Contemporary Tom's

 

Photo by sister Sue Tarplee-Williams 

Contemporary Nightmare 

We Are Nomad - photo by Tim Lee

Em - photo by Tim Lee

I've learned to at least try never to have any preconceptions as to how good a gig is going to be, but have to admit that the good feelings I had about this one turned out to be more than justified. In spite of considerable difficulties with the sound through soundcheck, Mike (from We Are Nomad) was as ever thoroughly well prepared but had some real issues for a while... But it was all sorted in time for the show. 

As if Mike didn't have enough of an event to sort, he and the other 50% of We Are Nomad , Rona were first up, and what a spellbinding and chilled start to a great night they were. We'd specifically asked them to focus more on original material for this one and it was great to hear their own songs including their epic "The Ocean". 

Next up were brand new band (this would be their third ever gig), namely youth indie-rockers Contemporary Nightmare I knew front-man Dylan Bugg from both his previous band The Buggs with brother Owain and from the fact that I taught them both guitar when they lived in Cheshire. To say we (I think I can confidently speak for everyone there) were impressed was an understatement. A teen band 3 gigs in are supposed to be really rough, battling with the basics like staying in time, maintaining a solid groove and holding a good melody under the pressure of the public gaze and not wanting to let yourselves down... These things typically take many gigs to begin to master before a band goes on to flourish. These lads definitely have "it" - straight out of the box - hugely enjoyable set. 

When it came to my gang The Blue Yellows we felt ready to take some risks on some newer material as well as some old favourites. Everyone seemed to love it. 

The night was certainly massively enhanced by such a thorough approach to sound from Mike, a superbly atmospheric light rig provided by Pod (Jason Podmore), plus a dry-ice machine (I think we're supposed to call it "haze" nowadays having been laughed at by a student working in light shows for calling it "dry ice"!). On top of that, many great photos were taken by Tim Lee, Martin Edwards & others many of which will appear over the coming months no doubt (with credits of course) in our socials and so on. On top of all this, the venue itself - Tom's Tap and Brewhouse - well, we just love the place and love playing here. Not only are their beers, ciders and other beverages and food top notch, but like any great places the personalities of the people running the joint really makes a difference and they have really built a community - one with all the right vibes and a real focus on egalitarianism and inclusivity. 

I will certainly have missed people out in this something of a thanks-fest post but as ever - the people who really make the difference are you lovely lot who come to the shows. YOU give us the energy, you share the emotions and excitement of making this mad, roller-coaster of feelings that is a live music show; thank you so much! 

Mike was prepared on the desk well in advance 

Stadium Arcadium.

Thanks to Jen Ogle for this pic.

5th October, 2018

A lovely night was had by all at a special night The Blue Yellows were asked to play in honour of our lovely mate and birthday boy Mike, of We Are Nomad, who also played their beautiful sounds before it was our go.

We were very under rehearsed and hadn't gigged since August, adding to the pre-stage nerves, in addition bassist Simon had the lurgy, and drummer Dave was missing some equipment and Em had back ache (especially not good when lugging very heavy PA equipment around is part of the job).

In spite of all this, and in my case after a little skip around in the rain to ease the nerves, I think it's fair to say we played with some gusto, and folk seemed to enjoy it.

Most of all, it was a night shared with plenty of lovely friends, plus.. two

 gigs in a row now, further bookings have come out of it.

These lovelies: L-R Drummer Dave, Bassist Simon, Keyboardist/Accordionist/Backing vocalist Em.

Didn't forget to clip my nails after last week.

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Last night was lovely #funtimes performing not only our 1st stadium gig 😉 but for a special night honouring @mike.aitchison.3 of #WeAreNomad who also played their beautiful sounds. Fankuu to @jaqi_k (I think) for pic 1. #giglife #musicians #guitarist #keyboards #bass #drums #band #rock #folkrock #livemusic #newmusic #crewealex #CarlsbergLounge #concert #livegigs #liveband #music

A post shared by Jonathan Tarplee (@jonniegitahhr) on Oct 6, 2018 at 3:54am PDT

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Sound check now with the #BlueYellows, playing with our lovely mates #WeAreNomad and birthday boy @mike.aitchison.3 ! First #stadiumgig! 😉 #Gigs #CreweAlex #CarlsbergSwete #livemusic #newmusic #guitarist #songs #concert #rock #indie #bands #bandsofinstagram #music #tunes #liveband #livebands #musicians #soundengineering #PA #giggin #soundengineer #sound #livesound

A post shared by Jonathan Tarplee (@jonniegitahhr) on Oct 5, 2018 at 10:53am PDT

A community do in Crewe.

Mike & Rona AKA We.Are. Nomad
who played beautifully & kindly sorted the sound for everyone.

I agreed to play a community do on this summery day in Crewe's Victorian Queen's Park. It was the brainchild of Creative Crewe and included lovely music from festival regulars The Green Smoke Hokum Band, and Darren Poyzer plus performances and PA-provision and sound engineering courtesy of that lovely acoustic folk-prog duo We Are Nomad.

The sun also agreed to come out, as stated in it's contract!

Boxjam V

And so we returned to the scene of the band's very first gig (at the first BJ 4 years ago), and what will probably be my last festival-type gig of the year, Boxjam. All for charity of course, suburb acts including for the first time, the wonderful poet Paul Howard Ellson. We managed to stick around and between us (the whole band) caught Human Condition and Interception, both sounding as superb if not even better than ever, We Are Nomad and Then Alien. All fantastic by all accounts.

Hats off (Fez's off?) to Simon & Tina of Simon J. Newbury Photography fame for doing all the sterling work that must mean many sleepless nights before an event of this size. Another great success and most impotantly, lots of dosh raised for Oxfam and Chrisite's.


Thanks to Liz Wells for the video of a more mellow segment of our set :)

Alternatively, here's a video shot by The Late Selector team, thanks chaps;