Hey everyone, another gig and another "Behind the Strays"
Also my first week at my new job and a gig to finish the week is just what the doctor ordered.. I managed to get an early finish for the Friday too, which was super cool.
So a perfect way to finish the week and start the weekend.
I went home, changed and then loaded up the gear into my van. I then picked Liam from the city centre and because we were heading out of Birmingham on the A45. We picked up Grace last.
We loaded the rest of the Grace's gear and then set off to Evesham.
Honestly we have some fun journeys on the road back and forward to gigs and this was no exception.
We spent the next hour and a bit singing our hearts too the "Now that's What I Call Music" albums.
Normally Grace will be in control of the music in the van while my phone is often the sat nav.
Plus it's always nice to listen to new music, hell i listen to my playlist every day of the week back and forth to work and walking around the local Tesco.
So to be introduced to new bands is always welcome in my eyes.
Well as long as it's not too to heavy. I mean I like Metal, but alas, it would be a boring place if we all like the same stuff.
Anyway back to the story, I had never been to Evesham before and I know that as a band we have never played there either.
So, singng along to Nsync, Steps and even Darius and his song “Colourblind” at one point, we soon arrived in Evesham. In fact I think we rolled into Evesham singing "Because I got High" followed by "Who Let The Dogs Out” lol.
We slowed up a little and then Grace said, take that left.
Which was a good call because it lead us straight to the back of the venue.
The name on this pub is so cool, “The Valkyrie” and it seemed to be bathed in yellow lighting.
I jumped out the van and walked into the venue to scope it out and ask where we can load in.
I met with the headline band Isolation.
First i met with the drummer Paul. I said, hey hows it going?
Then he introduced me to Alan the singer. They said to start loading in and we then settled into the venue.
I got chatting to Nat the bass player from Isolation about using her bass amp and her accent was quite similar to mine.
They were from Gloucester.
Everyone was super lovely here, the stage was a good size
and venue was gorgeous and this night had the hallmarks to be a cracking night.
Isolation sound checked and we hit the bar.
Omg it was then i noticed bottles of Corona in the fridge behind the bar.
So the first round was a bottle of Corona for me and two jagerbombs for Liam and Grace.
We had a giggle, got chatting to Alan Hodgkins and then my good friend Gez came through the door. This was his first Wild Strays show and so big hugs and a quick introduction to Grace and Liam we had a good catch up.
Isolation had finished sound check so now it was our turn to set up onstage.
There was only two bands on tonight, so we got told we can pretty much do any set length we wanted.
We agreed to go on at 9pm and do a 40minute set.
We do have a longer show, but we have cut a few songs as we are still a member down. But as always our mantra “The Show Must Always Go On” we are here and we intend to bring a Wild Show.
The stage set and the crowd was building, so again we headed to the bar, make mine a cider.
I had great fun talking to new people and the venue owner Steve.
Time was ticking by and before we know it, it was 20.50
Grace had headed off to get changed and the sound engineer Dave came up to me and said give him two minutes before we start heading to the stage. Because he needs to turn the lights off and stop the jukebox.
With that Grace came out and we gave Dave the all good to go sign.
Dave then hit the lights, and as dry ice entered the stage our sound clip the New Wild Order march started.
A quick check of tuning and as the sound clip faded, we ripped into the first track called "The Beast Inside"
This is now the fourth gig which Grace has been playing both Lead Guitar and Bass guitar, and despite me running across the room to the sound desk to change the sound clips as she changed from one instrumemt to another.
The energy here at The Valkyrie was fantastic.
The crowd were really up for it. The lighting on the stage was one of the best we have had for a while and this only incresed our energy in the band.
Smiles were big, the audience engagement was great as we punched through "Fireproof"
I also really enjoy “Own Perosnal Hell” as we had the whole room chanting back "This time its Personal.”
Liam's drum solo had a huge round of applause and we finished the show gathering all this lost Strays with our self titled track The Wild Strays.
A huge finish and for me I reckon that was one of the best gigs of the year.
An amazing night, and..,we have also been asked back to play. Which is always nice to be invited back to a venue.
We packed up our gear and jumped off stage then prepared for Isolation's set list.
As we know by now I don't talk much about other bands we play with, but honestly these guys had a great show and we as a band we happily jumping around to thier set.
Afterwards we thanked them for the opportunity to support them and we got talking and without saying too much,..we maybe doing a few more shows with this band. :)
A great night and smiles all round. Great energy and a great band to work alongside.
Thank you to Gez and Alan for making the trip down to support us in a new town.
We think we may have also made some new fans in Evesham too.
Also a huge thank you to Alan for all the pictures.
We finally finished the night climbing on the pub tables and just generally having fun. A great night and we will definitely be coming back here another day
Take it easy and catch you on the next one.
Love and respect,
KT
And remember,
Keep it Wild, Strays x