I knew the moment I started working with Newcastle-based heavy rock outfit Abnorm that a tour would eventually be unavoidable, and a few months ago we finally started planning with the hometown headline being their set at Aelius Alternative. After mapping out a route I picked the venues we’d wanted to target and got the dates confirmed. Before we knew it we were on our way to Belfast for the first show of their first six date counting tour!
I joined the band in Belfast traveling straight from Stockton after a day of stage managing at Stockton Calling! I loved local rock venue Voodoo and incredible supports Revolution and Sheela, after which we headed back to Newcastle before driving to London. We arrived the day before show day which meant that we had an entire day ahead of the show which I used to have a coffee with another PR agent at Kaffeine. I then headed to Clissold Park for a natter and more coffee at 13th Floor Coffee, after which we had a great show at Nambucca with a very quick and easy soundcheck support from Tales of Perdition and The Eeps.
The next day we drove back up towards Nottingham but not before a stop at Sherwood Forest, it’s kind of a must on every tour now, we then found our apartment in Nottingham and after some dinner at Koroko headed to Billy Bootlegger’s. Adam Zareba and Three of Swords made for great openers for Abnorm’s set, and luckily we got somewhat of a lie in the next day before heading further up to Leeds. Another day of driving and a relaxed evening with pie at Pieminister before heading to bed to get up well and rested for our next show at Santiago Bar. The venue was potentially my favourite with its simple but convenient set up and layout and kind bar staff.
Great support from Tymisha and Understudy and plans to bring Understudy up to Newcastle made for a successful night before our last out of town show in Edinburgh. The next day we make the track further up the A1M to Edinburgh where we arrived nice and on time for our show at Sneaky Pete’s, with another incredible line-up including The Devil’s Forfeit and Gambit, a wonderful crowd, and lovely sound engineer Adam. After an eruptive last show we drove back to Newcastle, tired, content, ready to sleep, and ready to head back out on the road again…!
LLIVELY Music 