Fife's Top Quality Singer

Saturday 10th March 2012 - Oceana, Edinburgh

The sound in this pub is a bit of a nightmare.  shiny surfaces abound, and feedback can be a problem.  but hey ho, we have to adapt, and by the second of my three "halves" we had the sound sorted out.

I found the crowd a little unresponsive, but I saw them dancing, tapping their feet and singing along, so sometimes that will just have to do, eh?

Saturday 20th August 2011 - Oceana Sports Bar, Edinburgh

This was a difficult night for me.  I could sugar coat it, but that's the truth.  Unfortunately problems with sound levels and complaints from the neighbours are big problems here.  The venue had decided to move the acts into a room off to the side, which gave us a bit of a challenge.  The sound inside the wee side room was deafening me, but Al told me that the bar could barely hear it. 

It seems, however, that the neighbours who had the problem with the volume live right above the wee side room, and were down very quickly to ask the bar to turn me down.  I had to turn the volume right down, and cut as much of my bass end as I could.  Not ideal, when my last set usually consists of a LOT of rock music. 

I took the opportunity to break out my new Adele songs, and kept things to a quieter level, hoping that the crowd would stop to listen rather than have me play over them.  I'll give them their due - they did! It was more of an intimate gig, and despite the problems I think I did quite well.  I hope, however, that the bar can solve their sound problems before my next visit.

Sunday 5th June 2011 - Oceana Sports Bar, Ferry Road, Edinburgh

The second gig for my new agent.  And a Sunday gig, which are few and far between too! We had passed this venue on the way to Grapes the previous night, and so we had a good idea of parking and unloading etc.

As soon as you walk through the doors of this lovely wee bar the friendly atmosphere is apparent. The staff are very friendly, as are the punters! From the very start, I had a keen audience, who were obviously curious to see a new face in the pub on a Sunday. One of the pool tables was in front of me, and covered over to make a table/seat for the crowd. 

The pub filled up even more as the day went on, and the joint was fairly jumping by the end of my last set, which included a LOT of rock - "Sweet Child of Mine"  went down especially well. 

I have another gig here this year, and I'm looking forward to it!

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