Rugby, Cheltenham, Stroud, Bristol, Norwich, London

Being on tour whilst still doing the whole day job thing; rushed journeys from work, late nights, early mornings, cheap supermarket energy drinks. Road closures, everywhere. I get that it's better to repair the roads in the early hours of the morning as there's less traffic, but this really buggers up the travels of gigging musicians. The feeling of camaraderie when you've played a cracking show where you really, really connect with the audience. The tense silence in the car when perhaps things haven't quite gone to plan. 5 fully-grown adults, in a small car/minibus, sharing the same hopes, ambitions...all with individual insecurities, but all on the same team. Some of my best friends in the world, we can relax around each other, we accept each others' quirks (although Gaf singing 90s power ballads early on a Sunday morning is pushing it a bit).

Leg two of the tour found is in a small village just outside of Rugby on Friday night. We played there twice last year, including a the best New Years Eve ever, and it was a nice gig - an easy gig because the people are so friendly, we felt comfortable, we worked hard because it's a long gig, but in such surroundings we couldn't help but enjoy ourselves. Stayed in the same magical house we stayed in on NYE, drank whiskey and played songs till the early hours. Woke up on a farm, feeling strangely content, and then off to Cheltenham. An hours busking in the town centre - which we really had fun with because the locals were so supportive (and they purchased copies of our albums), and then off to Stroud. Packed venue, nice home cooking, actor Keith Allen in the audience. Professional set, we played admirably I feel, didn't always spark like it has done but you can't make a spark happen, sometimes things just feel 'nice'. We left the show having gone down well but feeling tired and slightly demoralised. A few drinks and banter later and we were fine.

The next morning were off to Bristol. A Sunday, sunny afternoon gig isn't always easy when it comes to generating an atmosphere, it was all very gentle. A few technical issues, a slightly quiet performance, but a really attentive audience to perform to, can't really argue too much. Next gig was Norwich; sell-out show, back to the acoustic set-up (drums cast aside in favour of a cajon and conga), actual genuine buzz in the air. Great gig, that one, unexpected encore, outstanding support acts, happy band. Last night we were in London. I generally hate London gigs; there's just something about them, it never works. They're just so difficult...you can never park anywhere near the venue, you're always made to feel grateful for the opportunity to play. But you have to do them, don't you? Soundcheck was dreadful, the house kit shaky, issues with the guitar/bass sound and the free beer was warm, but the gig wasn't bad...an audience can totally make a show and we had a full one last night, even though it was a struggle with the sound at times it was a joy to play in front of people who are so into it. A lot of them have seen us before but keep coming back, we're building something here, it's working.

We're only 9 gigs in, we're not quite half way, there are many more adventures ahead over the next few weeks. 4 days after the band tour ends I'm on a solo tour, performing Getting Lost In My Hometown - I now have 47 performances of that booked up (having just added 5 dates in Reading). Today my collection of short stories, The Stationery Seller, is released here. It's worth buying for Matt's outstanding artwork alone, and Abi's editing/proofing means there's actually a bit of quality control which is refreshing. Tonight we have a rare night off; it's also the night of the cast/partners premiere of my feature film, The Many Struggles Of Oscar Pike. 2014; you're really, proper, happening.