Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Entertaining Evanton
by admin - 21:36 on 27 April 2014
When the component parts of The Strays gathered yesterday in Jubilee Hall, Evanton, around two hours before its doors opened to an eager public, it was the first time they'd been together for three weeks. Despite that, the playing at the sound check was acceptable, although Jim was able to upset dogs for miles around by producing some adventurous feedback via his pedal board.
As satisfied with the sound as were were going to be, we retired around the corner to Chez Jim for booze or tea (some of us were driving) and a discussion about future prospects. This didn't take long as we've no more gigs lined up. The search continues.
Back at the hall the first punters had arrived and it soon became clear that the dress code was hot pants and dangerous heels (female) and kilts (male) as at least half the attendees were sporting one or the other. They also carried impressive amounts of drink. The poster said BYOB but several vast cool boxes could be seen as well as bulging carrier bags. Evanton folk don't want to risk a thirst.
The hall boasts strip lighting that wouldn't be out of place in an operating theatre. As this fails to contribute much ambience the fluorescent tubes were switched off for the performance of the opening folky combo which went on around 8.30 to play in a gloom illuminated only by The Strays' inadequate light show. Their preparations had been assisted by Jim who proved that he can get even a mouthorgan to feed back.
The folkies played for an hour, after which lights were switched back on and the raffle commenced. And continued. And continued some more. It ended around forty-five minutes later, when stovies were served. Then the auction began. And continued...
It was 11pm by the time the hall was plunged back into gloom and The Strays took the stage, our already-shortened set list cut even further to fit the time left to us. We managed eleven songs, starting with Dakota and ending with I Predict A Riot, before the midnight curfew ended the gig. Gregor proved he could play guitar as well with three fingers as with four, Jim managed to get through the whole set without feedback, and the dance floor was filled. A triumph.
Congratulations to Jo and Co who organised the event. A figure's not yet been announced but the evening must have raised well over £1,000 for the Colitis and Crohn's charity.
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