22) SUPPORT FOR MANTRAS - PILTON WORKING MENS CLUB - PILTON - 25TH NOVEMBER 2017
Was awesome to be invited back to PWMC, especially since its so related to the Festival! I was lucky enough to be supporting Mantras, a Brighton based band who are signed and are really making a impact around the country at the moment. I performed some new songs this time, to bring a change to my 40 min set. I performed at roughly 9pm this time, as the Frost Fayre was on in Glastonbury town so we were waiting for a bigger audience, luckily more people came and I had a decent crowd. After my set, I was greeted by Michael Eavis who talked to me about my set and what I do. Great evening!
21) THE HAWTHORNS OPEN MIC - GLASTONBURY - 19TH SEPTEMBER 2O17
My last performance before starting my Commercial Music degree at Bath Spa University, starting with move in day on the 23rd.. The stage had been changed since the last time I performed here last June 2o16, and as ever had a great vibe with a lovely crowd who support local musicians!
20) NIGHT AT THE ABBEY - GLASTONBURY ABBEY - 2ND STAGE - 8TH SEPTEMBER 2017
Incredible gig! Was lovely to perform in such a beautiful setting surrounded by inspirational musicians! Was lovely the weather held up, when heavy rain was expected.. Really enjoyed playing the 2nd Stage for the 2017 event! Once I had played my 30 min set, I enjoyed listening to everyone else's craft and meeting all the other musicians from the area.
19) RECORDING 2 NEW SINGLES @ ORCHARD RECORDING STUDIOS - BARTON ST DAVID - 18TH/19TH AUGUST 2017
Really pleased with the rough mixes I have received! During this 2 day session, I recorded 2 songs (Burning Out, Washed Away). Recording everything myself, I knew that I had to get everything right so that I was able to finnish in time.. Once everything had been recored in, and after 2 mixing sessions, the tracks were complete! Just like my last track, they were mastered by Steve Kitch at Audiomaster.
18) (A LEVEL RESULTS DAY - OFFER ACCEPTED TO STUDY COMMERCIAL MUSIC AT UNIVERSITY)
17) THE PICKLED INN OPEN MIC - EVERCREECH - 10TH AUGUST 2017
Definitely a packed pub full of locals with a wide variety of acts taking to the stage tonight. I was on 3rd, performing my loop music. All was well, as I was asked to perform at another pub near the end of August..
16) THE COACHING INN OPEN MIC - ST COLUMB MAJOR - CORNWALL - 1ST AUGUST 2017
Down in Cornwall for a few days and decided to play a open mic, my first performance in Cornwall! The pub was a traditional cornish pub, with a well set out area for the PA. I played 3rd, to a really full crowd! Was a great evening, experiencing performing in a different area of the country.
15) THE FULL MOON OPEN MIC - WELLS - 19TH JULY 2017
This was a new place to perform for me, and what a great place! A really small, cosy pub with the performing area in the corner. I was first up to perform, after Ross Kirk the host performed a few tunes. Playing some of my loop music, everyone enjoyed it! I will definitely be returning to play this open mic, met some awesome musicians and is a particularly local one for me.
14) GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL - OPEN ARMS BAR - WORTHY FARM PILTON - 23RD JUNE 2017
Performing at Glastonbury 2017 was a dream come true, something I have wanted to do since I started going to the festival! I had my last A2 history on the Wednesday of the festival, so once this was completed I arrived and got busy searching around all the small stages looking for any slots... To my luck, i came out with a slot on Friday 23rd June 1pm-1:30pm at the Open Arms bar opposite the Greenpeace field!! I couldn't quite believe it, i was going to play Glastonbury!!! Once friday came around I had taken my guitar and pedals on site and was getting prepared to perform. Before I knew it my set was over and it was very successful performing my own music! A photographer took some good photos from the company 'Festival Flyer", and gave me a short review on their website: 'We were more than happy to stumble on Tom banging out some tunes at The Open Arms bar. He was one of those performers who drew us in for a better listen'. (Festival Flyer) Overall this was an incredible day performing at Glastonbury.
(APRIL - JUNE 2017 A2 EXAM PERIOD)
13) GUITAR GRADE 8 EXAM - ACHIEVED DISTINCTION!!! (92/100) - 1ST APRIL 2017
Taken in Midsummer Norton Somerset, the time finally came around to take my final grade 8 examination!
12) PILTON PARTY AUDITIONS - PILTON WORKING MENS CLUB - PILTON - 11TH MARCH 2017
This was a real breakthrough for me, having a opportunity to play a show so linked to the Glastonbury scene. Playing with 3 well established acts was a real eye opener, a great chance to increase my connections. These bands were The Kaizen's, Kevin and the Destroyers and Chloe Warren. They were all really great! As the only solo artist, it was decided that i perform first. First time mixing my loop set with my acoustic too, a change from using my electric guitar. Soundcheck complete, it was time to perform. Before I knew it my set was over, greeted by complements and claps. Slightly later in the evening I met Michael Eavis, who was very interested about my background and how I got to play at the auditions. Was a very successful evening meeting new people.
