How was your gig last night?

[Bluewine]

4 hours ago, okusman said:

First festival of the year. The rain stayed away, and good fun was had by all.

 

Another beautiful crowd shot with proper lighting. 

 

Daryl

[BigRedX]

Late again, but two gigs over the weekend and then life got in the way.

 

First was the opening slot for the Re:Vamped Weekend gig at the 1 in 12 Club in Bradford. We were on at 5.15 which was a bit too early really - there were still people coming in as we were packing up after playing. However those that had made it to see us were enthusiastic and we had a good proportion of them up and dancing and singing along and we played well. Sold a couple of T-shirts afterwards, and would have sold some CDs too but someone (me) forgot to pack them. Here's a photo from early on in the gig:

 

 

We stayed for a couple of numbers from the next band but then had to leave as we had our second gig of the weekend the following day and had been asked to load in at midday.

 

So Sunday saw us back in Nottingham playing the "I'm Not From London" stage at The Chapel as part of the Nottingham day of the Dot-To-Dot festival. Another early start this time we were on at 3.00 but there were 4 bands on before us so there was a decent crowd. Weird sound problems on stage with some bass notes causing the drum monitor (which didn't need to be on for us) to fart out, and it was one of those things that once you'd noticed it you couldn't stop listening out for it again. Didn't play quite as well as the previous day, but the audience seemed to enjoy it, although only having 30 minutes meant that we had to keep the inter-song crowd interaction to a minimum which always impacts on the performance. Sold T-shirts and CDs afterwards and had to sign some CDs too - which that always surprises me as it's not something that I would ask for as a punter. Still it is gratifying to know that people are interested enough to ask for us to sign stuff. One of our fans took this short video of the last verse of "Lost Souls (Driving At Night)":

 

 

 

We have a month off until our next gig so we'll be working on a couple of new songs and recording for the album. 

 

 

[cheddatom]

Very late here, last week we did Wednesday 6pm and Thursday 9pm at Bearded Theory Woodland Stage. It's a big festival and really suited to us. I camped over for the weekend after the Thursday set which was loads of fun. Great crew, great sound, great crowd, doesn't get better

 

 

[StingRayBoy42]

FRIDAY NIGHT!
(Sorry I'm late.)

Jones Jazz Orchestra 'Tribute to the Rat Pack' at The Cameo Suite, Coleshill (near Brum)

20-odd piece big band playing Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin type stuff.

A 6pm start on bank holiday/half term Friday meant I turned up half an hour late, sweating like an inappropriate similie (I went on a rubbish date with a girl called Similie... I don't know what I metaphor) as I was suited and booted and carrying a Double Bass, which was a good start.
I had to set up as the band topped and tailed a few bits, I got done just in time to join in on the last bit of tailing.

Just enough time to grab a lime & soda before doors, the singer from the rock band and his other half came, as well as my current squeeze... good to have a few friendly faces there.
(CS & singer's OH became instant besties, which was nice)

We had a dep trombonist who I'd found on facebook and a dep Bass tromboner (friend of the BL) who were both fantastic - the Bass Trombone has got some cracking parts that we never hear as we don't usually have one, and this guy was REALLY belting them out!
The dep (normal) trombonist was really good too - sight read the whole set (!) and sounded great.

We sounded really good!
We had four singers who chopped and changed, a few duets, BVs on a couple, and all four of them for the last number (New York, New York).
(One of the singers (Zak) is barely old enough to drink (the others call him 'babyface' (affectionely!)), but he's got an incredible voice and he's been on the telly a few times (singing, not on Crimewatch or anything) and recently sang in the garden at 10 Downing St as part of the VE day celebrations - clearly got a bright future ahead of him. I hope he remembers us...)

It was our lead trombonist's (Monet, Birmingham's finest non-binary, Japanese, Lindy-Hopping, Morris Dancing, Jazz trombonist (they're such an utterly awesome player.... I may have mentioned them before)) last (big) gig, so the BL gave a little speech about how much we'd miss them and I presented them with their leaving present from the band, then (totally unexpectedly) had the mic thrust into my hand and was told to say a few words... thanks, Boss!
I didn't disgrace myself or embarrass Monet too much, so... all good.

We played really well, we sounded great, we 99% nailed all the tricky stops and tempo changes and stuff, we went down a treat (there were about ninety people there I think... all friends and family, so a friendly crowd) and everyone in the band enjoyed it.

Highlights were Lady is a Tramp, Orange Coloured Sky, New York New York and me not *totally* cocking up the little solo bit at the end of I've got you under my skin.

Played the Double Bass -> Fishman Platinum pro EQ (the old one) -> Thumpinator ->MB 802.

