rivers2cross

What a surreal day! A day that began with a message from Andy Labrow, The Alarm’s amazing and hard working tour manager, who asked if I was going to the gig in Oxford, and if so would it be possible for me to lend my Auden Deceiver guitar to Mike Peters for the gig! The main guitar he plays was having some technical issues. Well of course what a bloody honour and pleasure to be able to help. These special limited edition guitars were, which I am fortunate enough to own one of, was created by Auden Guitars and Mike Peters. I was able to drop the guitar to Lydia Franklin, all round amazing lady, who was travelling up in the afternoon to help set up, do the merchandise and anything else needed of her. This meant that the guitar could be sound checked and put through its paces. Although I play the guitar it hasn’t been used for any kind of gig, so I just hoped it was up to scratch. To be honest I was under the impression that it was there as back up and if I was lucky Mike play a song on it. Well how wrong could I be, as he only went and used it for the whole set! What an absolutely amazing special memory that I can take from what was a brilliant night anyway.

This is the third time that I have seen The Alarm on this tour, adding to London and Leeds. The band just gets better and better. They are obviously enjoying themselves, and with Mike giving 110% as always, he is being more than matched by Smiley, James and Jules. I think the new arrangements of the older songs, many being condensed, works brilliantly and breathes new life into them. Seeing some of the brilliant b-sides being played from 1983/85 is amazing. I think the band really have taken back ownership of these tracks now. I don’t mean that in any to be disrespectful to the original members as I will always bloody love that line up (and all incarnations since), but for me any reason for comparisons, or for the current line-up to be judged or justify what they play has long gone. Everyone has their opinions and this has divided fans for years and will probably never change. Like with me though, it’s all about the present and living life for today! The Alarm totally smashed it! Absolutely brilliant.

Roll back to the start of the evening and original guitarist Dave Sharp played another absolutely stunning opening set. I’ve said it before he is playing and connecting with the audience better than ever. He really is an absolute genius on the guitar, one the most underrated guitarists in our lifetime! The version of Tell Me he has brought to the set for this tour is incredible, and I urge anyone going to any of the remaining dates to catch his set.

The other brilliant thing about gigging again over the last 2-3 weeks has been catching up with many friends, who I haven’t seen since before the pandemic. Oxford was no different, and it’s like seeing people from yesterday as you slip back into old friendships. Such a great day… Until tomorrow x