Last night (1st November 2014) Perfect Alibi – Pink Floyd tribute band, played at the New Milton Memorial Centre. Seeing how I now work there, it was my job to ‘look after’ the band, as it were. Also, of course this blog is going to be a review!
I arrived at the venue around 6pm and the band were still setting up and sound checking. What an enlightening experience that was! I’ve never heard a real good bad do a proper set up/sound check before, so it was great to actually see what goes on behind the scenes! A part from a lot of noise, it was very interesting to see how each member of the band had to set up their instruments and make sure that they were happy with the sound. A lot of hard work goes into be in a band and being a professional musician, and you don’t really appreciate their efforts until you watch it for yourself. Had to admit, it also really made me want to join a band, or at least be a manager of a band… it looked so much fun!
At 7:30pm the doors opened, and for me, it was time to meet the band and hang out with them until they were set to play. As I mentioned it was my job to ‘look after’ the band, but they pretty much looked after me! This was my first experience with bands backstage and behinds the scenes of an event, so as well as being excited I was pretty nervous! The frontman offered me some of their food which had been laid out, and asked what interests me in music journalism; well of course I’m a huge music fan, and I love writing! So it makes sense to combine two of my favourite things. The lead guitarist ‘Dave’ made me a cup of tea, and we talked University and courses which would be good to apply for.
I suppose you and I were expecting more rock ‘n’ roll backstage gossip to be written in this paragraph, but as Dave put it “there’s a lot of waiting around” and it’s quite boring if I’m honest. Of course there was backstage gossip for entertainment which included a lot of toilet gags and stories of their younger selves and girlfriends getting drunk. Also there was a mention on favourite alcoholic beverages which includes scotch, champagne and wine; of course my two favourite wines were brought into conversation Blacktower and BlueNun (this one of course was not a favourite wine of the bands).
They did also ask me what kind of music I was into. It was great to find out most of us had Suede as a band of our tastes.
At 8:30pm the band hit the stage, in the quiet town of New Milton and what I would only describe as an ideal venue for such events. The turn out wasn’t too bad, of course the first set wasn’t as lively with the audience – I believe the alcohol has to kick in before the party begins 😉
I’m not really a Pink Floyd, I know who they are (I’d be incredibly naive if I didn’t!), and I know a few of their songs, but they’ve never really cropped up on my radar! However, I really did enjoy Perfect Alibi! It’s very melodic music rather than full pelt rock, sometimes that’s exactly what you need… a decent rock band that plays rather calming yet boogie worthy music.
This was my time to get some snaps of the band! A good friend once told me, that you should take photo’s of the band within the first 3 songs (the 3 song rule) as the band looks their best then. However I had adapted this – leave them to the first song as it will give them chance to warm up, then apply the 3 song rule, but always have the camera at the ready JUST in case, because there are always chances to get shots you don’t want to miss out on.
I am rather happy with the photo’s I got of the band (which are included in this blog). The pictures are available on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jodieharrisphotography
In the interval I spent a little more time with the band, before rejoining the audience to ask if they would like to join the mailing list to know when more bands shall be appearing at the New Milton Memorial Centre. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on those updates!
I do feel extremely privileged to be able to do what I do. I helped promote Perfect Alibi by writing a press release for the event, then getting to hang out with the band and experience their sound check. For me, it really did mean a lot. It’s something that has always been an ambition of mine since I was a little girl.
Enough of me!!
There is something I simply MUST mention… and that is the spectacular light show Perfect Alibi come with. Honestly, it is one of the best light shows I have experienced. It makes the entire gig!
There was also a projector which showed moving images pieces behind the band… which really did add to the atmosphere. There was a lot of talk about the light show amongst the audience and members of staff. All I can say if, if you don’t go for the band, go for the light show! Even if you’re not a Floyd fan, you’re still going to enjoy what the band has to offer.
Perfect Alibi are THE Pink Floyd tribute. Perfect Alibi have a diverse set list; including songs from David Gilmour’s successful solo career means that there is something for everyone. Of course Perfect Alibi are more than just highly skilled professional musicians, the fantastic light show they have to offer to their shows makes their gigs something you’ll never forget, as well as adding excitement and thrill to their concerts. Perfect Alibi are one of the best tributes around!
By the end of the show, pretty much the whole venue was up on their feet singing and dancing to their encore of no other than “another brick in the wall”, of course a Pink Floyd set wouldn’t be complete without including that majorly well known song!
I did thoroughly enjoy myself, I’m not going to lie – so did the band! They said they would definitely return to the New Milton Memorial Centre – So if you missed out this time, make sure you don’t in 2015!
I would like to thank Eddie, Clive, Mike and of course Perfect Alibi for putting on a fabulously fantastic show and putting trust in me to help out in whatever way I could!
NEXT UP AT THE NEW MILTON MEMORIAL CENTRE: TOOREX – T.REX TRIBUTE ON THE 6TH DECEMBER 2015 (keep a little Marc in your heart)
Some links you may want to check out:
https://www.facebook.com/NewMiltonMemorialCentre
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/libertyentertainments
https://www.facebook.com/perfectalibifloyd?fref=ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKUO9ffjoU0
https://jodiebowie2.wordpress.com/
https://jodiebowie2.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/the-gig-guide-the-basics/
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