Tommy Flynns, Camden, London, 02/04/09. Kat's Tour Diary.

I had to make my way to this gig on my own, having been rather inconveniently working in Windsor and not finishing until 6 (for the regular readers amongst you, I am not just a scummy student see, I work occasionally)! The disadvantage of this was that I had to change in a Scuba diving shop, from nice sensible jeans and trainers into a very short dress. I decided to wear jeans under it. I was rapidly dissuaded by the boss’s wife. I spent the rest of the evening cursing her!

Anyway, I get away a bit early so thought there was an outside chance I might make the soundcheck, which would be good, because I had expected to miss it. I arrived about 6.45, and spotted Neil walking up the road in the opposite direction. ‘The rest of them are stuck in Twickenham’. We thought a cheeky pint might be in order while we waited. We headed into Tommy Flynn’s and were assaulted by what can only be described as a wall of noise. On closer inspection we established that it was coming from an acoustic guitar and a large group of very drunk people at the back of the pub. Neil and I looked at each other, did a quick scout around for the promoter and then rapidly adjourned over the road for a slightly quieter place for our restoring pint! Time wore on, and there was still no sign of the others and since a soundcheck involving bass and vocals would be a bit pointless we hung around where we were for a bit longer. Eventually we decided it was time to brave a trip over the road to establish the state of play.

The noise has not abated but there is a PA, a promoter, a soundman and a girl on stage doing a soundcheck. Hurrah. I think. It’s still very noisy and the girl on stage (who is Kit Richardson) shouts something to Neil and his face lights up with understanding. We have stumbled across an Irish wake. This could be interesting.

Finally the rest of them turn up! It’s taken them 3 hours. Ben is overjoyed, Mark doesn’t look too happy, and Sid is seemingly oblivious. About usual there then ! Sid immediately perks up on being presented with a pint of student and the arrival of Nadeen. He suggests we should all stand back whilst he dusts of the duvet and handles her. Hmm. I’m not sure I needed to hear that! Frank is also here, having changed a theatre ticket to come and see us. Thanks Frank, you’re a legend… ;)

Finally the wake quietens down a bit and Kit starts. Or so we think. It takes half an hour to get a level on the cello that wasn’t there for the soundcheck. The only band to get a soundcheck and it still takes half an hour to set up! However, it was worth the wait. She’s actually really rather good in a Tori Amos kinda way. I enjoyed it. She has been asked by the Irish wake attendees to sing 'Amazing Grace', which she does. She introduces it by suggesting that we have all stumbled on a rather sombre occasion… The drunken whoops suggest anything but! When I die I hope people have that much fun in my memory…

It’s time for our set. I am cursing my brother, who promised to come and still hasn’t turned up, but as I am putting my violin together he sticks his face up against the window and gives me a heart attack. Hurrah. He truly is the king of ‘constructive’ criticism. He will tear me apart for everything from my singing to my hair tie! We play a really rather average set in our eyes, not helped by the fact that Sid played one song in entirely the wrong key. Nice! Bizarrely my hyper-critical brother is really rather complimentary. He swears it’s nothing to do with the bottle and a half of wine he’s had, and demands another pint. And a lift home! We wait around for the next band ('Private Trousers' - Ed) who have arrived with a load of home-made instruments and backing vocals that make my singing sound good. They are OK, but turning up with a cello and no bow isn’t the best start in my eyes…

I leave the rest of the band and take my brother home. From what I hear I missed out on a corker of a night. Sid pinned Pussy against the wall, Mark dancing, Ben eyeing up jailbait and many more. Ah well, next time…..

Kat