Reading this brought back fantastic memories of the first (I think) time Joe played in Blackpool in a small room above the theatre.
Old timers on here may have read about this already way, way back, but allow me to share again with the newer forumers.
I took my guitar mad son who was then about 14 to his first ever gig.
We climbed up several flights of narrow stairs to be one of the first people into the room where Joe was playing.
In through the door at the top of the stairs and into a small room. There was a very small bar at the back of the room and no stage.
There were tables around the edge of the room and a few chairs.
The gear was set up at the front of the room.
As there were hardly any people in when we got there, I bought two drinks, placed two chairs directly in front of the mike stand (within touching distance !!), put the drinks on the adjacent table and we sat down awaiting the gig.
More people arrived and it wasn't long before Joe arrived.
He walked into the room and to the front where the gear was.
Joe looked around the room and said something like "you guys are sure going to learn about sound pressure tonight".
He was chatting to the entire room without any kind of microphone aid - gives you an idea of the size of the room.
He sat down on an adjacent table and chatted about the gear and explained what the perspex shields were for in front of the speakers.
He then went "backstage" presumably to prepare for the gig.
My son and I experienced the gig of a lifetime.
Sitting within touching distance of the guitars being played for the entire evening and not even a stage in the way.
At the end of the performance, my son asked if he could have the set list Joe used and of course he was told yes. It had after all been taped to the floor less than 2 feet away from our feet all night. It was signed by the band and still has pride of place on his bedroom wall.
The room has a capacity of 90 people. Not a typo.
Contrast this with the RAH gig which I was at with lots of others from this forum. Two massive extremes and the two best gigs I think I've ever been to for two different reasons.
Which is the best ?
Hmmmm.
It was fantastic to meet people from all over the world and meet to up for the biggest gig in Joes career to date (and have a hug with Joes Nr 1 fan and have Joe come to the forum after show party ) but you know, it sure was good to be treated to the master in such close and intimate surroundings.
I think Joe deserves all the attention he is getting but I'll never forget this Blackpool gig and sadly acknowledge that it ain't ever going to happen again