Read the Fanzine at Dublin Castle, Camden on
Saturday 2nd December 2006
Lineup: Now, Keshco and Sounds Like Stellar
The Thought Criminals Myspace Page
Sounds Like Stellar Myspace Page
Keshco Myspace Page
After the disaster the night before, and having to go into the café to prepare stuff for the week, I didn't really fancy going to Tris's night down the Dublin Castle. I just wanted an early night and forget about gigs for a while.
However, after apologising to Mick for the relatively poor turnout, he was quite supportive and gave me a pep talk. He thought that the night had been well thought out in terms of lineup, but sometimes these things just don't work out. He'd spent thousands on name bands that didn't pull a crowd, and been surprised by unknown bands pulling a bit crowd. He'd made his money to lease the venue through promoting so he knew what he was talking about.
As far as he was concerned I'd had a good night, and a bad night, the latter through no lack of planning or effort on my part, so as long as it wasn't a regular problem then I was welcome to continue hiring the venue and doing nights there.
Then I listened to Craig Charles Funk and Soul show on 6 Music which always cheers me up.
I decided it would be silly to take the tube through Camden and not pop in to Tris's night.
The bands were brilliant, perhaps one of the best lineups we'd had. They really cheered me up and gave me a taste for doing gigs again.
Unfortunately the night was now without it's problems either. The sound man turned up late, and although there were only 3 bands on the bill, they all had a myriad of unusual instruments and no equipment share, meaning that the sound checks were protracted and the headliners didn't get on stage until 11pm. Although they managed to get their set done before curfew at 11.45, after 11pm you can't charge to get in, so a load of people came in for free.
I heard a few people complain that there shouldn't be funk on at the Dublin Castle on a Saturday night - how very narrow minded! But a reminder of what you are dealing with as an idealist trying to put on an interesting night.
On both nights Camden seemed remarkably quiet. Perhaps people are more sensible than in my day and try not to go out too much in December so that they aren't skint by Christmas.
The final of I'm a washed up celebrity, get me some cheap publicity was on the same night as my night, surely people aren't that sad to stay in and watch rubbish TV instead of going out to see some good bands?
Anyway I left Tris's night feeling uplifted and life was good again.
But I clearly had some thinking to do regarding the future of Read the Fanzine.
Read on: First Keep your ears Peeled Night