Hey!
~ If you want to get straight to the video, scroll to the bottom ~
Sometimes, a day is so pivotal and overflowing with intense emotion, that in hindsight, the vivid memory of that day seems to stretch to the length one might attribute a normal week, or fairly mundane month.
With that being said, I’d like to share the second half of the 27th of July, 2023 (the first half could have an equally long timeline but it might not be so interesting).
2:30pm: after arriving by taxi at the venue, I find I’m 30 minutes early, no-one is in the venue and it’s beginning to rain - I huddle over my equipment, bags of T-shirts and vinyl and shelter in a small alley, waiting for Tom - the events manager at Bush Hall - to let me in.
3:00pm: Sam, Jihad and Robin arrive, the players, sax, bass and keys, the summer rain has abated and we have a moment to discuss the exorbitant parking fees in West London (£35 for the rest of the day) and our shared hope that no-one’s car gets broken into by opportunist instrument thieves (fortune was on our side this time).
3:05pm: -
5:00pm: - 2 hours have dissolved in a flurry of cables, tungsten lightbulbs, screeching audio-feedback and shared delight at the prospect of 300 people crowded around our small stage in the centre of Bush Hall.
5:10pm: - J arrives looking like a supermodel and catches soundcheck, she brings me a snack (my favourite, almonds) I haven’t eaten since breakfast and I’m close to the ecstatic buzz that comes with an empty stomach and pre-show adrenaline. J’s wearing 1of1 berlioz stick on nails sent in by a US fan, fishnets and chunky doc martin sandals (amongst other things of course).
Pat Thomas arrives on the scene, the painter and designer behind every berlioz artwork, he’s all smiles.
The three of us revel in the gorgeous decor of Bush Hall, chandeliers, mouldings and high ceilings, a grand ball room that a century or two ago could set the stage for the wealthiest of victorian debutantes.
The sound system is loud, the merch stand is ready, Robin, Jihad and Sam are making plans for how to kill the next few hours.
6:00pm: - J and I escape for 90 minutes, fresh air, a quick (non-alcoholic) beer and some words of encouragement from my parents and siblings who have travelled across the country to be here.
7:25pm: making our way to the venue before doors, I have a sweet interaction with a listener on the street who’s here for the show, being recognised is a very new feeling, despite being something of an introvert (my wife would laugh at this huge understatement) I loved every interaction with berlioz listeners and gained so much joy from hearing how people connect to the music.
7:30pm: Bush Hall is full of people, the lights are low, I find Kevin my promoter and friend leaning against a wall, taking it all in, beaming.
8:30pm: My body’s tight and nerves on edge, contrasted wonderfully by the smooth and confident Michael Sebastian, who opens for the night and kills, with swooping guitar licks and drum loops, the crowd is on his wave and he builds them up to a joyful pitch that, by the end of his performance, I find only exacerbates my now visibly nervous demeanour which I’m sure is somewhat off-putting for my band and wife in the greenroom.
9:00pm: How the f*** am I supposed to do this?!?!
10:00pm: How the f*** did we pull that off?!?!
video hosted on Patreon to avoid sharing/downloading
(you can watch for free)
warmest,
berlioz
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