So May is well underway, and once again we are really busy. It is easy from a blog post point of view to talk about the new things that are happening with the band such as, we have booked another two gigs at the White Hart in King's Lynn later this year (October 19th and December 21st), or to comment on gigs we have just done such as The London Tavern in Attleborough last weekend (May 4th - Star Wars Day - more of which later), but it feels like we should be sharing a bit more about what its like to be a gigging covers band. The first thing that springs to mind, being a 5 piece band, is we all want to do other things as well. Like holidays for example! We all love what we do, but its also important that each member gets a break. The gig calendar is fairly full for 2024 but we do pencil out mid June to the end of July to allow everyone to have a holiday. This year, given that we are nearly fully booked from August to the end of October we are also taking a few weeks break in November, before the December Christmas/New Year onslaught.
Although we have a couple of free dates left this year, it may seem crazy but our main focus now is looking to book gigs for 2025. The second thing that is a priority, but is becomes increasingly difficult the more regularly we gig is, adding new songs to the set list. With a increase in the number of venues rebooking us within a short period of time, it is important that we add new and varied material to our set list so as not to keep playing audiences the same stuff.
We pride ourselves in the range of songs we play that appeal to all ages (something for everyone as they say) but trying to maintain that mix with new material becomes difficult. It's very easy to just play the usual rock songs but we feel that is a bit of a cop out, so we spend a lot of time (too much some might say) in discussing what people might want to hear. Then we still have to find time in-between all the gigs to rehearse and polish any new material.
We do get requests for songs during the evening when we play, but obviously our set list is well rehearsed material. However, stealing an idea from a gig I went to this week (Otway and Barrett) , if you really want to hear something, we might play it for you - at the next gig we play - you just need to come along to that one as well!
What we really do appreciate however are the venues supporting music. There is a lot of talk in the press about the lack of grass root venues for live music, but out experience in Norfolk and Suffolk, is there are many establishments hiring live bands, duos or solo acts of all types of genre.
Anyway, back to more recent events and last weekend we played the London Tavern in Attleborough, our second time at the venue.
I love playing here as I misspent a lot of my youth in this pub, and was lucky that so many of my friends came along to support us (special thanks to Chris, Lorraine, Ariana, Kane, Alex, Barry, Michael, Julie, Lisa and Rob) . Ray happily congratulated Ariana and Kane on their engagement, although he did do the 3 rings joke.... The engagement ring, the wedding ring and the 40 year suffer ring! I'm sure it wasnt embarrassing at all!
We have a number of gigs coming up in the next few weeks before we hit our summer break, the Burwell Ex Serviceman's Club this coming weekend ( which Karl is really looking forward to as its his old hometown) - then the Red Lodge Beer Festival, The Cock Inn in Hadleigh and The Rathskeller in Kings Lynn ( a big thanks to Ben for giving us so much support ). So if you find yourself with time on your hands and in need of a good time, come and check us out. We also like it when you come and chat to us or like our Facebook page! So get involved we would love to hear what you think. Till the next time.
Larry
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