'We're on a mission from God'

It's not every day you get to play a gig in a church - but that's exactly what we did at the Priory Beer Festival this summer.

The Beer Festival is a great gig - organised by our childhood mate Ted Fisk who plays in the band 'Wounded Newt' https://www.facebook.com/p/Wounded-Newt-band-61586118701779/ an alternative band formed 2025: “Experimental indie with a rocky punch and a brassy kick.” Ted organised a great event - with an eclectic mix of bands which you would not expect to see in a sleepy town at a venue which would not look out of place as a location on a BBC murder mystery daytime tv show.

As the crowd gathered in the old wooden pews as the summer rain started to come down local band 'Keep This Up' started their set.

We were not sure what people were expecting, but it probably wasn't this.

Having seen the lads play many times before - I'm continuously impressed by their professionalism and talent and they performed a cracking set - but it probably wasn't their usual audience.

Fitting in the category 'Melodic Post Hardcore' or as I consider it - very shouty metal music - but with tunes... I don't think the church had ever seen the likes of them before.

The sheer noise these lads produce is immense and the acoustics of the church made this one of the most impressive shows I've seen them perform.

When it came to our turn - the crowd gathered in the pews and as soon as I played the first G sus 4 chord of 'In The City' - I could feel the power of performing in such an impressive space.

As the set list was worked through, I thought to myself - Jake and Elwood Blues would surely have approved of the redemptive power of Rock n Roll and amazingly - it seemed the audience did too.

THE BAND!!!! I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!

As the rhythm took hold the congregation rose and starting dancing in the aisles - they had seen the light of The Jam!