Glasgoespop happens in an old part of the University of Glasgow that is perfectly matched to the music and the audience that land there on this temporary weekend. I'd say that the majority of the audience, and probably the band members, are at least educated to graduate level, whether at a traditional university or a red-brick former polytechnic, so this would feel very much like home. Wood panelled, stained glassed, with an air of permanence and stability: what's not to love? It's a gorgeous place.
A very large group of musicians, and an extraordinarily large group of people who came to see us play, were accommodated comfortable in a series of different bars, a green room and a beautiful chamber with a balcony where we all played.
There was so much music- and it was all great! I'd decided to see just a few performances so my ears didn't get worn out, but the thing was, you met people and then wanted to see them play. The BVs were great, Jeanines were just as wonderful as I'd expected (see later), and Even As We Speak were a revelation. The Loft were really on form. By then, I was exhausted and went back to the hotel for a rest. I was sorry to miss Stevie Jackson and Friends, but I simply hadn't expected to be so absorbed by it all.
On Saturday me and Robert kicked off the music for the afternoon, after the Hungry Beat book chat. I was scared, but I needn't have worried: I think we did OK. That's us above (photo by Lee Grimshaw)
I was particularly charmed by UK Highball, especially as one of them had a home-made Chefs badge. I loved their unison singing and their pippity-poppity drum machine. The Luxembourg Signal (hi Beth!) were fabulous, James Kirk (formerly of Orange Juice) was guitartastic, and Birdie: well, what songsmithery! I didn't last till the end and missed BMX Bandits and Robert Forster (who I'd directed to the cafés on the Great Western Road after he got lost).
Oh boy, Kenji and Tita, what a great time we had! So much talking, listening, socialising. And the security staff were sweethearts, and the sound and stage management crew were lovely. It's amazing to play such a huge gig and experience so little stress. That is down to your organising, you dynamic duo of indie angels! Thank you for inviting us to play!
On to Sunday (and this is why I was conserving energy, for verily I'm ancient). I travelled over to Edinburgh on the train for a gig at Bannermans with Jeanines and their friends Mt Misery. There was a mix-up over their accommodation that had to be sorted but everything turned out OK in the end. Mt Misery are a charming guitar band with judicious use of occasional keyboard; apparently they have been touring with Jeanines. Not a bad crowd in for a Sunday. This was a solo gig for me, and I was very happy that people showed up to see me play, including a chap who'd been at the Ho-runs gig many years ago, and Neil Cooper and Duncan and Sarah from Sunday Drawing Club. It was fun! The sound engineer was a dude and gave Jeanines a great sound. They sing like mermaids do- lovely harmonies, and very, very short songs that say it all in a few well-chosen words with an economy of very catchy pop music. The songs are so short that half the set seemed to be taken up by people clapping, which they did a lot.
There's so much more to say: staying in student accommodation with the Edinburgh Tattoo and breakfasting with the Swiss Army and the Scots Pipe Band; being told off all the time (yes, I'd forgotten the Scottish penchant for scolding). Scottish humour, an example at the open mic before our gig: Singer/songwriter 'I'm just going to take a short break'. Audience member 'Why not take a long break?'. Wondering why the Teeside University's Centre for Professional and Executive Development has a full-size skeleton at one of it's windows (seen from the train). That sort of thing. Gigging is tremendous fun, even if it's exhausting. Time for a rest.
Photos in wrong order: Mt Misery sound checking; Robert and me at the merch stall; Robert Rotifer photographing Robert Forster; dog walking class in Kelvingrove park on Saturday; man practicing putting in the front garden in Glasgow; Kevin and Linda honeymooning; Jeanines signing records; Till, Kenji, Robert and Judith; with Dave and Andy from The Loft; playing under our Big Sign; with Amelia Fletcher.
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