Tim Dowling: gigging with the band – and playing with fire

There is a collective intake of breath, followed by a long, rumbling boo and some hissing The band I’m in has three gigs across the weekend – two in Kent, one in the West Country. At this time of year we tend to arrive at venues after dark, which can be disorienting. Later, while trying to establish a rapport with the audience, I’m reluctant to admit that all I’ve seen of their town is a pay and display car park, or to complain that poor mobile reception left me unable to