diary
The Debuts are on tour - read their diary sent directly from "on the road" !
Saturday 14th June 2008
Tour Blog: Edinburgh, Glasgow & Inverness
A few days into the tour so thought we'd give you a wee update!
Things have got off to an awesome start - our EP Launch at Cabaret Voltaire was one of the best shows we've ever had. The new tracks went down a storm and the sold out crowd were all game for a good night! We continued partying at our after show with a DJ from us as well as both support bands - The Breech and Epic 26.
Massive thanks to everyone who came down to the show and also to everyone who came over to the after show - was a top night and we really appreciate the support!
The next day we played a tour warm up show in Liam's home town of Penicuik. These shows always prove to be great nights and this was no different! With two great support acts in the form of singer/songwriter Chris Mossop and Whale Engineering we hit the stage in good spirits. Managed to fit in a good few drinks with the crowd afterwards too. All in all a great gig!
Monday was the release date of our new EP, so to mark the occasion we played an intimate acoustic show at Avalanche Records in Edinburgh. We were delighted to be asked down to perform an instore show as it gave us the opportunity to showcase the new tracks to all those under 18 who were unable to come along to the launch party. The shop was packed out and a bit hot and sweaty, but an amazing atmosphere! Thanks to everyone who came along - especially all those in Debuts T-shirts!
Here are a couple of photos from the instore:
We had a day off on Tuesday, which none of us really wanted as we've been having so much fun playing all these shows - so we were delighted to get back into the swing of things on Wednesday in Glasgow!
We've been working really hard to build our fanbase in Glasgow, so was really nice to play another busy show. We had a great soundcheck and even managed to catch most of the football before playing our set. Unfortunately we had to leave a bit earlier than hoped, so didn't get much of an opportunity to stick around for a few drinks....however we did manage a quick dance to some Belle & Sebastian (it would have been rude not to - especially in Glasgow!)
Last night we were in Inverness. We were all really looking forward to this one after our last trip to Inverness. One of the coolest venues on the tour - and a guaranteed party! Just before sound check I nipped off to do a quick interview for netsounds (an Inverness based radio show), which should be aired on Wednesday's show. We were also really excited about this show as we've had The Breech on the road with us for the past few dates - and Inverness their home turf...so was set to be a great night! Set went well and the crowd were great - thanks to everyone who came out - had a great night and made a lot of new friends!
Here's some photos of the trip to the ness!
Over the last few days we have noticed: that no-one in Glasgow has enough change for a cup of tea, nobody in Inverness owns a lighter and Scott from The Breech is quite the fan of camping - (tune into Ness MP3 on Wed, all will be revealed!)
We will update you in a few more days...
Dundee and Aberdeen - we'll see you in a few days!
Michael - The Debuts x
Thursday 19th June 2008
Tour Blog: Perth, Dundee & Aberdeen
Time for another update....
On Friday we played The Twa Tams in Perth. This was The Breech's last show with us - so we were all up for a party! We also had John from City City Beat on the bill playing an acoustic set - which went down a storm.
The tunes went down really well tonight - and everyone in the crowd went nuts, which was a lot of fun! - Big Shout out to The Breech for playing the last few dates with us, was a total blast!
Unfortunately Saturday's show in Arbroath was cancelled for reasons out with our control, which we were all really gutted about as we've been having a great time playing so many shows. Apologies if you were planning coming along to Arbroath...we're working to reschedule the date.
On the upside, the night off allowed us to sample some of Dundee's nightlife so we hit Fat Sam's with a few of The Debuts most dedicated followers!... Arriving back at around 3am-ish, we stayed up drinking with the receptionists (if you're reading this and wondering where Lenny Henry is - he's in safe hands)
Me and Liam with Lenny (Who we later 'acquired'):
Me a little worse-for-wear in Dundee!:
Sunday we were right back into it, playing The Doghouse in Dundee. We were really looking forward to this show - as last time we played The Doghouse it was to a packed out crowd supporting Delays. We were also able to catch up with some friends who always come down to our Dundee shows - so was great to see everyone again.
The set went really well - and sound was top notch (big shout out to Mitch on Sound).
Lenny Henry (who despite what one of the lads from support band The Trend says - has never made an appearance on Ready, Steady, Cook!) made his first appearance on the road as our merch stand mascot in Dundee...genius!
Dundee Stage & Posters:
On Monday we made the trip to Aberdeen to play a club night at Snafu. This was our first ever show in Aberdeen, and my first time in the city. We caught up with a couple of old friends who we were staying with that night, and then shot off to the venue for soundcheck.
Snafu is a great wee club and I felt right at home as it had the same wallpaper as me mams front room!
Sound was great, and the promoter Bri was one of the soundest guys we've met on this tour. Turns out he and Liam both saw Rage Against The Machine AND Cyprus Hill back in the 90's...think they were possibly seperated at birth or something...
Stage in Aberdeen:
Lenny in Aberdeen (with me mams wallpaper in the background):
After the show we shot back to the flat where we were staying and polished off a good few beers. Everyone slowly filtered off to bed with the last of us deciding to call it a 'night' at 7.30am on Tues morning!
Needless to say, the drive home was a bit rough for a few of us - so we felt the best way to combat it was with a few more beers (dressed up as water bottles).
Bring on Fort William and Skye!
Michael x
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Tour Blog: Fort William & Skye
Hey!
Well the tour is already over - feels like we've only just got going! However, it ended with possibly the 3 best dates of the tour - so here's a wee update!
Fort William was absolutely wild! One of the strangest venues we've played on the tour..when we first walked in it looked like a wee working mans club - but by doors the crew had transformed it into a proper gig venue (it was like changing rooms I tell thee).
We also had probably the coolest dressing room on the whole tour - with two full size snooker tables, a pool table, retro jukebox and more sandwiches and bottles of beer than you could shakle a stick at - thanks to everyone at the BA Club for looking after us so well!
Gig was great and crowd were wild - thanks to everyone who came down to the show!
This was also the first of three dates with support from the Rachel Cormack Band. They were absolutely top, and total party animals!
Here are a few photos from Fort William:
Saturday, and it was an early start for the drive up to Portree, Isle of Skye. We were all in high spirits after such an awesome show the night before - and also as we were all really excited about the show in Skye. I've been to Skye many times before (and wrote half our songs there!) so was great to finally have the opportunity to play a few shows!
We were playing the opening night of a brand new venue in Portree, and it was one of the coolest venues on the tour. Small room with a tiny stage, great lights, great sound and top atmosphere!
After the show we had a pretty wild party with the promoter of all 3 dates, Alex (one of the coolest promoters we've ever worked with - total legend!). We then moved on to another party, eventually arriving back at the hotel around 5.30am a little worse for wear!
Here are some photos from Portree and the After Party:
Sunday and it was a short drive down the road to Kyleakin - our second date on Skye. we were all extremely thankful of the half hour drive as we were feeling a little tender after the wild night!
We were all really gutted as it was the last day of the tour - so decided to make it one to remember! Once again we received some great hospitality from the venue - so much thanks!
It was also our last show with the Rachel Cormack band, who have been one of the best supports of the tour - and definately know how to party!
Some photos from Kyleakin on Sunday:
We'd just like to give a massive shout out to Alex and all the crew from It'sOn for putting on the last three dates of the tour.
Also a massive thanks to everyone who came along to any of the shows - and especially all those who travelled stupid distances to come and see us!
Can't wait for the next tour!
Michael x
