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Pryzm 3.4.25

Kingston Upon Thames

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Banquet records- the last hurrah …. For now

3rd April 2025

Manchester to Brum! 3am pitstop anyone!! 30p to wee! Cash only.

Must have slept! She said questioning the answer yes!! Excellent ride. Arrival into London Victoria . Pastry and hot chocolate consumed and over to Kingston. It was too easy not to!!

Another sunny day what more can you ask for. Kingston doesn’t change. My third visit for Mumford related activities. No Wilco anymore rip to that shop.

A spot of wandering to wake up and stay warm and back to base camp. A healthy pret “wonder shake” to keep me alive and not just full of sugar. The day was mixed emotions. A show today, but my last show today 😔.

I loved how the Pryzm staff or banquet records staff walked us all into the venue. Stressing no running and “any piss takers would be removed”. This sadly needed to be said and stated as despite all the good will, moves would be made! Unbelievable!!

A great last show. The venue, now with added drop down screens is just so compact and yet not squished. Old youthful Memories for the lads. A thankful Ben for Agora and community. 🥰. A great up close and personal show. Marcus had a big fan above his head, not “literally”. Caroline was a dream . My obsession with Surrender continues. Sad fair wells. My train journey home was thankfully quick and fleeting. Fulled on quavers, Lucazade and a heart full of memories. My car was still where I left it and with 4 wheels. “you’ll see them again “. Good times. May the PGD be fleeting. X x

Thank you to all that took part in our very own race across the Uk. I couldn’t have got through without the love and support of the daily entertainment systems x

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Manchester . April 2nd . Aviva Studio Amazon city sessions

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Manchester Amazon City Sessions 2.4.25

Bring me sunshine! ☀️

What a lovely day in the sun. Perfect for a bit of last minute sunbathing!

Excellent train journey down to Manchester. You know when it works you really can’t knock the travel system of the uk!!

Aviva Studio - not too far away from Salford Quays the media area of Manchester. #localknowledge thanks Jen for informing me that Coronation Street the famous cobbles aka Granda Studios were just around the corner. Aviva studio based in the grounds of the old Granada studios. It’s a new complex only open since 2023.

Aviva Studios delivers dance, theatre, music, visual arts, exhibitions, many premieres.

Lovely freshly prepared chicken meal consumed at the local restaurant. Excellent service. The lovely chap serving us was also going to the show! Let’s hope he had as much fun a we did!! Welcoming the lads into his day.

Later, queuing under the eves of the building it turned into a wind tunnel! We all kept ourselves entertained by being in a queue, in a queue! US tickets went on sale and I do love a queue! The walking man of doom walked too slowly sadly for me to help anyone! Let’s take a moment to reflect on #five the reunion tour we knew all the hits and more!! Slam dunk that funk indeed. And also #slenderpeoplefitthroughgaps

Lovely “what the duck pizza “from the venue.

Very smart building and studio. Excellent loo facilities!

The room where the recording was to take place “the hall” was standing and seated. Filming crew inside ready for the big live moment! 8pm inside 9pm showtime!!

What a show!! Lots of whooping and bouncing. I have to say the friction burn (from my phone)(being in my pocket)in three places on my thigh has now only left a scar vs burnt flesh… surely that’s the sign of a great show!! Great to see the brass section and full drum back set up.

We were told by Marcus to forget it was being filmed ignore the cameras “like they were” !

During Lover of the light the front row hardcore felt so bad for Marcus as he clearly forgot the lyrics and we enjoyed a drum 🥁 jamming session. With smirks and smiles from Ben and Ted to the uninitiated “I think they got away with it”

Can’t believe how 60 mins can go by so quickly. It was much more of a formal show tonight vs the playful let’s all feck around we had gotten use to these last few days. Many happy memories made. A special evening. Can’t wait to watch it again some day soon. Even if I do come off looking a bit of an idiot along the front!!

Thanks you Jen for the lift to the coach station. The overnight coach waits for no one. Xxx

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Liverpool The Dome Grand Hall 1.4.25

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Liverpool 1.4.25

The Dome Grand central hall

Blessed with sunshine! Liverpool was looking lovely as ever. Lovely chance encounter with Matt Menefee getting off the train!! 🚂

Eating a round of McNuggets on the sunny street. Life made.

