Wow, Carfest North – that was SUCH an experience. Half way to arriving the window in my car broke. It was a wet and windy journey up the motorway but I made it in one piece!
I arrived on Saturday to be greeted by Chris Evans and Hiten with their heads in their hands informing me of the very sad news that one of the pilots from the air display team – Kevin Whyman had tragically died in a crash that had happened just an hour before I got there. It was mortifying… Everyone on the day tried to carry on and be as professional as possible. But there was a sober mood. I really do send all my thoughts and prayers to Kevin’s family and send them as much strength as possible. Losing someone that close to you is the hardest thing ever and I wish I could do or say something to help them through this time.
After arriving I headed over backstage and had the great privilege of meeting and chatting to many inspirational artists and bands – Joss Stone was so lovely!
I also met The Feeling, Seasick Steve, chatting with and brushed my teeth next to Sophie Ellis Bextor in the glamping later on (what a delightful lady she is – her performance was awesome!) saw my lovely friends Ward Thomas, met several key people in F1 and generally had a wonderful evening with some wonderful folk.
My “tent” was practically a HOTEL! 
For a start, I could stand in it!!
IT HAD PLUG SOCKETS!!!!!!!
And outside:
Hay bails with Sunflowers!! The ultimate. My lucky number is 4… and my tent was no. 4, too which made me smile.
On Sunday, after this wonderful being arrived: (Mr Sam Rommer) Who was joining me on cajon and backing vocals.
We went off to see some cars!!
They were utterly gorgeous. Apparently 51 Ferrari’s were there. I saw all of Chris Evans’ Dirty Dozen… and took photos of them all, too!
I think this was my favourite though!
After seeing them, it’s quite funny how I arrived and parked in this:
I even got to “meet” the Chitty Chitty Band Bang” car which was a CHILDHOOD DREAM!
Soon after that I left the paddock and headed over grab my guitar…
Then we were taken over to back stage in golf buggies. SO MUCH FUN!
Tuning up backstage…
Here we are back stage in Chris Evans’ dressing room waiting to play! There was a beautiful tribute and a one minute silence held for Kevin Whyman, which was very moving. Especially as I saw his family briefly backstage after. I felt complete empathy for them. I tried to hold back the sadness and watched The Proclaimers do their set.
He welcomed us on stage just after The Proclaimers came off and it was quite a moment!!!
We performed “Riptide” – it was single of the week on iTunes and a good foot stomper so I figured it’d be the best song to do. I was only expecting to do one song, but then Chris asked me to play another, so I played “A Place Called You” (on guitar!) which went down really well! It was hard because I didn’t have any sound through my monitor, so could only hear what I was singing after a 2 second delay from front of house sound bouncing back at me! Despite the challenge it was so much fun! Shortly after I finished, Jack Savoretti went on stage and as he passed me he said complimented my set which was lovely – we went out front and watched him do his thing and WOW! He was amazing!
Thanks to the people who tweeted me this photo’s!
I came back and we decided to make a move, I needed to get my car fixed and didn’t want to be sat in Monday morning traffic. I couldn’t leave without having a photo by the naughty step though.
It was a surreal and amazing weekend. I can’t wait to play Carfest South in a couple of weeks!! Thanks to the amazing audience at Carfest who clapped along and cheered. It was a gig I’ll never forget. xxx
