05/10/2022
Woohoo, we did it.
This is going to be a bit of a long post, because there's a lot of love and appreciation to give.
It's been a couple years since we put on an event, because COVID put a bit of a dampener on things - and we don't mean the Conservative & Unionist Nationalist Thatcherites, but also, f*** 'em.
We were keen to make sure when we did bounce back from the pandemic that it was done well, and I think we nailed it.
Not only did we manage a couple hundred items for the Blythswood Care run Highland foodbank, which we dropped off earlier this week, but thanks to the generosity of everyone involved, from our volunteers, to the venue, the bands, comedians, artists, punters and even a trade union, we raised a grand total of £1,247.02 which we handed over to the Foodbank today.
October is going to be pretty hard on everyone except those that the UK gov was intending on giving a tax break until everyone pointed out the idiocy of a couple days ago.
But with the school holidays coming up in 5 days in the Highlands there's going to be no access to school meals, fuel prices are going up, and it's all far from good, so EVERYONE that contributed either by turning up, buying a ticket, giving their time, donating, allowing us the space to put on the event, providing art, performing - you've made a big difference in a time of need.
Not only was it for a good cause, we sold out, there were a couple points in the evening we were bursting at capacity, and folks were patient enough to hang about until there was space to let people in safely - everyone brought their best self, and it was fabulous.
The music was amazing all evening, and with the option of bouncing the night away upstairs, or the bustle of the array of talented acoustic sets downstairs, the artwork and gallery, and the cracking comedians, it could not have gone better.
In a time where it can be difficult for people to come out to see live music, you all bossed it. The feedback we've had from folks ranged from "more of this", "amazing" and other positive feedback, with a lot of people discovering some new music too. Get out and see music where you can, if you can.
For transparency, We paid everyone performing a small fee and covered travel costs, unless they were kind enough to waive their fee, but that was and should never expected.
The Tooth & Claw, Inverness - thank you so, so much for providing a venue, backline, sound engineer and the support of every member of staff, and for ensuring that the venue is a safe, welcoming and friendly place to put on events in Inverness. Got to be the best collection of bar staff going too, supportive, positive and top level banter. James, Jenna, Kat, Gina - what a team!
First of all, the bands upstairs, in no particular order, thank you for such a banging night!
Bratakus
Fi*****ng At The Disco
Maraan & the Wildcats
The Signal
Pandacar
Downstairs, the outstanding comedians
Eddy MacKenzie
Kieran Lochore
Matthew Black
Benny Wray
With a special shout out to the topical comedy, for added bonus points.
Thank you to the artists that contributed to the awesome art gallery - the variety in pieces was glorious to see, and for those that were hugely kind enough to donate money from sales of their pieces or to the raffle, that was beyond generous and unexpected.
Isle of Riso
Daoine Pottery
Jack Kay
Elaine Chisholm
Abstract Frank
Evija Laivina artist
Thank you to the musicians that contributed all their time, talent and energy to making downstairs just as awesome a space to spend time in as upstairs was.
Saffron Hanvidge
Finlay MacRae
Susanna Wolfe
Pat D Music
Sarah Gallagher Music
Hamish Roberts
Thank you to the local orgs that donated raffle prizes and other items.
Bookface won't let us tag the venue again, but thank you to James Carr from the Tooth and Claw for an array of prizes
PERK Coffee & Doughnuts
The Clay Studio
Highland Wholefoods Workers Cooperative
Each of the artists
All of the performers for signing the event Tshirt and Claire Maclean Illustration for the design, commissioned back in 2017
RMT Scotland
Thank you to everyone that helped on the day
Hardly Martin
Jack Kay
Feargus Murray
Gina Martin
Pete Davidson
Stephen Doyle
Lewis Whyte
and thank you to everyone past and present in Leftfest that kicked it off, or supported it over the time.
Thank you to all of the small businesses and places that allowed us to put our posters in their premises or shared the event details online.
Thank you too everyone that came along, we're not done, and will be back planning another one in no time, but for now, we're all back to normality.
If we've missed anyone, give us a nudge, but this is what community spirit is about.
If you'd like to get involved in future events, either performing, helping organising, or in any other way, please give us a shout by emailing us at [email protected] and again we'd love to share more of your photos, so if you have any drop our page a message or gi' us an email.
We're going to pop up a post tomorrow around prize collecting, so watch this space.
