It’s been over a week since our sixth Homegame came to an end … and i feel a bit empty.
This might be because i’ve not eaten anything substantial since breakfast … but I think it’s more to do with the fact that I miss you all, terribly.
Teh-webbly.
Of all Fence events, Homegame 6 was the most difficult to organise. Maybe it just felt that way because it was the most stressful. It didn’t help that I decided to go on a month long tour in the US just before it all kicked off. Not getting funding was a bit of an arse as well. Not actually applying to many funding bodies was an even bigger arse. Ho hum.
Not that money was a problem, really. It just woulda made a few things a bit easier, i think. I was planning on spending a good £5K on a small rickshaw boy to cart me between the venues. And to feed me amply sauced chips at regular intervals.
Never mind.
I’ve had a number of folk approach me in person, by email, and by telekinesis to say that this was the best Homegame ever. So i’m happy. I never knew i was telekinetic.
There were some top top highlights. And i’m not talking about those in Kate Tunstall’s fringe. Although, i thought they were splendid too. I’m talking about musical things i enjoyed.
But before i get into all of that …
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THE PICTISH TRAIL’S OFFICIALLY “OFFICIAL” THANK YOUS
First, to Kenners – well done and all that. We did it. Hurrah.
Secondly, to Kate Canaveral – who ran/drove/flew around town all weekend like a blue arsed fly. And posted out all the tickets. And played her own set. And kept toerags out of Legends. And kept me sane. Kate – if you had a willy, you’d be man of the match. I’m not going to imagine you have a willy, though. Hope that’s okay with you.
A big thank you to all the artists that played – for being patient, for not throwing diva strops, and for being part of the best Homegame line-up ever. I’m not sure how we’re going to top this year, short of getting The Proclaimers to perform with their willies out. In the AIA Hall.
(Actually, judging from post-Homegame gossip, a lot of people had their willies out anyway. Ha!)
Sorry. Enough about willies.
Cheers to Alan Pebble for keeping it together – sound-engineering all weekend at the Hew Scott Hall, as well as doing 3 of his own sets, and helping out on a few others. Cheers to Graeme for his help there too.
High fives to Derek and Kat for all their help with organising the financials, and thank you to Gummi, Lyndz, Dooleydoo, HMS G, Vicster, Steenimal and Dave Canaveral for doing such a sterling job with venue management. And thanks also to the amazing team of stewards we had. Collectively, you were the lifeblood of this years event.
Extra special mention to Katlinel and Jess on the ticket desk, Mr & Mrs FCB for joining in on door-duty last minute, and Fudgey-D helping on the merch desk. Cheers also to Gayle and Ben for helping out on the bar, and supplying me with a steady flow of delicious boozes.
Continued thanks to Ade Brown for putting together the superb Fencezine programme. It was huge! I’m still working my way through it now! Amazing.
A big whoop for Ben, Chloe, Eric and Jade Milne – and everyone at Fisher & Donaldson for all the donuts, sausage rolls, spinach & ricotta pies, soup, sarnies and tea. How incredible was that?!!! So so good. All really inexpensive, too. Braw.
And while we’re at it – let’s have a standing ovation for Mama & Papa Casino, for making the AIA Hall so special. The secret shows are going to be a permanent fixture from now on.
Keep standing for Keys & Mark at Bootcamp recordings, and SoundMartin for jumping in behind the sound desk when all was going titz-up. And cheers to Paul Savage and Campbell for helping out too.
Thanks to Margaret Martin @ Waid School Hall, Lindsay Brown @ Anstruther Town Hall, Kristine Keay & Sue Myers @ the AIA Hall, Wilma Reid @ the Hew Scott Hall, Jenny @ Scottish Fisheries Museum, and Stevie @ Legends for letting us use their venues! Thanks also to the janny’s – particularly Danny and Ian.
And a MASSIVE OVERWEIGHT GUTBUSTING POTBELLIED THANK YOU to everyone who bought a ticket, and supported our event. Homegame couldn’t exist without folk buying tickets – so it’s much much appreciated. There’s been no complaints, either from punters or from the town. In fact, a lot of people in the town have approached me to say that they were really impressed we had such a lovely crowd. You all behaved very well, and i’m proud of ya.
Oh – apart from the c*nt that ripped Vicster’s arm with her nails.
Apologies for the various sound problems over the weekend. That was my fault, and i’m gonna make sure it never happens again. I nearly had a breakdown after my feedback ridden set on the Friday night – but it seems like most things went well over the Saturday/Sunday. Phee-yewww.
