So did you make it down to the Mill Hill Sports Club last night? If you did thanks for your support, if you didn't, it was a hoot. Fittingly the 9th Mill Hill Music festival was kicked off by a young local band from Mill Hill, Angels with Enemies. A three piece with a big rock sound. I'll be posting some video of them (and most of the other events) here over the course of the week. Next up were The Ron Lewis Partnership, featuring the amzing harmonica skills of Nick Greenberg ably supported by John Turner (guitar), Nick O'Reilly (bass) and Charlie on drums. They are an in your face rythm and blues band. It was a special gig for John as it was also his mum Betty's 81st Birthday and she came down in the mood for a boogie. Getting the whole audience to sing happy birthday to her was surely one of this years high point.
Last up was my band, the False Dots with Connie A, our amazing vocalist. We had a blast and were joined for the last two numbers, which were us jamming by Bob Stout on guitar, Nick Greenberg on harp and Paul Amsetrdam on sax. I guess that if you didn't enjoy that, you probably don't like rock and roll music. I think we played pretty well and the one I song I enjoyed most was probably "If you really mean it" although the missus said our slow slushy ballad "It's too late" was the best one.
Being the first gig, us as festival organisers were especially hoping that it would be successful and kick the festival off with a bang. Much preparation had gone into the festival. Small details such as organising PA systems, car parking, ticket sales, publicity takes months of planning. It all came together beautifully. For many of the venues,it provides a useful bit of extra cash. The bar staff at the Sports club told me they were more than happy with the takings from thirsty False Dots fans ! Another good thing was we paid all the bands and made a small profit, to be ploughed back into the festival. There are many costs which have to be covered apart from the band expenses. Printing, petrol expenses, lighting rigs, drapes for venues with no curtains, insurance, banners etc. The organisers take nothing other than out of pocket expenses though. We do it because we love music.
For me, one of the highlights of the Indie night is that I get to choose the bands and I get to choose the music we play between the bands. Whilst for many this is just something in the background, I spend hours pondering over the selection. Last night you'd have heard tunes from Boz Boorer's album Miss Pearl (in honour of the finest Mill Hillbilly!), who played with Morrissey at Glastonbury on Friday night. You'd also have heard some of the following - The Ramones, The Heartbreakers, MC5, Ronnie Spector, T-Rex, The New York Dolls to name but a few.
As I was having a night off from festival organising (as I was playing) I must thank the team of organisers and helpers, This included Gerry (who did a fine job on the PA), Clare, Dan, Joan, Leslie, Richard, Steve for their efforts as well as the staff at the Sports club, for making us so welcome.
Today we the Dixieland Jazz Lunch at the Three Hammers, The Salvation Army band + The London Single Reeds at John Keeble Church and Alan Warner at the Adam and Eve. Just to add to the fun, I've got to do the sound for St Vincents School Garden Fete. Rock and Roll !
Last up was my band, the False Dots with Connie A, our amazing vocalist. We had a blast and were joined for the last two numbers, which were us jamming by Bob Stout on guitar, Nick Greenberg on harp and Paul Amsetrdam on sax. I guess that if you didn't enjoy that, you probably don't like rock and roll music. I think we played pretty well and the one I song I enjoyed most was probably "If you really mean it" although the missus said our slow slushy ballad "It's too late" was the best one.
Being the first gig, us as festival organisers were especially hoping that it would be successful and kick the festival off with a bang. Much preparation had gone into the festival. Small details such as organising PA systems, car parking, ticket sales, publicity takes months of planning. It all came together beautifully. For many of the venues,it provides a useful bit of extra cash. The bar staff at the Sports club told me they were more than happy with the takings from thirsty False Dots fans ! Another good thing was we paid all the bands and made a small profit, to be ploughed back into the festival. There are many costs which have to be covered apart from the band expenses. Printing, petrol expenses, lighting rigs, drapes for venues with no curtains, insurance, banners etc. The organisers take nothing other than out of pocket expenses though. We do it because we love music.
For me, one of the highlights of the Indie night is that I get to choose the bands and I get to choose the music we play between the bands. Whilst for many this is just something in the background, I spend hours pondering over the selection. Last night you'd have heard tunes from Boz Boorer's album Miss Pearl (in honour of the finest Mill Hillbilly!), who played with Morrissey at Glastonbury on Friday night. You'd also have heard some of the following - The Ramones, The Heartbreakers, MC5, Ronnie Spector, T-Rex, The New York Dolls to name but a few.
As I was having a night off from festival organising (as I was playing) I must thank the team of organisers and helpers, This included Gerry (who did a fine job on the PA), Clare, Dan, Joan, Leslie, Richard, Steve for their efforts as well as the staff at the Sports club, for making us so welcome.
Today we the Dixieland Jazz Lunch at the Three Hammers, The Salvation Army band + The London Single Reeds at John Keeble Church and Alan Warner at the Adam and Eve. Just to add to the fun, I've got to do the sound for St Vincents School Garden Fete. Rock and Roll !
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