Comfortable Disorientation

London Sing

I've always had a thing for singing. It doesn't matter that I've not got much of a voice; that my parents always awarded my brother the winner in our Limahl: Never Ending Story sing-offs; that I once overheard a teacher telling someone that the reason they'd given me a solo was because I was guaranteed not to get stage fright and could be relied upon to belt the tune out. Singing makes me happy.

These days I prefer singing as part of a chorus. Protected by a sense of anonymity, I am emboldened and liberated. It's a herd thing. I find it impossible not to feel thrilled at simply being human and alive when I'm part of a great meld of voices. It's just good for the soul.

So I got very excited when I spotted an ad for London Sing on the side of a bus coming home from groups last night. What a wonderful idea. Sadly, I'm going to miss the big sing-off on the South Bank (another wedding - this time in the Czech Republic). Had I been in London, wild horses wouldn't have kept me away.

The sound of the Southbank

Photo by Jonny2005

Twice this week I've found myself wandering along the Southbank.  On both occasions I was on my way somewhere, but something about the atmosphere prompted me to take time out to dawdle.

I think the Southbank is my favourite place in London to just be.  There's an easy inclusiveness to the mix of people and activities, and something about being beside the river, taking in the views of London old and new.  The Southbank is the only place I know of that Londoners get close to promenading.  I feel relaxed there; happy to just let it all soak in.

Last night, as I mingled amongst the Royal Festival Hall opening activity - watching TV reporters do their job and people interacting with the Appearing Rooms water sculpture - I wished I had my digital recorder on me. I wanted to record the meandering flow of sounds, to see if just hearing them later could evoke the feeling and atmosphere.  I tried to get innocuously close to people, wanting to catch bits of conversation.

Then today I spot this on Londonist. In 2002, someone else had the same desire to capture the mood through snippets of chatter. Only they acted on it. 

Perhaps the Southbank has this effect on lots of people?  If so, I wonder where else in the world people get this kind of feeling? It would be nice to know of such places, just in case I find myself in the vicinity.