All in all, an amazing Homegame. As per usual, I only managed to catch a handful of performances – as i was running around a lot – but i still saw an incredible array of talent. Men Diamler’s set at the Hew Scott Hall was phenomenal, as was Martin Henry’s set. I’m gutted i missed the De Rosa full band show – but Martin’s solo set more than made up for it. Meursault’s full band set in the Anster Town Hall was another highlight – it sounded humungous! Neil’s voice puts the fear of God in me every time i see him perform. Outstanding.
Gutted to have missed Malcolm Middleton’s set – but have been consoling myself with his new album, Waxing Gibbous. Both Kenners and myself provided backing vocals for his album – and i’m blown away by how big it sounds. It’s an incredible album – and as ever, there’s that perfect balance of heart-crushing and heart-warming. F*cking brilliant. It’s out in a month, i think … you should all buy it.
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I’m now on a train home to Fife, after spending the last 6 days in London with Kenners. There was a few King Creosote gigs, and some exciting meetings about some new music i’ve been making … more news on that in the coming months …
Glad to be getting back home tonight … but i’m not home for long! I’m off on the road on Friday (!) for a Pictish Trail / Viking Moses / Golden Ghost tour of the UK. You can see all the gig details at the bottom of this blog … or by CLICKING HERE!
If you think you can make it along to any of these shows, please please come along! And bring tons of friends! I really could use all the support I can get on this tour. Viking Moses and Golden Ghost have come all the way over from the States, after having Rozi and myself support them on a month-long US tour … this Pictish Trail UK tour is my way of saying thanks, so it would mean a lot if y’all turned out in droves 
Any other news?
Well, there’s a brand new Hot Chip compilation coming out, courtesy of Bugged Out. And, looky here, who is track 1 on CD 2? Why it’s the Hot Chip remix of Winter Home Disco by Piddy Trail. Woop! Those boys do have SPLENDID taste. This is the only version of this song available on CD – and it’s got some extra keyboard on it by Alexis … so y’all should buy it. And the Malcolm Middleton album.
And the new Bill Callahan album. I’m not singing on that one, but it is phenomenal.
Oh … and before i forget … we are proud to announce that Fence will be returning for our 7th year running to the Green Man festival! We’ve been given a couple hours on the Sunday afternoon to put on a Fence afternoon – and we’ve got sets from Rozi Plain (full band), The Three Craws, and myself (full band) lined up. Green Man is a proper proper festival, and definitely the best i’ve ever been to. We’re so chuffed to have been asked back – particularly since this year has such a stunning line-up.
Tickets are £115 for the weekend, and are cheaper if you are a student or a teenager … go to http://www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk/tickets/ right away!
Okay, our train has nearly pulled into Leuchars, so i’ll have to love ya and leave ya. See you on the road!
johnnerz xx
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THE PICTISH TRAIL on tour in MAY 2009
with support from VIKING MOSES & GOLDEN GHOST!
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FRIDAY 1st May 2009
The End, NEWCASTLE
78 Scotswood Road, NE4 7JH, (0191) 2326 536,
Tickets £6/£5adv, Doors 8pm
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SATURDAY 2nd May 2009
The Studio, HARTLEPOOL
As part of The Cosmos Club. Tickets £4adv, available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/45860. Tower Street, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS24 7HQ.
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SUNDAY 3rd May 2009
Henry Boons, WAKEFIELD
130 Westgate, WF2 9SR, (01924) 378 126
Tickets £8, Doors 8pm
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MONDAY 4th May 2009
Kings Arms, SALFORD
11 Bloom St, Salford, M3 6AN (0161) 832 3605
Tickets £6, Doors 8pm
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TUESDAY 5th May 2009
Beltane, BUXTON
8A Hall Bank, SK17 6EW, (01298) 260 101
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WEDNESDAY 6th May 2009
Ferry Station, BRISTOL
Ferry Station Café, Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA, Doors :7:30, cost :£5
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THURSDAY 7th May 2009
The Luminaire, LONDON
311 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR (020) 7372 7123
Tickets £8ad, www.wegottickets.com, Doors 7.30pm
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FRIDAY 8th May 2009
PICTISH TRAIL SOLO INSTORE @ RESIDENT RECORDS (28 Kensington Gardens) – 6pm
then … Upstairs At The Quadrant, BRIGHTON
12 North Street Quadrant, BN1 3FA (01273) 203 085
Tickets £5, Doors 7.30pm
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SUNDAY 10th May 2009
The Criterion, Leicester
44 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN, (0116) 262 5418
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