EDIT: Midnight Blue DMs with neon orange laces.

It was the first time in absolutely ages I've played DB live.... I did OK.
I'd done plenty of practice, so no blisters or torn tendons or anything.
I was *right* on top of my amp so had loads of feedback and couldn't really hear myself, so much of it was guesswork but enough people said I sounded good, so... I'll take that.
Current squeeze loved it (I mean... she's not going to say it was rubbish is she, but... y'know...), singer from the Rock band and his OH were blown away (they're used to seeing me play rock stuff in a 4 piece covers band, so a very different vibe!) so a good night all round.

A short video is attached - please don't mock my awful posture, face, hair, Mr Mackie glasses or piss poor Double Bass technique.
Thank You.

 

Edited 13 hours ago by StingRayBoy42

[StingRayBoy42]

MONDAY AFTERNOON!
(Sorry I'm late again)

The Sax Pistols in a bandstand somewhere in Stratord-upon-Avon.
Seven-piece funky brass band playing everything from Bruno Mars to James Brown to the Pulp Fiction theme tune.

It was cold, rainy and horribly windy, so there was hardly anyone watching.
The wind meant my music wouldn't stay on the stand, so I gave up after the second tune and did it from memory/busked it. I was not entirely unsuccessful.

We played pretty well and sounded good!
We were all dancing about to try and keep warm and complaining (good-naturedly) between songs.
Those that were there really enjoyed it, lots of confused-looking foreign tourists filmed us (presumably for evidence) and we went down well enough.

It's really good fun stuff to play, and they're all good players - the new Tenor Sax player is absolutely cracking.
BL has got really good banter/spiel between numbers, which helps keep the spirits up when you're freezing your proverbials off!

Highlight was the Trombone in 'Just a closer walk with thee' (New Orleans style hymn) - Monet (BFNBJLHMDJT - see my previous post) has total free rein and... it's an almost religious experience.

Back to BL's canal boat afterwards for a much-needed cuppa!

Played the Sousaphone, wore the offensively glittery Converse.

Edited 13 hours ago by StingRayBoy42

[Bluewine]

We have an acoustic gig this Saturday. 

 

Daryl

[dmccombe7]

5 hours ago, Bluewine said:

We have an acoustic gig this Saturday. 

 

Daryl

Oohh nice bass Daryl.

Dave

[police squad]

Had a banging sunday afternoon gig in Sandwich, Kent
People were dancing in the first set and throughout the 2nd set

I've lost about a stone in the past 2 months and the affect on my voice is amazing

I felt like I could sing for another hour

New venue, new audience meant I could tell my Bucks Fizz story again 😀

Edited 2 hours ago by police squad

[Obrienp]

19 hours ago, StingRayBoy42 said:

The wind meant my music wouldn't stay on the stand, so I gave up after the second tune and did it from memory/busked it. I was not entirely unsuccessful.
 

Try putting it onto a tablet. There are plenty of apps about for the purpose. Hercules do a great stand (other brands are available). It has the added advantage of reducing the size of the barrier between you and the audience (some might see that as a disadvantage, I guess).

[Piers_Williamson]

1 minute ago, Obrienp said:

Try putting it onto a tablet. There are plenty of apps about for the purpose. Hercules do a great stand (other brands are available). It has the added advantage of reducing the size of the barrier between you and the audience (some might see that as a disadvantage, I guess).

We have a guitarist who will seek out any supporting structure (pillar) to stand behind.  To be fare he doesn't also use a music stand.

[StingRayBoy42]

4 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

Try putting it onto a tablet. There are plenty of apps about for the purpose. Hercules do a great stand (other brands are available). It has the added advantage of reducing the size of the barrier between you and the audience (some might see that as a disadvantage, I guess).

Yeah, I know - been toying with the idea for ages.
It does mean shelling out on a tablet though!

[mikebass456]

6 minutes ago, StingRayBoy42 said:

Yeah, I know - been toying with the idea for ages.
It does mean shelling out on a tablet though!

Bought this a while ago with no thought as to what to use it for, other than it was a massive peg (😲🤭).

However, if your need is greater than mine.........

[Obrienp]

51 minutes ago, StingRayBoy42 said:

Yeah, I know - been toying with the idea for ages.
It does mean shelling out on a tablet though!

That is a drawback.
 

I’ve reached the age where a tablet is a necessity, as apps on my phone are too small too read and far too fiddly to use. My iPad is 8 years old and Apple are clearly edging it into obsolescence by reducing updates. I’m dreading the day when I have to shell out the best part of a grand to replace it! However, there are reconditioned units around for quite reasonable prices, if the latest and greatest is not a priority.