help saying: "That's right, just smile, you are the best."

Stuart took a deep breath, smiled and said, “Thank you, Jimmy.”

After that, James stopped making trouble in the background and returned to the auditorium.

However, when the performance started, he found that the news that the dancing sculpture band "recently is not doing well" was indeed not an exaggerated report by the media.

Because it was a free performance, there were quite a few people in the stadium, but when Stewart stood on the stage and greeted all the audience, no one even responded, let alone cheered and applauded.

But apparently, the Dancing Sculpture Band expected something of that.

They showed no signs of disappointment, and started the performance calmly...

There was no trace of nervousness in the background on Stuart.

On the contrary, the typhoon he showed is very strong. Although he is not like James who likes to run around, but whether it is his eyes, expression, or every movement, he has an absolute sense of confidence, and when he sings with all his attention Sometimes, even a smile is seldom.

James finds the contrast quite amusing.

However, when Stuart was halfway through singing, he couldn't stand it anymore, and quietly tugged on Lance's sleeve without speaking.

Lance looked at him inexplicably, and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong with you?"

James grabbed his sleeve, pretended to wipe his eyes and said, "It sounds so good that I'm about to cry."

Lance:  …

This "Beautiful England" by Stewart is a hymn to the motherland.

If the audience who listens carefully can hear his deep love for this country from every song of his, Scotland, Wales, the Lake District...beautiful island countries, beautiful coastlines, and castles, Churches, railways across the country...

He used melodious melody and beautiful poetic lyrics to describe England so beautifully, almost an ideal and dreamy paradise.

James, who was already very easily moved by music, waved his arms for his friends on the stage without any pressure of identity.

Lance took two steps back silently.

While listening to Stewart's singing quietly, he pretended not to know the person next to him.

But in fact, there are not many people who think like James.Most of the audience showed a look of impatience when Stewart's singing sounded.

Sometimes, good music doesn't necessarily make it popular.

Although Stewart's songs are unique, their shortcomings are also very obvious, that is, there is an invisible threshold, and it is not the type that is catchy at the first listen. If there is no excellent sensitivity, you often have to listen quietly for a while , in order to feel the deep emotion in the song.

But when the whole environment is loud and pounding grunge, pure British music sounds too flat.

Therefore, many young people who have been spoiled by the straight expression of grunge, have no patience to experience the emotions in the song, and turned away after listening for a while.

The performance lasted about two hours, and when there were still several songs left in the countdown, two-thirds of the audience had already left the venue.

And among the sparse one-third of the audience, there are only colleagues invited in advance, media reporters, some die-hard fans of the band, and some people who are older.

This scene is really indescribable irony.

Because Dancing Sculptures, like Planets, initially targeted the teenage market.

But now, most of the people who are willing to quietly listen to them sing a British song are those who are a little older.

The band on stage is oblivious to everything off stage.

They don't seem to care much about whether the audience goes or stays.

Until the last song of the show...

At this time, there were too many people leaving the performance site, and the venue was already a little empty, which was a bit embarrassing.

But there was still no superfluous expression on Stewart's face. Instead, he calmly took off his long trench coat, threw it aside, held the microphone, and sincerely said a word to the rest of the audience: "Everyone, I want to say that the United States is not a Good choice and I've always been proud of England."

Then, he started singing the last song, which is the title of the album [Beautiful England].

In fact, Stewart's vocal condition is not as good as that of James. When it reaches the high pitch, it will become very thin and sometimes appear weak.

But this sense of fragility has a childlike clarity and stubbornness, and this voice quality is fully displayed in this song "Beautiful England".

He is like a child who loves this country crazily, with sincere and passionate emotions. Even if countless people say something bad, he still has to refute every sentence stubbornly and choked up.

so that...

Out of the creator's thinking, although he is also listening to the song, Lance, who has been secretly comparing with himself in his heart and analyzing the pros and cons of it, is finally moved by it at this moment.

James had already applauded Stewart again.

He looked at his good friend so sincerely, wishing he could write the word "good to hear" on his green eyes!

Stewart sang very deeply, when he held up the British red, white and blue three-color Union Jack with tears in his eyes, quietly sang "Beautiful England", and waved the flag on the stage...

The audience was silent.

The lead singer, who has always been restrained and elegant externally, burst out with huge emotional energy at this moment.

He put the national flag on his body and sang "Beautiful England" over and over again, a drop of crystal tear rolled from the corner of his eye.

Both James and Lance were a little shocked.

They finally had some understanding of what the show was about.

"I've always been proud of England."

Stuart repeated this sentence again.

—England!Beautiful England, eternal England.

—if I am destined to die, I shall also fall under England's endless sky, and breathe my last breath of England.

At this moment, he looked so stubborn, like a declining British nobleman at sunset. He was obviously exhausted, but he still persisted, trying to support the glory of his ancestors in the past, even if he was burned to ashes by the unstoppable flames. Stubbornly standing on the ruins and persevering...

The author has something to say: This is the protagonist!The protagonist who worries about the country and the people!