Lightning Strikes Nice
The first show of the tour was the Hoffest in Langenthal, home base for the Tigress and her family. This was our third time at this festival, and it was the best crowd we've had yet! We let it all hang out, and they didn't want us to leave - we came back for 3 (or was it 4) encores.
Laufen is about as far from Langenthal as Tarpon Springs from Treasure Island, but it's a whole different deal. The stage was set up in the heart of the Medieval walled town ("Stedtli" is local dialect for "old city"). We were second on the bill, and the audience loved the blues. Speedy was goofing off in Hawaii, so Sal Lombardo filled in, and did a fine job, as he always does.
What could be more pleasant than a long cool summer evening, consuming beer and bratwurst, and listening to some live blues? Old Hans here seems to agree.
Over the creek to Merrie Olde England, and a splendid blues fest. We were the headliners at this free festival, located right on the river Severn in the picturesque old town center. I think this was the coolest English festival we've done yet - huge crowd, lovely cool weather, and we played our bums off. James Wheeler played drums on the UK leg of the tour, and did a cracking job.
Graham Munn took some splendid pix at Upton.
Played in the back garden at the Anglesey Arms, our second time here. The local posse hung out all afternoon, quaffing ale and digging the tunes. Ripe plums were falling around us as we played on our grassy "stage."
It was deja vu all over again, as we took the camper van out for a pleasant afternoon at the seaside. We even had tea and biscuits - very civilized indeed.
Looks a little different from my Florida beach - and a good deal colder!
Back to Switzerland, and across the Alps to the Italian-speaking Ticino. Another great fest - big crowd, cool weather, rockin show.
The boys had a blast at Magic Blues...
...and so did the audience.
We also had a great show at the Landhaus in Jenaz (but nobody took any pix, alas). Andy and Madeline are true music lovers, and always treat us great. This was probably the best food of the tour, a real American-style barbecue with burgers, chicken, black beans and all that is proper.
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