It's almost a week since I've been able to blog, so I'll try and remember all that has happened to date. If I recall, we set off at lunctime to drive to Middlesbrough where we were staying for one night.As we drove along the A19 and nearing our destination the sky to the west was looking ever stormy and dark. It was about to rain- hard.
But not yet. We arrived at our digs and got installed, then, as we had some time to spare, Chris and I walked into town to look at the music shops. We then walked into a shopping mall as it it began to rain. I looked out the doors and it was as if someone had turned on a fire hose. The rain was torrential.
Eventually it eased off and we decided to walk back to the B&B. We got about half way before it started raining again and by time we arrived I was soaked to the skin. My tour jacket, my jeans, my trainers- all waterlogged.
We hung them up to dry and got ready for the evening show in Stockton.
We'd played there last year, so it was easy finding the venue. We loaded in and I went out to buy some milk for our tea (how very Rock 'n Roll!) and met Tracy, Nicki and Bob as they arrived from Durham.
After a welcome cuppa we finished setting up and got ready for the performance.
I don't remember the acoustics being a problem last year, but this year the sound was difficult to get right. The room had some strange characteristics. In some parts of the room we were loud and boomy, and in others very quiet, like a transistor radio. Moving a few feet away from the axis of the PA made a huge difference to our sound.
The converse was that the audience sounded very loud when we were on stage. Unfortunately there were some there who didn't appear interested in the music and were chatting loudly and it was very offputting to say the least.
Nicki has blogged about this.
http://web.me.com/tracydann/Nicki_UK_Tour_2010/Blog/Entries/2010/7/21_Malleable_Social_Club.html
We don't mind the chatter. Sometimes it's all we have to remind us that there is an audience at all. We don't play excessively loudly. Trying to drown out the chatter is pointless because the louder we play, the louder they chat until it's a cacophany of noise. All we ask is that chatter be kept to a minimum when we're playing.
What capped the evening for us was when the organisers started taking down the flags and decorations before we'd finished. That is rude. There is no excuse for that.
We didn't play an encore, despite the wishes of the rest of the audience who enjoyed Nicki's singing. As far as we were concerned, the chatter and the actions of some of the organisers said it all.
Cozy had a different drum kit and had an issue with the tomtom and cymbal holders that couldn't be put right on the night despite our best efforts.If you look carefully at the photo you'll see the tomtom on the floor by my amp.
Ah well, it was one of THOSE nights.
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