After just over a week living full-time in London, it feels like I’m starting to hit my stride (apart from absence of internet at home, which is delaying being able to really hit the editorial freelance work till Friday).

On Saturday night the Filthy Spectacula were back at the Music Mill in Plumstead, and as usual a rather dirty good time was had by all. The place was busy, with a fair few familiar faces and some new ones, and the crowd may have taken a little longer than some gigs to really get into things, but they were certainly up on their dancing feet giving it their all by the end. A pleasure (if a very sweaty one – the more gigs I do in that frock coat the more I see where Iggy Pop was coming from with the topless look) as ever.

In other news, I’ve profitably scouted out a couple of Putney busking locations and will be getting back to that front once I shake my current heavy cold (or next Saturday morning regardless – the takings on shopping days are too good to pass up). I’m also eyeing up the river front for slightly warmer weather, and Wandsworth shopping centre for even higher footfall and takings than home turf.

Also starting to pursue semi-formal viola study, and consider a qualification – if anyone has strong feelings / experiences either way with Trinity’s ATCL Recital performance diploma, I would be interested to know!

In the shorter term, this coming weekend is a double header: Friday night Kindred Spirit travel out to Weybridge for a full evening’s full band booking; on Saturday the Filthy Spectacula take to the Quiet Whistle Test stage for a house gig, but more importantly the whole thing captured in multi-channel sound and video. Entry is invitation only, but we may be able to squeeze a few more people in, so get in touch urgently if you want to be part of this immortalised performance!

That rather sets the tone for March, when I currently have in my diary no less than 7 gigs (Kindred Spirit duo and full band, Filthy Spectacula and freelance orchestral viola all making appearances). More of those anon. Though if anyone wants to book me for Friday 24 March the option is still open! Goal – pay the rent out of gigs alone next month…

See you next time, and whichever one it is let’s make it fun.