Phil Beer

Aha. Should have incorporated the previous two gigs in my post. The other thing I like about what I get to do is the diversity of it. The previous two shows were in the lovely Whitstable Playhouse the Saturday before and the 'Man of Kent' in Rochester on the Sunday. These little Victorian theatres are very atmospheric but you have to sometimes patiently do battle with their custodians to get your hands on them. Usually worth the effort though. This one is on the upper end of what I like to do, size wise. My solo show is fairly informal and intimate and the antithesis of what we do with SOH. My average comfort zone is around 100 seats. The Playhouse holds about 180. Loved the night though. Jointly promoted by Vicky from Firebrand Music who happens to be based there anyway and Debs Earl from ' Folk in the Barn' who put on lots of gigs in that part of Kent.

Its about atmosphere and intimacy for me. That's partly why I do very few solo festival gigs. The thing I do isn't really suitable for those types of gig.

The sunday was for friends Heather and Rob who put on a lot of music in their pub. A very different and lively place. All 'serious' musos should play a pub gig or two once in a while. They are the great levellers should anyone be harbouring any illusions of grandeur. Good gang of folks apart from the idiot photographer who seemed to think that the gig was solely for his purposes. Had to stop mid set and get rid of him. Didn't mar the enjoyment though. Only drag was having to head for home that night due to studio session the next day....