The Robin2 .... I really like this venue plenty of space, good crowd, easy to find, etc. This time we have a support act - 6 day riot - for a change.
So.. It's Sunday afternoon and we are heading for Bilsdon ... simple journey, around the M25, up the M40, across on the M42, up the M5 and turn left. We arrive early and select a prime spot in the car park.. ideal for watching the raindrops bouncing off the windscreen. Before long Jay and Ruth turn up with Rob, Andy hot on their heels, and minutes later Bluehorse 1
The set-up goes well and this time there were no missing pieces to the jigsaw (see review for previous gig). The only fly this time around was not being able to find a fly lead to connect the mini disc and the sound desk (I have 10's of leads of various combinations just not the particular one needed this time - so a day with the soldering iron is called for).
Sound check in full swing - 6 day riot waiting their turn - everything going great. Luckily there is no Buts here - even the turkey dinner was very tasty. After the problems last time I kept looking over my shoulder for a problem to creep up
6 day riot completed their set and the next bustle commenced .. they were off to do a spot on the radio so needed to pack up quick and all the PA settings needed to be adjusted for the change in equipment.
I only had one assistant this time, so we also had to find a good slot for the drum cam, where we could get some good still footage, but also be able to change the tape at halftime! Eventually we settled on a ledge behind and above the drum podium looking down, if only we had the sound this would make a good video!
Before I had got back to my usual position, these days, - with the sound engineer - the band were already starting off into Cabbage Train
..... to be continued
Being a Sunday night everyone was on a mission to have the gear packed up quickly and get away, however by the time all the chatter had finished it was no different to normal
The drive back was uneventful and pleasant - the roads are so much better in the wee small hours of the morning (as long as you stay alert for the ones nodding off at the wheel). I got home well in time for several hours kip before the business of Monday kicked off.