11) SWITCHPICK DEMO VIDEOS - RECORDING DAY - SOMERSET- 5TH FEBRUARY 2017
My dads work colleague has designed a unique type of pick, I was asked to review and produce a demonstration video. When it came to the day we all spent a few hours recording and talking about the plectrum. Check out their website its a great pick! This experience really helped me learn about filming in a professional environment..
10) THE FLEECE - BRISTOL - 15TH JANUARY 2017
After a great year in 2016 this was a perfect one to kick of 2017! Due to A levels kicking off I have had to cut back on the gigs until the summer but decided to go in for this one. Having just released Nobody Knows this was a great opportunity to do some promotion. The track has had great feedback! I once again performed my loop set, for 30 mins. I played a few new tunes too! I was on at 8:30pm meaning I was on a little later than my previous set at this venue. It went well, again supported by friends and family. Can never go wrong at this venue, they have such a great sound there too! I also enjoyed watching all the other acts that were on the bill.
9) RECORDING FIRST SINGLE AT ORCHARD STUDIOS - BARTON ST DAVID - 13TH NOVEMBER 2016
This was a real eye opener to what its like to record my own music in a professional studio environment! I aimed to record everything myself, in a very tight time frame of 8 hours. Saying this now it went all to plan! Firstly recorded the drums.. After all the takes needed I then had a successful drum take which was a good ground to record everything else. Then i moved to guitars. Recorded the acoustic, then the track sounded like it was coming together. No more guide track! Bass next, Di into the desk... Sounded great, thanks to my friend for letting me borrow his bass. This progressed to the electric guitars recording, which I recorded with my Gibson into this lovely Marshall head. This was my favourite part of the session, recording the solo/bridge sections. I was really happy with the takes which is what I was after. Last of all was the vocal take. his was my first time recording vocals into a condenser mic! It went better than expected :) After this was done, it was down to final editing. Many thanks to the team at Orchard and Ben who was my engineer for the session. Mastered at AudioMaster by Steve Kitch.
8) CANNARDS WELL - SHEPTON MALLET - 16TH SEPTEMBER 2016
This gig was definitely unexpected. I went to watch my guitar teacher (Ben Kench's) band Safehaus at the Cannards Well in Shepton Mallet, and I ended up playing! I played 2 of my own tracks (Burning Out and Nobody Knows). An audience member was a professional photographer and took great photographs during my performance, Was a great night!
7) THE FLEECE - BRISTOL - 11TH SEPTEMBER 2016
This has been my favorite gig so far! It was a real honor to be invited back to play The Fleece, and to have a 8pm evening slot! 3rd from top of the bill too! This time I went solo, and played my whole looper set. Was a great experience to play a music venue in the evening when it is usually busier, and not surprised it was a lot busier than last time! The gig was well received and fellow performers liked it a lot, one giving me a shout out during their set! It was a great experience selling the tickets for the show too.
6) BUSKING IN WELLS - 27TH AUGUST 2016
Due to the success from my previous Busking session, I went out again to Wells to have another go. it went well. I tried some new spots this time, e.g. around Bishops Palace.
5) BUSKING IN WELLS - 22ND AUGUST 2016
This was my first ever experience going out busking, For 45 minutes £12 isn't too bad! It was great fun. I started down the bottom of the high-street and people were putting coins in to my case, while i played my own songs and some covers with my acoustic. About 15 mins in I decided to go up to the cathedral. This part was a lot busier, with constant flow of tourists and locals travelling by. I had a small toddler dancing around and even gathered a small crowd!
4) THE FLEECE - BRISTOL - 31ST JULY 2016
This was my biggest gig yet, playing at Bristol’s most iconic music venue. I was part of the Acoustic All Dayer and was second up on the bill at 1:30pm, with a 30 minute set. To fit in more with the Acoustic Vibe, my brother helped me out with the Cajon, it worked well! We played my own material and an instrumental cover of James Bays Collide. We made the cover upbeat and was well received. We also sped up the tempo, this along with the energy we gave across resulted in a successful gig.
3) HAWTHORNS OPEN MIC - HAWTHORNS GLASTO - 5TH JULY 2016
I decided to play the Hawthorns again, this time signing up with a later night slot. This as a result meant the pub was busier which created a great atmosphere talking to musicians! Again like last time, had to play 2 songs this time changing up my second song, playing a Acoustic Version of my song "Take Me Away". It was a great evening.
2) HAWTHORNS OPEN MIC - HAWTHORNS GLASTO - 14th JUNE 2016
This was my second performance after my previous successful support show, this time a great Open Mic down in Glastonbury. I had to play 2 songs, so it was was a little more relaxing and a good opportunity to practice my live technique! Playing Burning Out and Nobody Knows, I was up first opening the night. This meant I had to give it my best shot even though the mic stand fell down mid song! Its was well received and had a great time interacting with new musicians, from the local area.
1) SAFEHAUS SUPPORT SHOW - KING ARTHUR GLASTO - 26TH MAY 2016
My first gig going solo! And my first 30-minute set! It was a great start to build upon and was well received from the crowd. Played all my own material and was a great experience, using my full looping gear with experimental delay/reverb sounds. I loved the vibe of the venue and I learned a lot more about performing. Was supported by family and friends.
