High spirits
North America tour blog 3 - December 2015

Greeting the spirits in North Tonawanda

St Charles show

Steve beside the river, Milwaukee

Back in the States after our terrific week in Canada, we headed off for North Tonawanda... Even the name sounded intriguing and we sensed we were in for an interesting time. It met all expectations and more! The atmospheric venue is old, apparently haunted and wonderfully decorated in 1920s style... and in front of the stage is a colourful Wurlitzer. It sprang to life for several numbers before we came on. The sell out crowd were excited from the start of our show and the vibe was extraordinary!

Audience response at both Northfield and Munhall was equally fantastic and great to catch up with several pals. The Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead in Munhall is an intriguing building, also housing a library. This place is apparently haunted as well, and you can imagine strange activity down in the dark basement below amidst its old machinery and coal pit.

Following two days of driving, we arrived in Milwaukee. Jo and I enjoyed exploring the riverside and market, and two pals kindly treated us to a delicious meal on the waterfront near the extraordinary art museum, which looks like a boat with sails. We also had time for a fun pre Christmas celebration with band and crew the night before the Milwaukee show.

Then on to a third haunted venue, the Arcada Theater, St Charles, basement once a bordello, secret tunnels, visited by Al Capone, strange deaths from the past with apparitions seen and felt by many people. It has a fantastic atmosphere with colourful themed dressing rooms and a beautiful auditorium. The crowd went wild - a fabulous night. So finally Chicago, a city where you can really feel the pulse. A fun gig with great audience response to round up the tour, followed by a visit to the Chicago House of Blues, walking into an exotic fantasy voodoo world... I just had to pick up my harmonica!

A big thank you to all the team on the road, agencies, publicists and promotors. It feels strange returning home now after being on tour virtually continuously for three and a half months. It's been an incredible adventure, and we're already looking forward to returning to North America for March / April...