Victoria Bar Gig

Pre-gig -
I rushed home from work on 2 different buses. I almost speed walked it home, unlocked the door, spoke to my wife and cats, and got dressed. I fixed my hair and spoke to my wife. She was busy and wanted me to leave, so I got my suit jacket on, camera ready, guitar and all the leads, etc, and prepared myself. I had butterflies, but the sort that bite your stomach. It was a little uncomfortable due to anxiety. I always get like that before a gig. I had received a text from another performer and lovely gent that I am proud to say I have been in a band with, Chris Rodger. He played the same night. So I tried my best to get down there to see him and Meggan Reid play together on stage. So I collected my stuff, and left. I had to get the bus in, very rock n roll I know. I stood up the front, holding my guitar, and had a very heavy bag over my shoulder full of equipment.

I got off, and walked for about 15 minutes to the pub. I would use the word venue, but it wasn't a venue, just a pub. I opened the door, uncomfortably carrying my guitar. The place was packed, and Chris and Meggan were already playing. So I acknowledged them with lots of winking. I immediately worked my way to the back as I knew no one there. The promotor was there and I chatted to him for a good bit. To describe the place, I would say it is an old man's pub, with lots of band posters on the walls. Quite dark, poor service, and little space. I have played similar places, and it didn't have any class. A fat old man's pub trying to be young and trendy, essentially. So I sat and listened to Chris and Meggan's folk sound, with cover songs in there. They were awesome, and full of personality. The crowd were very receptive to them. They left before they could see me, which they politely apologised for. So I sat there myself. Watching the next act, who could play guitar and violin, but the set and act was monotonous and dull. The singer lacked the ability to sing. All the songs sounded exactly the same, and were either folk or cover pieces. I started to get that I may stand out quite a bit in this pub, and then started to think that my songs may not be right for it. Anyway I sat there, texting my two friends who said they'd definitely come to see me. I made a friend: a drunkard, who kept spitting into my left cheeks when he'd use words with the letter 'p' and told me he played saxophone...I think he was talking out of his drunken arse. I eventually got away from him to meet my friends outside. I felt so relieved they were there. It took so much pressure off me. Because I didn't want to go on any earlier than I agreed, a 12 year old busker child was put on for 20 mins to fill up the time. It was like a weird surreal musical creche...the young lad was good, if a bit pre-pubescent, and did pretty much all covers. I was at this point, fucking sick of covers.

The gig -

So after waiting for about 10 fucking minutes to be served, because I wasn't the typical fat old bastard at the bar, I went on stage. I set myself up, was polite to the young lad, and after setting up, the crowd was loud and uninterested. So I began. I always introduce each song I'm going to do, and might elaborate slightly on it. I realised after saying the name of the song, no one was really listening. So I continued.

Putting the Monster in the Box was the first song, and it is quite quiet. As I played I felt the crowds incessant talking overwhelmed me on stage and I sang louder. I finished and the crowd did clap. I then did Vixen - Part 1,2.3 and 4. Could see that people were not that interested. I felt that these songs were being wasted on a unappreciative 'audience'. But I continued. Kings of the Underworld grabs the crowds attention, but it was short lived. I continued with Retrospect after that. This was more the sound that the people were receptive to in there, but not a lot from that. Then did Red Bridge, and again, no real audience apprection. By this point I was started to get fed up and annoyed quite frankly. So, I hammered through the rest of the songs. Did Dark Political Arts, and cut it short, did Jezebel (The Painted Lady), a shorter version, and finished on Klez the Conquerer. By this point, I thought fuck it, and screamed the song to fuck. I actually think my performance went well, and I only made a couple of slight errors. So slight, that they didn't largely affect the songs, and so was very pleased with my overall performance. But I was hugely pissed off at the audience. It consisted of: old fat men and women, and drunk students who came to see other acts. When I finished I thanked my friends, but not the audience. I in part felt that the gig was a waste of time. I understand that every gig won't go to plan, and this particular pub's clientel were not the sort to listen to this style of music.

Post gig -

I sat at a small table and discussed the night with my friend Geo, who had stayed. My other friend and another friend who had turned up too, left just after I finished. Geo was as disgruntled as me. I could say that maybe my music is shit. But from previous comments and receptions in other venues, I don't think it is that. The pub didn't suit me, and I didn't suit it. End of. The promotor came over, handed me 20 quid - very generous of him, he highlighted my own thoughts to me, and he said him and the owner enjoyed my performance. He said he will discuss with the other promoter of the Southside Festival about me playing. He seemed quite hopeful for me. Me and Geo walked to a bus stop. He got on a bus, and I a taxi. I sat there, feeling slightly disheartened, deflated, but also hopeful.

Watch this space,
Wullae

www.soundcloud.com/wullaewright