Packing Sensibly For A Gig With Just Hand Luggage

Like most people, I massively over-pack when I’m going away but I have had to learn to cut back A LOT when going abroad for a gig and only having hand luggage to take my clothes and things I need. Not just because of my size, my clothes take up a lot more room in a bag than someone who is smaller, but also it's become ever harder with airlines restricting hand luggage allowance.

Check the weather
And don’t underestimate the temperature as I thought I would be ok in November in Helsinki and seriously didn’t put on enough layers. I had 3 layers on, but it was nowhere near enough, it was so cold that I had to keep walking around and still got cramp in my thighs. What I should have done was have my super thick hoodie, extra vests and a few pairs of thermal leggings as I could have worn the hoodie on the flight and the whole time I was outside so it would never have gone in my hand luggage.

Get thermals for super cold weather
I love my thermals, since I got them, I have worn them out in some really cold weather and barely felt it. Thermals are meant to be worn under clothes but if you wear them for when you are in the queue for a gig, there are 2 ways to wear them. Under your clothes and you run the risk of them making you really hot during the gig or over your clothes so that once you get into the gig, it will take you 2 minutes to get them off so you don’t overheat during the gig. Having thermals will also save you packing multiple pairs of leggings, jeans or trousers. Sometimes I have even just worn my thermals instead of wearing them under jeans or leggings and they have still kept me warm. Plus, hand warmers are amazing, get a few packets before you go.

Get little toiletries bottles
You can easily get these from Amazon and they are just the right size if you are going away for a few days. Just fill each one with your shampoo, conditioner or shower gel and you don’t need to worry about going out when you get to your destination to buy toiletries. Just remember that you need to keep them under 100ml and to write on the bottles with a sharpie to say what is in them. You can also get mini versions of toiletries from Amazon or at the airport if you would prefer and they are usually under 100ml. If you have absolutely no room in your bag of bottles, you can always buy them in a shop near your hotel once you get there.

But, if you really don't have the room in your bag, take out toiletries that you know you can buy at your destination. Most supermarkets do travel sized toiletries so you don't have to pay out lots of money for a big bottle that you are only going to use once. Make sure to check the toiletries that your hotel provides for free, you might not need to worry about taking your own if the hotel supplies them.

Check the airline bag regulations
There have been a lot of changes recently in regards to the size of bags you are allowed on planes so make sure your bag is within the measurements or you will be looking at extra bag charges. The airlines are so strict, do not chance it. When measuring your bag, include the wheels and if the bag extends out. If your bag does not fit in the example box, even by the smallest amount, you will get charged.

One example of newer bag regulations is Ryanair, the standard bags are just to go under your seat, you can not have a handbag as well. If your belongings don't fit in the under seat bag, you will need to pay extra to have a 10kg that will go in the overhead compartment. When I flew to Cologne in April 2024, there was a person in the queue a few people in front of me and his bag would not go in the example box because the front of his bag was extended out. I don't know how much he got charged but he was not happy.

Be super strict
If you don’t need it, don’t take it. That top that you kind of like so you aren’t sure if you are going to wear it or not, don’t take it, you aren’t going to wear it. Do you really need 6 shades of lipstick? You can only wear 1 at a time. Hotels have towels so you don't need those. Thinking ahead and being strict will save you time and room in your bag.

One pair of shoes
I am the worst for this as I have my gig shoes and I have my normal day-to-day shoes, but if I am getting a flight to go abroad for a gig, I only take one set and that is normally my gig shoes as I know I will be comfy all the time in those

Wear what you can on the flight

If it's going to be cold, wear a hoodie on the flight, it doesn't take up any room in your bag that way. I usually wear a vest or a t-shirt to bed so I will sometimes wear those on the flight too, I take them off once I get to the hotel and get changed into my gig clothes.

One night = 3 sets of clothes

This has helped me stay strict on my packing, 1 night is 3 sets of clothes. The normal comfy clothes which will be for traveling, my PJs and my gig clothes. 

• Comfy trousers (leggings/jogging bottoms/whatever you are comfy in)
• Spare t-shirt (for the flight home)
• PJ bottoms (usually shorts)
• PJ top (a t-shirt or vest top)
• Gig top
• Gig trousers (for me, it's leggings)

My PJ top will be what I wear on the flight out and then wear the spare t-shirt on the flight home,

So there are my hints and tips on packing when all you have is hand luggage, I hope it helps you for future flights to gigs.

