Glasgow Pavilion Oct 2011

Glasgow… our Scottish début.   This show was always high on our “can’t wait to do” list and the day has come.  So even with an early alarm call the band still manages to have time and a hunger for food.  Cereals / tea and toast at 6:00am for 12 people crammed in a kitchen/dining area full of excitement at the prospect of a long trip to Scotland.
After numerous boiling of the kettle for tea & coffee it was time to fill the thermos flasks and leave.  Two of the band in the 7.5 Ton Truck and ten in a 17 seated mini-bus. Two more sensitive members of the band (who shall remain nameless) accustomed to being well looked after are missing.  Much later today they are to be cocooned in luxury on a flight to Glasgow Airport where a private taxi has been arranged to ensure the safe and relaxed arrival of our keyboard player and main vocalist to the theatre.

The first leg of the road trip is in darkness with absolute calm & tranquillity inside the bus, most are asleep.  After witnessing a lovely sunrise over mist laden Shropshire fields we arrive in Preston for a snack followed by Gretna where burger and chips seemed the most popular meal as an early lunch, with Neil (Sax) having a dessert so sweet it could knock holes in your teeth.
The bus is a little bit more boisterous now with Tom (Trombone) having several of his CD’s featured on the in-bus CD player.  Trombone Shorty, and the Phil Collins Big Band Live in Paris being played so loud… neither the engine sound nor Sat Nav instructions could be heard.  Even the non-stop chit chat of Janet (crew) & Eddie (Vocals) was silenced!!!  Still, it kept the 3 Horn players in the back of the bus contented and well behaved.
 
Having come off the motorway heading towards Glasgow we missed a left turn and got stuck in a diversion complete with traffic lights as an added a bonus, it seemed to take forever to get through and made us 15 minutes late for our arrival time of a 1:00pm get-in.

Nevertheless we eventually got into the theatre and after a bit of an awkward set up, sound check finished, the band were ready for the pre-show meal prepared by the lovely Caroline and delectable Janet.  A couple of the band made it to the pub next door and spoke to some massive Phil Collins fans who were coming to the show with high expectations!  No pressure then.

We needn’t have been so worried, the audience seemed to warm to us from the very start and their applause demonstrated they approved!  We met many of them in the foyer after the show and were delighted by the warmth and appreciation they gave us.  Some of the band again made the short distance back to the pub after the show and even had drinks bought for them by fans of Phil Collins who came to the show, one of them said “this is a great start to a weekend”!

All we can say is ‘thanks Glasgow’, and special thanks to Phil Collins for such fabulous music that means so much to so many people.

And Finally…Phil Collins are therefore pleased to announce the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow is now back on our “can’t wait to do” list - for next year.

 

See you next time
And Finally…Phil Collins

P.S. Julie (vocals) wrote a little poem as a thank you to the folks of Scotland
WE ALL WENT TO GLASGOW
IN A MINIBUS
WE ALL PILED IN
DIDN'T MAKE A FUSS!

WITH BAGS AND INSTRUMENTS
AND GEAR IN A LORRY
WE VENTURED NORTH
AND CERTAINLY WEREN'T SORRY!!

THE AUDIENCE WAS FRIENDLY
LIVELY AND WARM
THE THEATRE WAS GREAT
AND WE WENT DOWN A STORM!

SO THANK YOU GLASGOW
IT WAS WELL WORTH THE TRIP
A THOUSAND MILES
....SEEMS JUST A SNIP!!

And Finally... Band & Crew

|| Home Page ||

|| News Page ||

|| Gigs Page ||