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barefoot_backpacker

Podcast host ("Travel Tales From Beyond The Brochure"). Travel/Lifestyle Blogger. Voice artist. Not a role model. AroAce Enby.

I've released a new episode of my podcast – this

I've released a new episode of my podcast – this one's all about #Salford.

I am aware that Salford isn't on many people's tourist radar or bucket list, and, to be sure, I hear you! But I lived there for a year, along with over 280,000 other people, so they can't all have chosen to live somewhere dull and uninspiring, surely? And, of course, everywhere is interesting.

This being Instagram, and a visual medium, makes it slightly trickier to extol the virtues of Salford as, let's be real, the one thing it isn't is terribly aesthetic. You don't go there for its beauty. But then my friend in Belgrade says there is beauty in everything if you look hard enough. Even Belgrade, apparently. But here's a few pics to get the gist of the place.

1: Ordsall Hall, a pre-Tudor manor house.
2: Chapel of Sacred Trinity, the oldest church in the city
3: King's Arms, one of the best pubs in the centre
4: Barton Swing Aqueduct, the only swing aqueduct in the world
5: Salford Quays, where the old docks have been regenerated
6: The view from my old balcony, the railway and the new tower blocks
7: Peel Park, the first municipal public park, in the morning mist
8: The most ridiculously-sited "I heart" sign that I completely forgot to mention on the podcast. Yes that is a main road in front of it.

Have you ever been to Salford? If so … why?!

I've just dropped a new episode of my podcast. Thi

I've just dropped a new episode of my podcast. This one's all about travelling for music.

It was prompted by a recent concert I attended, and not one you might have expected from me. My flatmate's a huge Taylor Swift fan, and she managed to source three tickets for her first night in Liverpool (one of the estimated lucky 3% who tried); her, me, and her mother all went along. Of course we shimmered, polished up real nice, or would have done had it not been 13°C and raining, because summer, innit.

Our seats were near the top, and right next to the stadium wall. This meant no-one was to our side or behind us, meaning even at 6'3", I wasn't blocking anyone's view. Which was useful as I was stood dancing the whole time.

There was one support act - Paramore - who I remember from the punk-pop era of the mid-'00s, and they're bloody good. So much energy, and passion. And the lead singer, Hayley Williams, has a fabulous voice live.

Taylor herself was on stage for about three and a quarter hours, but it definitely didn't feel like it. The purpose of the tour was to showcase pretty much her entire output (barring her very first album; the very country-music vibe of a 16-year-old possibly is a little too 'distant' from her modern branding. Even if it is better than 'Lover'), so it was very varied in style, as well as on-stage antics and showmanship.

I've not been to many concerts but it's by far the best atmosphere I've ever encountered. I suspect that's in part because it's what you get when so many people turn up in a stadium for a common purpose. It did feel quite weird to go to a concert and hear the audience sing almost as loudly and as much as the actual performer, even when the performer has a state-of-the-art sound system behind them. Plus the sheer rage of probably 50,000 women singing, nay shouting, along to 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' (and it's not the easiest of songs to sing along to) is quite an experience to behold.

I was very glad to have gone; it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and everyone was so friendly and joyous, you know?

What's been your favourite concert?

British summer time, as standard. I mean, I know

British summer time, as standard.

I mean, I know my expectations are low, but, honestly ... :D

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