Paolo Nutini Tour, Sunderland: The Empire Strikes Back

Well, this took a little while but let me tell you about Sunderland.

Woke up in York of course with a massive hangover. Matt went to pick up the car and I went and had the biggest breakfast I could find. Nice cafe, nice staff...ah Yorkshire. My mate took me to see this David Hockney piece being exhibited in the York Art Gallery, it's called Bigger Trees Near Water. A view from York Gallery...

We left York and had a very quick drive to Sunderland. All the way I really felt like eating MacDonald's don't know why. We got there anyway and went to have a look around. Best dressing rooms and great venue. Sunderland Empire is pretty amazing...and very clean. Silly detail I know but damn it's a clean venue.

I was pretty impressed with it any.

After soundcheck I couldn't resist the urge for MacDonald's any longer and Matt was starting to feel it to.  So we had a nice walk about Sunderland trying to find one. I didn't realise we were so close to the sea. Afterwards we went to catering for salads and desert.I like to eat a lot on tour.

Show time then. Matt's parents came to this one because they live relatively close by. The audience in Sunderland were most certainly the rowdiest and most talkative so far (in the right places of course). It's always nice to talk to people and have them talk back. They were fun and inviting and the set went a little bit too fast. I slipped Regina Spektor's Sea Song in there which seemed to work well along with stuff from the album, Down to the River, A FREAK A etc and like I say, suddenly we were off stage again.

Off we went backstage. Paolo and band were having a jammy randomness moment which sounded pretty cool. We went off to find Matt's family and watch the show. It was a great one. Unbelievable cheers and involvement from the Sunderland crowd, who were on their feet the whole time.

Nutini Tour Day 2: Panic at the Disco

First thing I remember from day two of tour is this taxi driver. Nice guy, had a bit of a thing about his Ford Focus though...I think it was love really. Every other sentence was focused on the Focus. Matt and I didn't really know what to make of him. Anyway, we were running late so had to get a taxi from the station.

Got to York Barbican and went to dressing room then straight to catering. Sea bass. Lovely. Paolo and band were in there. Finally said hello...sheepishly.

Then a mate of mine, who works for the Barbican, texts me and asks 'What's Matt's shoe size?' I text back saying '11?' I call her and she asks me to come and meet her in the hall. It turns out York Barbican used to be a roller disco. So we are now the proud owners of vintage pairs of roller skates, mine are size 5. Matt has a 10 and an 11. That's retro for you.

Didn't get too many pics from York I'm afraid but here's one from backstage whilst Paolo's band sound checked. Can't see much I know.

Matt did some roller skating and rock climbing though, on the rock climbing wall?!!? Gig was great, kind of reminded me of an old style disco...guess that's cause it's what it used to be.

Anyway, after the show we got a chance to have a bit of a chill out with the band backstage, they are all very cool...always nice. The night before a lady had given me a letter marked 'Mr Nutini' I said I couldn't vouch for it's contents, but he took a look anyway. luckily is was a wristband and a very nice letter...not anthrax...phew.

After that, we got on the tour bus, crowd outside were very complimentary. One guy said he loved me. I was embarrassed. Had a good chat with Donny (Paolo guitarist) on the way for drinks at their hotel. Turns out the band have somehow been given the unofficial name of 'The Vipers' Addressed to which were a couple of letters of thanks and congratulations on the bus. Which I thought was very sweet of people.

Unfortunately I had a lot to drink backstage, on the bus, at the hotel...
Matt, who remained pretty sober said that some of the things I did were very funny, but not too embarrassing...phew. I think I spilt something on the bus and swore a bit too much but other than that I think I was alright. Anyway, I took a lot of pictures that I only half remember taking. Here's some of York. I'll tell you all about Sunderland later...

I believe I walked the whole way back to my mates house with my roller skates around my neck.

Nutini tour day 1: Blackburn, King George's Hall

I'm on tour with Paolo Nutini for the next few days. First things first though. Find the dressing room. A few flights of stairs at Blackburn's King George's Hall. Had been carrying my guitar for a number of hours. I should learn to play ukulele better otherwise I'm going to be a hunch backed old lady.

It's just myself and Matt. Two guitars and a vocal and a shaker maker. I think they might have been expecting a few more people in the Josephine band though because the rider was massive.  

Got started on the beer and went to sound check. Crew were lovely and the venue was amazing.  Started to get a bit nervous at that point because we're not used to playing such big tours...with catering and decent sound systems and everything.

Next had to sort out my CDs and eat. Seemed to be none stop.

Think we got carried away and ate too much. Got sleepy and nervous all at once. Another beer. Check set list. Stage time. 1, 400 strong.

Lights went out, up went a cheer. Think they were expecting Paolo. Nerves kicked in. Matt didn't seem too phased though.

Someone shouted out that they liked the sparkly fish which hang from my guitar. That settled me a little. The audience were awesome. Friendly, big cheers after every song. Think I'd like to go back to Blackburn.

Afterwards, went out to the front to watch Paolo with my family. I told them to help out with the beers. Didn't have to ask them twice. Showtime.

Paolo gig was amazing. We got tipsy and sang along. Still haven't met him yet though because I'm a yellow bellied fool. Maybe I'll say hello in York.

Lots of people said the set was great. Thanks Blackburn.