Great venue. Once a church now an old music hall, With grand scale organ behind the stage area a grade ii listed building. A room neither myself or the band had been to before but it was a real vibe there.

A really fun set. There was lots of bounce in the room. Both sets went down a storm. Very hot inside! Favourite of the evening first play of Surrender live, currently on repeat in my memory and mind. What a treat.

Let’s not forget that Caroline moment…. Or should I say “let’s never talk of that Caroline moment ever again” 😘. 👊 funny. 🤣.

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Brum April 1st 2025 … HMV Birmingham

April fools day! Oooh this train has allocated seat numbers on your ticket!! Dah! Of course I am in the wrong carriage and the carriage is rammed, of course the person who booked the seat I am resting in kicks me out! The train floor conveniently located next to the toilets it is.

Birmingham the home of Ozzie the Bull and Peaky Blinders. Don’t be fooled by the sun, it was blinking cold !! Pit stop to Gregs the bakery for breakfast and onwards to HMV.

What a luxury to have an actual open functioning HMV shop and it was huge!! (( use to be Toys R us apparently)) local knowledge. It was flipping cold, the aircon must have been in overdrive!! Breakfast on the HMV sofa and instore loos! I mean, I’ll take it any day.

We got moved into queuing pens and lanes very organised - thank you HMV.

Watched the elite crew set up the very small stage. Showtime!

I think it was a bit of a surprise that the crowd were so quiet when the lads walked out and that we were so close!! I mean we were literally in spitting distance of the stage …😝.

One mic, Marcus moved this and managed to blow it for a bit! Soon sorted. Then we get to the important bit!!

4 songs, not bad for an instore. It may have been short but it was so very sweet. Watching the jam session between the lads and Matt Menefee during Awake my soul was joyful. It was pure class.

Marcus made a point of saying how grateful they were for the support. It’s never taken for granted. Let’s play more music vs getting some squiggle on a piece of paper. Hell yes! 🙌. HMV made it very clear that the lads were BUSY today and had two more shows to do so no photos.

Got the vinyl signed, had a quick chat with the lads, always a pleasure……

Onwards to Liverpool… Birmingham smashing it.

Timshel

Caroline

Awake

Rushmere

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Bristol round 1 and 2 March 31st 2025. Rushmere album launch week

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Bristol! Monday 31st March 2025

Blog time!! Oh how I’ve missed this 🤩

Is it also bad I can’t remember what I’ve shared already?? #longweek

Take me back to Brizzle.

It was a strange day to start with, had to have a breakfast meeting at 0730 to have my annual appraisal! I mean surely not!! On a gig day!! Unheard of!! (For those concerned it went well).👍

Drive to the station and lovingly parked the beloved Yeti in someone’s drive way, yes I did pay them. Caught the train to Brizzle. A very pleasant train ride. The weather was tropical. Always wear sunscreen ! ☀️

What a real treat to queue with my fellow travellers. Fun and frolics all around. 😜.

Oh how I fondly remember the Marble Factory’s location.

Not really much of a scene around there! Plenty of building regeneration going on so it’s on the up. Door 6.00pm easy. Great little venue inside. Smaller than I remembered. No support act so a 60 mins wait until show time.

The show started with two off mic numbers. Ditmas and Caroline … strong start, and a bold move. Marcus said that it was a busy day! Drove to London and back, for the rough trade signing and then going onwards to Birmingham.

A great little set, I think this was the show where no encore was planned but the crowd were screaming for more!!! And would not leave so they came back and did Timshel. If they played one more would we go home??

Somewhere in the crowd appears a Colin the caterpillar 🐛 cake (half eaten in the box?) not quite sure what the significance of said cake was/is…. Ted accepted graciously!!

