I spent this Sunday in Whitstable at the Oyster Festival, opening for the Oysterband at the Oyster Stores, not eating oysters. After meeting in local sessions many years ago the Oysterband returned for a homecoming gig to a rapturous reception from their obviously very dedicated fans. They were very nice to me too! Thanks to Johnny Fewings for putting on the gig, nice to see you again.

The Oysterband, Whistable Oyster Stores, Sunday 24th July 2011

At Whitstable Oyster Stores, Sunday 24th July 2011

Cake rider!

I’m currently having a guitar made by Sussex luthier Richard Osborne. I initially went down to his workshop in Lewes to get some work done on my Lowden but enjoyed playing his guitars so much while I was there that I placed an order.

It’s Richard’s Dragonfly J (Small Jumbo) shape with a cutaway in cedar and rosewood, braced specifically for low tunings. Check out Richard’s website at www.osborneguitars.co.uk

By 8.30 in the morning we’re at the main auditorium in the Concert Hall, soundchecking for a schools concert. The sound crew here are all very friendly and efficient which makes the early start all that more bearable. For our first gig with this line-up, we play ‘Bully In The Alley’, ‘Herrings Heads’ and ‘Mudather’, and the kids seem to love it, coming up with all manner of dances and clapping along.

Later on in the afternoon we’re soundchecking again, this time for an opening slot in the Concert Hall before Seth Lakeman and Fisherman’s Friends. This gig’s being filmed by Sky Arts and so camera angles and stage positions are checked along with the sound. Before we know it showtime has arrived. The response from the audience – while not quite as exuberant as that of the kids in the morning – is enthusiastic nonetheless, and looking around at the rest of the band it’s clear everyone is relishing the experience.

Thursday 27th brings our main headline show in the Strathclyde Suite within the Royal Concert Hall. This time we’re playing a full 90 minute set, and there’s plenty of last minute rehearsal and tweaking going on during the afternoon. Again the sound crew are helpful and we’re quickly set up and ready to go.

As we come off stage after the show, the consensus is that the gig has been a great success and has exceeded our expectations. There’s been a lot to do in a relatively short space of time, but the end result is a real testament to the amount of hard work that has gone into the show, not only from the musicians but from Celtic Connections and the British Council as well. I can’t help but feel that the Shifting Sands project is getting stronger as time goes on. I’m not going to have to wait long to find out as the next leg of the journey starts on Sunday.  

Next stop, Bahrain!