Today has been the most challenging yet. I was certain Id fall - TopicsExpress

Today has been the most challenging yet. I was certain Id fall asleep early last night but body and mind stubbornly refused to do so and I was awake well past 4am. The accumulated lack of sleep has started to catch up with me and my mood and energy levels have wavered a little as I lose focus yet try to keep myself working effectively. I found out late last night that Id be joining Da Mu for just the last two songs of their set. It was a good decision as due to a cancelled rehearsal wed only managed to spend about an hour and a half all playing together over the last couple of days but secretly I was quite disappointed as it meant Id miss my favourite songs in the set and in a way it felt like my first small failure of the trip. I had hoped that given my plan to spend the morning honing my guitar parts Id be all ready by the time the show arrived. I was however hugely relived this morning when I dragged myself out of bed and knew Id only have to rehearse two songs before leaving the hotel. Changsha was much less warm today, comfortable T shirt weather. The sun was hidden behind a pale haze that may or not have been low lying cloud and the journey to the festival was cool and comfortable. We arrived at site as the large crowds started to trickle in. Once outside the main entrance we were loaded onto a minibus with crew and other musicians and driven back stage, passing through three security cordons staffed by legions of security staff who to be honest looked like high school kids wearing fancy dress, they were so young. Many of them gave me a distinctly un-security guard like grin as I smiled at them out of the window. Last of all we disembarked and walked one by one through a metal detector as bags and guitar cases were opened and searched. By the time they got to me I think theyd decided we werent a threat as I was waved through with a stern half smile. Technically speaking the gig was really well organised. We had about half an hour to plug in our guitars and other equipment and there wasnt even a line check as all lines were pre checked and settings saved from yesterdays glorious soundcheck. Shortly afterwards a huge LED screen counted down from 10 in giant red numbers and Da Mu strode on stage to enthusiastic applause from the large crowd. The band were excellent and I realised just how tight and professional they are. The crowd were really enjoying it and the lead singer John jumped and gestured across the stage like one of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. When my moment came it wasnt exactly Chinese rock god but it was really great. The audience and band were very welcoming and the last song especially had the crowd screaming and waving their arms in unison. I played and sang to the best of my ability as our images were broadcast in triplicate on three giant stadium style screens and I reminded myself how lucky I was to be having this weird and wonderful experience. Once I came off stage I was met by main Changsha contact Ren and given a tour of the main arena. The site was energetically bustling with young people and families and here and there people had erected tents right amongst the crowd. The place felt very modern with sleek plastic sponsorship hoardings around every corner and everything - trendy punters included - looking brand new. Above us a small pilotless quadcopter drone hovered and Ren said it belonged to the TV company televising the event. With its green and blue lights it looked ultra high tech and I noted the contrast of old and new moments later when we came across a food stall selling traditional snacks. Ducks feet, ducks neck and bags of dried meat. Other food included spicy cray fish and barbecued squid and much of it looked and smelled amazing but I settled on a well earned beer instead. Not long after I made my way back to the hotel and Im now basking in the realisation that my first major hurdle is complete and I have most of the day off tomorrow. Im sure this will be the night I get to sleep at a respectable hour and then blinking flip Im having a lie in!