Exclusive: Tunng UK Tour Blog

Gigwise’s favourite exponents of leftfield-pop folk Tunng recently toured the UK in support of their rather ace album ‘Good Arrows’, which came out in August, and main man of the sextet Sam Genders was good enough to write a tour diary/blog for us from the road.

The tour began with a show in Brighton…

Tour blog day 1!  It's 2am. Just got off the Brighton to London train and am safe at home with a bedtime mug of tea after a brilliant night at The Komedia. It was such a great way to start the tour - the crowd were on fine form and amazingly up for it for a schoolnight. Half the band are still having fun by the sea and despite being tempted to join them some of us couldn't resist the lure of warm London beds - a rare treat at the moment. Tried out our version of Blue Pearl's 'Naked In The Rain' tonight and it seemed to get everyone pretty lively. Thanks everyone for making it such a great night - Sargasso Trio were fantastic in support - It's hard to desribe exactly what they do but it's really good - melodic and beautiful with attitude. And Dan and Pete...great tunes! Thanks for DJing! Looking forward to getting on the road tommorrow and heading off for Tunng type adventures. Sleep tight. Sam.

Oxford - hmmm - nice green curry before the show! Another good crowd and a rather fetching leather sofa in the dressing room to relax on whilst sampling the pre show beers. Tunng were in a slightly hungover post Brighton haze but once on stage all is well. I think we all feel a bit more confident to find the new material going down well. After the show we go back to Oxford YHA Hostel which is where we're staying. Very gentle partying ensues in the style of a teenage sleepover when Mum and Dad are in the room nextdoor. We smuggle in secret beer and drink it whilst telling ghost stories and listening to Phil’s laptop. One brave soul smokes a ciggie by the window and Iater I read my book under the covers with a torch.

Leeds - Brundenell Social Club. I love this venue. It's a real working mans club - the type of which is slowly dying out across Northern England. Beer is about 2p a pint and the decor is pure 1982 but it has an amazing atmosphere and is really friendly. When I was a teenager in a band we would sometimes play places like this and have to have a break every 30 mins so they could have a round of Bingo. Before the gig we drive off to find a place to eat but our sat nav has a funny turn and we end up getting totally lost. We opt for takeaway pizza in the dressing room.

The crowd is however a very alternative bunch and by the time we go on it's totally packed. The night is one of the most enjoyable gigs we've done. Eugene McGuinness supports. He's a brilliant singer songwriter with a subtle 50's/60's classics vibe and plays a fantastic set. The following morning we have a band breakfast in a Cuban cafe and Martin buys a lovely vintage leather suitcase from the junkshop next door. An utter bargain for 25 quid. They have a Zx Spectrum in there too which we all want but are too skint to buy. Next time.