Music on the Lake - July 09
Stop admiring the view Bond, M's on the phone...
Rob and Gary being themselves in the dressing room!
Steve with Roger Salem
Filmed interview after the gig
Lugano Jazz Festival
After an hour or so travelling from Milan by road alongside some of the world's most spectacular scenery on a perfectly cloudless day Lake Lugano suddenly blazed into view.
Just about every other time I visited Switzerland the weather was a trifle inclement by comparison, but this time the whole place looked like something straight out of a James Bond movie. All that was missing was a John Barry music score and the odd gold plated reclining nude in the hotel bedroom.
Just to bring us all back to reality, Roger King muttered something along the lines of "Hate to burst the bubble chaps, but I checked with the Beeb and the weather forecast predicts rain". It seemed impossible, but sure enough, just about an hour before we were due to go on stage our perfect day turned total monsoon, whilst the wind howled its disapproval... inexplicably, as if it were all a huge cosmic wind-up, the skies in a flash returned to their rightful, tranquil, gig friendly festival best, leaving us with a packed town square of music enthusiasts, who just had time to down their umbrellas and cappuccinos for the live TV-covered event. Not all of the acts got off so lightly, but despite the few technical hitches that always seem to dog festivals, we blew up a fair storm ourselves.
It was great to chat to Mario Giammetti and a number of familiar faces, including the ever talented Mr Mel Collins. Special thanks to Roger Salem, who paved the way for the Hackett band's inclusion at this festival, Win of WIV Entertainment and Andreas Wyden, along with all the other festival organisers.
Next weekend, our intrepid team fly on to the fairytale land of Lorelei...
You Tube - Firth of Fifth, Lugano
The show - Roger, Gary, Dik, Steve and Rob
