Features Tour Diary: Ravens And Chimes

Away from home for Thanksgiving, and no sign of Harry Potter anywhere. New York’s Ravens and Chimes tell us all about how they found their stay in our fair isle…

Day 1: We got into Calais late and almost missed the ferry because of a stop over at customs. Luckily the boat was delayed and we made it on board. Had some coffee and bout some duty free.

Day 2: Went into London to do some press. Had most of the day off so went sightseeing like a typical American. I love Trafalgar Square because Horatio Nelson and I have the same birthday.

Tonight was American Thanksgiving but because everything closes early here we forgot to get good stuff for dinner and ended up eating meat pies and frozen pizza from Tesco. Hooray!

Day 3: We have a press appearance with Gin In Teacups at The Gibson Showroom. I got to play John Lee Hooker’s guitar. Tonight we played in Brighton which is an awesome town. Lots of people showed up to the show which was surprising as we’ve never been here before.

We got Japanese food before the show and walked around the town.

There were some super cool old buildings and everything was starting to be lit up for Christmas.

Day 4: We drive to Oxford for an in store appearance at the Truck Store. Everyone is super nice and the whole town looks like Hogwarts. We get in kind of late so it’s dark and I can’t take a lot of pictures.

The show is in the basement of an art museum. Meet up with our old labelmates Joe and Robin from the band The Dreaming Spires.

Day 5: Tonight we played in Cambridge opening Mark Morris from The Bluetones at a very old pub. He’s a sweetheart and regails us with stories about the 90’s Britpop days. Lots of new fans come to the show. I keep putting Jarvis Cocker on the list for shows but I don’t think he knows we exist.

Day 6: Today we have the day off and we’re heading to London to hang out in Speakers Corner. Haven’t seen enough crazy people yet. Hopefully we’ll catch some there.

Day 7: Show in London. We drive in early to do a mini documentary and hang out with some friends. While grabbing dinner at a pub near the venue we get a text that Damon Albarn is at the venue, having a beer but it turns out he’s just waiting for Bobby Womack to play at The Forum next door. The show is great and some very old friends show up out of the blue which is fantastic!

After the show we drive by Abbey Road to see the studio.

Day 8: we drive early to do a radio show in Oxford before out show in Coventry. Still no sight of Harry or Hermione.

The drive through the countryside is lovely. See a ton of sheep and some horses and cows.

We play an old boat basin in Coventry and some hardcore fans from Romania come out. Never thought people knew us there. Make a bunch of new friends. I guess that’s half of what touring is about.

Day 9: ferry from Dover. Amazing white cliffs. I slip and fall on the steps of the ferry like an idiot. Hooray!