31st May 2025: We were scheduled to do a gig in Harat’s on Sunday, 25th May. A few days before, we were asked to bring it forward to the 24th. This was not possible, so we asked about the following weekend. Again, there was a clash with some other event. (The Champions League Final is tonight, and I think there is some kind of promotion scheduled for tomorrow.) I sent the cancellation email to my bandmates, one of whom felt it necessary to ask me if the June 8th session was also cancelled. I didn’t think so, but the enquiry left me with a nagging doubt, so I emailed the pub again. This is part of the reply:
“I’m truly sorry to say that we’ve decided not to continue with the sessions for the time being. However, we’re definitely planning to resume our lives with the full band starting from September, and we’re really looking forward to that.”
My own feeling is that the sessions are finished as far as Harat’s is concerned. I also feel pessimistic about our being hired in September. I don’t know if they think we are crap or if we don’t generate enough income. Certainly, paying us legally for the gigs is a source of concern for the new owners and, indeed, for other bar owners. Landlords are also worried about the unpaid gigs. One bar was advised that the disclaimers we signed every time we played at the Dubliner were no guarantee of protection from tax officials. Government officials carry out raids, and the fines are heavy. Besides, the new owner needs time to find his feet.
On reflection, 3½ years was a good run. I have been looking at the Birmingham page on www.thesession.org – 20 sessions are listed but only eight are still functioning. The list is here: https://thesession.org/sessions/search?day=&q=Birmingham%2C+England – I know that #14, The New Inn session, has had a real run-around over the past two or three years. The members were briefly #9; #4 is their slow session; and, so far, their latest home, The Duke, has not been listed.
So, the upshot is that we are session homeless for the foreseeable. I hope we don’t end up being as nomadic as the members of the New Inn session. Anyway, I’m hatching a plan for June 8th.
I’ll sign off with a few tunes from two of my favourite players on YouTube.
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