Well, we knew we were winging it really. When I turned around at 6pm on Saturday at Glastonbury and saw eleven Big Band gently roasting in the blistering heat, I figured that the weather god would catch up with us, the bitch. And it might have taken her a while, but like all the vengeful women in my life, she got me, or rather us, three times in a row.  Still, thankfully all the boys look rather fetching in wellies, particularly some members whose shoe choices leave, shall we say, a bit to be desired.  

But nevermind that. 

 So Electric Picnic was the official beginning of the end of the festival season. By that stage I'd accumulated the usual array of complaints and whinges: trenchfoot, farmer's tan, tent-ass and drinker's arm, or rather, arms.  We played the Little Big Tent shortly after midnight and the tent was rammed, which was an absolute delight and an honour, I think, for everyone in the band. I'll never, ever, tire of the Picnic. But the rain was, well, tiresome. Jaundiced spirits even failed to be emboldened by the enthusiastic efforts of the good people at  Jagermeister. 

Bestival by night.

The following weekend we dusted down our livers and saddled up for Bestival, dressed as jockeys. I have to admit that the orange-and-black silks didn't do me many favours, but some of the lads managed to look a tad more professional.  As a Bestival virgin, I spent most of my first day trying to get my head around the whole fancy dress buzz. But after I'd had a chat to a king and queen mounted on a unicorn, spotted innumerable Where's Wallies, and an Eighties' crew complete with ghettoblaster playing this, I was in love with the place.   

We'd arrived onthe Isle of Wight late Friday for the 1am gig at Club Dada for the inaugural festival run-out of the AV show. It was hugely gratifying to see that it seemed to be going down well with the crowd. Of course after that I had to get straight back on the horses with the lads and continue what had been a long day's journey into early morning, afternoon, night...It was all cool running until we hit the ferry on Sunday morning. Green faces all round, most of them mine. 

The only way to travel at Bestival.

Club Dada during our set.

The following week, me and the new AV set toasted Arthur at the Market Bar in Dublin on Thursday night. Indeed we toasted him again the following night in Galway for the Big Band show at Cuba. We had however been abandoned by Daddy C, who was off with his 'other' family, the cheating baxtard. 

Last night of three was at Co. Wicklow's Gateway Festival at Glendalough Estate. I performed my AV set at 9pm in the Shindig tent. Despite the rain, by now becoming a most unwelcome and almost constant presence in my life, the crowd were really up for it. 

Q The Monkey edited together a couple of videos with some highlights of some big band shows we played over the summer. You can watch the first one here

For the next while I'll be putting the head down in the studio putting together some new tracks. Hi to everyone I've met over the summer and thanks for coming along to the gigs. The new dates for autumn and winter will be announced shortly. In the meantime, follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates, and the far more enticing, sneaky freebie...