I had to give it a few days before I could write anything about last Friday, partly because I had a couple other gigs over the weekend, but mostly because it was simply overwhelming. It has been a treat looking back on all the photos and videos, I’m so grateful to all of you that have shared yours. Definitely helped me make sense of it all! It genuinely felt like a dream at the time.
Strangely enough, out of all the heats this was the most relaxed I’d been yet. Still a bit tense, obviously, but I knew that providing everything technical and logistical worked out that the Waxwings and I would put on a great show. Thankfully, that’s exactly how it went. Not just musically but visually; the video backgrounds, the lights, the bubbles in the air and all of you holding recycled hot air balloon material over your phone torches (Frankie’s idea, total genius) – it was all perfect. The crowd were AMAZING. And listening back I am completely satisfied with the performance. Scratch that, elated. It’s a great feeling after such a high stakes gig.
Our support team were out of this world. Jen McLean volunteered her services again after doing a fab job running our merch stand at Thekla, moving yet more CD’s and re-stocked T-shirts. Oh, and brand new STICKERS! Aren’t they wonderful? My partner Amelia (@ajball.art) designed them, as well as beautifully decorating our merch table. Better still, you might have spotted a lovingly hand painted photo booth doing the rounds during the voting, likely because my brother Doug shoved it in your face. Again, Frankie’s idea (she probably needs a raise), whom designed it with her cousin Cerys (@cerysmaycommissions). We have some really lovely photos, so please message me if you want yours, otherwise we’ll be making a reel showcasing all of them soon anyway. Doug also cued the videos, as well as dispensing a torrent of bubbles at the end of our set with Amelia. These shows really take a village.
That leaves the matter of the competition itself. We lost! Congratulations to Snake In The Footspa, taking the night with a combined judges score and audience vote. We didn’t get a chance to watch their show as we were backstage getting ready, but I did speak to them during changeover and they wished us luck with our set. With all the screaming about Cheddar I gather that they’re village boys as well, which makes for a pretty good Underdog story. Good luck to them going forward, and to all the other competitors: Akira, Alibi, Balloon Tomb and Open Return. You were all brilliant and deserving finalists, and it’s been a treat getting to know some of you guys, as well as the other bands in the prior heats. We have such a rich and vibrant music scene in Bristol.
Speaking of, I have to take a moment to thank Jon and The Underdog team. It has been a joy being a part of the competition this year. Though I never got fully comfortable with the actual competing element, as a musical boot camp for the band and I it’s been invaluable. When I applied last October, Frankie had only just joined the band and Mike was still auspiciously watching us from the crowd. ‘Waxwing’ was simply a bird I’d never heard of. Eight months later the five of us have played packed out shows at The Thunderbolt, Thekla and O2 Academy, and our feathered friend proudly adorns many T-shirts and stickers. It’s surreal, and an incredible privilege. The Underdog has been an education and a great source of focus for us and I am so grateful to have been involved in this years competition. Here’s to many more.
What’s next then? I think we’re well situated to climb the next rung of the proverbial music industry ladder, whatever that may be. First and foremost I’ll be reaching out to new people over the next few weeks with the intent to secure the band’s next big gigs. Also, something more concrete – I can announce that there’s a new release coming next month, featuring performances from the Waxwings and once again produced by the wonderful Dan Weltman. It’ll be about a year on from Ben and I’s original duo gig at Mr. Wolfs… (where does the time go?) which seems nice and tidy.
This was my favourite gig yet. There were many, many amazing moments, but having everyone singalong at the end of Butterfly and looking out on all your colorful phone torches during Lost & Found takes the cake. I’ve daydreamed about moments like that since I was a teenager; if you supported us and bought tickets to any of the heats, thank you so, so much.
It’s cheesy to say, but we really are just getting started. See you again soon.
P.S. more thank yous to:
- Jasmine for designing our animated logo
- Amelia for duel wielding bubble guns
- Tom for lending me his bubble machine / Doug for deploying it
- Nathaniel on sound
- Mickey on lights
- Saul for keeping it all running + on time
- Leo for shooting BTS @leost534
- Ben for videos @bhxnt
- Everyone who took these phone shots!
- Chris for photos @photosbychrisi
- Connor for photos @connorstandfieldphotography
- all the stage crew, security and bar staff
- the Waxwings
- my friends and family
- everyone else I missed, sorry!
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