Gig Review - Lost Society - Underworld, Camden - 11/3/26

On Wednesday the 11th of March 2026, the Underworld in Camden had the roof blown clean off by the totally outstanding music that was being performed, and I was there to witness it.

I was with my awesome friend Carmen and we got the best spot in the whole venue, the little balcony directly opposite the stage. Not only could we see the stage perfectly with no 6 foot person standing in front of me and the railing was the perfect height for me to put my phone on it to record my favourite songs.

Awake Again

I have never been so blown away but an unknown (to me) support band before. They were absolutely amazing and I loved every minute of their set. Their music was brilliant, they had the best dance moves, they made me laugh and I just had so much fun seeing them.

I met them at their merch stall after the show and had a quick chat with them, they all seem like really lovely people. I hope they come back to the UK soon so I can see them again.

Lost Society

The moment that Lost Society took to the stage, the crowd erupted with applause and the band went straight into the first song of the night, Afterlife.

The set was a perfect mix of their new album "Hell Is A State Of Mind" and older albums such as "No Absolution", "If The Sky Came Down", "Braindead" and "Fast Loud Death". My favourite songs f    rom the set are Blood Diamond, 112, Underneath, Dead People Scare Me, Riot, Nonbeliever and Awake. 

I have become accustomed to the fact that any Lost society gig will be full of energy, perfectly played music, a sore throat from screaming every word and the possibility of whiplash from all the headbanging. This gig had all of that and more.

I loved that during Into Eternity, the group of people that were keeping the mosh pit going, did a slow mosh pit in time to the music. It was so funny to watch and Samy found it hilarious commenting on it from the stage. 

My absolute favourite songs of the night are Blood Diamond, Dead People Scare Me, Riot, Nonbeliever and Awake. They were the songs that really got me going, hearing them live is a million times better than listening to them on Spotify. I love them for their energy and how they make me move.

Set List

Afterlife

Blood Diamond

Blood On Your Hands

112

Underneath

Dead People Scare Me

I Am The Antidote

Riot

Is This What You Wanted

Nonbeliever

Kill (Those Who Oppose Me)

N.W.L

Into Eternity

Kill The Light

No Absolution

Hell Is A State Of Mind

Awake

EP Review - Table 4 Four - RiotWeekend

If you are after songs to add to your summer pop-punk, you need to listen to this awesome EP from RiotWeekend, because from the first song to the last, you won't be able to sit down.

The 4 piece band from Guildford, made up of Holly, Rab, Tomma and Salvatore, are releasing their 4 track EP, Table4Four on Friday the 27th of March.

It's very hard to pick a favourite song from the tracks but the one that stands out the most to me, and has been listened to the most on this EP, is Smile. It's the last track on the EP so it's like the band are closing the EP by giving everyone a big burst of energy. I love that there is some screaming in it, it's not in your face but it's there at the perfect moments in the song.

The music and vocals on every song is brilliant, you can really hear that the band have an amazing energy together. It's fun and bouncy to get you moving around, except Days Of December which is a bit like a little break before they launch into Smile to get you back on your feet.

I can see all of these songs being amazing played live by giving everyone in the venue a feel good atmosphere to dance to, and we have some great opportunities to see them in the coming months. When I spoke to the band a little while ago, they promised there is more to be announced so make sure they you are following them on socials and sign up to their newsletter to stay up-to-date. 

March

28th - EP Launch - Guidford - The Star Inn

30th - Gillingham - The Ship Inn

May

29th-30th - Guidford - ShyneFest 

July

4th-5th - GuilFest

Tracks
Last Day Of The Autumn Summer
Harry
Days Of December
Smile

We Are Chicken - Maidstone

One of my favourite things to do on cinema nights is to go to We Are Chicken for my dinner. The Odeon cinema and We Are Chicken are all in Lockmeadow in Maidstone so I don't even have to leave the building to get food before seeing a film and as it's in the food court part of Lockmeadow, there are loads of places to sit while you eat.

I usually don't like it that much when my chicken wings have a crust and are deep fried but the wings at We Are Chicken are amazing! I get the 10 wings for £10.95 because 5 of these awesome wings just isn't enough.

They are never dried out or falling apart, they stay together really nice and are still really moist so that they are more enjoyable.

