Saturday was a double header for the Kindred Spirit quintet line-up. In the afternoon, we were at Wokingham Festival, a sort of pocket music festival with one main stage, acoustic tent, a field’s-worth of food stalls and an impressive ale and cider bar (damn those gigs where I have to stay sober to play another gig later … ).

Previous act The Salts nearly succeeded in bringing on a rainstorm with a sea shanty entitled ‘Stormy Weather’ (no, not that Stormy Weather – though I would like to see that done with banjo, mandolin, upright bass and blokey Americana harmonies … ) but luckily the great British weather changed its mind and left people out in the sun to watch us, and even in a few cases dance and sing along! My first gig opposite flautist-vocalist Emily Nash laid the foundations of some very promising duelling improvisation, building on each other’s licks at every turn. We kept polishing that through the second and third gigs of the weekend …

Fast forward a few hours and the band were down the road in Sandhurst, at the Rose and Crown. In many ways this music-loving, originals-favouring neighbourhood pub resembles a slightly more middle-class Mill Plumstead (see earlier post). The big difference is the décor, heavy on Dia de los Muertos motifs, a sprinkling of steampunk gadgetry, horror film posters and replica Egyptiana (drummer Chris Goode ended up sat next to a full size sarcophagus. As you do). However, they certainly weren’t dead enough to not get pretty lively as our set progressed, as well as being charmingly appreciative of a very original-focused first half. I’m pleased to say we’ll be back!

This was also my first gig with in-ear monitors (stretching out a recent list of firsts!), and once I’d got the transmitter and receiver levels right to avoid clipping on the signal it was a good experience, the slight sensation of being in a space helmet more than made up for by the clarity and (sorry Chris!) ability to block out a lot of drumming. Plus, it’s one less reason to be worried about moving around, including out in front of the PA speakers …

Write-ups of the Filthy Spectacula in Lincoln, Kindred Spirit in Carshalton, more new gear and an upcoming West Country steampunk appearance all to follow …