On Friday evening my phone rang. Chris Parkins, empresario of London Prog Gigs wanted to know if I was interested in performing the next day at HRH Prog where a slot had opened up.

My first thoughts were ‘Tom, you’ve not been well, you’ve not played guitar for a month, not been able to sing for two. Should you really be saying yes to an impromptu gig?’

My second thoughts were ‘Oh no, don’t worry, it’s the last day of a three day festival. The audience will be drunk and you’ll be able to get away with murder.’

So off I went, via a surprisingly long train journey, to one of the most enjoyable gigs I can remember playing. Here is what was going through my mind as I played the gig, broken down by song:

Some of the Creatures

• I know this one, perfect place to start
• My voice is holding up okay actually, high notes are fine but better not push it on the high notes, rely on falsetto
• Wait what are the chords to this middle bit? I’ve been playing this song for 12 years, how have I forgotten the chords?
• Don’t worry, I know the key. They won’t notice!

Self made man

• Silly intro about this being similar to a Disney Song got a laugh
• Blimey that first note was out of tune. They won’t notice!
• That went well – except for the bit in the middle where I accidentally played the chorus of that disney song…

What The Elderly Saw

• Another one I know well, no way I’ll make any mistakes
• Got the first line wrong. But I can cover it!
• Avoid the high notes in the middle, an octave down will do
• Okay, guitar part near the end was awful, but they all laughed at my silly intro and clapped at the end so we’re fine
• Oh no, Roger’s in the audience. Shut up, Roger!

Nothing You Can’t Buy and Mirror World

• Heard someone in the audience say ‘this is a great song’ when I introduced this, so that’s a great boost to my ego. I’m going to enjoy this
• Bugger, voice has gone above the high E. That’s gonna be tricky. Do a couple of lines lower, might be okay
• Oh god, this guitar part is really tricky and they’re all actually listening to every note. Aaaaaargh!
• Actually, that was fine. I think I even got the words right.

August and Whiteface

• Okay, a few people look like they’re joining in, that’s fun. Can’t hear them, but I can see them!
• Nice easy one this, nothing can go wrong
• Oh, there’s a high F sharp. Do it an octave down.

Demon and Wizards of this Town

• Voice is fuuuucked. What can I do to hide it? Falsetto and lower octave, change the melody where you need to. People are clapping at the end of songs, it’ll be fine.
• It is fine, this is fun!

These Skeletons

• Why did I tell them I was gonna do this song! I could have ended on Wizards! I have no idea what the words are and my voice does not want to co-operate. Aaaaaargh!
• Oh no wait, they’re clapping. Clapping quite a lot actually. What a nice bunch. Am I bowing too much. Am I milking it? No, let ’em clap.
• Oh shit, I’ve spilt my water, I might electrocute myself. Quick sort it out!

So there you go, that’s the sort of thing I was thinking as I performed. I really enjoyed the gig and hope I can play there again!

In other news!

My band High Wire Act have a new album up for pre-order. Here it is: