Making Plans For Scotland…

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This week I have been mostly…working out which gigs I wanted to go to…and then making the plans for a preliminary reccy to Glasgow.

I started with the UK first and working with the notion that Glasgow will be a local gig so grabbed my soundcheck experience there first. After that, the next nearest UK venue would be Leeds, so that was booked. Then I really wanted to get myself in a smaller venue and I looked at venue sizes. I considered other factors too. How early the gig would be – date wise in the tour – and how easy it would be to get to the city from the nearest airport and how well located within the city centre the venue would be. Based on those factors, I decided to plumb for Copenhagen. It’s a gig in early March. Copenhagen is further south than the other European cities with dates before it, and hopefully less susceptible to suffer any inclement weather. Also, the city is relatively small and easy to navigate. Plus the venue itself is small with only a 1700 capacity.

La Seine Musicalé as an architectural structure looked stunning to my eyes. And, with it being on the Seine, it quickly became a favoured option. I tried to book it next but when I went to choose the seats on the screen on the laptop it said there were no seats to choose. So I went and booked my Dublin ticket instead.

After I had secured a Dublin ticket, I tried Paris again on my iPad, this time the site seemed to allow me to choose seats, I grabbed to two, one for me and another for a friend.

I was done with my choices and happy with my lot. Time to relax! At least from the anxiety of making ticket purchases for SM gigs anyway!

So now today while everyone else scrabbled to secure their tickets in the general sales, I was booking flights and hotels – those flights including a trip to Glasgow in the next week or two on a reconnaissance mission of rental properties…and perhaps maybe one or two actual views of houses on the market.

It all hit at once!

The timing really could not have been more perfect!

I still have some things to consider. When to go home and see mum, for example. For several weeks now I have pretty much had February in my head. I’ll get there soon enough. I’ll work it out.

In the meantime, here’s to pastures new!

Woe-gan House Freeze Off – “40” Tour Dates, 2020

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I “wakened up” (as a certain Mr Kerr would say) at 3.30am having had a mixed and slightly fitful sleep. The reason? I had decided when it was announced Jim would be on the Zoe Ball Breakfast show on Radio 2 a couple of weeks back to bite the bullet and head on in to see him. Well…that was the hope.

My thinking being…if the news is big enough that he’s on with Zoe Ball, he’ll be there in the studio, NOT on the phone!

I got myself ready and had a taxi booked by 4.30am. My target was the 5.08am train to St Pancras.

I was actually running early and made the 4.50am train in! I got to St Pancras at 5.30am and made my target of being outside Wogan House (adjacent to Broadcasting House, where the Radio 2 studios are based) by 6.15am.

The celeb spotting started almost immediately with Paul Gambaccini leaving the building just a few minutes after I arrived.

Also shortly after I arrived, a man appeared and stood near me.

Firstly, there was no Zoe Ball. Nicki Chapman was presenting for her this morning. That was the first slight worry.

I was listening in while standing outside freezing my tits off. Ian Waite appeared and walked through the doors. Then some 45 minutes later he left again.

And just before 8am, Ken Bruce appeared and walked in.

After the Strictly news with Ian Waite, Nicki said “and Jim Kerr will be coming in later…” and I thought “OMG! YES! I have made the right choice coming down here!

Subsequent mentions after that she had changed it to “and I’ll be chatting to Jim Kerr…” Oh, shit! Why have you changed the wording, Nicki?

Once the 8am news happened I was thinking “he’ll be here soon. He’ll be here soon. Any minute now.” Then there was a thing on Thunderbirds. “Okay, any minute he should turn up. He’ll be on soon. Come on, Jim! Where are you?”

Then the traffic report happens. And then it all became too clear as Nicki said “I’ll be talking to Jim Kerr next.” Well…he hadn’t appeared. There are no other doors for him to enter through. FUCK! He’s phoning in from Glasgow!

*sigh*

As much as I was thinking before today “it’s the risk I take. If he’s there, he’s there. If not then…I won’t get disheartened.” Pfffft! That’s what I DELUDED myself into believing anyway.

So, he was a no show. The man who came and stood near me had been with me the whole time. As soon as it was apparent Jim was not coming, so walked off. So he was obviously waiting for Jim too. At least I wasn’t the only saddo hoping against hope. Lol.

