Fairport Convention, Connaught Theatre, Worthing

 The first local visit of the year ...  We went to see Fairport Convention at the Connaught theatre in Worthing...  a place we had been to before to see Cara Dillon, so kind of knew what we were in for.

The car park is next door to the theatre, however this time we had to pay by the hour in place of an evening charge that was in place last year, so some confusion over the ticket machine (and it did require topping up at the end of the evening as the show went on over the published time - which was very tight for us). We went in search of the noodle bar that we used last time, however it closed early on a Sunday so we settled for fish and chips and a bench over looking the sea front.

A trip down the pier and back the other side, before heading back to the van to wait for the doors to open - there was a fierce wind so hanging around outside was not an option.

Inside the demographic showed that the audience was keeping time with the band - most needed some kind of assistance to move around - we seemed to be in the extremes of the younger quartile.

The support was from a duo - Hanna Sanders and Ben Savage - acoustic with a shared mic...  at least it was original. She had a good voice but his appeared to be very strained.

there was no doubt as to why they were chosen as after their short set they stayed on whist the main act joined then to perform Reynardine.

Ric Saunders, Simon Nichol, Dave Pegg and Chris Leslie joined by Dave Mattacks, performed a mixture of tracks interspersed with a bit too much banter - everyone getting a turn to talk and tell stories (or lame stand-up as in Ric's turn).

Up to the intermission which provided a break.

After the break they sauntered back on for more of the same, ending with "Matty Groves" (definitely my favourite).

Then everyone back of for "Meet on the Ledge"

Then the mass exodus and queue to get out of the car park.

Set List

1. Reynardine
2. Walk Awhile
3. Cider Rain
4. My Love Is In America
5. Polly On The Shore
6. The Year of Fifty Nine
7. Steampunkery
8. Sloth
9. The Journeyman's Grace
10. The Banks of Sweet Primroses
11. Bankruptured
12. Portmeirion
13. Moondust And Solitude
14. Doctor of Physick
15. The Hiring Fair

Encore:

1. Meet On The Ledge

Cellar Darling, Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

 

A long break for Covid lockdowns and no shows.

We were staying with Katie in Nottingham and Cellar Darling were touring, so it was an ideal opportunity to go and see them. The rescue rooms was a dark cube of a room with the stage at one end and bar at the other.

We were there early, but I guess there were only a 100 tickets sold ..  so a good view without the balcony open and I could stand on a step.

First support were Kassogtha - Death metal..  very little melody behind extra powerful bass sound - moved a lot of air. They seemed to share kit with the next band. Never been a fan of grunting vocals though so was pleased when it was only some of the vocals!

They came from Switzerland as well so have travelled with Cellar Darling. Their best tune was a cover of Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine". 

Shame that the vocals were drowned out by the too loud and powerful bass (drum and bass guitar).

The tracks on their website have a much better balance though.

Second support - Black Orchid Empire, were slightly better but still this driving bass overwhelmed everything.

They did try the big "sing along" thing, however the room was a little too sparsely filled to carry it off well. 

I don't really remember much of the tunes.

Main event of the night ...  lived up to expectations, even dulling the bass push enough to actually hear the melodies. 

Excellent response from the audience.

Coved all the two albums, but I still like Avalanche the best.

1. Pain
2. Death
3. The Spell 
4. Insomnia
5. Freeze
6. Dance
7. Black Moon
8. Hullaballoo
9. The Hermit
10. Water
11. Fire, Wind & Earth
12. Redemption
13. Avalanche

Early Curfew ...  so not a late night

Remembrance Day Parade - Silvertown

Silvertown Remembrance day parade comes around again...   the sun was shining as we had another day without rain on this particular show.

We were back on the short march from tate and Lyle to the music hall and back again

the memorial and music hall

Battle of Britain Memorial show, Crawley mall, Bagpipe band

Helping out the air cadet band at their Battle of Britain memorial show in Crawley mall.
the cadets put up one pipe and a drum corps ...  we had 3 pipers and a matching drum corps.

The first show was started with a pseudo flash mob, playing Highland cathedral util all arranged ..  then we went through some of the cadet sets.

The second show started with a march in from the toilets ..  separating around the centre stalls and into the playing area to meet again. this time playing the 3/4 sets (easier on the march)
then through the same sets as the first time

Armed Forces Day, Littlehampton, Bagpipe band

Second year we had been invited to Littlehampton Armed Forces day.

We gathered at 9:00 am or so .. then had to wait for the parade to form at 10:30 ish ...  luckily this year we were on a shorter route, from the amusement centre along the road and into the field.

the march we the usual mess with each section at their own step.  then into the field for the drum head service ..  the weather was hot, and only offset by a breeze coming off the sea.
the usual set of "assistants" rushing around with water. then we marched off for a quick break.

Tuned up quickly then we were back in for an arena show ...  big field, small band ...  not sure the audience heard much, we snaked around the field then formed a circle, play some more then reformed and went out.  We gave them 20 mins and marched out..

then a big debate about which pub to go to before heading home.

Horley Carnival, Bagpipe band

Horley carnival show time again ...  Once more we were doing several slots ...  first in the town centre ...  performing for the cafe's.

then we joined the parade and played down the road to the rec. field.

and finally we performed on the field ...  not our best performance, and we struggled through ...  two pipers were making up numbers and two of us were trying to do what we could, the drum corps was on their first show without the lead tip.

Burn's Night, Redhill

Last minute call ...  there was a requirement to provide a piper to a pub between Redhill and Reigate ..  as I had my main one called off (they did not want to pay the fee) this filled the gap.

Tuned up at home first then in their office, and ready before time ..  which was a little scrambled and fluid.

the diners were all around the pub, and I squeezed in by the door .. so as t be out of the way and also manage the volume.

Through the standard sets, with a repeat of StB for an encore as that is the one they recognized the most.

A bit annoying was the mobile phone videos and the bright light into the face ... but just put on the competition face.

A bit of banter at the end ,, I had a few try to get a note out of the pipes, which they all struggled with to great humour.

Then pack up and back home