TRF & BPS!

The Rhythm Festival. Tinwood Arena



We were very excited about going to the Rhythm Fest, for three reasons. One, it's a great big festival with a good profile (so, a top place to play). Two, some great acts (besides Bruise) were on the bill. Three, we had the time to stay the whole weekend. We took our chance to see those great acts and immerse ourselves wholeheartedly in the festival lifestyle.

On arrival, Bruise made camp in the artist enclosure and immediately ran into loads of musicians we know. And the bonhomie continued. Wandering among the stalls, waiting at the bar or running between stages we were always hailing, or being hailed by, people we know. Brilliant! Tinwood is the airstrip from which Glenn Miller took off on his flight into oblivion and many of the wartime buildings remain so the place has a real atmosphere.

So, all good…then we played a blinder. Two o'clock, Saturday afternoon on the Marquee Club Stage and it reminded me of our first time at Glastonbury. The tent was pretty empty as we kicked off but the crowd grew and grew as the music drew people in. It's totally affirming when you can see people who were just passing, stopping, turning their heads, then coming closer and staying to see the band. Afterwards, Bob and I loaded the gear out into the blazing sunshine as Isobel chatted with new fans, signed CDs and got her picture took as befits a star.

Job done, pressure off, we threw ourselves into everyone else's music – Michelle Shocked, Stackridge, Neville Staples, Shedload of Love, Big Star and, above all, Richie Havens. He has been an inspiration to Isobel as a songwriter and a guitarist for years and that night he really was truly STUNNING. The sun went down, the storm clouds gathered and as his final chord faded a fork of lightning tore across the sky above the stage. Honestly. That really happened.


Brighton Poetry Soc. Hove


Our good friend Sean Creed coordinates regular poetry nights for BPS in the cellar of the Sanctuary Café in Hove. Isobel and I have attended before, as punters, but Sean invited us to play as a kind of musical interlude. They get a fine mix of styles and experience down there. It's a completely unregulated open mic with people just getting up and doing their thing when the mood takes them and, magically, never overstaying their welcome. We played an acoustic half hour at half time and we fit right in. We made some new friends, got booked for a new venue and everyone had a lovely time – sickening isn't it!


Jim x