Jericho Tavern, Oxford – Higher Plane 03/04/09
In October 2008, I arranged for us to play a support to at this renowned Oxford venue, at tone of the gigs run by Fab Promotions. It was with a band called Red Ruth who had sent us some supportive comments about our music on our MySpace page. In the event Red Ruth were unable to play the gig, so Oxford band Keeling Curve took over the headline slot with Higher Plane second on the bill. Also playing were Hamish Currie and Mike Dignam.
The previous evening I had warmed up with a set at the Cannon, Newport Pagnell open mic, playing three of the songs that were to be used at the Jericho. Our slot was 40 minutes and we played a standard set of our best originals, mixing flute, harmony and keyboard driven songs. The venue was packed and had a fantastic, friendly atmosphere. We even got dancing during Work to Do. The sound was excellent, my Gibson Hummingbird, being on its maiden gig, working really well with the system, with some sparkling arpeggios. I recorded the whole thing on my Zoom H4 recorder.
Guitarists and drummers etc. are fairly used to audience members asking about their equipment, but we got a student type asking about Janet’s flute. He had correctly identified it as a Trevor James but wanted to know the exact model. I never thought classical types were gear nerds, but I guess you can tell when you’re in a rarefied, more academic atmosphere.
The set: So Good to Me/Down by the River/Feeling Good/Midnight Songs/Let Me Know/Leaving this Town/Higher Plane/Work to Do.
Midsummer Place, Central Milton Keynes 05/04/09
This is a monthly event in Milton Keynes shopping Centre. I played a set with Lee Michalke (bodhran) and a bass player friend of Lee’s. Hadn’t practiced, we just winged it, I played they followed. There was a child dancing who complained loudly when her parents made her move on. A great sounding, really clear Bose PA system.
Open Mics
Open mics attended in the month were at the Max Bar, Kettering on 8th, run by Stevie Jones and the Cherry Tree, Kettering on the 19th. Vicky Stuart also played at both of these, playing a featured spot at the Max borrowing the Hummingbird from me for both events.
Tags: Cannon, Gibson, Gig Reports, Guitar and Flute, Higher Plane, Hummingbird Guitar, Jericho Tavern, Midsummer Place, Newport Pagnell, The Keeling Curve