Ditmas

Caroline

LLM

Rushmere

The cave

Where it belongs

Awake My soul

I will wait

****Encore

Timshel

Round 2

We filed outside the building for round two. The queue is massive!!! Very efficient re-entry and stood about 6 rows back. Hot, sweaty and rammed into that room. Actual consumption of fluid was taken !! In a gig !! I know!! Always a first …

This time we started with a bounce straight into Rushmere. A great view and lots of love in the room. West is best!!

Rushmere

LLM

The cave

Where it belongs

Awake my soul

Blood on the page

I will wait

Timshel

Caroline

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Where I belong

It’s been a while since I could last write. ✍️ dear diary. What a day!! #longday

I am not sure it has been mentioned before but flipping heck the weather was chilly. Despite all good efforts to stay warm even the Poundland hand warmers were not really hitting the spot. Thank god for hot chocolates and the Golden Arches.

The iconic venue O2 Kentish Town. Previously HMV forum holds dear memories to me. Back in 2009 it was the first time I saw Mumford live. At a New Year’s Eve party where we rocked up at doors and had the best spot in town. What a glorious ride it’s been. 16 years later here we are again. If they leave it another 16 I’ll be drawing a pension 😘.

Queuing highlights! Well generally I’ll give it a thumbs 👍 up. 😘. I’ve miss these days.

Did it get mentioned that Ted walked in and graciously said hello. Second only to Ted walking in was Greg James, his wife and the legendary Barney the dog 🐕 getting an evening walk! Busy man 👨 yesterday in Liverpool, today announcing Mumford as Sunday headliners for Radio 1s big weekend!! Manifesting at the very highest levels! Birthday weekend in Liverpool anyone?

Doors at 7pm stage time 2100 hrs? With no support we entertained ourselves by observing the tour crew family do their stuff.

The stage layout production very reflective of those 16 years. The string light 💡 bulbs, the red drapes. A warm hug of familiarity. Perfect for this tour.

The London crowd were great. Very respectful for the two off mic opener songs. Timshel and Ditmas. Then the evening really kicked in with Rushmere. I’ve been waiting 3 months to see this one live! It went down a storm . The set list blends and moves so well between albums and seems such a natural flow. What a treat hearing Where it belongs, Malibu is a sure fire vibe banger, as is Caroline. Simply can’t wait for the album.

Matt on banjo was a real treat, bringing a different sound element to awake my soul, also hats off to the new brass and drums section. Welcome to the family

Not a great deal of banter, Marcus also remembering the last time they play here, but said it was 2010 which was one year out!! Marcus also said he was hopeless at keeping secrets, (today being a big announcement) and once announced a new album by accident from arcade fire!

Let’s also all remember that Delta is a song about love. Security had to step in with an incident in the crowd during the song. Boys ah?!

The evening went far too fast, blink of an eye. A real hits mix. Let’s do this again soon! It felt so good to be back. London we thank you.

Quick tale of real or no real!! Purchased obligatory tour tee shirt. Not sure of the front loved the back. Step outside the venue enter a world of fake merch! However just the Graphic mix I was seeking ! £10 well spent and another to the collection!!

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When you get to be in your favourite bands video it’s all about sharing the love!

Filmed in London 13th December 2024. All the feels. Pure joy. #thankyou #sotr

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We stand Victorious! 27August 2023.

It was a #longday. But we weren’t the only ones having one of those. On paper I’m guessing Martha’s Vineyard USA to Portsmouth UK was just another booking but I take my hat off to all those involved in the logistics team for pulling it off. DDD to Portsmouth was bad enough!

A great line up at the festival, it was only a shame Ben Howard and The Vaccines were on “another stage”. 😝

The weather was a great British summers day, forecast was overcast all day and 17 degrees, I dressed for all seasons and woken up today with sunburn 🥵.

7 performances to enjoy before The Sons joined us. I won’t go through all the details as it will take the 9 hrs we watched for.

Summary of events:

Courting. Punk indie band great lead singer had the crowd going from the start.

Hard fi. Old skool indie rock band haven’t done a festival in 11 years. Hard Core fans came out.

The Go! Team. Sang songs across their 7 albums. 7 very talent musicians and great energy.

Dylan. hardcore set of young fans, think UK’s answer to Taylor Swift. All the moves and great performance. Dylan came down to do an impromptu meet and greet along the barrier post performance.

