What a beautiful Summer Solstice, thanks for making it a wonderful show for us!
We were up against it - a man down with our brilliant bassist *Simon unable to perform, but you guys in the crowd, at The John McAteer stage & on the sound made it so easy for us.
What a stunning venue The Newton Brewery Inn is, great vibes at the bar, large and stunning outdoor area where we played.
*Get well soon our Simon ❤️
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| Photo by Ian F. Ball |
📸 Louise Mather
Sometimes you have to rise to the challenge...
We were at around 50% calling off today's show. Simon, our brilliant bassist had phoned to say he had a hand injury that clearly needed to be seen to as a priority and there was no way he could come along (let alone play bass). We really hope our good friend on those low notes recovers really soon but in the meantime we had to make a decision.
In deciding to go on with the show (there's a saying here somewhere) we needed to work out how to do it. Those songs where Simon's bass is a beautiful counter melody as "a" (if not "THE") main musical theme of the song were out, a couple of songs we don't play normally were in, and many others adapted in terms of playing style, rhythm, frequency & tone.
We were also ably aided by José, our sometimes producer and again this time, sound-guy.
We got away with it. Get well soon Simon and.. Onwards!
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| Heavily adapted setlist |
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| 3 wasn't the magic number (for us) but we got away with it! |
It's a great feeling when you've got a busy festival weekend coming up & you see posts showing a well drilled team preparing.
Photos from Midsummer Middlewich where we're playing;
Saturday - The Turnpike, 2pm
Sunday Solstice - Newton Brewery, 4pm
June 2nd, 2026
The evening marked my 1st (and maybe only) time in the role of a Battle of the Bands judge. I was on the panel at a local college (if you know me personally, you'll know which one it is) to help select winners from 1st year student bands. A really enjoyable night, and great to see such a variety of genres on display as well as fabulously burgeoning new talent.
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| The panel's desk |
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| A pre-judgement rest |
24th April 2026 Tom's Tap
Sometimes there's magic in the room.
Tonight was one of those nights, & that can never just come from the band - it's a two way/multi-way/musicians-audience - all-one-mind beautiful thing that is so precious, a thing that is becoming more rare as it only happens there in those moments in a room together.
The wonderful Hayley Strangelove brought the magic and the emotion in, and so much more.
Mike on the desk gave us our best sound yet on stage at Tom's, something that allows us to really did deep into the music we're creating in the moment, putting an aerial out into the cosmos and getting lost in the music ourselves.
Thank you all so, so much xxx
*P. S. A notable feature of this gig was that or was the 1st show where Em played violin and the first one in which Dave played the bodhran (in addition to thier usual instruments).
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| JT |
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| Em |
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| Dave |
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| Hayley Strangelove x |
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| For Sean Bartley |
Load-in is arranged, songs, a long set is rehearsed, tech-spec sent and... I'm pretty excited about this one in particular!
Updated Feb 27th to include confirmation of support from Hayley Strangelove for opening show.
More to be confirmed and added...
Updated 29/01/26
I spent most of yesterday, Sunday editing a band video.
Here's some sneaky stills...
Updated 17/01/2026
New for 2026
You know when you become a jewellery maker just to try and make original music pay?
Available online and at shows while very limited stocks last.
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| Limited edition |
