Diary of a touring musician: days 17-18
In September & October 2023, we took to the road in the UK to introduce our new album STARLITE.ONE. The city of steel and a 8/10 review. This is part 16 of the warts-and-all-account.
If you happened upon this episode for the first time, we suggest you check out the other articles in the series by heading over to:
The Greystones, Sheffield
It’s Thursday, day 17 of our UK tour.
After a few days of unplanned time off it was time to get back to work and do what we were supposed to be doing - rocking out and touring the STARLITE.ONE album on our two-week UK headline tour.
Tonight’s gig was at The Greystones in Sheffield which used to be one of our favourite venues to play on the circuit. We say it used to be in the days when Fester (not of the Addams family variety) their ace sound engineer worked at the venue and ran the show.
Apart from being a great name and lovely chap, he was a total pro and made you feel supported and respected - in those days nothing was ever a problem. Sadly we found out that he had retired. Boo!
Today was the penultimate day in our Airbnb cottage which we had rented for the week as our northern base in the quaint village of Embsay. As we had an early start the next day we packed up all our gear ready for the off as it’s not something you want to be doing post-gig in the early hours of the morning.
Simon made lunch and we had a chat with our good friend Dave Swindells who was travelling over with his partner Linda from the Isle of Man, especially for the gig. Dave was born in Sheffield so the trip doubled as a homecoming where he could also pop in to see his Mum.
The satnav said it would take two hours and nine minutes to the venue but after a pretty tedious start-stop journey, we rocked up three hours later at The Greystones: the traffic in the UK is not getting better…
Hugo and Suzy were still feeling ill from the flu with high temperatures and Simon’s voice sounded like Lee Marvin on a good day but one thing you will know about us is we are pros and just get on with it.
Chris the new sound guy arrived at 1700. He is a cool, competent guy and although we had a complicated setup it didn’t phase him at all (notice the pro-audio quip here).
We managed to sort everything but time was marching on bearing in mind showtime was 2000 with a strict curfew at 2230.
We decided to go full ‘in ear’ monitoring for this gig as Chris was on the ball, both having the knowledge and the gear to handle it.
Ticket sales were disappointing as last time the place was almost sold out. Like a scratched record, again we had not received any promotion from the venue itself in the four weeks leading up to the gig and then only once on their Facebook account: which, to say the least, is bemusing.
Sadly a whole group of people who had bought tickets couldn't make it as they had trouble travelling up from London but on the bright side, a couple of guys had come over from Manchester especially to see us. Swings and roundabouts.
We were also hoping to finally meet promoter Chris Wilson, who had been having a tough time recently but were informed there had been a family emergency that happened the last time we played, so that was not meant to be.
This ticket business is strange as you can take it personally when things aren’t as good as expected. But the reality is times have changed.
Covid and the lockdowns have altered our society and the increase in domestic bills plus the vastly increased cost of living has decimated the grassroots live music scene - something the Music Venue Trust knows all about and has the data to back up their findings.
It feels like things will never be the same again and now we have to look to the future and try to work out the best way forward.
The gig
It was great. We played well and the audience response was wonderful.
Harry Slade, an old school friend of Simon’s and keen supporter, rocked up with his family who were the life and soul of the party.
We sold plenty of merch which is always appreciated, especially vinyl as we love the fact people can take us home to experience the music in the format that best represents our sound and ethos.
We met a chap who bought both a vinyl and a t-shirt and was extremely effusive about STARLITE.ONE which was a real tonic for the soul. We don’t look for adulation but always appreciate a little love, especially when we push musical boundaries - we’re only human after all.
Two other regulars at the venue told us that they had noticed over the past few months that people were just not coming out the same as they used to and numbers had dropped significantly. They also mentioned that an Irish artist who is at the top of his game on the UK Blues circuit (who we also happen to know) only filled a third of the venue! Says it all.
Most of the staff at the Greystones were great and very friendly. The artist deal for us was 10% off drinks (Chris the sound guy questioned this and told us it is normally 50%?) and the promoter Chris Wilson had dropped off a free pizza for us to eat plus some chocolate biscuit bars and crisps. The best thing about the venue having a pub attached is that they also serve a great pint of bitter.