Sea Girls. Not what I was expecting but a very pleasant surprise. Oozed stage presence and that rock punk persona. Great skill at balancing on the barrier for 2 songs.

Sigrid. Norways Taylor Swift. Again great energy and her last festival this season. I surprised myself with knowing more of her back catalogue than I thought.

Ellie Goulding. Pop veteran. Such strong vocals and again I knew so many of her songs. Two blasts of the canon guns and everyone was happy.

Showtime:

2120hrs. We did it! OMG how can it be 4 years 2 months since my last Mumford gig. Would I still be able to bounce in all of the right places? Strong opening, Babel, LLM, Roll away. Paparazzi pleasers. The family of Rich, Nick and Dave reunited. Chris on drums, Matt on banjo.

All the feels came straight back, guiding light, below my feet. It felt like they had never been away. Not much banter, “pleased to be home doing a UK show”. “Our makers and friends all over the lineup”

A short Ditmas run down the sides of the alley and barriers. So much energy.

The new stage backdrop showing live action screen footage of the lads is excellent, really grabs you in and the laser light show during snake eyes is something else. Believe had pyros but no ticker tape as Ellie Goulding used the budget allocation. 😉.

It looked and felt like the lads were having a great time, the crowd sure were. Overjoyed to see and hear Delta again. There was much love in the audience for them. The UK have missed them. Just leaves you wanting more! The bounce was joyous.

The journey home. Take the shuttle bus they said, ease all your travel woes they said! On the way into the festival easy peasy, on the way out…. Who could have predicted a RTA in Pompey (Portsmouth) blocking all bus routes… plagiarising a fellow queuers song “we will wait, we will wait in queue”. A most pleasant 2hr wait along the seafront enjoying a stunning moonlit sea, various Isle of Wight ferry crossings, The Beach Club music providing all the vibes, the local chippy had never been so busy at 1.30am!!

Loved it. X

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War Child Communion Turkey Syria event Royal Albert Hall

Songs for solidarity fundraising concert.

15.4.23

Notable queue action in the form of #dermotkennedy hardcore fresh from last night’s#o2arena triumph. Fun to listen to the stories and tales of another group of fans. Hardcore mostly from the states and a few from Ireland.

Such a beautiful historic venue for the event to be held. Feeling small and intimate despite the optical illusion of vastness. They say the Camera adds 10lbs to you very true with RAH.

Early doors and early start to the evenings proceedings. Our two MC hosts welcome us and thank everyone for their support. Anna Calvi starts us off. I last saw Anna at Dingwells support the chaps in 2011. I forgot what a wizard she is with her golden vocals and guitar. She has since risen high in my cool list as the Musical Director of Peaky Blinders. If it’s good enough for Stephen Knight and Cillian Murphy it’s good enough for me.

The evening although for our entertainment has strong messages of urgency and emergency due to the continuing crisis in Turkey and Syria. Text Hope to 70499 to donate £10.

Head of War Child Richard Clarke and Turkey Mozaik director present the work that has been called upon in the last 2 months on the ground in Turkey and Syria and that they road is long and there is no short way out of the crisis.

“Set change” MC host guests included actor and comedian Omid Djalili and the most lovely legend Olivia Coleman.

So many musical highlights. The newly formed Solitary ensemble, formed over WhatsApp and performing together for the first and only time tonight. A collection of musicians performing from Turkey and Syria. A magical heart breaking sound.

James Bay, humbled to be there and supporting the event.

Hozier, took us to church. Can’t wait to see him again on tour in July.

Dermot Kennedy bringing his A game riding the wave of his UK tour.

Marcus Mumford bring the evening to a close. Awake my soul. The Cave. Grace. Cowboy and a off mic I will wait. Not much banter but we did learn that his wife first saw Mumford with Laura Marling and thought they were a bit “shouty”. Spoke passionately of his work with War Child and being an ambassador since 2015. First hand experience of what the charity can achieve.

4 1/2 hrs of entertainment for us but most importantly £150,000 of much needed money raised.

An honour and a privilege to be there. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to coordinate the evening.