Part 5 of 5 gigs for E.L.F – Every Last Friday in Battle.
The previous duo were still playing when we arrived at the final venue, the Abbey Hotel. And then they got an encore so played another one while we were standing by the door with all of our gear waiting to do our set. It’s a restaurant and bar and all the tables but one were occupied, a few people sitting at the bar too and it seemed that most people were listening to the music. The man at the bar said to me “ they’re very good so you had better be too”. No pressure then! They were very good but really took their time packing up again so we were at least 15 minutes late going on.
The performance area is in a corner in front of a window seat backing towards the Abbey so there was space this time to put our things behind us, and the table directly in front of us was empty so no awkwardness of playing straight into someone’s face!
A couple sitting at the table next to us were interested in the story behind the Chiddingly Onion Pie Murder (which we did because the top item of the menu on the wall next to us was … Onion Pie! – we just had to do it) so they googled it while we were playing and we had a chat about it afterwards. We’d got stuck straight in to playing as soon as we were able but the music there ends at 10 so we only managed to fit in 4 numbers – you hope to be able to carry on a bit longer at the final venue. We got a ‘one more’ from a barman once we had started packing up but we didn’t do another. To be honest we were exhausted by then and ready for a drink and a sit down. The final venue for each performer is the one where you collect you cash for playing for the whole evening. Jim bought a beer then I went up to the bar to collect the cash while he packed up then we sat quietly for a bit before heading back to the car. I think everyone was ‘musicked out’.
We’d managed to get a parking space in the middle of the High Street so didn’t have to cart everything back up to the car park. As the evening had started quite early and there was no time for getting food between sets we were both starving so considered looking for somewhere to get chips but decided just to head home.
We’re booked to come back again in April, on the bill as us rather than stand-ins so we now know what to expect. It’s exhausting but quite exhilarating at the same time. Remember to take drinks and something to eat on the way home. And chocolate – always have some back up chocolate for between gigs as a quick pick up when you’re starting to flag. Mind you, we didn’t have time to flag until we’d finished!
Hats off to anyone who takes on the organising of events like this and thanks to all of the venues for participating and to those who come out for the music. There are event sponsors for E.L.F so I don’t know how much it costs the venues, but it does look as if they all had a very busy evening – whether that’s usual for Battle or if it’s down to the music marathon, I just don’t know.
No direct mailing list sign ups or merch sales. We did announce ourselves at every venue but weren’t on the printed schedule as we were filling in for a duo that had to drop out – so we had cards out but I think only one was taken, so indirect sign ups and march sales were unlikely. Maybe we should wear band t-shirts next time so the band name is there in photos and videos!