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Firefest VI 2009
Smudge
22nd
Off up to the “M Club” in Crewe for a full
production rehearsal. Various specially invited guests
and students from Winstanley College arrive and thanks
to them we get the stage lights working. Great set from
the boys and it’s off to the hotel……..
23rd A.M…
Back to M Club and an impromptu jam by Steve (bass),
Warren (drums) and Jem. Sounded great considering they
were all playing different songs! Count all the
merchandise and off I go to Nottingham. We’re the only
band not playing the Friday night who are allowed to
have their merch on sale…….
Once at Nottingham I find my way to the University, not
the right one though (who knew there were TWO unis in
Nottingham?). Success! I find the Uni and load in the
merch. Big hug from Sarah for counting it. None of the
other bands bothered. Get chatting to Lost Weekends
singer and Phil Ashcroft from Fireworks. Stay for Lost
Weekends set. 30 minutes of absolute class. Brilliant
and proper loud……… After all I am still a fan!!
Now
the fun begins. Some jobs-worth security guard has
locked the gates to the uni car park and tracking him
down was an act that Sherlock Holmes would have been
proud of. Off to meet the rest of the crew. Aaaah……
curry in a very posh “ruby house” opposite the hotel. A
most pleasant meal in the most cordial company of The
Davis’, S. Overland Esq., The Churches from Reigate and
the colourful Mr Mead. A jolly time was had by all with
lashings of ginger beer. (Stiv always says he can’t
remember any stories but he somehow manages to whenever
we’re having a curry together.)
Back to the hotel and I’m told that we need 100 signed
copies of a CD for sale the next day. I source the CDs,
unwrap them, then become the autograph Gestapo and set
up a signing sweatshop in the hotel lobby press-ganging
Merv's nieces and anybody else who happens to be walking
through at the time. Shared a room with the Churches
and Warren. Ali can now lay claim to sleeping with
three men at once………. Lucky lady.
24th
Day of. Load in our gear. The bloke who has the keys
to the lorry containing the backline and the drum kit
has overslept. He arrives just as the boys turn up for
sound check. Airrace arrive and chat with the boys.
Sound check - all's well.
Dave T has organised the meet and greet so it’s off to a
smaller bar to arrange the room. Posters and fliers are
hung. Dave did an amazing job on the posters and an
even more amazing job organising the whole meet. Top
man Dave but obviously behind every great man is Tiff!!
One-legged Ali is then humped through the crowd to take
her vantage point in the crows nest. She is settled
with her leg up, some cushions and a case of Carling.
Off for a cuppa and I bump into Crown of Thorns
backstage (make JB a brew too) then catch their set.
Superb and again loud……… Thanks Auntie Sue for the photo
with JB (another hero met!).
FM’s crew doubled up and assisted Romeo’s Daughter. Did
anyone notice Craig’s amp blowing up? That was real
smoke not the stage stuff. A hasty change of amp and
no-one knew!! Phew. Leigh shouts that she wants to
suck on a fisherman's friend. What? Nearly left for
the river Trent to find a fisherman and his mate before
I was stopped. Aaaaaaah now I understand. The throat
sweets were sourced and her pipes never sounded better.
Fabulous set and I know the band thoroughly enjoyed
themselves. So did we. (Wellsy should have been in a
punk band the amount of gobbing he did. Nearly got one
in the eye.) Major congratulations and we bump into
John Parr backstage. (Didn’t get a photo.)
FM
stage time. It was all going too smoothly. We were
right. The intro starts, Merv puts his banjo on, gives
it a little test “F+#* I’ve got nothing, nothing”. A
dodgy lead is replaced and the mike moved to the right
amp and we’re away literally seconds before “Wildside”.
No other dramas I can think of until we are set upon by
a bogus FM brought back from the 80s. Where did Dave
Ling get that pink suit? (I always knew they’d come
back in fashion.) And Tony Marshall wearing a pair of
Steve Churches shoes!! Does anyone else think the set
went quickly?? It was remarked by another musician
side-stage that he had never seen so many people smiling
and so happy. Couldn't have agreed more.
Off
stage and a cold beer for the boys while we pack up.
All is safely gathered in. I collect the left over
merchandise in the hotel lobby and set about reconciling
the balance not only for FM but Romeo’s Daughter too.
Off
to the bar………. Holy s*** JK absolutely bladdered as is
Dave Ling. Great chat with the cook from JK’s local and
her hubby. Tracy, I WILL be coming up to sample the
FREE food you offered me!!
25th
Load all the left over merchandise into Jem’s van, not
before bumping into a bloke from Belgium who expresses
an interest in both FM and RD playing at HIS festival.
T-shirts are dished out to him and his wife and both
seem very happy.
It’s home and back to the day job.
Gotta say thanks first to Stiv, Merv, Pete, Jem and Jim.
You guys make it look SO easy that I don’t think people
know how hard you guys work at getting things right.
Top gig and I can’t wait for February.
Churchy you and your bloody list………. You really do think
of everything. We’re a top team. What I lack in
experience and foot size you more than make up for.
Thanks mate.
All
the Firefest crew for their eternal patience and
understanding…………..
Smudge X |