I love the sauces, I have tried Frank's Buffalo Honey & Garlic and sticky BBQ, they are all amazing. I am trying to work my way through the sauces but the buffalo sauce keeps calling me back. As well as the sauce that goes on the chicken wings, you also get little pots of sauce for dipping. I love having the blue cheese sauce because it compliments the buffalo sauce perfectly.

You can have the chicken wings plain, without any sauce, there isn't an option on the screen but if you tell the lovely people working there that you want them plain, they will do that for you. I took my niece and nephew here before and they didn't like the sound of any of the sauces so the staff were kind enough to do them plain for me.

They do lots of other food too like wraps, fries and chicken tenders but I haven't tries those yet.

Single Review - Cracks - The Dead Collective

Today is a special day as it is release day for the new single "Cracks" from The Dead Collective. 

This song hits me in that quiet, unexpected way that a good late‑night song does. The Dead Collective lean into atmosphere, but what really grabbed me was the emotional weight tucked between the lines. The guitars feel like they’re drifting in from another room, and Oli's vocals have this worn, vulnerable edge that makes the whole track feel confessional.

There’s a kind of beautiful heaviness in the track, the sense of someone trying to make sense of the fractures in their life without pretending they can fix them.

For me, this track is one of those songs you don’t just sit and listen to; you get drawn into it with it's quieter music and harmonies in the verses and then a slightly more upbeat and louder chorus to bring it all to life.

Check out the song and if you like it, you have time to get tickets to the Metamorphosis tour that kicks off on the 16th of April in Milton Keynes with Anchor Lane as support until the last 2 shows of the tour where Jim Jennett will be the support doing an acoustic.

February Download Announcement

With the new announcement from Download HQ, which doesn't just give us more bands, it gives us the days they will be playing and the beginnings of panic attacks for band clashes.

Friday (only 1 possible clashes as most of the bands I want to see are on the main stage)

• Limp Bizkit or Halestorm (I think Limp Bizkit will win this one lol)
• Cypress Hill or Daughtry
• Electric Callboy
• Pendulum
• Hollywood Undead
• POD

Saturday

• Guns N Roses  or Architects
• Hot Milk or Behemoth
• Baby Metal
• Landmvrks
• Drowning Pool

Sunday (the day I will possibly be crying picking between bands)

• Linkin Park or Scooter or Static X
• Bad Omens or Spineshank
• Ice Nine Kills
• The Pretty Reckless
• Bloodywood or Tailgunner
• Rory or Dogstar 

I can't remember when we got the times last time I went to Download but I feel like it was very close to the festival so I have just over 3 months of thinking of clashes in the schedule while trying not to think about clashes in the schedule lol.

Also trying not to think about the weather, there seems to be a bit of a patton of it raining one year, the next it is hot, the next year it rains and so on. Last year was nice weather so praying to the gods of rock n roll that all I will see is clear skies because I mainly spent 90% of the Sunday in my tent last time I went to Download and it rained. 

Time to Talk 2026

It's that time of year again, it's Time To Talk Day.

If you haven't heard of it before, it's when the UK has the largest mental health conversation of the year. It's organized by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and it is encourages anyone and everyone to have open and supportive conversations about mental health. 

That conversation could happen anywhere, at home, work, school, clubs, village halls, anywhere. Because mental health isn't something to be ashamed or scared of, it's something that needs more understanding.

If you don't know how to start a conversation or a bit nervous, you don't have to dive in straight away about mental health, build up to it. You can talk about a TV show you have been watching, a film you have seen recently, a sport you like watching, a restaurant you went to and have a great experience. Then when you feel more comfortable, you can move the conversation along to mental health.

You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to or feel uncomfortable talking about until you feel ready.

Check out the Mind website for great links and information on Time To Talk Day.

My New Bucket List

I had a bucket list a while ago but I feel like the things on it need some updating, so I've done a new list.

If you have any tips or articles I can read on anything listed, please send it to me through the Contact Me form.

Try a blacksmith experience
I've wanted to try this for a while, I think it's so fascinating how metal can be heated up and made into this else. It's a true skill that I would like to try to see if I am any good at it.

See The Northern Lights
I know this is something on just about everyone's bucket list, but I want to see them for myself. I want to see their beauty for myself.

Visit Rome
I have been interested in Rome for years, especially the history of the city and the beautiful architecture of the old buildings. I feel like I would need a minimum of 3 days to see everything that I want see without getting stressed about waiting times to get into places.

