Why buy a car when you can buy a Land Rover......

Well, that was some weekend!

The Deadly Winters.

Best start at the beginning and with Friday. I headed off to St Andrews in the morning via the workplace of The Deadly Winters bass player Mike Edie. The 'Ters had been invited to open the Kaleidoscope Festival and there was the usual logistics of getting 5 people, in 3 cars, to the right place, at the right time.

This we achieved, thanks to local knowledge, Google Maps and AA Signposts.

The 'Ters on stage.

We were delighted with the weather on arrival in Fife, and with The Dunhill Cup also in town there was a positive mood in the camp. The organisers had been met with some difficulties in the run up to the event, but they must be praised for delivering a highly professional stage set up. Needless to say, with the brilliant weather, it was a challenge for the boys to attract a large crowd in to the barn at Kinkell Farm, but they performed a great set to a loyal group of fans. Here's new song, Hand To Heart, from the gig.

After The 'Ters had finished it was back to Edinburgh where Woosh Entertainments were hosting another gig at The One Below. I was delighted to have secured Adam Holmes and The Embers and Alan R Davison. Adam has been attracting a lot of interest. At only eighteen Adam was a 2009 Celtic Connections Young Trad finalist and two years later his own brand of contemporary folk songs also brought him a Radio 2 award nomination for Best Folk Newcomer. Preview tracks from the EP have received radio play throughout the UK and are now beginning to get fantastic reviews from writers and bloggers as well as record company attention. Check him out on Soundcloud - http://soundcloud.com/adamholmesandtheembers

Alan R Davison has been working hard all year on his debut album The White Eagle Lounge, due for release late in 2011. The White Eagle Lounge features over 30 of Alan’s most trusted and respected musical friends who have been supportive of the project since its inception early in March 2010. It is these individuals that will make the album the amazing experience it should be.

Checkout some fantastic pictures from the gig courtesy of TDSRL Photography on their Facebook Page.

Mens' Health Survival of The Fittest Start Line.

On Saturday I drove to Cardiff to meet up with Mike Smith ahead of Sunday's Men's Health Survival of The Fittest event.

This Tri Nations Challenge 2011 takes place in the cities of Cardiff, Nottingham, Edinburgh and London, inviting racers from England, Scotland and Wales to front up to a tough urban assault course and battle it out to become Survivors. Packing a challenging 10km route in each host city, with tough and engaging obstacles every kilometre, participants pit their wits against 1000s of fellow "Survival" competitors in a test of stamina, grit, speed and guts.

Main Stage in Cardiff.

The weather in Cardiff was what I would describe as "Tropical". Mike and I had to brief and then start 8 different "Waves" as over 2,200 people took to the streets of Cardiff from the event village in Cardiff Bay. Sponsors Men's Health Magazine and lead partner Land Rover, provided much to see in the event village - in the magnificent setting on the south of Cardiff. The Welsh capital certainly has got it's act together, creating a magnificent facility that the holders of Edinburgh's purse strings would do well to visit.

With Mike and I again sharing MC duties, it was decided that I would do the Race Briefings as they were important and required an "authorative" voice. This allowed Mike to do what he does best - repeat sponsors strap lines and royally entertain the crowd and amuse the sponsors with his unique and entertaining style. It's safe to say that Land Rover, Men's Health Magazine, Tissot Watches, Asics and For Goodness Shakes would be happy with the coverage!