SLAGELSE, FRIDAY 13TH, SPANISH VEGETABLE PICKERS AND SOME REAL VIKINGS
15TH JULY
Whilst setting up for the first of the two gigs in Slagelse I discovered that my wireless microphone had decided to die. Luckily I always carry a spare wired mic with me so was able to do the gig with no real problem, it's just that I feel so restricted if I am stuck behind a microphone stand. The wireless headset gives so much freedom and makes it easy to interact with the audience..
Having said that the audience on the first night were great, including a whole bunch of Spanish girls who were working on a local farm picking vegetables for the summer and with scarred hands to prove it. They were out to party and had a really good time.
In the morning I went out and found the local music shop who were able to sell me a new wireless microphone system and a very good price. I spent quite a lot of time in the shop talking to the owner and trying out various pieces of equipment and musical instruments.
Having nothing to do for the rest of the day until the show in the evening I got in the car and drove around and discovered a Viking festival being held on the site of an old Viking village. This was a two week event of re-enactment and a Viking market. Again I felt really at home and spent a lot of time talking to the traders and re-enactors. There were some fantastic displays of Viking jewellery, weaponry and clothing as well as some pretty good displays of fighting skills and horsemanship.
The evening gig was so much better on the second night, as I was able to move around the stage and into the audience with my new wireless microphone – money well spent and tax-deductible too. The Spanish girls returned and the staff were really nice to me having got to know me a bit better. It had been over a year since I last played at the Upper Hill and most of the staff were new. Particularly nice was Mia, who had looked after me with drinks the first night. She turned out to be a Johnny Cash song so I was able to dedicate a couple of numbers to her.
Sunday was a day off and I went back down to the Viking festival to spend some money. I got a traditional Viking long-bow and some arrows, I've been wanting to do some archery for a long time but wasn't interested in modern stuff with all the gadgetry and sights that they use, so now I have to find some space when I get home so that I can go out and shoot my long-bow.
After spending a couple of hours there I drove over to Helsingor where I will be staying in Martin's place for a week or so. Martin is off touring in other parts of Denmark at the moment so I have the place to myself. It's so good to have somewhere to relax and feel at home when you are so far away from your actual home.
An early night (you have to take them when you can) and then ready for the gigs at the Irish Rover in Copenhagen starting tomorrow.