Live Music in Southport. Tonights gig is at The Upsteps in Southport. We were contacted by the owner of the pub as they are trialing live music to attract more punters. The Upsteps is a real community pub full of friendly locals. Situated on Upper Aughton Road in Southport it was once a house and then reopened as a pub although it has shut it’s doors a couple of times over the years resulting in long periods of closure. Recently the new licensees have done a great job in turning the place around. Attracting a local following of regular drinkers hopefully the pub will go from strength to strength given its new lease of life and support of live music.
Music night here is always good fun. This being our second outing at the pub we had expected the same type of crowd volume and clientele. Our first visit was a great success, with the locals enjoying the night in full swing. This second visit proved to be a tad quieter. We did retain a fair few people as we played through the set.
A couple of local henchmen were having a jolly at our expense. You always get one, or two in this case, no matter were you are. 40 something males waiting for an opportunity. You know that if you were to name them everyone in the area would know exactly who they are. Tonight they started with “what type of stuff do you do?” I think it was a testing the water type of question as within minutes one of them was asking if they could look up my skirt. You get the picture I’m sure. With live performances your interaction becomes more confident and you must learn not to be offended by such characters. They were quite careful however since they waited for Andy to go to the toilet before getting somewhat crude. I laugh it off with the usual sarcasm and refuse to become intimidated.
I didn’t repeat what they had said to Andy when he returned from the toilet. I knew it could effect the performance so I would keep it to myself until later on. After several attempts of them trying to steal the show and derogatory heckles the henchmen soon cleared. They realised their antics weren’t having any effect on our performance, after all it is I who has the microphone. All you have to do is repeat what they are saying in the microphone and pretty soon the crowds will be looking at their red faces in the corner. I find there is fine line with heckling. Be yourself and don’t insult anyone. I follow this rule and it tends to work when responding to people who are trying to show you up.
I’ve got to hand it to Andy his patience as a man astounds me and probably one of the reasons I married him. We work well together and take it as a team. We are lucky to have each other and watch each others backs. It must be so much more difficult as a solo artist, with no one there to reassure you or to laugh at your inside jokes.
Luckily after the henchmen disappeared their seats were soon taken by other locals who were now filtering through. It was going to be another good night as they supported the live music and showed their appreciation.
A talented local artist and photographer from Southport was in the pub that night and took a couple of shots so huge thanks to Chris Oliver for sending the pictures through. You can check out his art work HERE Its impossible to take pictures of yourself and capture performance shots. Unless I were to develop Stretch Armstrong arms and have a steady hand, so its appreciated.
One of the punters we had been chatting to had said he sings and plays harmonica. Particularly Irish folk music and as the owners are from the same neck of the woods we said he could have a go with us backing him during our next performance. This chap is a real character, one minute he’s singing your praises whilst the next he’s calling you names. A banter man and a funny one at that. Genuinely harmless though he wants us back soon as possible.
Thanks to all those who cheered, danced and sung along. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again at some point and a huge thanks to the lovely owners of The Upsteps in Southport and for your support of live music.
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