Hot and sweaty, we started to pack up all the gear. At 2230 the staff announced that they were leaving at 2300 so again we had no help loading the van of rock.
The adrenalin is still high for a few hours after a gig and we drove home with a boost to our spirits when we discovered that we had been given a superb review by Velvet Thunder.
“The mixture of acoustic and electronic, electric guitars and fat synths, busy, complex production and minimalist treatments, ensures the listener is kept alert. I really enjoyed the audio segment of this multi-media presentation, and I haven’t even seen the visuals. Keep it coming, guys.” | Velvet Thunder
We arrived home at 0210 and couldn’t wait to get to bed. But that wasn’t about to happen any time soon because Simon had misplaced the house keys. Shit! It’s easily done when things are new and you haven’t established a routine.
Suzy and Hugo waited patiently in the car park whilst Simon rooted around the van. It started to rain with a gentle North Yorkshire drizzle and finally, the keys decided to come out of hiding and albeit a little soggy we piled into the house.
Hugo ate the remnants of the curry Simon had cooked and we all went to bed, relieved we didn’t have to sleep upright in the front of the van that night.
Day 18 | Friday, October 13
The morning greeted us with a grey sky and wet drizzle - a northern England colloquialism that always makes us laugh - rain is always wet, but northern rain just seems wetter.
We had asked if we could leave a little later than 1000 and normally the owner would have accommodated our request. However, because we had flagged up that there was an issue with the toilet continuously flushing, a plumber was set to arrive at 1000 so sadly that was not an option. Being helpful can sometimes have its disadvantages. But the toilet paper was of excellent quality.
Simon hadn’t slept well and woke up with a throat sounding like Lee Marvin after smoking two packs of Gitanes. Not good…
Hamish’s, Blacko
Tonight’s concert was at Hamish’s in Blacko run by Fiona Imlach, the daughter of legendary Scottish musician Hamish Imlach, who was a great influence on the Scottish folk scene in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.
“He was described as "a raconteur who taught Billy Connolly, a singer who taught Christy Moore, a blues guitarist who taught John Martyn."
Hamish had his biggest hit in the late 1960s with "Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice", a scurrilous and hilarious take on the American gospel standard "Virgin Mary Had a Little Baby" written by Ron Clark and Carl MacDougall. The song was, for a time, banned by the BBC as it was assumed to be full of double meanings, but at one point became the most requested song on British Forces Radio.”
Hamish’s is a cool café connected to The Renewable Heating Centre - the base for Ashburn Stoves & Heating - and located just outside the hamlet of Blacko set in a stunning landscape overlooking Pendle Hill in Lancashire.
Simon featured ‘Blacko’ in Misgivings - a song from his first solo album ThirtySix and performed live here on our very first UK tour…
The building used to be the site of the Moorcock pub which had closed down, suffering the same fate of hundreds of British pubs.
Fiona and Bruce had the vision to relocate their home and heating business plus open a new café - all on the same site.
After years of building work and renovations, you can now pop in and have a chat about everything from log stoves, heat pumps, solar heating to biomass boiler heating systems and then walk through to Hamish’s for a scrumptious home-cooked meal and a proper cup of freshly ground coffee.
Once a month Hamish’s transforms into a music club hosting intimate concerts featuring musicians mostly from the folk circuit. We are so proud of Fiona for keeping her musical heritage alive. Concert tickets also include a hearty meal - making for an overall wholesome experience - plus it’s a really friendly venue to play.
Fiona and her husband Bruce also happen to be very close friends from Simon’s days as a National Instructor in the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), having taught Fiona how to dive.
We contacted Fiona and mentioned that we may not be able to do the gig unless Simons's voice improves - it was that bad. Sod’s law, Fiona told us that a large number of people had just cancelled as well due to a local outbreak of COVID - it’s back!
What to do? The final gig of the tour was the next day at Coolham Music Club where we had been booked to play an extra special night as it was their tenth-anniversary celebrations. We needed to make sure Simon was well enough for that concert which had sold out months ago and a reserve list was in operation.
Breakfast in Clitheroe
Clitheroe is a classic county town in the Ribble Valley and home to farmers, commuters from Manchester and Preston and the well-heeled ‘country set’. Simon knows it well having lived in the area for many years.