Visit Barcelona
It looks like such a beautiful city and it's only an hour coach ride from my hotel when I go on my holiday to Spain. 

Finish My Scuba Diving Course
In 2023, I finally passed my PADI open water course and became a certified scuba diver. I was also signed up to the advanced open water course. The only issue I have is what I will have to wear if I finish it in the UK, because it's so cold in the water here, I will need thermals, a dry suit, gloves, shoes and a hood. The whole outfit is so restricting, the dry suit has a rubber part around the neck that you have to push your head through and it feels like it is strangling you because you also have a hood on that goes down to your chest. I couldn't feel anything properly because the gloves are so thick. The suit didn't fit me right because it was one that the shop had and for some reason, whoever made the suit seemed to think that if you are a larger person, you must have really long legs. I'm thinking of doing the Advanced Open course abroad instead of in the UK or saving up and getting my own dry suit custom made.

Swim With Sharks
I know I would have at least a dozen panic attacks and cry like a baby before hand but I think that once I am in the water, I will be fine haha. As long as the cage holds out.

Sleep In A Glass Igloo
I have seen these pop up on travel websites a lot the last few years and I love the idea of turning off all the lights to look up at the stars at as I fall asleep.

Sleep In An Aquarium Over Night
One of my favourite things to do is go to aquariums, I love seeing the sea creatures as up close and personal as I can. When I'm in the sea scuba diving or snorkelling, the sea creatures swim away so at least in an aquarium they don't have as far to go as they do in the sea. I would seriously love to stay over in an aquarium for the night.

Try Glass Blowing
After seeing a few TV shows about glass blowing, this is something that I would like to give a try. It looks super complicated so I've been looking for 1 day experiences so I can try making something small and simple.

Make My Own Candle
Something else I would really like to try doing but to see the process. When I went to Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, I got my hand done in wax and I found that quite fascinating so I would like to try other things to do with wax crafting. 

Go On An overnight Ghost Hunt

I have wanted to do one of these for years but can never find anyone who will do one with me, and there is no way I am going on my own. I know plenty of people that have said "I'd love to do one of those" and then when I find one to do and asked them to come, they don't want to do it. I need some braver friends haha.

Go To A Medieval Festival In Costume

We went to Loxwood last year which is a medieval festival and we both felt out of place by being some of the very few that weren't dressed up haha. We are going again this year so I am looking for the perfect costume.

Pick My Own Strawberries

This used to be such a big thing when I was younger but never got to do it. Hopefully there is a farm out there that still lets people pick their own strawberries so I can give it ago.

Complete A Rage Room

I really just want to get some of my frustration out on some objects that can't talk back haha. I feel like it must be very therapeutic. 

Complete An Escape Room

I've seen these for years all over the place but never actually done one. Think I'll need to get a group of people together and give this a go.

Watch An American Football Game In Person

I've watched games on TV but never actually seen a game in real life. I've had a look online and the tickets aren't that expensive so I just need to find someone to come with me so I have someone to experience it with.....or at least know the rules better than me haha.

Go To A European Christmas Market That Isn't In London Or Local To Me
I saw this every year but I am already looking into this one. I need a good one with cheap flights to that city and a nice cheap hotel that isn't too far away. It would be quite interesting to see how another country celebrates Christmas compared to the UK. I was in Orlando one Christmas and that just blew my mind haha.

Stay In A Wetherspoons Hotel

I am seriously intrigued to find out what it is like staying in a Wetherspoons hotel. I've drunk and eaten in a lot of them but never stayed in one. Fingers crossed that this year brings me the opportunity to stay in one.

I know I won't get all of this year but I can have fun with it over the next few years.

Gig Review - Revenant And Preacher Stone - 28/01/2026

I'm not over-exaggerating it when I say what an absolute pleasure it was getting to see 2 of the best bands on the music scene coming together to tour the UK and blowing me away on the very first night. So much so that I am devastated that I won't be going to more of the shows and jealous of everyone who will be going to the other shows.

I love Preacher Stone and I love Revenant so when I found out they were touring together, there was nothing that was going to stop me going. The combination of these 2 bands is perfect for a tour. And when I saw that the first gig was at the Old Brewery Store in Faversham, which is half an hour from my house, I knew I had to go.

I had the honour of being allowed into the gig early to see both bands sound check and get a glimpse at what was to come that night. Then I got to interview both bands together, believe me when I say I loved every minute.

