XFM Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland was a night to remember. I arrived at 5.30 (the doors opened at 6.30) and already the queue was all the way back into the council estate behind the Brixton Academy. I got in at about 7pm, and within 15 minutes the Flaming Monkeys were on stage. Followed by the Dead 60's, who I am not a fan of, but they were rather enjoyable. Then came Magnet who I've seen before supporting Athlete. He was OK, but I would have preferred someone better.

Then came the moshing when The Editors came on, and they really turned the volume up with an amazing performance. The Kooks were quite disappointing for the 10 minutes they were on, but were lightened up by a legend. Jimmy Carr supplied jokes until the next act.

Then Maximo Park came on to the stage, and I was within touching distance of the lead singer when he climbed the barriers. I was then kicked in the head by a crowd surfer, which added to the atmosphere. And near the end I was feeling faint so I had to go to the back and miss the end of their set. I was then raring to go again when Hard-Fi appeared and the atmosphere was roaring.

At the begging of the night we were promised that there would be special guests. Legends who had been in the business for 30 years. I didn't get my hopes up, but it was then announced that it was Chas and Dave. I wasn't ecstatic on their arrival, but it was nice to see men who wrote the only fools and horses theme tune.

Then came the band who I got the tickets for, The Kaiser Chiefs, and I was not disappointed! They sang every song off the album, and carried the show on until 12.30 in the morning.

The night was amazing, and seeing all my favourite XFM DJ's was an added touch, especially JLC, Jimmy Carr, Lauren Laverne and the legendary John Kennedy.

An amazing night which I will never forget!