Breakfast at Creme, Broadmarsh 

A little job of work to do today but nothing too taxing as I had offered to hold the fort for Ben Smith (who has recorded an episode of The Random Sessions that you can watch here) at his monthly daytime gig at the Central Library. I seem to prefer watching live music during the day nowadays so this is ideal, and it's in a library where people seem programmed to not talk, so for me it is especially brilliant. Maybe all gigs should take place in libraries, it would encourage people through the doors of these much neglected establishments. Times have changed of course and we no longer need to go to the library to get a book off the shelf to find something out as we tend to just Google it but you should join the library and borrow a book. Or you should go into the library and sit and read for a while, they have books on every subject and a selection of newspapers too. Buy a cup of tea or a soft drink and that will put some money in the till, although they don't seem to mind you bringing a packed lunch. 

To get back to the subject, Ben (who works at the library, the ideal day job that I would be terrible at because I would just be sitting on a comfy chair with a book) has set up a monthly event which sees four singer/songwriters performing four songs that they have to talk about beforehand and then they take questions from the gathered audience. This is a brilliant idea and I hope it carries on and becomes a regular event in the music lover's diary. With regards the gathered audience, this is a bit of an optimistic way to describe it but for a second show it is still building, also it was hot yesterday which doesn't automatically make people think about the library. 

I was a little worried about how today's event was going to go down, as it took a while for all of the performers to turn up due to traffic but Craig Woods was there as I turned up and went on first to a small but appreciative audience. As we then got to the end of his set without anyone else around to play, and I was conscious of timing as the event finishes at four o'clock which is the time that the library closes. Luckily, local gig-goer Roger Caney, a fixture on the music scene around these parts, was on hand to deliver a quick poetry set (that I wished I had filmed) that had everyone laughing (with, not at) and nicely passed the time until the others turned up. 

While I was outside on the street having a cigarette, two acts turned up at once who had travelled from Sheffield as they were gigging last night. Next up on the line up was Spud, (another Random Sessions performer) and then Jinda Biant and David Ochrombel. Everyone played brilliantly and the format for this is ideal for a weekend afternoon. I worried, despite it not being my problem to worry about, that musicians would not be as good at the Q&A element because I have experienced some terrible interviews during my career. However, it is so far so good as everyone held their own by explaining the songs and taking questions with eloquence and humour. Thankfully Ben is back next month and I will be able to enjoy it as a punter. 

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