Tonight’s gigs was at 23 Fleet Street, Liverpool. During a performance in Liverpool a lady approached us with a big smile. She told us she was let down and was looking for some live entertainment for her daughter’s engagement party. I asked her “when is the party?” expecting to say to be next week. “Tomorrow evening” she replied. Unusually and luckily we were still available. Last minute musicians that’s us .com. Details arranged, we would be playing 2 sets at their engagement party at 23 Fleet Street, Liverpool. A lovely little venue hidden away in the heart of Liverpool with really friendly staff.
They informed us that it was a small venue and approximately 80 guests would be in attendance. They suggested the pop up acoustic may be suitable. Now, going from previous experience we know that small rooms filled with large amounts of people equates to lots of noise. We decided to go and check the venue out at 23 Fleet Street to be on the safe side. After a short debate on using the pop up acoustic it was agreed that due to the venue size, the timings and amount of people we would definitely need the large PA on this occasion.
Being just around the corner from Concert Square in Liverpool the night life was booming. The pubs and bars were bouncing with thirsty revelers. The venue was obviously privately booked out by Christina & Matty (although I’m sure people had wondered downstairs off the street and not upstairs into the public bar). At one point I had to redirect a couple of ladies who were looking for male strippers (not a pretty sight at an engagement party). It was really busy in the function room and anyone could have walked in.
We were so glad we made the decision to use the large PA. In fact we needed to crank it right up. The noise was phenomenal in the room. The party was going in full force. Our first set was absolutely brilliant. The dance floor was filled from the start and people were really getting into the music. The party guests were in great spirits.
After an hour it was time for a short break. On our return to our horror one of the speakers had been knocked over and was lying on the floor. Thank goodness it hadn’t landed on any of the equipment. The guitar could have been split right in half. Luckily there was no damage. We re positioned the equipment, it was time to prepare for the second half.
Bursting into our next set the second half was even more successful than the first one. People were dancing, singing at the top of their voices, cheering, clapping and wahooing (nothing quite like a good wahoo). It was heaving and the party was now in full swing. Christina works for the NHS and I think half of the Liverpool medical team were there and they really know how to party.
A man approached us and asked if he could say something into the microphone. As I started to explain that maybe he could when we were finished, he grabbed the mic and just started swearing and shouting things down it. Everyone just looked at him with disgust. I don’t think he quite received the cheery reaction he was hoping for and I’m not entirely sure he was even on the guest list. He told us “he’s not usually like this, I’m usually quite normal” Either way he went red faced and disappeared into a corner somewhere. I just said “Anyway, thanks for that. Should we do some more music now” to which there was a big cheer.
Approaching the end of our second set and finishing on a number, we received a rapturous applause. “One more song” “one more song” so we happily obliged. Of course after the encore they wanted another one and another one. Luckily the DJ was at hand and was keen to start his set. He started pumping out some tunes while we made an attempt to pack up. There is a technique to packing up in a busy club where your stage is on the dance floor. Firstly lots of patience. Then leads in first; then the equipment. If you take the equipment out first people will be moving into your spot. It makes it so much more difficult as they dance around your gig bags. With bums in your face and being trampled on with killer heals (they call them killer heals for that reason). Not good.
Our next mission was to collect the percussion instruments. This was going to be quite a challenge. Usually at gigs people return the instruments or children have competitions to see who can collect the most and put them back in the box. Although when one has had one too many glasses of fizzy pop, the last thing one is thinking about is returning instruments. Who can blame them?
In a dimly lit room with music pumping so loud you can literally feel the bass in your bones the mission was on. Now the trick is to listen out for the instruments. An odd shake of the bells or a tambourine bashing away to the grooving sounds of the DJ. We managed to find most of the instruments but unfortunately couldn’t retrieve them all. Over the years it must have cost us more in replacing percussion instruments than the cost of our public liability insurance. It’s well worth it though.
It was funny as before our performance Christina’s mum mentioned that she had seen us busking when she booked us to her family and a couple of guests. She told us she received a few slightly skeptical comments before our performance. Such as “I hope you’ve not booked them because you feel sorry for them” “Buskers? For a party?”
It comes with the territory to be honest. We are used to the second class citizen approach. We try to explain to people we go busking to promote and practice. Would you prefer a band that gigs everyday or one that practices once a week and gigs on the odd weekend. Busking is fantastic not only does it allow us to promote ourselves but it enables us to learn a lot of songs to a good standard. If it wasn’t for busking in Liverpool One the day before we wouldn’t be doing this gig.
After our performance her mum came up and said “That will teach them, absolutely brilliant, you’ve made the bloody party and everyone is raving about you”. We received so many positive comments and really surprised the unsuspecting skeptics with a memorable show. It was difficult to get our heads out the door.
Trying to get the van back to pack the gear up was like ploughing through a sea of drunken monkeys, carefully trying not to run anyone over in the narrow cobbled streets. With the van doors all locked we waded our way out through the progressively deafening dance floor, up the flight of stairs and out to the van. Doing it in several stages and working as a team we now have a routine.
After the gig our heads were spinning. I think walking out of a gig and into a booming bustle of Concert square would leave any sober working person disorientated. It was a really good night though. The gig overall was a fantastic success. What an amazing group of people who really know how to party in style. The dance floor was packed out all night and the live music was a nice touch.
Huge congratulations to the wonderful couple Christina and Matty and we wish you all the love and happiness for the future. Huge thanks for asking us to be part of your special day and to your lovely friends and family for making us feel so welcome and appreciated. We may see you in the near future should you need our services again for your big day. Who you gonna call, in the tone of Ghostbusters, The Rag Tag Misfits.
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