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I'm ruining a clean sheet. . . picking up 2 cabs tomorrow. . . . and looking at a couple of basses next week!

They only seem to sell roland items, and their vat number is real, so probably real, even if it is a private house. Maybe they just get demo stuff

On to the next gig and don't look back. Very unusual for a New Years Eve gig to sink. Nice basses. Happy New Year Marksbunney Daryl

That sounds very positive! Nice - and very good of you to share it with the staff

I like that. Giving some of the tips to the bar staff is a very nice touch. Towards the end of our gigs we always thank the venue, organiser, bar staff and of course the audience for spending their hard earned cash to buy tickets for the show. Dave

Ok, New Year’s Eve gig with Electrik Soup last night. We’re a 90s/00s indie classics band, and we were at The Hare & Hounds in Claygate, nice to get out of that London for a change. Kick-off was 9pm, but we had an early load-in because the venue was doing a three-course dinner. I gave the vocalist a lift and we got there around 5pm; rest of the band were already in with kit and PA set up. I got my bass rig up but couldn’t soundcheck until later. Fortunately, we had a band tab, so some complimentary food was very welcome. No booze for me though as I was driving. I was using my TC Electronic BH800 bass amp with a SpectraComp in one of the Tone Print slots, honestly, how good are they‽ Great definition across all notes and it really cut through nicely, even with 2 guitars. Punters drifted in and out earlier on, but it started filling up properly around 9. First set got polite applause more than anything. It was the acoustic set that really warmed them up, and then we absolutely stormed the second electric set. The Guvnor had asked us to give the usual “get your drinks in” announcement at 11:30pm as the bar shut at midnight. We finished the last song with about 20 seconds to spare before the countdown, then went straight into our own take on Auld Lang Syne. Started off mellow and ended in a raucous thrash 😁 Audience loved it. Loads of nice comments afterwards. We played really well overall, no major mistakes. A couple of intros got extended, but the band just rolled with it and no one would’ve known it wasn’t intentional. Load-out was brass monkeys. First time this winter I’ve had to scrape ice off the car windows. All in all, cracking NYE gig and a great way to see the year out. Gear: Shuker 3 → Getaria wireless → TC Electronic BH800 → TecAmp 2x12 (upgraded speakers). DI to PA from the amp. Footwear report: blue ASICS trainers.

Coke has a lot to answer for too. It turns people into arrogant a***holes. We've played a few times in places where there's a bit of a "culture" - only the once though. We don't need that kind of hassle.

Thanks Dave, I think New Years Eve gigs are " slam dunk" for most bands. For me the fact the dep drummer did a good job was a huge relief. I'm looking forward to doing more shows with him. Our band leader thinks he's a good fit for the band. They think he has the right stage presence for the band . He just needs to do a few more gigs with us to get more familiar with the songs. Tips were generous an extra $125.00 for everybody. We don't do this but a punter walked the tip jar around the room. We also give some of the tip money to the bar and wait staff. Happy New Year ! Daryl

Have I told you lately - Sir Rodney

We've turned up to venues and played to 27 people. We even asked the organiser if she wanted to go ahead and she was up for it so we have a view that if people have paid good money then they get the full show and we just go for it. We always enjoy it and as it turns out so did the people that actually turned up. Paid rehearsal aint such a bad thing. Enjoy every gig is our motto. (well at least try to 🤩) Dave

I'm glad you've got some useful advice and contacts, because the only two Norfolk-based musicians I know never play there.

How could you have been bad if you're already booked for next NYE. Some people are very narrow minded when it comes to live bands. If their particular juke box songs aren't in your set they just like to complain. I sometimes think the younger generation are too used to getting things "on demand" and expect every live band to play every style when they want it. I'd put this down to excessive drink and rudeness, forget it and just move on to the next gig. Not everyone will be happy with a band but as you say "why actually say it" I certainly would never criticise a live band. All credit to any musicians that get up there and make the effort. Dave

Played at The Allington ACA near Maidstone for NYE and it was absolutely dire! It was a ticketed event and there were less than 50 people in a massive room, including 10 kids! We’d been booked for ages, for a decent fee, but it was a long night with no atmosphere, especially with having to do 3 x 45 minute sets which kills any momentum. Apparantly there had been some politics with the committee, which had led to a lot of people celebrating elsewhere, and people not wanting to pay £20 a ticket to go somewhere that they go to for free every other week when the pubs in town had bands on with free entry for NYE. That said, we played well and a few people complimented us at the breaks, and also apologised for the lack of people there. Took both of my Ibanez 5 strings, but just used the EHB all night.

An easy one to start the year of Rob 😎 Dave👍