Stamford Arts Center (Mac)

Well folks, after a couple days of driving home to Cardiff after the gigs, we're now setting out for a few days on the road. Tonight's gig is in Stamford, and Nige slides by to pick me up around 1:45 p.m. We're going to meet Pipe and Gaynor at Magor services just before the bridge at 2:00 p.m. This is by far my favorite services, due to the fact that it has the only Wendy's restaurant in all of Wales!Nige and I once again settle down for a bite to eat ( we were here yesterday too ) and just as we're about to dig in we look over and who do we see ( again ) - Phil Jupitus. He was here yesterday when we were leaving for Southhampton, and now once again as we leave for Stamford. Apparantly word is starting to get out that Martyn Joseph and his entourage frequent Wendy's, and now all the stars know it must be "THE" place to be seen. We really work hard to keep a low profile, but once word circulates among the "Industry" as to where we hang out - it's all over. Perhaps all of Martyn's future "Famous Hanger's On" photos will be taken at Magor service's Wendy's?We arrive at Stamford without further incident and are met by Maggy and Adrian, the Manager and Sound and Lighting dude respectivly. They are both great people and very helpful - not always the case at some venues. The room itself is apparantly the oldest Assembly Hall in Great Britain. It's a beautiful room, but the acoustics leave a little to be desired ( hey, this is my story remember )The concert was comprised of mostly "non-Martyn Joseph fans" - by this I mean that it was apparantly a lot of the usual crowd that attends most of the functions at the Arts Center, and had not necessarily come specifically to see Martyn ( you know what I mean! ). This however made no difference, as Martyn and Nige won them over quickly. The first set went smoothly, and the second featured 1 lonely 20 pence piece being projected towards the stage at the crucial part of "Going Home" ( either they're catching on to Martyn's songs, or it's a suggestion ). Martyn stops to play a request for Dolphins from a 7 year old boy in the audience named Christopher. It's quite touching, despite the fact that the poor little guy is asleep ( not Martyn, Christopher! ). The guys finish up beautifully and we're informed after the show by a suprised Maggy that most of the people usually just stay in the bar after the first half of a concert is performed here - she can't believe not a single person left their seat for the second half. I however, am not so suprisedOff for a quick curry and then to grab some sleep before heading to SouthShields tomorrow. See you thenMac