Dearest Friends
We have now been on the road with Local Natives for two weeks. Although this has meant we’ve missed quite a lot of Miami Ink reruns and at least one episode of Swords: Life on the Line, all in all, it has probably been worth it.
I warn you this is a long’un. Sorry.
The tour began in a grey bristol where our friendship with Jeff (bristols most dedicated gig goer) was rekindled after many a year apart. Jeff has held the title for ‘most impressive dancing to Peggy Sue music even back in day when we had no drums or rhythm’ since way back in 2007 when we played the Louisiana with Kate Nash so we were glad to finally give him some beats to dance to.
We met the Local Natives lads and everyone exchanged names a few times and we felt that we had the harder task remembering said names since theres 5 of them and only three of us. Evidently not though… Andy LocalNative christened Rosa ‘Razer’ on stage in Nottingham the following day and no-one is entirely certain if it was an accident or on purpose. I like to think it was on purpose to make Peggy Sue just that little bit more punk. Needless to say it has stuck.
After Nottingham we arose a little later than scheduled, probably due to all the ‘fun’ we had at Rock City dancing to Avril Lavigne but we still thought we had plenty of time to make it to Brighton and make a day of it. Oh we had such grand plans… record shopping at Resident Records, a hot chocolate at Bills, maybe a couple of rounds on the 2p machines on the pier but oh no twas not to be instead we spent the whole day in traffic and couldn’t even see the sea by the time we got to Concord2 because it was already bloody dark. We did have a damn good show though and then showed Local Natives the Hand in Hand pub our favourite pub in the world.
The following day we played in Leeds… twice. The show at the Brudenell Social Club was great, sold out and all that but slightly overshadowed by my dismal performance on the pool table earlier in the evening – I’m going to blame it on the most enourmous whiskey and ginger beer I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. Anyhow we were all feeling particularly hardcore so post-gig we popped down the road to play for a second time at Nation of Shopkeepers. I’ve never been convinced that we were an ‘afterparty’ type of band or even any kind of party type of band to be honest by it all went down rather nicely.
Norwich was next and probably one of our favourite shows for a long time. The Arts Centre is a beautiful venue to play and the crowd were lovely and we have some good friends in that part of town who it was very nice to see. Local Natives were incredible too, its been a real delight watching them every night even though I still have absolutely no idea what they are singing about most of the time because I’m always distracted by the ridiculous harmonies and drumming.
The following morning we awoke in Norfolk to find that spring had sprung. We had a country breakfast and went for a country walk around the flooded Suffolk/Norfolk border and felt very good indeed then we drove back to London and got hyped for the gig at Heaven.
To be honest our own gig at Heaven was completely eclipsed by those few glorious moments when we joined Local Natives on stage at the end of Sun Hands and, arranged neatly in a row, hit drums really loud and really fast. Sometimes I think we should have all just joined a marching band because I’m pretty sure we’re all at our happiest when we’re hitting things.
Birmingham next. Everyone was feeling a touch worse for wear but we soldiered on, none of us more so than our tour manager Ben who actually has to do most of the work - the driving and arguing with the sat nav and other such tasks - whilst we just demand various albums to be played over the stereo and steal all the glory. Highlights this tour have included – Archie Bronson Outfit – Coconut, various episodes of Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour and Low Anthem – Oh my God, Charlie Darwin.
Onward and northwards to Manchester. Got there early, walked for about 30 minutes up the road under the guidance that there was only one road in Manchester before considering that said road would of course go in 2 directions. Of course we were going in the wrong one. All plans for leisurely shopping etc were again scrapped in favour of a hasty lunch at Deaf Institute. We did a session for Mark Riley’s 6Music show which is always a pleasure, played Watchman – our next single and a couple of album tracks and then ran back to the Academy to play the show.
After our set we snuck over to the gigantic academy and watched Mumford and Sons play to an ecstatic sold out crowd of thousands with much pride and maybe the slightest of tears in our eyes.
Glasgow. King Tuts. Macaroni and Cheese. What more can a lass ask for? Had a tremendous show and some cider on our rider so it was basically win win. Last but not least (well maybe least) Newcastle. We’ve come to the conclusion that Newcastle is just not ready for Peggy Sue since last time we played someone told us to ‘get out tits out’ and this time they basically said nothing at all – we’re not sure if that’s an improvement or not. It does have a very nice bridge though and a very beautiful art gallery and Rosa is very fond of it.
Phew. Now we’re home, briefly. My sister got a puppy called Ralph… maybe that’s why this tour blog was so long… to try and force me to talk about something that isn’t how adorable to puppy is.
Two more shows with Local Natives in Ireland. Do come.
Over and out
Katy x
ninja
blessed
"beijos" from brazil