Darkside Blog 00014
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
Dan here, Darkside Lighting Engineer and Graphic Designer. I have been let loose on the blog to write something instead of just making it arrive and look pretty on the website and Facebook.
Sorry it has been a while since our last blog, but things got a bit strange. This was not what we were expecting at all for our 2020 ‘With Friends Surrounded’ 15th anniversary tour. In fact, we are all very far from being surrounded by friends.
We kicked off the tour with our first visit to Sudbury in the very unusual venue St. Peters church, followed by 4 sold out shows over two weekends at Theatre On The Steps in Bridgnorth (more news on this later). Our last show, which we managed to squeeze in just before lockdown was another new venue for us, The Palace Theatre, Mansfield. We were concerned as COVID news spread that people would stay away but it didn’t happen, and we had a ball.
Have a listen to Cariss Auburn performing The Great Gig In The Sky from that night – truly fantastic. LISTEN HERE
DARKSIDE LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE MANSFIELD, MARCH 2020 - CLICK FOR MORE
PHOTOGRAPHY: PAUL HARRISON - VOGONPIX
So even though we are locked down we have been busy. There have been technical break throughs, including getting drummer Stevie G to join a video conference, online rehearsals and our latest endeavour, the Darkside Podcast.
Mike has been busy recording all our online chats and expertly splicing and overdubbing in his best BBC Radio 4 tones. We hope to have the first instalment ready very soon.
Joining us on episode two is Iain Reddihough from the Theatre On The Steps Bridgnorth, the first theatre Darkside played in 2006. It is a special place for us, and Iain talks about the history, the shows and bands they have and the challenges of accessing a theatre without roads! Those of you with a keen ear and who came to the shows at the National Space Centre will recognise Iain’s voice as he did the wonderful narration for the Apollo 8 and 50th anniversary of the moon landing Dark Side Of The Moon performances in the planetarium.
For the next blog we will report on how to rehearse a song we have never performed live before over the Internet. Marko is working wonders!
In these testing times we count ourselves lucky, Darkside can take a break without it affecting us and we will be back just as soon as we can. But in the meantime, have a think about all the musicians, bands and venues with all their staff who cannot perform or work at the moment and when this over be sure to get outside and support your local music venue and theatres. They need you more than ever now.
Stay safe and hopefully see you at a show soon.
Shine On
Dan
SET LIST FROM THE PALACE THEATRE MANSFIELD 14.03.2020
ACT ONE
Astronomy Domine, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1 – 5), Welcome to the Machine, Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, Arnold Layne, What Do You Want From Me? Sorrow, Sheep
ACT TWO
The Dark Side of the Moon (NSC version), Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb
ENCORE
In The Flesh, Happiest Days Of Our Lives, Another Brick In The Wal Parts 2 & 3, Run Like Hell
NEXT SHOW: ????????? HOPEFULLY SOON ?????????
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