What Recession??

What Recession?

So, this brings me to this weeks Blog – a topic that's been hot on our bands lips over the past 7 days whilst gigging, is the recession.

We've just had the school half term which is always a guaranteed booking week for us. We've had 4 gigs this week for a major UK holiday company which has been going since the late 80's, and which we've worked for over the past few years. They gave us two lots of back-to-back gigs this week and they tie them in with their other parks – also giving use of a caravan so we don't have to travel home and can just go onto their next one.

So, on my usual call to arrange the van and check all details with the Entertainments Manager, I was told that Park 1 was full and not one single caravan available – so I tried Park 2 (as it wasn't too far from park 1 so would have been OK) only to be told they were totally full too – not one park had one van free. I in total for the first weekend, I rang 5 parks regarding a van – all of which were totally full to capacity.

Our performance takes place in the venues 'Live Lounge' or 'Show Bar' – Park 1 around a 700 capacity room where to even find a seat was really difficult (and if you did, you dare not move, in fear of losing it!) and then on Park 2 the day after, with a 1200 capacity room, there was not one seat free....

This weekend, again, Park 3 was totally full, so not one van for us and the 800 capacity Live Lounge, full.

The Showbar at Park 4 was like the Next Sale at 6pm when doors opened, and not one seat left in the place....and 12.40am we were still performing to the masses!

At £3.50 per pint and £2. per slushy for the kids, it really is amazing how people can stay from 6pm til midnight (or Park 4 which was a 1am close).

We are in recession and I do clearly understand and appreciate that a lot of business' are definitely struggling to stay afloat, but it appears that some companies are not struggling at all – but still might lead us to believe so.

In the years I've been playing this major holiday chain, we've never seen them so full – even in peak summer season.

I'm not complaining, the more the merrier for me and there's nothing like performing to a full-house and the atmospheres are electric! But its just that watching the news is so depressing as they are still constantly on about the recession – it got us all talking, is it the media hype? Or are we coming out of the recession? Or is this major chain/holiday just one thing people will not go without?

So, someone out there, is making money! Recession or not!