Its rolling hills littered with grandfatherly deciduous trees remind Suzy of Herefordshire - having said that everywhere in the world with a similar topography reminds her of Herefordshire!
We decided to introduce Hugo to the delights of this typical Northern town and have breakfast at Cafe Brioche, located on Welgate in the centre of town.
Classic Rock Magazine | Eight Beautiful Stars ★★★★★★★★
En route to breakfast, we searched for a newsagent to buy a copy of Classic Rock Magazine. They contacted us a few months ago to ask for images and informed us that our new album STARLITE.ONE was being reviewed and published in #320 of the printed edition.
If you are unfamiliar with the business, an independent artist getting a review in Classic Rock Magazine is a very big deal!
Usually, a PR agent or record label will have good working relationships with media editors and journalists and this is normally the only way you will get any effective coverage.
PR gurus and labels have a fast-track connection where their press releases are guaranteed to be read and almost always included in publications, featured interview articles are easier to commission and special rates are given for paid advertisements.
The music business is all about who you know and have spent years building our database of supporters and media contacts. With so much promotional ‘noise’ vying for the tastemakers’ attention it is an insanely competitive environment and a favourable result is never guaranteed.
Feeling blue
When it comes to music reviews, you never know what to expect. Some journalists understand the need for progression in your creative and musical development whilst others expect you to relentlessly plough the same furrow, year in and year out.
What would David Bowie do? Or More precisely what DID Bowie do?
STARLITE.ONE is a progressive concept album - not blues in the slightest and we were baffled to see us featured in the Blues Section of reviews alongside Joe Bonamassa.
This is a minor detail, as regardless of where an article appears, we appreciate every journalist who takes the time to listen and write informedly about our work which helps pique interest and grow confidence with a larger audience.
We had some housekeeping work to do and Hugo had an interview to write for the Porto Drum Show which was only two weeks away so we all set about working, fueled by a delicious breakfast of smashed avocado, tomatoes and poached egg on bread and a proper cup of real coffee. Luxury!
The café started to get busy and a large group of people turned up and started playing loud distorted music on their phones for all of us ‘not’ to enjoy. What is that about? It’s almost as disrespectful as blowing cigarette smoke into your face.
Townsend Records, Clitheroe
Wandering around town we discovered Townsend Records, a good old-fashioned record shop. Excited we immediately went inside to find lots of vinyl and musical instruments for sale.
One of our favourite pastimes is rummaging through stacks of vinyl in the hope of finding hidden treasure. The shop was full of historical and re-released albums as opposed to new music - hmm, rather like the current Spotify statistics.
Hugo treated himself to some new and used vinyl which is hard to find in Portugal.
Following our vinyl-fix we browsed through the town’s bookshops and soon ended up in one of Simon’s old haunts, the New Inn.
Hugo doesn’t understand British pubs.
Friday afternoon in Clitheroe is mostly populated by retirees having the time and more importantly, the money to convene in the pub. This just doesn’t happen in Portugal.
Preferring a younger crowd with a city vibe Hugo left to take a walk around the town.
Suzy and Simon love the history and culture of the old British pubs and the rich variety of characters you find in this type of establishment - real people. Following a couple of pints of excellent Blonde Witch by Moorhouses Simon’s voice started to improve, but sadly not sufficiently enough to do the gig that evening.
Fiona and Bruce understood the issue. The chef had already cooked a large curry along with Fiona adding her special Hamish Imlach touch. As we were staying overnight with them at the venue (they also live on-site), we decided as a Plan B to invite our respective families to join us for dinner that evening.
En route, Simon collected his Gartone 3x10 Bandmaster amp from Martin Gartone which he had dropped off to be fixed but the intermittent fault couldn't be found.
What a welcome we received!!! It felt like home. We ended up meeting a few people that evening who hadn’t received the message that the concert had been cancelled including Brian Campbell (no relation) who was such a lovely chap - he decided to stay and hang out with us all that night.
There’s nothing like a good curry, a glass of wine and the love of true friends.
What a great night - now it's time for some healing sleep.
Next up - an early start with a five-and-a-half hour drive down south for the final gig of our UK tour at Coolham Music Club, an impromptu party and a night in a Farrier’s cottage.