Hello multiverse,

Happy Solstice to everyone. I "think" that I/we are back in this universe after a trip into the ether beyond the tenth.....namely the start of the festival season.

It started off with the really nice Pyramid Party in Malvern. This used to be an annual event in someones back garden and has snowballed after a few years absence into a 3 day event. Due to committments outside the band we had a whole one days rehearsal and it was compounded by the fact that Alf couldn't make it due to work and Caitlin couldn't due to a bizarre home accident whereby she broke her ribs. This was pretty much akin to early festival days whereby whoever turned up got to play.

Often the unrehearsed spontaneous things work best when you just let things flow and see where it takes you. The collapse onto the keyboards after bashing my head on the side of the pyramid at the end was maybe a little too unrehearsed.....I knew that my various hats should come in useful one day....a great gig with amazing work by the PA & lighting guys considering the small size of the event and all done voluntarily for love not money - hats off to them all (and to Tucker from the FJM for lending Andy his bass at the last minute)

Onto the Sonic Rock Solstice in Wales and what can I say? Great hospitality, an amazing venue, very cool PA guys and absolutely wonderful people, bands and punters alike. All together in a happy and enjoyable atmosphere - how a festival should be. Hats off to the Doc and all of his crew, too many to mention, for a wonderful event. Apologies to the Litmus gang for being embroiled in our rather over exuberant Solstice dawn celebrations (although at least I talked Plum out of doing the salutation to the sun from the top of my van..). Here's to many more Sonic Rock events.

Again we had our challenges. Alf was rushed to hospital 10 days before and it was touch and go whether he'd be able to play at all. In the end he made it in time for the Earthlab set and even got a guest slot with the Hawklords. All things happen for a reason and every cloud has a silver lining:)

The "space vicar" has noted the requests for a return appearance at some point (as his cassock took out the keyboard DI box last year he has been limited in appearances)....anyway onto recording now. We had a plethora of requests for new CDs and they are duly noted. We promise to get something out by the end of summer even if it is a "taster".

More news in autumn when there may be a few special events ;) Until then have a great summer and enjoy the festivals.

Captain Bags - Omnialand