I'm just home from the first gig I've had in 15 months. It was a big band jazz gig - socially distanced, table service, masks etc... We sold out (of course a much smaller number - 80 or so I think) but still! Music-wise, there were bits that were a little messy but not bad for a 4-week rehearsal block. Everybody was happy - the band, the audience, everyone smiling and looking at each other - checking in - as if to say - is this really happening? There is no dancing allowed yet which is really too bad - I missed the dancers. We piled into the pub after and it was like it was before - almost - closest yet though.
I haven't had this feeling in so long - this buzz of alertness and fun and relief and energy and friendship and music - the hot lights and cold beer and one-two-one-two-three-four. The companionship of knowing someone you play with in such a personal way even though you may not know much else about them at all. The nest of belonging to something.
I did have to laugh this morning though - I pulled on my skinny black gig jeans, and it turns out one of us is no longer skinny. Ahem. Luckily I found a pair a size up in a charity shop this afternoon. Lockdown has clearly been good for me.
I'm tired but my head is full of music. It's hard to sleep when it's like this. Apparently I wiggle my toes to whatever is playing in my head. Guess tonight will be a showdown between Neal's snoring and my toe-wiggling. Who will emerge with a decent night's sleep? Da da DAH!!!!
