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Wild Rocks, Wild Riffs!
August 2022

Finally after three years Jo and I were able to get back together with Hungarian band Djabe. It was great to see Attila and all the boys. It felt like no time had passed by as we all connected again as pals and musicians. As always we rehearsed in Attila's fabulous studio, located deep within a tunnel of linking rooms, used as a bunker for people to hide in the Second World War.

Before setting out on tour we also visited an extraordinary wild place of strange shaped rocks and pinnacles. Here we filmed part of a video to the Djabe song The Magic Stag, on which I also performed and Jo wrote the lyrics.

The first shows in Vienna and Budapest were sold out with fabulously enthusiastic crowds, and it was as ever a joy to see those beautiful cities again. Budapest is particularly spectacular on the historic hilltop in Buda with the most incredible views.

The Debrecen show in a larger venue was equally fun, and the city itself is impressive. It felt so serene. It gave Jo and me a strange feeling to think that here we were only about one hour away from the Ukrainian border. Several people we know in both Hungary and Poland have been directly helping the refugees, either with the Red Cross or by giving them a place to stay.

Following a long drive through Hungary and Slovakia, we played to a particularly enthusiastic crowd in Olomouc, Czech Republic. The whole place was totally jumping with excitement!

At our final destination Györ, a picturesque historic town in North West Hungary, Jo and I were initially taken to visit the Mayor's parrot rescue sanctuary. The Mayor and his wife have rescued many wonderful parrots and it was amazing to see how happy all these birds were... and what an incredible array of sounds and colours! The Mayor joined in a number at the evening show, which went down a real treat with the appreciative crowd.

It felt great that the last gig of the Djabe tour had such a terrific vibe. I bumped into Stuart Copeland there too, who I gather enjoyed the gig and is about to play at the same venue with an orchestra.

Many thanks to Attila Égerházi and all the Djabe band and team for organising such a fun and enjoyable tour.