Good To Be Back

Just a short post here regarding the past weekend of music:

We played at Manchester Pride on the main stage Saturday afternoon to approximately 10,000 people (apparently).

I have to admit it was somewhat a strange and of course great feeling.

Why?

Well, I’ve worked on stage now since I was 13 years old. But not since I was about 20 years old have I been performing my own material.

In the middle east, I had some great bands with some real top class musicians and great friends – but we were only performing other people’s songs. Even the shows that I do here in England at the weekends are basically nothing but cover-cabaret and a means of paying the bills. (Although I do confess to still loving playing the old Status Quo live, imagining I still have my long hair etc.) Hehe.

Anyway, an odd concept – Live PA of our own material with a couple of covers thrown in. Basically it was like being back in the old band days but with our R&R DJ behind us instead of a drummer. This was helped of course by live sax, percussion and the show that we had put together quite carefully.

You're Looking Good Out There!

I even opened up the show asking “Are you ready to rock?!” Hehe…. And received a massive “YEEEEEEEEAAAAA” in reply… Nice.

YouTube - Riffs & Rays - 2009 - Intro - Funky Music

Not an ounce of nerves which was a bit of disappointment. It was the one thing missing for me from the old days. That feeling – before walking on stage – of being so afraid that everything is going to go wrong and then – 20 seconds into the show – it really doesn’t matter and nothing can go wrong anyway! :-)

Are You ready To Rock?!

Here’s a couple of pictures from the event. You can see me in the checked shirt at the front and then one of our PAs – Holly Johnson – who did a great job – looking out into a small portion of the crowd.

Holly J - Miss You

I think the highlight of the event really has to be when Dave & I pointed out to each other that there were hundreds of people singing the words to our songs. I know this is probably a Drop In The Ocean to already established artistes but hey – what a great feeling – people I have never met, knowing the lyrics. And some even knowing exactly where all the breaks and starts were coming… Wicked!

It has really given me ideas and hope for future events. We are all looking forward to doing it again and as any of you entertainers out there should know – that is such a bonus – actually looking forward to performing instead of moaning any aspects of the gig.

Thanks for reading.