By the time I type, edit and post this, Matt Watson will have woken up to a beautiful sunny Suffolk morning and be starting out on day one of The Endless Coastline Tour. Matt is walking from Woodbridge to Hunstanton and has become an expert on lightweight sleeping bags, tents and the best way to treat blisters on your feet.
I knew of Matt’s music and was intrigued by a Facebook post of his, some time ago which said something like “I’m thinking of walking the Suffolk and Norfolk coast and gigging along the way – what do you think?”
It would appear that we all thought it was a great idea because last night at The Angel in Woodbridge he held his kick off gig with support from Falling From Trees.
There was a party atmosphere in The Angel, we were among family – literally in the case of ‘Trees – and although I was a stranger in their midst I didn’t feel unwelcome.
Singing tracks for his Endless Shipwreck album and a surreally delicious one about cake, Matt, a seasoned performer was relaxed and perhaps using his songs to banish from his head the thought of the 140 miles to come!
“It feels really odd playing a gig in walking boots”
he had said before taking to the stage. And, in a Grapevine exclusive, we can reveal that Matt did remember to pack spare pants! In fact I got to lift his 10kg backpack which will be his companion on the first leg of the journey. Suffice to say it is the sort of weight I could just about lift and carry as far as the boot of my car!
Falling From Trees, described by landlord Chris as ‘the house band’, were a new band to me with a very unique sound. Fronted by the vocal powerhouse that is Rebecca White, the band played with passion and humour – not least when Matt’s pizza arrived, he was under no pressure at all!
My only regret was that I had to leave before the end of Matt’s set – I normally don’t cover more than one gig a night but last night was an exception – good luck Matt.
