Page 4
Steeleye Span 'Winter Tour' Diary 2004
Day Off
Sunday 19th December (Day 25)
University Arts Centre, Warwick
Took the train to Coventry at 12 noon. Well, the first part of the journey from Preston to Crew was by coach, due to work on the rails or whatever they do on Sundays. Still everything seemed to arrive and leave at the right time and I landed at Coventry just before 3pm.
This is the forth time I've performed at the Warwick Arts Centre, the last time was 2002 with Steeleye - a memorable night, as was the previous occasion with the Albion Band - only for completely different reasons. The Albion gig was a live Radio 2 'In Concert' programme which was staged by the same people that produce Folk on 2; Smooth Operations. I could write in length about how disappointed I was with the entire event and the complete lack of recognition and respect I was afforded in regards to my input and contribution to that band. I'm afraid that in this business, people, production companies, and in this case, also the Albion Band have agenda's.
These agenda's exist often with limited regard to integrity. At this time the Albions were being promoted on the basis of youth - with Joe Broughton and Kelly While at the front. I felt generally unsettled by this, after all, my whole ethos has leant toward the ideals of music having timeless and ageless qualities; such as those of depth and honesty. I knew I was on a very sticky wicket with all this PR rubbish going on.
I could write pages on the events of that day, the logistics, the work and organisation that led up to the point when we took to the stage. We were introduced by Mike Harding. It could have been that I was not considered an integral enough part of the Albion's to get a direct mention in his introduction of the band members, OK, as I said, people have their agenda's. But when his big 'joke' was delivered - that these two youthful figures, which he lavished with praise, brought the average age of the band down to 72, I wondered what I was doing on that stage; the camels back was broken, and I knew, the sooner the better, I was out of that band.
The next time I stood on that stage was on Steeleye's Reunion Tour, and I recall that evening well also. In contrast it felt meaningful, purposeful and extremely rewarding, as did tonight. We played to a full house of 1200.
Monday 20th December (Day 26)
The Opera House, Buxton
Received word this morning that there was snow 'up north'. With Buxton being one of the more exposed areas, we knew it would be smart to be ready for any eventuality. Sure enough, as we approached the town, the terrain became more and more like that of a classic Christmas scene. Then we hit fog. In the end, after what turned into a slow and cautious journey, we arrived at our destination - and a very picturesque one it was too.
We checked into the 'Old Hall Hotel' which sits almost directly opposite the Opera House.
Tonight, yet again, we played to a full house and a very warm audience. This is one of the nicest theatres you could ever hope to visit and from the stage it's really quite impressive to look upward toward the upper circle (which, believe me is high) and to see the silhouettes of those looking down on you.
Tuesday 21st December (Day 28)
The Stables, Wavendon, Milton Keynes
Thankfully, the weather was a bit more forgiving this morning, so leaving
the Peak District didn't pose any real problem. It was only when we reached
the M1 and saw traffic at a standstill - and reaching far into the distance,
that Maddy and Mark in the front had to do some quick thinking and map
reading. So after a good few miles on the smaller and more scenic country
roads, we joined the motorway south of whatever it was causing the hold
up.
Although I've visited The Stables in the past (as above - with the Albion
Band), since my last visit they've built a completely new theatre - with
the help of lottery money so I believe, and the end result, I would say,
has been extremely successful. It is, however, one of the smaller theatres
on the tour (with a capacity of 396), and what was originally planned
as the final gig of the tour did not take long to sell out. Consequently
a second date was added at this venue, which then in turn also sold out.
Don't ask me why a third night wasn't considered.
We had the whole gang over tonight: record company, cameramen and recording
engineer - another gig to be archived along with the rest of 'em. Not
sure though if the band as a whole was overjoyed by the prospect of being
recorded at this point in the tour. But in the end, I'd say the show went
well - so you never know what you're going to end up with.
Wednesday 22nd December (Day 27)
The Stables, Wavendon, Milton Keynes
With eight full days between this show and Gateshead, it feels, to be
honest, like the end of the tour. If you're not careful, you can find
yourself going through this somewhat reflective, sentimental process that
culminates towards the end of a period of time spent working and traveling
on what seems like a musical rollercoaster with the same few people for
so long.
Well, it feels like a long time, but then, on the road one completely
loses track of time quite easily. All the days merge. This is one reason
why I write the diary - it just keeps me that little bit more grounded
and in touch with events than I might otherwise be. Sometimes when I sit
down to write, it's absolutely the very last thing I want to do at that
time. It's often the same when I write songs. However, some of us have
to work hard when it comes to establishing an element of structure into
our day to day existence. And in the end, the achievement gained - even
on the smallest level, can bring satisfaction you would not otherwise
have.
Being on the road though is 'something else'. It's intense. And though
I'm truly looking forward to my return to civilisation and life as most
people know it, I'll miss this big time. You can't win really -
can you!!
I guess it figures; tonight was strikingly similar to yesterday - with
the exception that we felt a little happier with our performance maybe.
After the show everyone but Pete and myself drove home. We had better
things to do; we phoned the local tandoori from the theatre, and picked
the food up on the way back to the hotel. Pete is passionate about Indian
food He's also a man after my own heart.
Roll-on Christmas.
Thursday 30th December (Day 28)
The Sage, Gateshead
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