ordinarypoet.blogspot.com

There is something unexplainably intoxicating about being on stage, playing somewhere you've never been before, to a crowd that's half-filled with complete strangers and musicians who've had plenty more experience than you. There's so much expectation, so much uncertainty... so much possibility.

I think probably that's one of the reasons why I love performing so much - it's that commanding sense of purpose, which isn't only self-serving but serves the world around you as well. When you're up there with the lights flickering on and off, you can't see much of anything - you just know that the audience is there, you feel their presence, and their anticipation as they wait for you to deliver.

On Sunday night, I had the pleasure of that experience at my very first gig at the Fiddler's Elbow in Camden, London. How it came about was all very rushed and last minute - my lead guitarist Nithi knew somebody who was part of the organizing committee for the headlining band Couple, and said that they were looking for opening acts. We decided to go for it, and that was that - we had only one week to prepare for it, but being musicians above all else, I guess that when it comes to music, we like to believe in the impossible. Or at least I do!

Over the past week, we quickly assembled possible songs to play and came up with a setlist which went like this (in order of performance): 1. So Julie (original), 2. This Love (Maroon 5 cover), 3. Sweet Child O Mine (Guns 'n Roses cover), 4. 28 Days (original), 5. Bad Romance (Lady Gaga cover) and 6. New Shoes (Paolo Nutini cover). We probably had, what, 3 or 4 practices, and as a whole band we only had one practice I think. Haha. But I'm lucky because my bandmates are incredibly talented musicians. I don't think they read this blog but hey if you guys are here, Nithi, Jesh and Nathan - you guys are fully awesome!!!

The setlist was heavier than we would have preferred, because ultimately, when I started the band, I had a lighter sound in mind. But hey, when opportunities come along, you've got to seize them. So since it was a rock concert, we decided to go for slightly heavier songs (although I've probably come to discover that I need a lot more practice if I'm going to sing more rock songs in the future, haha).

I'll put up the videos for 28 Days and Sweet Child O Mine here, the rest are on my Facebook (So Julie, This Love, Bad Romance, New Shoes). Drop a comment if you have the time; I would really appreciate it.

I don't know if I performed well enough - in retrospect, I definitely have some doubts. I think my vocals were probably a bit off here and there. But I think the most important part of all of it was I've never had that much fun on stage before.

For 30 minutes, nothing in the world mattered except having a good time and jamming with my band and the crowd.

A big thanks goes out to my wonderful bandmates, amazingly supportive friends who came over from their UKEC event to watch us play, and of course, my very supportive sister who came to watch her lazy brother play guitar and sing - terima kasihhhh! :D I love you all! :)