It was only supposed to be for one performance – quite a big one, mind you – the PFS Festival of Financial Planning at the Birmingham NEC in 2022. I knew two of the band members via Twitter (back when Twitter was good) but hadn’t seen them in person for about 10 years; the other two I had never met before. After one and a half rehearsals we were on stage. And it was FUN. When we were asked to reform for a special charity performance the following February, it seemed like a no-brainer. With pretty much just as minimal rehearsal we helped to raise over £50,000 at Rock for Ukraine in London.

And so it went on. We’ve performed quite a few times since that initial meeting (sometimes with stand-in band members) and despite the lack of rehearsal time, it’s still always been fun. And that’s the main point, I don’t think any of us would keep coming back to the band unless we enjoyed it, which is a good thing considering how many mistakes I do make, even with the lyrics in front of me!

I am in a band. It’s not something that I ever thought I would be able to say, considering how shy I actually am. I feel like I need to build on my level of self-delusion so that I can pretend that I am a competent person to stand in front of the band. The sequins help though. When do you really get an occasion to wear multiple sequinned dresses in real life? I do legitimately now have a sequin section in my wardrobe – however apparently it’s not the done thing to try and claim sequins on expenses. It was worth a try.

Next week we’ve got two gigs – just the thing in the last week running up to our HomeGame 4 event! I’m obviously not busy enough… We’re doing a couple of spots at the Schroders UK Platform Awards on Tuesday (which obviously requires two dresses), then we are taking part in a battle of the bands at the famous 100 Club in London as part of Sustainability Rocks. I genuinely can’t believe we are getting to play a gig at the 100 Club – even if it IS only for 20 minutes up against experienced bands. 

I can honestly say that I never expected to be a lead singer in band, but I am very very glad that I said yes when asked! It’s led to some awesome opportunities, a tiny acoustic band off-shoot (am I two bands now?!) and the chance to sing rock loudly/badly at people. With thanks to Chris Budd, Ian Beestin, Mark Polson, Nigel Ross-Scott and Rich Mayor and Dave Brooks – all the proper musicians in the band!