Sometimes I have to write things down just so I can remember some of what’s happened. Life seems to whiz past in a bit of a blur, where I just take moments here and there to take it all in before it all just zaps off again into music-fuelled, people filled hecticness. so…
On the 14th I was up at Vejlby Klit playing to a frozen audience outside Café John Wayne. Hats off to the determined revellers who stayed to the end in the cold wind. Next stop was a Strong Ale gig at You’ll never walk alone in Kolding. The weather meant it had to be held inside but it was still great fun and an enthusiastic audience. No time to hang around afterwards as I had to be in Aalborg for a midnight start at The Old Irish Pub on Jomfru Ane Gade. I was greeted by the fabulous barstaff with sambuca shots and had a really fun gig – slow to get going but always something happening. A lone Nowegian lad was sitting alone at a table with a whole bottle of vodka and 6 cans of red bull – clearly the way to make new friends. I helped him out.
Which explains the hangover on Saturday when playing the same gig, but to a bigger audience.
I got a day off which I spent back home on Fyn, and then Monday drove up to Fur. I love this island, and I love the gig, which is outside on the harbour in a kind of beer garden sort of space outside the tiny “Skuret” pub. Again the weather was awful, but people wrapped themselves up in blankets and we had a grand old time.
Tuesday was at Nørrelands Dansested in Holstebro and was the biggest audience I’ve seen there. Again a great atmosphere (and now with a new stage). Stopped at a lovely B&B out in the countryside. Then on to Fjand Gårdbutik – one of my favourite “regular” gigs. I say regular as I have played there every summer for the last 4 years or so. The audience is a sit down and listen sort of crowd, and they join in with everything and are always really receptive. Per and Majbritt, the owners, are also such lovely people and the whole farmyard atmosphere is so charming and completely different from pretty much everything else I play.
Thursday I went back to Vejlby Klit – this time with good weather, which meant we could set up in the better position across the car park, with much more audience room. A fabulous night, with a wonderful international audience, and plenty of CD sales (that’s what we like!).
I drove home afterwards (with a doubly whisky in the cup holder which I drank on arrival home!). And that was it for Jutland.
Friday I headed east and did Ballerup Festival with Strong Ale. Great weather, great crowd. I had 40 minutes to get off that stage and onto the next stage at Mulligans in Roskilde (made it with 10 minutes to spare!) and, again the Danish summer happiness was everywhere. Great fun, and a meet up with old friends. Saturday I was back at Ballerup Festival to play bass with Neil Brophy Band – at possibly the best performance we’ve ever given. Great audience, great sound (from Powerstage) and great atmosphere again.
I was up on Fur again yesterday where the weather was better and thus the audience bigger. Now, having got through my paperwork, I am free for a couple of days, and the sun is shining, so see you all later!