Much occured since my last post.
On 6th June I DJ’d at French’s in Hastings Town Centre along with fellow DJs from the Starstylers Collective – Dusty Records and FEIST. A roaring success we packed the place out and good times were had by all! See the photos and video below…
On June 17th I once again had the privilege of supporting Gabriel Moreno at The Jenny Lind playing percussion before he headed onwards to another European Tour.
Next in the diary was playing drum-kit for the fabulous Longshore Drifters again at The Jenny Lind on July 4th..I’d so love more opportunities to play drum-kit in Hastings but it proved a very closed shop. This was my first chance to play kit in 2 years and even then only as a dep. I’ll keep plugging away..
The gig after this was on accordion with Rheda’s Dream morris side at event Protestival for grass-roots organisations supporting the Hastings community.
The next a last-minute booking by our local MP Helena Dollimore to play piano for the bi-annual garden party for Lord Waheed Alli. I drove her sister there and on arrival realised I had played the same event 30 years previously (with an anecdote unable to print here!). A grand affair with hundreds of guests I was glad I thought to bring my acccordion too as the lovely lounge with grand piano remained unattended until much later so I was able to entertain guests by wandering the gardens with the accordion which prompted many photos being taken, smiles and requests from guests. Later in the evening rain descended and the piano lounge filled where I did a first and second set but there many good guests who pianists wishing to play so I of course complied filling in the spaces and doing a final set from 11.30pm – 12.30am! Then driving MP and sister home as no taxis and cars and coach stuck in mud! Coudn’t get a selfie but here was my office for the night!
Next day was debut gig for trio SunSetters at Barnaby’s Lounge (not me, another Barnaby, though coincidentally we both roadied for Tine Turner years ago!) on Sunday 27th July. Seemed to go well despite me in the midst of a catalogue of injuries and illness.
Next another accordion gig with Rheda’s Dream at the lovely Icklesham Summer Fete on August 2nd! Loved it! (note the mini tambourine on my right foot!)
That a wrap for now but as it turned out a busy July and with concussion, spider bite, iron burn, a torturous toothache and root canal work fortnight, achilles tendinitus (ongoing), a sinus infection (receding) and attendent glumness with it all! Here’s to a better August healthwise!
Do get in touch if you need drums/percussion/accordion/keys/DJing for anything in Hastings or near.
Barney x
Barney Musician 