progSfest in UK, Oct. 30-31

[mossy]

It was a lovely time.

It was surreal having relatively big name proggy bands play in a room the size of a church hall. I felt very honoured. Thats the UK for you though. Guess I've become too used to the oversized overpriced Vegas venues.

Aside from Keith's moshing, Tangent was the highlight for me. Also for Phil. Again, couldn't believe they were playing that tiny room. That's the way to experience music. Andy Tillison on vocals was superb. He was unbelievably good! It seemed as if it gave Roine room to focus entirely on his guitar. It's been a long time since I've seen such an inspired set.

Michael and I are both big Pineapple Thief fans, but a lot was lost in the mix at the gig. I waited for the lead guitar parts that made the songs soar on Variations on a Dream, and they either weren't played or they were so low in the mix as to be inaudible. Great to see them, though. You would have been happy, tee.

IQ wasn't a highlight for me. They opened with Sacred Sound....beautiful. But the rest of it didn't really resonate. Surprising, as RM and K liked the set so much. Ah well.

My only regret? Being so dog tired. Vax, swamp traveller, recommends a number of things to alleviate jet lag and I'll have to see to it that I do one or more of them next time.

And there will be a next time. Shawn was adamant he would get the original Focus line-up on stage next year ("Once I set my mind on something, I do it"), so I'm sure we'll be back. Another curry RM and K? And a few more pints, for sure.