We played a place called The Caves which is exactly what it sounds like – a series of labyrinthine tunnels going for miles under the city. What a vibe. We’ve played Liverpool’s Cavern before, but this was more so. The weather outside was atrocious which somehow completed the atmosphere underground. On the way here, we had to go really slowly over the Forth Bridge due to high winds. Two days earlier, while traveling west wards to Glasgow, across the Pennines we were turned back due to more of the same, thereby putting an extra two hours on our journey that day. But no worries, the audiences have made up for it.
Yesterday, our hotel check-in was delayed due to a full Highland wedding taking place there. The wedding party complete with piper and all the male guests in kilts (the bride even wore a tiara) were blocking our way so we just waited and enjoyed the proceedings, even appearing in some of the photos! Some hours later when we returned from the show, those same kilted dudes were looking quite disheveled, socks down, kilts askew, singing to each other. The women, who really go for it in the fashion stakes, were in a similar state, though slightly less so and had mostly discarded their 4 and 5 inch heels and hairdoes. In fact, the whole place was partying.
Gavin, the promoter of our show, an ex policeman sporting a rather nasty black eye from a serious pasting in a pub, entertained us with his charming wife after the show and surprised us by bringing along the author and AshFan supreme, Mr Ian Rankin. I had left my copy of Last Exit in the van so I could not get it signed by the man himself but he entertained us with authorly stories backstage and it was great to hear how he’d included references to the Ash in his most recent book, like having main character, Inspector Rebus ‘s IPod loaded with our music.
Well, today we head even further north to Inverness, where they tell me, there has been snow the last few days. We’ll not be going across the Cairngorms this time but I like this town and the Ironworks is a fine venue. I’ve yet to get my haggis and ‘neeps, so that’ll be on the agenda today. Och Aye the Noo!
