Feature Set: Thea Stone at Blågårds Apotek and the Journey There
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Feature Set: Thea Stone at Blågårds Apotek and the Journey There
Full Live and Unedited Video on Facebook - Recorded: 16-04-2023
I performed my first feature set at Blågårds Apotek in Copenhagen on Wednesday. This video is the first feature set since I started on the Danish open mic scene in August 2022. Benjamin was kind enough to offer me a set after my first open mic performance at Blågårds Apotek in April 2023.
It took me a while to build the courage to go for the feature set. I knew I would have to wait until I had completed my travels to the UK before I did it, but I noticed just how nervous I got about reaching out and asking. To ask means you have to be ready to go for such things. I guess I wasn’t ready until this month.
I had such a good time performing on Wednesday. The place had a different vibe than my previous visit. The weather changed things, as most people wanted to sit outside now instead of inside, like in April, because it was cold. So a good chunk of the people who were inside Apotek were, in fact, other songwriters and musicians. (I do love how supportive this songwriter community is in Copenhagen. I feel privileged to be a part of it.)
I’m happy with my performance. There were no major mistakes (just minor ones I could get away with). I’m considering taking a couple of the songs down a fret when playing them on the guitar. I shall see if it works.
It has been so long since I played the guitar that it has been nice during my last two performances to change things up. People kept coming up to me and asking if my Yamaha APX500II was a new guitar when I’d had it for 11 years. I’ve played the guitalele for so long that is what people got used to.
I realized I may have avoided the guitar for two main reasons. One, because of the fear of amplification and being more visible, I guess. And the other, because of my back pain.
When I started open mics, I did so during the week of Brett Perkins' songwriting retreat in Copenhagen. That retreat took so much out of me physically that I wreaked my back, legs, hips, and feet. I was in bed for three days afterward. When I got a lighter instrument to carry on the open mic scene, it felt like the perfect solution to avoid back pain.
However, I have since recovered from the songwriting retreat, so I realized this week that I can carry the guitar around more now, and it does not take such a toll. (Maybe I’ve also gained a little back strength from all this traveling with instruments and overnight bags.) So, you should see me play the guitar more often I feel.
I hope you enjoy this live and unedited video of my performance at Apotek. The way the set ended was unexpected but interesting. You never know what is going to happen until the night itself.
Here it is in all its glory, a snapshot of what went on inside Blågårds Apotek on the 16th of June, 2023:
Remember, here at Substack is the ONLY place you can see the full videos of my performances. However, since this was my first feature set, and I recorded it in portrait mode on my phone, I’m sharing it on Facebook for everyone to see.
If you want to make sure that you never miss a song, you can subscribe to this Substack newsletter for Free, and you will get an email every time I share one:
