The Waterboys, Brighton Centre

A desire to get away from home and limited by Sue's mobility we chose to take in the Waterboys who were playing at the Brighton Centre ... This is really just Mike Scott with none of the classic line-up, however there was new and old music to be entertained with.

We parked in the Russel square underground car park and walked along the sea front to the centre.

As we were early and did not want to wait in the queue we sat for a while looking over the beach, then returned after door opened.

We were seated in the stalls balcony, over looking the "standing floor" and fairly near the middle. The floor was virtually empty when the support act came on - as is the way these days they would also feature during the main act.
Zervas & Pepper were trying to be West Coast hippies - I liked some of the guitar melodies, but the singing left me a little perplexed.

The floor filled up as the time approached the start of the main act, however we had no one in our row until the next aisle, and the seats in front were empty. I am not sure if people had swapped the seats for standing or if they were not sold.

The band started with some rockier numbers from recent years (I think)

About a third of the way through the show changed to showcase his latest album - built around Dennis Hopper. 

There were some backlit visuals to go along with these songs, but I was not sure about them - I think I was expecting more lyrical content.

Then back to the classics ...  reimagined, with extended instrumentals. Mainly we avoided the audience participation apart from during the Whole of the moon. It was interesting to see that the phones only came out to record the old favourites! - we could see the glow backwards from them.

I did wonder if there would be an encore as the audience was struggling, but they came out and we had more enjoyment - A girl called Johnny, and Fisherman's Blues to finish ( I ignored the middle tune as it did not fit)

Set List

(I think .... to be confirmed) Zervas & Pepper also popped up from time to time

• A Pagan Place
• Glastonbury Song
• How Long Will I Love You?
• All Souls Hill
• Medicine Bow
• This Is the Sea
• Kansas (Sung by Steve Earle on a visual background)
• Live in the Moment, Baby
• The Tourist (with Barny Fletcher)
• Andy (A Guy Like You) (with Barny Fletcher)
• Blues for Terry Southern
• Hopper's On Top (Genius) (with Barny Fletcher)
• Transcendental Peruvian Blues
• Michelle (Always Stay) (with Barny Fletcher)
• Ten Years Gone
• I Don’t Know How I Made It (with Barny Fletcher)
• Golf, They Say (with Barny Fletcher)
• The Passing Of Hopper (with Barny Fletcher)
• Don't Bang the Drum
• The Whole of the Moon (with Barny Fletcher)
• Spirit
• The Pan Within

Encore:

• A Girl Called Johnny
• Wasted Sunset (Barny Fletcher cover) (with Barny Fletcher)
• Fisherman's Blues (with Barny Fletcher)

Burns Night - The Swan in Forest Row

 I had a booking for the Swan in Forest row to accompany a dinner. The manager of the swan had moved over from Wisborough Green and had asked for me back. It did involve a long drive over, but I knew who I was dealing with, so settled on a bit more money.

I drove over and parked down the road (the pub car park was full) and popped in to meet up with Matt who showed me to his pokey office for tuning up. It was under the stairs and only just large enough to get the pipes up but not move around.

When the time came around, I started in the bar area and moved into the dinning room. - the usual start tunes.

Then once most people were seated then I played the presentation tunes whilst one of the servers showed off the haggis.

I came back for some more tunes after their deserts, before retreating to the pub for the "have a go session". A couple of people, then up to the dinning room for a couple more - by now I could play the chanter whilst they blew ,,,  got a even better response.

back in the bar for a few mor tunes after the last few "tryers". I was dominated by a drunk bloke who was talking about a party evening but just passed over my details, and an inflated price - we will see if anything comes of it.

Burns Night - Ifold residents social

 Last year I had offered to play for the social club in Ifold, unfortunately it was too late to change their plans, however they remembered for this year. I chose to walk down to the hall (in the dark!) - I had full #1 dress on for this occasion so not very reflective!

It was a usual Burns night performance ....  arrive early enough to tune up, then I went outside to walk in and surprise those who were not in on the secret.  

I played around the tables then settled into the end of the room. Next was the usual greeting for the haggis, and again marching around the tables, before ending up at the head for the presentation and stabbing.

I played again for the desert course - just a couple of tunes, then at the end (again just a couple), before my usual "come and try" options. I had a couple of people try, and had to block off the drones so they could get a sound out of them. 

A couple of long whiskeys and a walk home.

Burns Night, Ifield Beavers

 I was invited to give a talk/ demonstration of the pipes to the Beavers (young Scouts group) in Ifield (Crawley). Finding the place was the biggest challenge, with all the parking problems around the area!

I went along with a number of Practice chanters and the pipes to give them a short chat and a chance to blow things.

A quick chat, followed by a demo of the chanter sound, before putting it all together for a demo of the sound. I gave them an opportunity to blow down the PCs before a second tune for them. Next they had an opportunity to try some "veggie" haggis, and a Q&A session before a final tune.

I kept each session very short so they did not get distracted by other things.