Blog
Day off
23rd April 2008 | Jim
Day off. Spend most if it travelling to Edinburgh. Watch the end of Oceans 13 then The Illusionist. Problems with bus and computerised heating system means it’s like a bloody sauna. Out for some food then watch Barca v Man U.
Blackpool, Empress Ballroom
22nd April 2008 | Jim
Drive Bristol to Blackpool, manage to get my head down for a bit. Soundcheck short, not much to do, really. Catering – Moroccan braised lamb with vegetable cous cous. Great venue, biggest of the tour, very grand but all standing downstairs so should be fun.
Start with Upside. As expected there is a large Manchester contingent here and well up for it. Sound on stage a little difficult but not enough to spoil our fun. Andy has a special trumpet that is supposed to have flames shooting out the end but it looks more like sparklers and it’s hard not to crack up laughing. Leave stage sweaty and tired. Lots of guests to see. My son Jake is here ’til end of the tour. Stay up late drinking and talking in Larry’s room, until John Cleese look-a-like hotel manager calls time on our evening and sends us all back to our rooms.
Blackpool, Empress Ballroom
22nd April 2008 | Larry
Bristol, Colston Hall
21st April 2008 | Jim
Bristol. On the bus have row with Larry over the lighting on stage. Not too bad though. Check into Hilton, it’s all a bit Alan Partridge.
Nice venue, sound check okay. Have roast chicken dinner in catering. Go and have a read in bunk before show.
Gig is a game of two halves. On my side of stage the sound is good, on the other side the sound is bad. I Wanna Go Home is the best version yet. That song is killer. So unusual yet so natural and unforced, a real journey of a song. After gig have a few ciders in dressing room then back to hotel. Don’t sleep well, I keep waking up.
Bristol, Colston Hall
21st April 2008 | Larry
Day off – London
20th April 2008 | Jim
Day off London. Lazy day. Off to M&S to get nice food for the room and a Sunday paper. Watch Man City beat Portsmouth on telly. Come on City! Go to gym in evening and get carried away doing cardio. Do mad session on treadmill; I’ll sleep well tonight.
Oxford, New Theatre
19th April 2008 | Jim
Oxford. Venue is a nice old theatre and all seated. It’s not very rock n roll and I’m not sure what gig will be like. Dressing room very small and we don’t really fit. I go up to Circle and watch My Federation. They are well received but the audience seem a little reserved.
We start gig with Top of the World. All audience stand and stay so for duration. It’s a good solid performance from us with truly inspired versions. A little more controlled than some of the more raucous shows but no bad thing. After gig back on bus and drive to London. Get there early hours, can’t bloody sleep.
Oxford, New Theatre
19th April 2008 | Larry
Norwich, UEA
18th April 2008 | Jim
Norwich. Fairly long bus journey, get a chance to lie in bunk listening to new music purchases, Clinic and Courteeners, and read. Do a phone interview with BBC Radio Oxford. Phone keeps cutting out so a bit of a nuisance. Get to gig. Soundcheck okay. Saul a bit grumpy, I think he’s tired. Catering – beef goulash and dumplings.
Start gig with Top of the World. Play a truly great gig. We are all so relaxed everything seems effortless and we can’t put a foot wrong. Stay at gig for a while afterwards, chatting with guests and drinking cider.
Norwich, UEA
18th April 2008 | Larry
