Party

On Saturday 1st August we held a large house/garden party to celebrate Andy's 30th birthday and Jack's Naming Day. In the week leading up to the event we kept a close watch on the weather forecast and crossed all our fingers as it looked more and more likely that the day would be plagued by rain. We invited rather a lot of people and knew that we would have a problem if we couldn't use the garden.

Andy wanted to barbecue and we were planning to plant a tree for Jack. We decided to get the tree planted the day before, so as not to have to get dirty on the day or battle with the weather to get it done.

We had friends and family coming from all over the country, some arriving on the Friday and some staying with us, so there was a lot of cleaning and tidying to be done!

It was fantastic to see friends that we hadn't seen in a year and friends from Bristol not seen since our house-warming in December. We also got the chance to meet my second cousin's little boy, who commanded a lot of attention with his loud screeches!

Saturday came and the weather did not look too promising, but the forecast was for light showers and that's what we got. For most of the afternoon we were able to use the back garden, where Andy tended the bbq surrounded by friends. At the peak of the party we had over 40 people and there was a heavy shower at one point, meaning the house was full to bursting!

In a break in the weather we did get everyone outside to show off Jack's tree and propose a toast to him and Andy. I hadn't wanted to do a speech or anything formal or fancy, but this seemed appropriate. Afterwards though I felt a pang of regret for not mentioning our chosen Supporting Adults or why we chose Jack's name. Having lost the little book I had wanted people to be able to write their hopes and wishes for Jack's future in there really wasn't much about the day to mark it out as a naming day :(

That said, I did commission a fantastic cake for Jack, which was completely beautiful and much admired by everyone. It tasted amazing too! Luckily there was quite a bit left for Andy and I to enjoy over the following week!

Once the guests began to drift off we wound things down, Andy and some of the remaining family and friends went down to the local pub, who were having a beer festival. It was a chance for Andy to be the centre of attention and really celebrate his birthday. I got Jack into bed and had a precious hour to myself before heading to bed!

All in all it was a lovely day, so nice to see Jack with his cousins and our friends' little boy with his interesting mode of transportation - bum shuffling! I wish I had filmed it!

Something in the air?

Gig - The New Root - Saturday 31st May 2008 - The Croft

Maybe there was something in the air at last night's New Root gig. Waiting in the bar before the bands started, Dave told me he was feeling nervous. Fresh from the band's second UK tour and having performed countless times by now, this was a little surprising. He explained the feeling he had that in Bristol there is more expectation from the crowd than when they play in other parts of the country where they are still relatively unknown.

I can certainly see how after a string of performances around the country to smaller audiences who have no idea what to expect from TNR, a packed gig at The Croft could have that effect on experienced performers. There may well be a high level of expectation from their Bristol fan base, however, I explained to him, their loyal fans will enjoy the show tremendously no matter how well they feel they have performed afterwards.

TNR's material is so exceptional now, after an extended period of creativity that has brought a richness and depth to their set quite beyond their youth. Well, it stands on its own. And Trish performs with such natural, but understated charisma that they very rarely need to be concerned about pleasing the audience. A few technical problems or the odd lapse in cohesiveness will largely go unnoticed by the crowd, or if they do notice, they likely won't care.

I can only speak for myself, but generally I care less about a perfectly polished performance from a band and more about how they engage with the audience and how their material sounds live. These are two things that TNR manage every time I see them.

But there was something even more potent about last night's gig. I came away feeling incredibly emotional. Songs I have heard a dozen times or more moved me in new ways, Crazy had me in tears and Sick of Me fired me up almost to combustion! It hit me as we were congratulating them on an awesome show and heading home afterwards that Andy and I may not be able to see TNR as regularly as we're used to soon. Though their tours are taking them to Sheffield and Hull these days, so I'm sure we will see them in Yorkshire and I don't doubt that we will visit Bristol occasionally when they have big gigs here, but our special place at the front of the crowd won't be ours any more.

More than this, of course is how much I will miss two very dear friends of almost ten years when we move away. With ex-Root bassist Craigos moving to London this certainly feels like the end of an era. My hope is that these moves will open up exciting new doors for TNR with the opportunities for more touring and the fans we can introduce from our new locations. Those that we have introduced in Bristol will undoubtedly continue to attend the gigs without us and there are whole other groups of friends, old and those yet to be made, just waiting to be inspired by this incredible band.