Berlin and Prague

After a great visit to Berlin in September I decided it would ha good idea for a flying visit while an route to Prague for the St Patrick's Day Festival.  I reached out to a venues I’d found on the trusted Facebook and booked a small gig in Frollein  Langner for the 14th March.  I got in touch with people I’d met the last time I was over, along with some of the folk from Cantus Domus – one of whom, Adrian, very kindly offered to put me up for the night.

I booked an early flight, which always seems a better idea when booking than when actually getting up at 4am! With a delayed flight, on a cold wet morning in Dublin, I eventually got to Berlin and got to meet my old work buddy Rob for lunch. Much catching up was done over lunch and Rob tried to convince me that moving to Berlin is the way to go!

I left Rob to head to work, with thoughts of a move to Berlin, I headed to Adrian’s super cool apartment and we spent the afternoon chatting. We got to Frollein Langer about 7 to set up, in a gorgeous living room style room, with a bathtub at the centre of it all. I played to a load of familiar faces and a few new ones too, at what was a beautiful night.  

Off to Prague

The next morning I was up and at 'em, and on a train to Prague. Just over 4 hours railing though stunning countryside and I’m in another country. Travis O'Neill came to collect me from the train station and take me to my AirBnB.  Travis is Irish and has lived in Czech for 7 years, playing music, currently with two outfits – Travis O'Neill and his Cardinal Sins, a rocking folk band who were got to see on St Patrick’s Day and Pipes and Pints a super popular Punk band.  It was Travis that suggested I be booked for the St Patrick’s Day Festival.

We hung out for a bit and had a few Czech beers before I went for a wander and got my bearings. I'd  missed out on a lot if sleep the previous two nights, so took an early night and got up to go for a wander round the city, in search of goof coffee and insta story shots!

Travis suggested I find Onesip Coffee and he was right! Great coffee and a little barrista store in the old town. Friendly staff asked what I was up to in Prague and I told them I was playing for the St Patrick's Day celebrations.  Two flat whites and a few insta pics and I’m off on my way round the city. Along the river and over a bridge, back over Charles bridge and back to the apartment. I get an Instagram message from the guys in the cafe asking where I’m playing that night and Zdeněk who made my coffee came along with his girlfriend Teresa to the first of two shows in Prague, AND took some awesome photos!! ​​

Myself and Travis had a gorgeous wee gig that we didn't want to finish - and the fact that the girl who was stage managing disappeared, meant we did a good few extra songs for a really beautiful audience!  Prague was off to a great start! 

Saturday was St Patrick's Day, the day of the Festival show, and also the day for Ireland to beat England in the Rugby and become 6 Nations and Grand Slam winners.   Myself and Ivi headed to an Irish bar for food and to get a seat in advance of the match to revel in the atmosphere. I had to control myself and try not to shout and scream at the screens to keep my voice for the gig that night! 

 Back to the amazing Rock Cafe in the city centre to see Jameson had the place decked out fabulously, cocktails flowing and a face-painter installed painting flags and shamrocks all round!  I was a bit anxious of how the gig would go - given St Patrick's Day is hardly the day for a singer songwriter to stand up and sing about their feelings!  But the audience were amazing and listening and I met some great people!  After my set Travis took to the stage with his brilliant band and was followed by a brilliant cocktail display and Blood or Whiskey! Gig photos below by the incredibly talented Ivi Rebova.

Ended up spending the whole day at the airport with majorly delayed flight - but it didn't dampen the mood! Looking forward to a return visit to Prague!