Sunfruits’ UK/European Tour Diary

Melbourne/Naarm psychedelic pop outfit Sunfruits are touring the UK and Europe in support of their debut album, One Degree. Band members Winter, Gene, Elena, Evie and Charlie are keeping Music Feeds up to date with their travels courtesy of a tour diary. Find part one of their tour diary here.

Hey. We’re Sunfruits and we’re currently in the middle of our first European tour off the back of our debut album, One Degree. We have just wrapped up the UK leg and we’re having the best time. Come with us on our journey through the land of fried food, music lovers, basements and geezers.

Sunfruits on Tour in the UK – Pt. 2

Broadcast, Glasgow

Sunday September 3 – Elena: On Sunday morning, we woke up after three hours’ sleep to get back on the road. It was hot in Manchester that morning, beginning a run of several days in the blistering British heat. I think I slept most of the four-and-a-half hour van ride but still woke up feeling like a slab of melted haggis. Winnie and I had to swing by a music shop (shoutout Guitar Guitar) to purchase back up strings after Winnie’s Manchester hiccup. I needed to buy backup earplugs.

Soundcheck was a daze, and our collective sense of disorientation was compounded by one of the thickest Scottish accents I’ve ever heard from the sound engineer. After asking for dinner recommendations from the Broadcast staff – “There’s a Tescos across the road or Nice n Sleazy next door” – we settled on a greasy shawarma from the kebab joint across the road.

We then pulled up to the accom, splitting into our rooms for showers and an hour’s rest before the show. All of us were feeling very wrecked after our big night in Manchester. Winnie managed to flood the bathroom in our room because of the lack of a proper shower curtain. I had another micro-nap followed by a Red Bull. Then it was time to rock.

Despite how grim we were all feeling, it was a fun show with a lovely audience. Was so nice to catch up with our Naarm friend Pantjiti, and to meet the lovely support acts. As always, playing a rock set does wonders for the soul.

Back at the accom, Winnie and Charlie spent far too long battling with the pay-online parking service. The app, Ringo, wouldn’t let us pay online because we’re not British citizens, and the machine on the phone line struggled to interpret our Australian accents. It briefly responded when Charlie adopted a Scottish accent, but eventually the boys had to resort to a late night stroll to pay with coins. We then settled into our bunk beds and fell asleep watching British TV classics QI and The Chase.

In the morning, we had breakfast across the road. I had a very questionable brekky roll containing a “potato scone” – what I thought would be like a hash brown turned out to be more like a piece of flatbread made from potato. Bread in bread. Feeling a little sick, we walked the famous Glasgow Necropolis, a big old cemetery. After wandering around a little and briefly exploring the Glasgow cathedral, it was time to get back on the road. An hour’s drive to Edinburgh.

Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh

Monday September 4 – Elena: Pulling up in Edinburgh, we felt giddy by its beauty and decided it was our favourite city so far. We were stoked to discover that the hostel was on the same street as the venue, Sneaky Pete’s. The hostel was very cute and comfortable and we all enjoyed a few Mojitos in the beer garden, except for Charlie who didn’t have his passport on him and was being watched like a hawk by the bartender. A short stroll around Edinburgh led us to a very cute panini shop run by a very kind man who told us how to navigate between the 2 levels of the city. That’s right, there’s an upper level and a lower level. Very confusing but very cool. The kind man made me a cold roll with sun-dried tomatoes, hummus and olives. It might be the most delicious thing I’ve had yet because it was actually fresh food and not fried.

We learned that it was “freshers week” in Edinburgh, which was why the city was awash with rowdy 18-year-olds. Pretty good for show business; we managed to pack Sneaky Pete’s out. The show was so much fun, spirits were high and the crowd was gorgeous. The support band, Sister Madds, were a highlight for us – they rock.

After the show, load out was a breeze thanks to Sneaky Pete’s being the first non-basement show of the tour. It really helps not having to lug gear up and down multiple flights of stairs every night.

Later that evening, Gene and Evie disappeared off to a club with some soccer players. Charlie and I tried to find them but lasted about two minutes in the nightclub – it contained scary scenes of 30 teenagers belting out ABBA, and in another room there was a guy doing solo death metal karaoke. We found Winnie and walked around the city for a bit, purchased ice creams from a nearby convenience store and sat in the street watching all the geezers. We met our first British cat in the shadows of an apartment building, but it didn’t want to say hello.

Bingley

Tuesday September 5 – Elena: The next morning we awoke in the very sweaty room – air cons just aren’t a thing here – that all six of us were sharing. With only one set of clean clothes left, I was excited to do a full load of washing at the hostel laundry. To my dismay, once I pressed start, the machine began pumping water out of the detergent tray almost and the tiny laundry room began to flood. Gene and I attempted to turn it off but couldn’t find a socket or off switch. We did, however, find an “out of order” sign taped to the back of the machine, which was very unhelpful. Thankfully the machine stopped leaking after about five minutes and I just had to wait, though I got my money back thank god.

After the laundry fiasco, it was time to hit the road. It was a 4.5 hour drive to our next accommodation in Bingley. We encountered our first ASDA, picking up some supplies to bake Gene’s birthday cake. Charlie almost bought leather pants (you can get clothes at the supermarket?) but decided against it.

Once we were in Bingley, we stopped at another supermarket for fresh produce, this time the European supermarket Lidl. I found the most amazing pair of Lidl exclusive runners that Winnie roasted me for, but that didn’t stop me from wearing them at the show the following night. That was the highlight of that supermarket – the lowlight was Gene being accosted by two 10-year-olds vaping at the entrance (“nice mullet!”).

