Alongside being a drummer, I am also a playwright and this year I am back at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to see my own work performed for a sixth year. This time it's slightly different because I aim to take two shows up there with my trusty cast (because clearly taking just the one production isn't stressful enough) and this weekend the whole fundraising shenanigans begin. I often get asked why I keep going back to the fringe; my reasons are long-winded and not suitable for a blog such as this. But in short – it is the most inspiring and exciting environment any artist can be a part of, just one stroll down The Royal Mile during August and it is impossible not to feel excited.
It is often talked about as being the place where performers/writers/directors get 'spotted' and whisked off to be mega-famous but it really isn't about or like that at all – it's about the opportunity to perform at the greatest arts festival on the planet in front of an audience who will appreciate it, whilst being surrounded by hundreds of other performers/writers/directors who are completely on the same page as you are. I also often get asked why I am a drummer and a playwright, because these two passions aren't commonly associated. But to me it's completely logical why it works; putting a cast together, working on material as a team and then performing this work on stage is remarkably similar to being in a band, rehearsing songs and then playing them at a gig. They are both wonderful things, but I do wonder what the Edinburgh Fringe equivalent is for live rock bands.
Maybe it's Glastonbury? Maybe it's South By Southwest? Either way, I'm sure we'll find out soon. In the meantime those fringe fundraising shenanigans I mentioned...one of the events is a very unique gig on Saturday 3rd March at The Cornerhouse in Cambridge titled '100 Songs In 5 Hours' – the clue is very much in the title. Aidy, Dave and I will be contributing at least 6 or 7 of those 100 live songs if you're about, it starts at 7pm and entry is £5, would be good to see you there.