On Saturday night, Brighton Pop/Punk sensation “As It Is” stormed a packed Planet Leisure, and I haven’t seen such a buzz at any gig in Aycliffe before.
Before that they stopped off to do a house show for a local resident Hannah Bussey, a payback, as Hannah helped them get in the studio and record their album.
Before the live music started, they ate at “Smokin Burritoes” where the food is great. The function room buzzed with expectation and “As It Is” arrived and “Ricky Clark” went on stage and produced a great acoustic show, with a mixture of his own songs and a few well known covers.
Ricky was recently played on the radio and is getting lots of publicity at the moment, and his show is definitely worth seeing. Ricky had to extend his set to a full hour as “As It Is” spent time, signing autographs, posing for photos, selling merchandise and talking with the many fans. When they finally got on stage, they put on a show second to none, bouncing around the stage and interacting with fans.
The front of the stage was surrounded with fans dancing and singing along.
Lead singer “Patty Walters” said that Aycliffe is the best show they ever had and the audience was great. He was glad they choose Aycliffe to do their pre-tour warm up. He promised to visit again on their next tour. He thanked Planet Leisure, Aycliffe Young Talent Project, Bury Guest House and the hundreds of fans for making them feel so welcome.
There were some super fans outside the Bury Guest House where they spent the night on the way up to Glasgow to start their UK tour.
The next bands at Planet Leisure, on Saturday 1st March, is Aycliffe’s own “White Vinyl”, who are fresh from being on radio and have learned more new covers for their set list.
“Heather Story” from Middlesbrough will be supporting them. She has been playing gigs as far afield as London and supporting some big acts on tour. It’s Heathers first time playing in Aycliffe and I am sure she will go down well.
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