I walked off too…but was still listening to the show and Jim talking to Nicki. I heard the song too, which, did not register with me until today is a King Creosote cover! Of course!

So…the first gig I have lined up for 2020 has more significance than I first anticipated. But NOW…I may see a Simple Minds gig BEFORE King Creosote. For we had TOUR NEWS! Jim actually did announce a European/UK tour for Feb/Mar/April 2020. See below! Obviously all further details are available through Simple Minds’ various social media.

And so, despite trying not to be disappointed about not seeing Jim…I was a little. You know. It was an effort. Up at 3.30am. Out the door at 4.30am. At Wogan House by 6.15am. Stood there until 8.40am, freezing to death as I had not put enough layers on, needing the loo, but also thirsty and gasping for coffee.

I consoled myself by going to a Starbucks and having a spiced pumpkin latte and a lemon muffin.

I then walked for miles and ended up at Shaftsbury Ave and into China Town. I just walked about wasting time.

More compensation, this time in the form of a chai latte and (see pic) a lovely slice of passionfruit cake.

I had a gift with me for Jim. It’ll have to wait for a future time.

Finally…for your lugholes…here’s For One Night Only (unless you are a MEGA Simple Minds fan! One night is NEVER enough! Lol. And I mean all the innuendo that is laced with. Yes! Lol)

I’m off for a lie down!

UK Drum Show – September 21st, 2019 – Manchester

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It was a bit of a palaver getting in to the venue. People had lined up promptly. I arrived there about 9.25am for the 9.30am start. The queue hardly moved in 30 mins. There was an appearance by Matt Garstka on the main stage due for 10am and many people who had paid to see it were still queued up outside at 9.55am. They were being filtered through by this point but they probably weren’t going to make it in. I hope Matt delayed things so people got in.

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I had booked to have a free drum lesson at the Trinity College booth for 10.15 and I just about made it in there. It was my first experience of an electronic kit. We were on Roland kits (can’t remember the model – lovely kit though) and had just a bit of basic tuition. We played along to Queen’s We Will Rock You and then to James Brown’s Hot Pants before going on to Blur’s Song 2 which did me in. Lol. It seems like it would be really straight forward, Song 2, but heck, there’s a whole lot of patting your head whilst rubbing your tummy stuff going on with that. Lol

I walked about a bit checking things out. Then I saw Emily Dolan-Davies and had a great chat with her and another man whose name I didn’t catch, but he was one of Nathan Shingler’s tutors. We had a good talk and he offered me some great pearls of wisdom in terms of how I get on with my own learning and stuff. I briefly met Nathan’s parents too.

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I went out for a bite to eat and then met up with fellow Minds fan Dave Kelly. We had a good chinwag and then went in to see Cherisse’s masterclass.

A fab masterclass it was too. We learned about Cherisse’s career. How she started out, who she’s drummed for professionally, as well as her performing demonstration medleys showcasing music from the acts she’s worked with.

Below are some vid from the masterclass of her talking about working with Mika and then talking about her time with Bryan Ferry and Paloma Faith and now her time with SM and showcasing a medley of Minds stuff (the observant amongst you will hear a little bit more of LITCoA ahead of its October 4th release).

She put on a great show and a really strong showcase of her immense talent. Jim’s tag of referring to her as “a little dynamo” is WHOLLY justified. For someone so petite, she has such power behind her! But also the subtlety when required.

 

She was doing a signing after the masterclass and I queued up just to say hi and to badger her for more lessons. Lol. Hopefully I’ll get to have a few in the weeks ahead.

As for kit that took my eye? Well, it needs to be about the sound and feel, but I was far too scared to test anything out. I have no real knowledge of what I want or need and a show like this isn’t really much of a buying experience for a complete beginner. Well, I don’t think anyway. So I was just looking at the aesthetics if kits. There was a beautiful looking Natal kit. The bass drums on the Natal’s are HUGE! I love the look of Rusty drums and there was a beautiful bass skin on display on their stall.

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But for looks and affordability, there was a lovely looking Gretsch there for £625. I know Dave Ruffy of Ruts DC plays on Gretsch kits and he always sounds awesome.