The Bingley Airbnb was slightly terrifying – there was a pile of newspapers in the corner of the sunroom upon entry, the top headline reading “I’M SORRY I KILLED HIM.” We also noticed a strange curtain drawn across the stairway leading upstairs. Luckily that attic was just full of records, and the cottage was actually a very pleasant stay despite its racist owner (Gene will touch on this).

After cooking up a dinner of roasted potato, pesto pasta and garlic bread, featuring a medley of Max’s precious hot sauces, we all collapsed exhausted in our beds in anticipation of the next day: Gene’s birthday.

Gene’s birthday

Wednesday September 6 – Gene: It’s my birthday. Charlie and Elena are in the kitchen working on just the second home-cooked meal we’ve had on tour so far. We’ve all been feeling the effects of the grim food the UK has to offer, so this meal is much needed.

The Bluetooth speaker suddenly turns on, blasting Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happy Birthday’ and in comes Evie holding a Betty Crocker chocolate cake lit with candles. After breakfast and cake, we hear some rustling outside. We go to investigate, only find our Airbnb host. What could’ve been a pleasant interaction quickly turns south as her English nationalism and misogyny comes out kicking. We shut down the conversation and decide it’s best to get out of Bingley with haste.

JT Soar, Nottingham

It’s a two hour journey to our next destination, Nottingham – a place none of us know much about other than it being the home of Sleaford Mods. The venue we’re headed to is where they recorded their last three records. It’s called JT soar, a DIY recording and rehearsal space in Nottingham that’s home to lots of cool local music. We’re greeted by the owner, Phil, who’s prepared a lovely curry for us to devour.

With another load-in and soundcheck under our belt, the crowd packs into the room. We’re fortunate to have sold out the show and the sweating is immense. We’re drenched before the first song starts, but it’s a super fun, high energy show with an enthusiastic crowd. Towards the end of the set, Winnie gets the crowd to sing me ‘Happy Birthday’ as I sit awkwardly at my drum set not really knowing how to react. A lovely rendition nonetheless.

A highlight of each show has been meeting all the people that for some reason have come to see us play. It’s a strange, funny and cool experience. Mostly nice people and the odd kooky geezer. After deciding to leave our gear at the venue, we head off to Phil and Amy’s house to crash for the night. It’s a much needed break from dodgy hostel bedrooms and broken showers across our previous accommodation.

EBGB’s, Liverpool

Thursday September 7 – Gene: Woken by the lovely sounds of Nottingham locals fighting outside our window, we freshened up, left the abode and headed back to the venue to pick up our gear. After saying goodbye to new friend Phil, we set off on our way to the infamous Liverpool. All very excited to hit this iconic city with a pretty romanticised version of what it may be.

But first, a rough Maccas brekkie. A surprising first of the tour. Different from our regular Gregg’s meal, but we all felt just as grim afterwards.

Two and a half hours later, we made it to muggy Liverpool where Winnie and Elena were adamant about visiting some Beatles landmarks. First up, the Cavern Club. Upon arrival, we realise there’s a five pound entry fee, and the rest of us were not so keen on spending money to see a couple geezers in wigs play covers of ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’. The review from Winnie and Elena was a resounding, “That was depressing”.

Moving on, we stepped into the streets to find more Beatles-related capitalist traps. Every pub and shop in a 500-metre radius had some sort of Beatles reference and price tag to go with it. It was a pretty grim experience though we made the most of it where we could.

We were starving after load-in and soundcheck and we were told to check out Duke Street Market for a solid feed – and a solid feed it was. Steak sandwiches, burrito bowls and fish went around and we all left feeling satisfied and maybe more tired than before.

Liverpool was another surprisingly good turnout. Not knowing what the vibe would be, we were shocked to see so many people out on a Thursday night and boogying to our tunes. The venue was chock full of lovely Scousers (geezers from Liverpool) with accents so strong I found myself nodding and smiling at people while having no idea what they were saying.

Tired and weary after show number eight, bed was calling ahead of a 5-hour drive tomorrow. Good night.

Hot Box, Chelmsford

Friday September 8 – Winnie: Waking up in Liverpool was hot and sweaty. We traveled down to a Maxime-recommended barm (burger) food truck. After seeing a Beatles-themed moped, we drove for a quick pit stop at Strawberry Fields. This stop was definitely less capitalist than the Mathew St facade. We got coffees, took a pic with the famous gate and got back on the road to Chelmsford.

Upon researching the town, we realised it was apparently the birthplace of radio, which was fitting as we were due to do an interview with a local radio station post-soundcheck. We pulled up to the amply named Hot Box venue to meet the lovely host for the night, Denholm, who cooked us a chickpea curry with naan and rice. Home cooked meals are a godsend on this tour, so we were very grateful.

After getting changed in the back of the van, we got up to perform on the hottest stage yet. The show was great and the crowd was very enthusiastic and buying merch. Post-show, we went back to hosts Denholm and Sonya’s place and all piled into an upstairs bedroom – tightest fit of the tour yet but a bed was a bed. Once Gene finished a battle with a local spider family, we were out like a light.

Psych Du Soleil, Brighton

Saturday September 9 – Winnie

We wake up to learn it’s one of the hottest days of the year in the UK, and we hit the road to Brighton. We’d heard lots about Brighton being a beautiful spot, however we weren’t prepared for the amount of people that were at the beach that day. We bought some over-priced towels and a frisbee, and I mistakenly bought low-SPF oil thinking it was sunscreen.

Once we hit the water, it was a refreshing change to the intense heat. After chilling out on the sensory overload that was Brighton Beach, we went back to the van to get changed and realised we copped the first parking ticket of the tour.

The show was a short 30-minute set opening the second day of the Psych Du Soleil festival at The Hope and Ruin presented by local legend Polly from Acid Box Promotions. It was nice to not play in a basement and to still see daylight as we wrapped and hit the road to our accommodation near the Euro tunnel entrance in the town of Kent.