Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Belated Apologies….

    Belated Apologies….

    Well here we are in 2024 and I’m feeling very guilty about neglecting my ‘Latest News’ page for the last few months. So here’s a summary of the Dire Straits Experience travels. The band continued with various shows in Europe including an 18 date tour in the Netherlands and France in November. Sadly our Israel […]

  • 80s Symphonic comes to ‘Beatles’ City 

    80s Symphonic comes to ‘Beatles’ City 

    I had the pleasure of working with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra last December at the infamous concert Hall on a Symphonic 80s gig. It was a fun packed evening of classic hits from the decade performed by 4 amazing singers (Emma Kershaw, Katie Birtill, Oliver Tompsett, and Patrick Smyth) with maestro Rob Eckland, conductor […]

  • “Hats Off Gentlemen, it’s the Genos 2 !”

    “Hats Off Gentlemen, it’s the Genos 2 !”

    November the 15th was a very special day not only for Yamaha fans but also for the R&D team that I’ve had the privilege of working with for the last 4 years. We saw the release of the long awaited Genos 2, the new flagship arranger keyboard. The sound and technology is simply breathtaking. I’m […]

  • To The Netherlands and Beyond

    To The Netherlands and Beyond

    It’s a biggie for the Dire Straits Experience – 15 European gigs over three and a half weeks. Starting off in the Netherlands and moving on to Northern Germany and Austria. As always the crowds and venues are amazing. A complete pleasure to be a part of this wonderful tour.

  • Back to the 80s with the Danes 

    Back to the 80s with the Danes 

    Fun was had by all on Saturday 18th March in Viborg Tinghallen DENMARK. Another slice of 80s Pop history was delivered to our appreciative Danish audience – including Katrina (of the Waves) , Paul Young and Boney M. I was proud to MD the ‘Here and Now’ 5-piece house band as they worked their way […]

  • Elektra-fying  Queen !

    Elektra-fying  Queen !

    This was a very welcome diversion from the norm for me. Hazel Ross, virtuoso violinist and co-founder of the dynamic violin duo team, ‘Elektra’, asked me to create a medley of Queen songs for the cruise liner shows coming up this year. Not only was it nice to come back to my classical roots arranging […]

  • Matt Goss on Tour

    Matt Goss on Tour

    Thanks to my good friend and Musical Director, Clive Dunstall, I’ve been helping with the preparation and arranging of orchestral charts for the upcoming Matt Goss UK tour. The 80s pop icon will be having a full swing big band with a complement of string players so the production looks to be a very impressive […]

  • Never ‘Too Shy’ !

    Never ‘Too Shy’ !

    I’m looking forward to performing with 80s singer, Limahl (originally from Kajagoogoo) in September and his band. We’ll be appearing at Butlins Minehead on Sunday 18th September and Butlins Skegness on the following Saturday the 24th. Whilst this isn’t the first time I have worked with Limahl, it will be a chance to perform a […]

  • Dire Travels Around Europe

    Dire Travels Around Europe

    It has been awhile since my last update but I’m glad to say this is not because of a lack work. On the contrary, life is definitely getting busier again, especially with the gigs I’m pleased to say. From May onwards The Dire Straits Experience have continued to see their schedule get fuller. There was […]

  • A Return To ‘Gigging’ Life

    A Return To ‘Gigging’ Life

    I’m glad to say some normality has finally returned to gigging life, albeit slowly and cautiously. The Dire Straits Experience have at last been busy. March included a two week tour of France with no less than 11 shows, all with fantastic audiences, food and hospitality. After a brief 3 day respite back home we […]

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