2 gigs - 1 day? Stone me, guv'nor!

Yep, that's right. It's unthinkable that last week, One English Pound were playing just one gig in a day. And now, this Sunday, July 25, we have reached the dizzy heights of playing two gigs in a day. That's one gig per day more than countless other bands, including the Rolling Stones and Muse. 

Well, that's hard work for you! Anyway, first off we're laying down our sword and shield to play a  set at the Riversway Festival (down by the docks). We're on at 1.30pm sharp. 

They want us to get there at 10am - seems a bit extreme. But the good people of Preston demand we sound our very best and if we have to work hard all weekend to impress our townsfolk, then that is what we'll do - did I mention we are playing two gigs in a day? 

In other, if rather similar, news: we are playing another gig on the same day (July 25). It is at the Withy Trees festival on the Lytham Road. Don't be fooled, unlike Blackpool road, Lytham Road doesn't go all the way to Lytham, it comes to an end near Lane Ends - poor effort. 

We will be on stage around 8pm at the Withys but being the 24/7 promotional conveyor belt that we are, we would recommend that you head straight there after your enjoyment of the Riversway Docks Festival has peaked - you can get too much of a good thing.

Two things left to say... firstly, two gigs in a day is not too much of a good thing, so come to both. Secondly, do we really have to be there at 10am??

One English summertime update..

A fortnight ago, I was asked if I would like to play an acoustic support slot upstairs at 53 Degrees for Ocean Colour Scene. Silly question.

OCS's One From The Modern was the soundtrack to one of my formative summers, so getting the chance to play on the same stage as its creators, and to a packed-out venue, was an honour. 

I have often been to watch a big gig and seen the support slot play to 1000 people who really don't give a shit, so I had tried to take it with a pinch of salt, practise and practise but not raise my expectations too much.

In reality, it was packed. From the stage, bright lights stop you seeing the large crowd, so the nerves quickly deteriorate, and if a crowd is in good voice then you are well aware how many are watching.

The change in noise level as you gradually get people on your side, not to mention their anticipation of the main event, is pretty intense. And the crowd were as responsive and supportive as at any small venue I've played.

Back to One English Pound matters and we have made some encouraging bookings recently. We are putting on our own gig at the Mad Ferret on Saturday, July 17, and playing with a fantastic band from Oldham/Manchester called The Fayre (http://www.myspace.com/busfayre)

The following weekend, we have two gigs in one single day! Sunday, 25th July puts us at the Riversway Docks Festival for a lunchtime slot at 1.30pm and at the Withy Trees festival in the evening. 

We've also secured a spot at Leeds Festival Fringe and a support slot with garage-folk geniuses The Brute Chorus. More on them as we get it. 

In the meantime, if people could email us with any suggestions of places we can practise and any sightings of our keybard player, we would very much appreciate it. 

Thanks

Dan