Life as a touring musician is a mixed bag - some of my gigs bring me to fabulous locations such as The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, where the view from the stage door is something special! Others are less picturesque, and the sound quality varies every time.
It's challenging to adapt to a new set up and different acoustics every night, and I love to have my kit set up so I can keep as much consistency as possible.
A tour can be a good opportunity to try out new material and get a little experimental - and, of course, the audience is different every time, too!
We've just finished an extended UK tour with the Gigspanner Big Band, and it's been a brilliant experience. We've had the kids on the road with us, which brings its own challenges, and this has made it a really memorable time. As well as the different venues, we've explored towns and cities all over the UK and this is a treat in itself.
Now it's time to recover before the festival season starts in earnest, and I'm taking every opportunity to get out in the sunshine and play guitar al fresco.
I'd love to hear about your touring experiences or favourite practice spots…
Happy sliding!
If you'd like to get involved, you can explore my slide guitar resources here, or pick up your free Get Going with Slide Guide here.