Revenant

If you don't know these guys already, you have been missing out. These guys are seriously talented, it's amazing to watch them play and fall in love with the lyrics as they are so relatable.

There were a lot of happy faces all round in the packed Old Brewery Store when they took to the stage and started playing. There was such a good vibe and the crowd were toe tapping and hip wiggly from the start.

When they weren't playing, they were entertaining the crowd by making us laugh and getting us all involved in the songs. You can't help but love their fantastic energy and amazing songs, they had the perfect set list to start the night off.

I love everything about this band, which is why I own 99% of their merch hahaha. They have already come so far in short time that I don't doubt that they are going to go higher and higher. Everyone is going to know these guys very soon.

Set List

Best Medicine

Waste My Time

Healer

Black Dogs And Sad Men

Masquerade

Levee Breaks

Coming Back To Life

I'll Be There

Preacher Stone

I kid you not when I saw that the crowd erupted when Preacher Stone took to the stage to start their set. 

The whole crowd was super engaged and taking in every note from the start of the first song, to the last when the band said goodnight. Seeing so many people staring up at the guys, with big smiles on their face and singing along, was beautiful to watch.

The bands 2 guitarist, Darrell and Ben, are phenomenal! Watching them doing their guitar solos was like watching masters at work, and then Wyatt on the drums gave us a mesmerising drum solo that I was seriously lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to film it.

Set List

Hard Life PHD

By The Horns

Ass-Whippin'

Not Today

Dance With The Devil

Saddled And Road

Writing On The Wall

Think By Now

Horse To Water

Come What May

Day Late

Last To Know

Aint As Easy As It Looks

Save My Soul

Whiskey

Travelodge - Brighton Seafront

If you are going to an event at the Brighton Centre and want to stay overnight, make sure you look at Travelodge Brighton Seafront.

It's a 2 minute walk to the Brighton Centre front doors so it's the perfect hotel to stay in to save you having to drive home afterwards.

The staff were lovely and welcoming when I arrived. It's a nice big reception area that leads to the stairs or lift in the right hand corner and the restaurant on the left. There is also some snack vending machines but there are shops and restaurants nearby if you want to get something to eat.

My room was the perfect size for me, I had a nice sized bathroom, the TV wasn't small so I could actually see it, the bed was comfy, what more could I want.

Even though my room was at the end of the hallway so people could have walked past my room, I didn't hear anyway from the hallway while I was there.

The bed was a lovely big bed that was really comfy, and there was extra pillows. I like lots of pillows so this was perfect for me. There was USB and C-type ports on both sides of the bed as well as the light switches. I really liked the lights that go across the headboard, it's nice mood lighting.

The bathroom had a shower, a sink and a toilet that was all very clean. It was a little strange shaped as the toilet was behind the door, so you need to almost step into the shower to open the door to get out or to close the door to go to the toilet.

I had a full length mirror in the room but there wasn't the usual hairdryer anywhere that I could see. And the wardrobe was a tiny rail with 4 clothes hangers above the chair in the chair in the corner, which had the shelf on top of it for the extra pillows.

One thing that did annoy me was that it is directly opposite Revolution nightclub, I thought that I would be ok having a room down the side of the building but this did not help at 2am when all I could hear was people shouting. So when Travelodge say you can pick which room to stay in, make sure it is as far away from the front of the building as you can get.

The restaurant was brilliant, there was posters on the walls with movie quote and facts that I loved reading while I was having breakfast.

It's a buffet style breakfast with hot and cold food, lots to choose from of both. The hot food is everything you need for a full English breakfast, sausages, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, fried and scrambled eggs, tomatoes and hash browns.

The cold food was cereals, different types of bread for toasting if you want to, yoghurts, fruit, bagels, croissant, etc. There were different flavours of jams as well as butter for toast.

Drinks wise there was coffee, tea, water, apple juice and orange juice. There is a bar in the restaurant but I didn't see anyone serving whenever I walked past.

If you are driving, there are a few car parks you can go to. The nearest car park is Churchills - Red is on Regency Road but there is also Churchill - Green which is on Cannon Place. Both are car payment only, they have machine dotted about where you get a ticket when you first arrive and then pay when you leave.

The Prices for parking are:-

Up to 2 hours - £5.50

2-3 hours - £8

3-4 hours - £11

4-6 hours - £17

6-8 hours - £20

8-12 hours - £25

12-24 hours - £28