But Cherisse’s Tama kit looks and sounds amazing too. And I have been having most of my lessons on Pearl kits, so…how will I ever make my mind up?! Lol

After the brief chat with Cherisse and goodbyes with Dave, there was just time enough for another scoot about and a coffee over the road at the Costa before getting the coach back to London and onwards to home.

All in all, a fab day. I’d do it again.

Kelly Jones + The Wind And The Wave – New Theatre, Oxford – September 18th, 2019

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It was a new venue for me. I hadn’t been to a gig at the New Theatre before. I had wanted to try and catch a show on the previous leg of the tour in June/July but money was just too tight at that point, and although money is still tight, things are set to ease somewhat very soon. Kelly had swung by closer to home on the last leg, having dates in London and Cambridge, so Oxford was a stretch in distance to cover, but I would get to see the tour’s finale. Not an entirely bad thing.

The show started promptly at 7.30pm with support act The Wind And The Wave. A duo from Austin, TX, comprising Patricia Lynn and Dwight Baker. Kelly appeared on stage to introduce them saying “Patti could sing the fucking phonebook.”

I enjoyed their set. Due to the prompt start, there was the obligatory interruptions from endless latecomers. Made all the worse for some of us. I was right by the entrance point for the middle section of the circle so the interruptions were constant. The ushers kept latecomers at bay to try and minimise the interruptions, but seated where I was it helped little.

But I still managed to enjoy their set. Dwight was full in interesting banter between songs which sometimes Patti interjected with or elaborated on. Minimal instrumentation, just an acoustic guitar with Dwight and some electronic percussion triggered by foot from both of them. They had fantastic harmonies. Favourites they performed were The Redhead In Aberdeen, Happiness Is Not A Place, This House Is A Hotel, and Human Beings Let You Down. I’d happily see them again. Just beautiful, simplistic music that is beautifully expressive and on any subject affecting the human condition…from the sublime to the ridiculous.

A short break and stage set up before Kelly arrived on stage at 8.45pm. A brief hello and then straight on with things. A few slow numbers to open and just the use of acoustic or electric guitar from Kelly with either piano or violin – sometimes both – accompanying him.

Of course I was also there to see Cherisse. Out she came about the 5th song in and instantly reminded me what I have been missing while Simple Minds are on a break for this year. I MISS MY TUTOR! Lol. Yes…it’s a contradiction, I know…as while she’s touring, she’s too busy touring for any tuition. Still, with the money situ having been as tight as a duck’s proverbial of late, I’d have not been able to afford lessons anyway. Chicken and egg…

You’ll have to excuse my ignorance on my knowledge of Stereophonics songs and my appalling memory to recall the songs I heard last night. But I will do my best to go over the standouts for me.

The first definitely was Kelly talking about Stuart Cable. It was quite a reminiscent homage but it was wonderful to hear. He then performed Before Anyone Knew Our Name. Another highlight was a brilliant version of Mr Writer. “For the past 20 years I’ve been having to explain what this song is about. For the record, I don’t hate journalists. This song isn’t about a journalist.”

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He performed a new song from the forthcoming Stereophonics album, Kind, called Fly Like An Eagle.

Below is a video I recorded of him performing I Wanna Get Lost With You.

A couple of covers were also a standout. Kris Kristofferson’s Help Me Make It Through The Night was beautiful, and The Wind And The Wave joined Kelly on stage for a fabulous version of Stop Dragging My Heart Around.

Towards the end of the show some “hits” – the most familiar Stereophonics tracks I know – were performed. I never knew the story of Local Boy In The Photograph. Also there was a wonderful rendition of Maybe Tomorrow.

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Finally the most wonderful encore of Dakota that had the crowd up off their seats and singing along (me included!).

There are a few clips on my Facebook page if you want to look, including that wonderful Dakota finale.

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I tried so hard to get some good photos of the stage set. I really loved the backdrop. It was a simple set up, but it was just visually quite lovely. The stage arrangement was great too and the lighting worked really well. The staging was expertly done. And the acoustics and sound was absolutely spot on.

I’ve shared a few pics but they’re not the best.

A fabulous gig. I’d definitely see Kelly again in future.