Peterborough ... another first for me, although the band had played there 10 years ago - i suspect it was not quite so big then!An early start to get a morning's work in before a leisurely drive up during the morning, and a pause for some lunch, brought us to the outskirts around 2pm. Plenty of time you would think to find the place and park up ready for an afternoon of tele-conferences (the good thing about these is that they don't have to know where you are ;) ). So where were the signs to the beer festival then - many tours of the inner ring road later and various side trips to neighboring suburbs - we finally pulled into a car park, with the last resort to get out and walk, when we spotted the marquees over the fence. Running out of time I sent the girls off to buy a parking ticket, whilst I made my calls. A couple of hours later we pulling in behind the law courts beside the theater and onto the park that was resident to the festival.
Parking up in the staff car park, we quickly found the festival organiser and got the low down of the place. He was the first person (outside of the band family) who remembers "Big" Dave Salmon, or rather his two guitar technique. We just had time to fire off a text to BH1 and 2 to tell them that they needed to made their approach via the "Red gate", and they were pulling up outside.
The organisation had refined things over the years and so we were able the drive right up to the stage, and unload, which we promptly did. We also had the luxury of a full sound check, rather than the more usual festival line check and mad panic at the start of the set.
While "Split whiskers" were setting up and checking we sorted out the evening's accommodation and perused the stalls and beer stages ... there were two sides of the square devoted to beer and ciders from all over. the third side was the stage, and in the middle the staff camping and chill out area.
Dusk fell and everyone was keen to get on with the show, the evening was positively balmy, and there was no need to sit couped up in the dressing room, so taking the smokers lead we decamped outside.
After "Split Whiskers" had finished we had a quick change over with all the kit brought forward. Whilst this was going on Hereford Fm had a competition for beer vouchers centre stage - which made it slightly awkward to tape the leads down etc. however they were all game for a bit of added obstacle course difficulty to answering the questions.
For the first time I have known, Nic and Jay had devised an intro tune, so the band came on to a short piece of pre-recorded music, and this gradually morphed into "Cabbage Train" as the band took over. The full set list is here, however after the success at Cambridge "Troll" or rather to give it it's correct title "Dance with me" is a permanent feature in the set list now, along with "Raggle" and "Waes Hael" from the new album :) .
Soon the "Twmbarlwm" was drawing to a close and the curfew time was upon us. There was a mass rush for signatures as Hev and Bob handed out CDs and DVDs in return for cash. One young lady even insisted that everyone sign her tee shirt, tho I'm not sure it was a permanent marker!
After packing everything away we retired to the sound and lighting crews hospitality tent - where we whiled away the small hours. The next morning came all too soon with the cathedral bells shortly after 7am, which wasn't quite fair play, but did get us up and going.Next stop Solfest!!!
