Phil Bates

Phil Bates

Januar 2nd, 2:09 pm

Wonderful to see in the New Year in Stralsund, Germany with our friends, Steffen and Simone, and new friends, Jörge and Melanie.Stralsund is a very special place up there in north eastern Germany on the Baltic. An old Hanseatic town.We both feel a strong connection and love for the Hanseatic towns. Maybe we have some historic connection. But whatever, we love it up there, especially at such lovely New Year barbecues hosted by Steffen and Simone and their friends.It could become an annual tradition. Best New Year we have had for a LONG time🙏❤️☯️🙏Incredibly, even the travelling was problem free.I hope everyone had great NewYear celebrations, and looking forward to a great 2025.Back home now for a week, and then our German dates begin on January 10th.But don’t forget Solihull Core Studio Theatre on January 24th as a re-lacement for my postponed solo gig in October. Looking forward to this one🙏☯️😄❤️Happy New Year everyone, and an extremely prosperous 2025. ... See MoreSee Less

Phil Bates

Dezember 22nd, 9:20 am

Lovely end to 2024 with my gig at Greystokes Castle on Friday last.Stunning venue, and very warm audience.After a sometimes traumatic and difficult 2024, it was great to go out on a good one.Great to see Jim and Sue, Eayne and Pat, and our old friend, Vivian as well.Who knows what 2025 will bring. Hopefully, some relief on the arthritic hand front. They help up moderately well this year, but there are songs now that I can’t really play on stage anymore.But as long as I can fluff and bluff my way through enough songs, I will carry on😂So nice to play songs with Jo on Irish whistle again. It has been too long, and we WILL be doing more of that from next year onwards. She has real talent on the whistle, alongside many other areas, but she produces such a lovely sound from it.Anyway, I would like to wish everyone an extremely Happy Christmas and New Year😄☯️🙏❤️And I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in 2025.Peace and love to all. ... See MoreSee Less

Phil Bates

Dezember 18th, 12:00 pm

Last gig of the year coming up on Friday 20th December at Greystokes Castle, Penrith. Come along if you are near, or you fancy it😄🙏☯️❤️It has been a busy year for an old man😂😂 And I feel it in my bones.But next year is pretty much the end of this part of my musical life, as a solo artist and band member,particularly in connection with ELO music.There will be life after that, but it will take a different form.Not exactly sure what form at the moment, but it will involve a revisiting of Celtic influences and involve Jo and her low whistles, but also my love of blues.The idea of this is energising, and I look forward to it.But I do hope to see as many of you as possible in 2025 ☯️🙏😄❤️ ... See MoreSee Less