Being onstage again brought a flood of emotions. Firstly there was the absolute relief at being able to perform again and then there was the overwhelming reaction from an audience that has waited a very long time to see Smokie again. This would be enough to contend with but it was also Pete Lincoln’s first show with us and it went like a dream. There were smiles all round as the band performed songs in a new and fresh way and the audience picked up on this vital change to our presentation. A great night is now followed by a few weeks off before we resume in Ireland at the end of October. That time can just not come soon enough for we are a band that is fully charged and ready to go.