Well, my little mini-tour of the Isle Of Wight is done and so, I fear, am I.
Kind of exhausted but I had a really great time.
I started on Thursday night with the Open Mic night at the Duke Of York in Cowes which I would highly recommend to anyone who likes or plays music. There’s a great and lively atmosphere which is definitely due in part to Chris, the effervescent host. I’ve been twice now and had a fantastic time both times and highly look forward to going again soon.
Friday I did a couple of hours at the Royal British Legion for my first of three Ventnor Fringe sets and was very warmly received. Enjoyed some chat time afterwards with the audience who were extremely kind to me.
Saturday was the centrepiece of my Fringe visit in more ways than one. It was the middle gig, it was the one I was gearing up for and I was quite literally in the centre of it all, in the park on the Bandstand. There’s something just so special about playing a bandstand. Not just that it looks so cool (check out the photos) but the associations of playing somewhere specifically designed for music to be played on. It was one of those moments that were memorable before they even started. I sang some originals and some catchy covers and was aware that people walking past weren’t, they were stopping, watching, listening and the place was steadily filling up. When I got to the end of the last song, I got what can only be described as a rousing round of applause (there’s a video somewhere on social media) and it felt great, not least because friends, family and peers had come to support me too.
And then Sunday I played at the Blenheim with a small but perfectly formed audience who were again very appreciative, did a cover of Creep as a request (even though I didn’t know it, got through half the words) and met someone on the street who exclaimed ‘aah, YOU’RE Coosticks’ which felt for one second like I was famous 🤣 (she worked at the Legion).
What a vibrant, strange, musical, magical festival. I’ll be back to play at the Island again soon.